Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 September 2011
107 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has now provided the pupils of a school (details supplied) with appropriate alternative educational facilities to the full satisfaction of the parents concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25478/11]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for the provision of a range of educational services at local and national level for students with special educational needs. In particular, its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) co-ordinates special needs education provision at local level and arranges for the delivery of special educational services. The SENOs act as single points of contact for parents of students with special educational needs.
Another specific function of the SENO is to identify appropriate educational placements for children with special educational needs. SENOs are a valuable source of support to parents who are actively sourcing a placement for their children. The NCSE have been fully engaged in securing placements for the children in question. The NCSE has advised my Department that, irrespective of the assessed levels of ability of the children, there are placements available for these children. I also understand from my officials that the parents of the children have been advised of their placement options by the NCSE. It is now up to the parents of the children concerned to engage with the schools in question. I understand that a number of the parents are actively engaging with the schools in this context.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has approved additional home tuition for the children which will facilitate transitional arrangements when the school based placements have been accepted by the parents.
