Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
447. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the steps being taken to ensure all post-primary schools have ASD classes to cater for persons who have a diagnosis of ASD; when it is hoped that universal coverage of schools will be achieved of ASD classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23782/21]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. The Department of Education will spend approximately €2 Billion or over 20% of its total educational budget in 2021 on making additional provision for children with special educational needs this year.
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.
NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and special school places nationally, to meet identified need. This process is ongoing.
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.
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.
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 aware of those parents whose children are seeking placement for the 2021/22 academic year, including mainstream placement with appropriate support, special class and special school placement. The NCSE continues to work at local level to identify any and all relevant suitable placements.
I can reassure the Deputy that the local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) continue to be available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs.
Information on the list of schools with special classes together with SENO contact details is available at www.ncse.ie.
