Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 September 2021
393. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if a school has an obligation to find a suitable place for a child in an appropriate alternative school in cases in which the school believes the child requires to be educated in another school due to their educational needs as in the case of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45231/21]
View answerIt is my Department’s 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.
This 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 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.
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.
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.
Through ongoing consultation at local level, the NCSE is also aware of those parents whose children are 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 is working with schools to encourage and support the opening of new special classes at all levels and has specific plans in place to increase the number of places available.
The local Special Educational 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 .
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie
I also understand from my enquiries that this pupil’s needs have not been brought to the attention of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of my Department. NEPS is available to support the school with this matter at the request of the school principal and I would advise that the parent/guardian speaks to the Principal of the school with a view to their concerns being raised with NEPS.
