Jim O'Callaghan
Question:79. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the measures she plans to take to respond to the lack of ASD classrooms in Dublin 6; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36648/21]
View answerWednesday, 7 July 2021
Questions (79, 80)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:80. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if schools (details supplied) will be encouraged and or facilitated to set up ASD classrooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36649/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together.
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.
This year, just under 25% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs. As a result, the numbers of special education teachers, SNAs and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.
For the coming school year there will be over 13,600 Special Education Teachers allocated to mainstream schools, who will support class teachers to address the special educational needs and learning needs of pupils who attend mainstream schools.
This year we are also providing for two new special schools and 269 new special classes. We will have a total of 2,118 special classes in 2021/22, which is the largest number of special classes that we have ever had, and compares to 548 classes available in 2011.
18,000 Special Needs Assistants will be available to support the care needs of pupils with special educational needs in our schools.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and special school places nationally, to meet identified need. This process is ongoing. 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.
Planning for future needs takes into consideration the current availability of such places and focuses on those locations where additional provision is required. However, the active collaboration of school communities is essential in this regard.
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.
In establishing new special classes, the NCSE is required to satisfy itself that the class is both sustainable and available to all of the students who may need special class placements in a particular area.
NCSE have specific plans in place to open 6 additional special classes in schools in Dublin 6 and 6W providing 36 additional special class placements for students with autism for September 2021. NCSE is grateful to those schools that have responded and continue to respond positively to meet the educational needs of children in their communities. NCSE is also in consultations with other schools in these and adjacent areas.
In relation to the specific schools referred to by the Deputy, NCSE has confirmed that due to space constraints in the physical environment, one of the schools is not in a position to open a special class. NCSE continue to work with the other schools as part of their consultations referenced above.
The local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: https://ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list .
I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to prioritise investment in special education.
Question No. 80 answered with Question No. 79.