Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2018
91. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 124 of 29 November 2017, the number of students that required these extra options; the geographical areas he is including in north County Dublin; the next step in providing these placement options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2460/18]
View answerMy Department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools which have enrolled students with special educational needs in order to ensure that wherever a child is enrolled, s/he will have access to an appropriate education.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) which is a separate independent statutory body, plans and co-ordinates the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The NCSE is aware of emerging need from year to year, and where special provision, including special class or special school provision, is required, it is planned and established to meet that need.
The Deputy is aware that the NCSE has advised my Department that there is an emerging need for additional Special School placement options in the North Dublin area. My Department continues to work with the NCSE to ensure that there is appropriate planning in place to ensure that all children who require special school placements can access such placements. This process is ongoing.
The enrolment of a child in a school is a matter, in the first instance, for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department and the NCSE have no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools.
Accordingly, the NCSE advises Parents to seek to enrol their child by applying in writing to the school/s of their choice as early as possible.
In this regard, where Parents have been unsuccessful in enrolling their child in a special school placement for the 2018/19 school year, they should update their local SENO to inform the planning process.
The NCSE is aware that many parents seek to enrol their child in a number of special schools; as such, an accurate figure on the number of additional placements required for next September will not emerge until Special Schools have completed their 2018/19 enrolment process.
The NCSE is continuing to work with schools, parents, NEPS, health professionals and other staff who are involved in the provision of services in the North Dublin area for children with special educational needs, to ensure that each child has a school placement appropriate to their needs for the 2018/19 school year.
