Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2022
340. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will support an increase in capital expenditure to ensure that school environments can be inclusive for all pupils, particularly those with a disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45708/22]
View answerUnder Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. This investment will build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050.
The specific accommodation provision for students with special education needs, the principles of universal design are embedded in all of my Department's technical guidance for school building projects, for the benefit of all school building users. The General Design Guidelines includes guidance on the principles of Universal Access as part of a whole school design approach. A suite of such Technical Guidance Documents is published on my Department's website at www.gov.ie
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
My Department and the NCSE are working closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process to ensure a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school-year and is committed to delivering an inclusive educational environment for all pupils.
My Department and the NCSE continue to work closely in planning for the delivery of new places required to meet forecasted demand.
Through this intensive intervention, for the 2022/2023 school-year we have seen 383 new special classes open, bringing the total of special classes to 2,535 opened nationwide for the 2022/23 school-year. The 383 new special classes for 22/23 is broken down by 253 at primary level and 130 at post primary level.
