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Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020

Tuesday, 14 July 2020

Questions (600)

John Brady

Question:

600. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is provision for an autism spectrum disorder, ASD, unit in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15283/20]

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Written answers

Ensuring that every child has a suitable school placement is a key objective of my Department. Significant resources are allocated each year to ensure that appropriate supports are available for children with special educational needs.

Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased almost threefold, from 548 to 1,618 for the 2019/2020 school year.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide; has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents; and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.

The NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and school places nationally to meet identified need for next year. This process is ongoing.

It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school. My Department works closely with the NCSE in this regard.

The NCSE, through the local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO), is available to offer further advice and assistance to both schools and parents.

The school referred to by the Deputy is being established in temporary accommodation in September 2020. My Department is in the process of acquiring a site to construct a permanent building for the school. A Special Education Needs Base will be included in the permanent building when constructed.

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