Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022
369. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the number of primary schools with designated ASD units in Cork city and county that are accepting enrolment for September 2022; the locations of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3011/22]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
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.
There are currently a network of 357 special classes in Cork of which 309 are special classes for children with autism. Of the 309 special classes for children with autism, 228 are at primary level including 21 Early Intervention classes and 81 are at post primary level. A total of 45 new ASD special classes were established for the 2021/2022 school year.
The NCSE through their network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers) continue to engage in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond by looking at local information in relation to current and projected demand for special education places. The NCSE have specific plans in place to open additional ASD special classes in the 2022/23 school year.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.
I should also clarify that the NCSE does not maintain waiting lists for schools. Boards of management of individual schools are responsible for such enrolment matters.
The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise 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 type and location of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie.
