Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 June 2015
217. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in south Dublin that have an autism unit; the number in north Dublin that have an autism unit; the schools in the Dublin 6W area that currently have an autism unit; the options open to parents when they cannot secure a place for their child in an autism unit in a local school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25202/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that 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.
SENOs engage with schools annually in order to plan for, and to open, new special classes each year, in order to ensure there are sufficient special class placements available at primary and post primary school level to meet demand in a given area.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents are encouraged to liaise with the local SENO to discuss placement options for their child.
The NCSE will continue to monitor and review the requirement for special class places in particular areas and has capacity to open such new special classes where necessary.
Details of all of the special classes for children with special educational needs which are attached to mainstream schools are published each year on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie.
The policy of my Department is that children with special educational needs, including children with autism, should be included where possible and appropriate in mainstream placements with additional supports provided. In circumstances where children with special educational need require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are also available.Parents can choose to enrol children with autism in an early intervention class from the age of three and where such a placement is not available home tuition is approved. Children with autism over the age of four may also be eligible for home tuition if a school placement is not available for them.
I have arranged for the Deputy's request for specific detail on provision in the areas referred to, to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
