Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 October 2020
8. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the provision of ASD services in an area of County Cork (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29792/20]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Next year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special needs.
This investment will support the provision of over 1,200 additional special class places. Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country, including Cork, where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.
It is open to any school to seek to open a special class and there is a range of supports available for schools in terms of funding, specialist advice and professional development. As Minister, I have powers under Section 37A of the Education Act to direct a school to provide additional places but this power is only used as a last resort and where all reasonable efforts have failed.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. The NCSE is working with schools, patron bodies, parents and others in Cork to bring the additional special education placements on stream.
I am pleased to report that progress has been made with regard to the provision of additional special class places. However, the NCSE has identified the need for additional special school places in Cork for the current school-year. In this regard, I can confirm that my Department and the NCSE are working with the Patron and management of an existing special school on expanding its provision.
Planning is also underway to ensure that children in the Cork area are provided with a suitable placement in the next school-year. Through better planning at both national and local level, it is my objective that specialist education places should come on stream to meet emerging demand on a timely basis. However, the active collaboration of school communities is essential in this regard.
