Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
461. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education the process involved to access an autism place for a child when moving from one county to another; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25216/20]
View answerThe policy of the Department of Education and Skills (DES) is to ensure that all children with special educational needs can be provided with an education appropriate to their needs. The Department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools in order to ensure that wherever a child is enrolled, s/he will have access to an appropriate education.
The enrolment of a child in a school is a matter, in the first instance, for the parents of the child and then a matter for the school/ Board of Management having regard to their own enrolment/admissions policy.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), are available to assist parents to identify appropriate educational placements for children with special educational needs and to discuss their child's special educational needs. Details of SENOs are available on www.ncse.ie
The NCSE also works in collaboration with the Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency which is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child or can offer assistance where a child is out of school. Contact details are available on www.tusla.ie .
