Skip to main content
Normal View

Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Questions (355)

Richard Bruton

Question:

355. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the way in which admission to special schools will be determined (details supplied); if she will reassure parents that children will not lose out during this transition required by the courts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25690/22]

View answer

Written answers

In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.

Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.  However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. The act requires schools to clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. Schools have discretion in relation to their admission criteria and how they are applied.  The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves.  The Department does not intervene in the selection criterion that is applied by schools.

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 or school 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 . 

I should clarify, however, that the NCSE does not maintain waiting lists for schools.  Boards of management of individual schools are responsible for such enrolment matters. 

With regards to recent Court Judgements, following a High Court ruling in October 2021 there is now a requirement on the education system to provide an assessment of education Needs as part of the HSE  Assessment of Need Process. My Department is considering its implications. There was a further High Court ruling in March, 2022 to which the details supplied refers.  My Department are working with the Department of Health, the NCSE and the HSE and taking legal advice. Officials in my Department are continuing to work through proposals to address the implications.

I expect to receive a proposal on the matter shortly.

Top
Share