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Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 November 2020

Wednesday, 25 November 2020

Questions (124)

Gary Gannon

Question:

124. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the number of primary and post-primary schools that provide ASD classes for children with special education needs in inner city Dublin. [39241/20]

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Written answers

Enabling 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 educational 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 where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. 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.

The NCSE is actively working with schools to establish special classes. It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE to open a special class. The active collaboration of school communities is vital to the effective inclusion of students with special educational needs.

The NCSE has advised that there are currently 3 ASD Early Intervention classes and 24 ASD special classes in primary schools and 6 ASD classes in post primary schools supporting students with autism in Inner City Dublin and the surrounding areas. I am also aware that one additional special class is scheduled to open in January 2021 in this area. I can assure the Deputy that this is being progressed as quickly as possible.

Parents should be advised to contact their local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENO) if they experience any difficulty in getting a suitable placement. SENO contact details are available on the NCSE website at: https://ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list

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