Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Tuesday, 24 March 2015

Questions (826, 827)

Pat Deering

Question:

826. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria used for selecting suitable schools for autistic spectrum disorder units. [12101/15]

View answer

827. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason no school in the parish of Leighlin, County Carlow has been selected for an autistic spectrum disorder unit, despite three primary schools in the parish catering for over 500 children with no such facilities. [12102/15]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 826 and 827 together.

The Deputy will be aware that the establishment of a network of autism-specific special classes in schools across the country to cater for children with autism has been a key educational priority in recent years. Children with autism have a number of placement options including mainstream placement with support, placement in a special class in a mainstream school or placement in a special class in a special school.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

Parents may contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs and to seek assistance in identifying placement options, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

To meet identified demand in an area all schools are considered by NCSE with reference to how the profile of the school matches the profile of the students requiring the special class placement.

The NCSE has advised that there is currently no demand for a special class in the parish referred to by the Deputy; a new class is proposed for September 2015 in a school in the neighbouring parish in Co. Carlow.