Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021
317. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education her plans to increase the number of special school places in Dublin 9 in which no places currently exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34238/21]
View answer318. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education her plans to increase the number of special school places in Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34239/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 318 together.
It is my belief that children with special educational needs should receive their education in placements which are appropriate to their needs alongside their peers wherever possible unless such an approach would be inconsistent with the best interests of the individual child or other children in the school.
This approach is consistent with the provisions of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004.
My Department's policy is therefore to provide for the inclusive education of children with special educational needs in mainstream schools. The majority of children with special needs attend mainstream education with additional supports.
This policy is supported by significant investment by Government, €2bn or just under 25% of the total education spend. This funds the provision of additional teachers, special needs assistants and other supports required to enable children with special needs to access education.
Only where it has been assessed that the child is unable to be supported in mainstream education, are special class placements or special school placements recommended and provided for.
It is therefore not the case that special educational placements are required to support all children with special educational needs, nor is it intended that this should be the case.
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.
My Department will continue to provide for a continuum of provision, which includes special class and special school places for children who have been assessed as needing such placements.
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 have been seeking placement for the 2021/22 academic year, including mainstream placement with appropriate support, special class placement, Early Intervention and special school placement throughout the country including the areas in question. The NCSE continues to work to identify any and all relevant suitable placements.
I can assure the Deputy that the local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) continue to be available to assist and advise both schools and the parents of children with special educational needs.
Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
