Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022

Tuesday, 25 October 2022

Questions (424)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

424. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 101 of 19 October 2022, her plans to increase the number of generalised learning disability units to provide additional supports to children with additional needs who do not have an ASD diagnosis but who require the supports of a specialised placement (details supplied); the reason that only those children with an ASD diagnosis are being prioritised for specialist placements given that a number of other disabilities also require specialised placements as recommended in a professional report; if she will list the disabilities supported by generalised learning disabilities; the number of generalised learning disabilities units per county; the number of generalised learning disability units opened in 2021 and 2022; the number of generalised learning disability units planned for 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53568/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide. Accordingly your correspondence has been forwarded to the NCSE for direct reply.

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: https://ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list .

The NCSE is actively planning for an increasing demand for special classes on a national basis. As the school population increases over the coming years, so too will demand for special classes.

My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.

I want to reassure you also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.