Holly Cairns
Question:540. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the number of ASD spaces there are at primary and post-primary level in an area (details supplied) for the academic year 2021-2022. [52803/21]
View answerTuesday, 2 November 2021
Questions (540)
Written answers
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
The level of investment in special education, at almost €2 billion, is at an all-time high.
An additional 269 special classes have been opened this school-year. This brings the total number of special classes nationally to 2,118. The new classes provide 1,600 additional places, spread right throughout the country.
Two new special schools have also opened recently, one in Dublin and one in Cork.
Currently, a network of 38 primary school special classes, including 4 Early Intervention classes, as well as 13 post primary special classes provide 306 specialist placements for students with autism in South - West Cork, of which 7 classes were newly established for the 2021/2022 school year.
Despite this unprecedented increase, I am very aware of the need for further specialist education places in a small number of areas.
I also acknowledge that any delay in securing a suitable school placement can cause much anguish for parents and families involved.
My Department and the NCSE have therefore put in place new planning structures and procedures to ensure sufficient places become available to meet local need. As new need emerges, there is a cohesive response available to ensure places become available in a timely and targeted way.
I am aware that the NCSE is currently engaging with four primary schools in the area referenced by the Deputy regarding the establishment of additional special classes for 2022/23 and beyond.
The willingness of school communities to open special classes is central to ensuring that every child can obtain a suitable placement. My Department and the NCSE can provide the necessary funding, teaching and SNA resources, professional supports and training so that the required special class places can be provided as soon as possible.
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.