Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
487. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 494 of 28 April 2021, the levels of learning disability that will be accepted in the schools specifically referred to (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24307/21]
View answerMy Department's policy is that students with special educational needs should be included where possible and appropriate in mainstream placements with additional supports provided. In circumstances where children with special educational needs require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are provided for.
As the Deputy is aware, Minister Foley and I recently announced a significant expansion of special school provision in Cork through the establishment of a new special school and increased capacity in an existing special school to meet the needs of children in the Cork area.
The new provision will see the establishment of a new special school in Carrigaline which will have the capacity to provide 48 school places. It will provide for the needs of children with autism and general learning disability up to eighteen years of age.
The provision will also provide for a change to the designation of St. Mary’s Special School, Rochestown to also cater for children with a dual diagnosis of learning disability and autism with 12 new school places becoming available for September 2021.
Priority will now be given to those children who currently do not have an offer of a school place for next September.
Special educational needs organisers (SENOs) are working closely with the families of the children concerned to assist them in accessing the new places now coming on stream.
