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Special Educational Needs Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2018

Tuesday, 27 November 2018

Questions (237, 240, 241, 248, 249, 251)

John Lahart

Question:

237. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of ASD units at both primary and post-primary schools by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49044/18]

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John Lahart

Question:

240. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the provisions in Dublin for the post-primary educational needs of children on the autism spectrum; and the post-primary school provision available for children with autism or on the autism spectrum in the Dublin area. [49049/18]

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John Lahart

Question:

241. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of ASD units within schools in Dublin 24. [49050/18]

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John Lahart

Question:

248. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the provisions for children on the autism spectrum in terms of their post-primary education; the schools in the Dublin 6, 6W, 12, 14 and 16 areas that will accept pupils on the autism spectrum; and the provisions in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49084/18]

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John Lahart

Question:

249. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the reason that there is only one ASD unit for children on the autism spectrum out of 7,000 classroom places in the Dublin 6, 6W and 12 postal codes. [49086/18]

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John Lahart

Question:

251. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of ASD units there are in schools in the Dublin 24 area; and the schools involved. [49090/18]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 237, 240, 241, 248, 249 and 251 together.

Funding for special education provision in 2018 will amount to some €1.75 billion, up 43% since 2011 and equivalent to 18.7% of the gross overall current allocation for education and training.

My Department's policy is to provide for the inclusive education of children with special educational needs, including Autism (ASD), in mainstream school settings, unless such a placement would not be in the best interests of the child concerned, or the children with whom they will be educated.

The greater proportion of children with Autism attend mainstream classes, but some require the environment of a special class or special school. The placement decision is based on a recommendation contained within a professional assessment.

Special school placements are provided for other students with ASD and very complex special needs who wouldn’t manage in a mainstream school even for part of the week.

The NCSE is responsible, through its network of Special Needs Organisers (SENOs), for the development and delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with Special Educational Needs, including the establishment of special class and special school placements.

Since 2011, the NCSE has increased the number of special classes from 548 in 2011 to 1,459 across the country now, of which 1,196 are Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) special classes.

The NCSE is aware of emerging need in South Dublin from year to year, and where special provision, including special class provision, is required, it is planned and established to meet that need. This process is ongoing.

The number of ASD special classes in Co. Dublin have increased from 66 in 2011/2012 to 197 in 2018/2019. This includes 34 ASD classes in the areas referred to by the Deputy; 5 Early Intervention, 23 Primary and 6 Post-primary ASD classes.

Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs are available on www.ncse.ie.

While it is not always possible or practical that a special class placement would be available in a child’s local school, the NCSE has informed my Department that, in general, they are satisfied that there are sufficient ASD special class placements to meet existing demand nationally. From time to time, the Council identifies local areas where additional provision is required. In those circumstances, SENOs work with the schools and families concerned to resolve the issues involved.

My Department is aware that the establishment of special class provision in some schools and communities can be challenging.

The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 when commenced will assist in addressing this issue in areas where the NCSE is of the opinion that there is insufficient education provision for children with special educational needs.

Section 8 of the Act, which will commence from Monday 3rd December 2018, will provide the Minister with a power, after a process of consultation with the NCSE, the board of management and the patron of the school, to compel a school to make additional provision for the education of children with special educational needs.

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