Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 November 2018
71. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a secondary school place will be provided for a person (details supplied) in a city school; and if their parent will be informed in view of the fact that preparations must be made for them relative to the change of school. [46055/18]
View answerMy Department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools, which have enrolled students with special educational needs, including those with Autism, in order to ensure that wherever a child is enrolled, s/he will have access to an appropriate education.
Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.
My Department therefore provides for a continuum of provision which includes mainstream school placements with additional supports, or for pupils who require more specialist interventions, special class and special school placements. This decision is based a recommendation contained within a professional assessment in consultation with the National Council for Special Education(NCSE).
Students enrolling in specialised placements must have a report from a relevant professional or team of professionals stating that:
- S/he has a disability (in line with the designation of the special placement in question) and
- S/he has significant learning needs that require the support of a specialised setting and the reasons why this is the case.
The NCSE is responsible for organising and planning provision for children with Special Educational Needs, including the establishment of special classes in mainstream primary and post primary schools.
As the matter raised by the Deputy refers to a particular child, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be forwarded to the National Council for Special Education for direct reply. My Department has no role in such determinations.
