Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
497. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the number of additional schools in the Dublin 6, 6W and 12 areas that have made a decision to open or already have opened an ASD unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14257/22]
View answer498. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the steps her Department has taken to ensure the opening of additional ASD units in the Dublin 6, 6W and 16 areas of an electoral area (details supplied); the position regarding this process; and her plans with regard to the provision of additional ASD units in schools in these areas. [14258/22]
View answer499. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the schools in Dublin 6W, 6 and 16 that do not have ASD units and which have or have not made applications to provide ASD units; the stages these requests are at in terms of timelines for delivery; the reason for these schools’ refusals to provide ASD units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14259/22]
View answer500. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the schools in Dublin 6, 6W, 12, 16 and 24 that have ASD units at both primary and post-primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14260/22]
View answer501. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the steps that she has taken to persuade or oblige schools in Dublin 6, 6W and 16 to provide ASD units in their schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14261/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 497 to 501, inclusive, together.
Enabling 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 with special educational needs 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.
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.
The NCSE through their network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers) are currently engaged in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. They are looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special class places.
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.
As the Deputy's questions refer to the engagement with schools in specific areas, I will arrange to have the details referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
