Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
1046. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the absence of autism spectrum disorder units in the primary and secondary schools in Ballybay, County Monaghan; the provision of ASD units in surrounding areas that covers this shortfall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40651/21]
View answer1051. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the status of the absence of any ASD units in the primary and secondary schools in Ballybay, County Monaghan; the provision of ASD units in surrounding areas that covers this shortfall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40760/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1046 and 1051 together.
Enabling 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 just under 25% 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 education places nationally, to meet identified need. This process is ongoing. The NCSE have advised that there are sufficient classes at both primary and post primary level to meet the needs of students in the Ballybay area.
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 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.
The NCSE's local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) are 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: http://ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
The specific information requested by the Deputy on special classes is also available directly on the NCSE's website at www.ncse.ie.
