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School Admissions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Questions (919)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

919. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when a person (details supplied) can be facilitated with a school place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18192/21]

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Written answers

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

It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.

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.

Through ongoing consultation at local level, the NCSE is also aware of those parents whose children will be seeking placement for the 2021/22 academic year, including mainstream placement with appropriate support, special class placement, Early Intervention and special school placement. The NCSE continues to work to identify any and all relevant suitable placements.

I should also clarify that the NCSE does not maintain waiting lists for schools. Boards of management of individual schools are responsible for such enrolment matters.

The NCSE is working with schools to encourage and support the opening of new special classes at all levels and has specific plans in place to increase the number of places available.

In circumstances, where no placement is available for a child with special educational needs, the Department can provide Home Tuition grant funding towards the provision of 20 hours home tuition per week as an interim measure until the NCSE confirms that a placement is available.

With regard to the specific case to which the Deputy refers, I can advise that the section 29 appeals committee determined that the decision to expel the child wasn’t warranted and that the child should be readmitted to the school. The school have challenged this decision and the matter is currently the subject of a judicial review.

It is not appropriate for me to comment further on this matter as it is before the courts however, I can advise that the Department and the NCSE are working to support the family and the child in question is being provided with home tuition.

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