Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 February 2023
203. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the ASD units in schools in County Monaghan, and the number of students attending each, in tabular form; if she will approve additional places at these units; if she intends to approve additional ASD units in other schools in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5709/23]
View answer204. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she will consider the establishment of an ASD unit at a school (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5710/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes additional teaching and care supports. It also includes funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) for an additional 54 psychologists to provide services to special schools and special classes.
In 2022, funding for an additional 980 teachers and 1,165 special needs assistants was provided. For 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 special needs assistants in our schools next year.
For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 Special needs assistants. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting 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.
In 2023, there will be a significant investment in the expansion of the National Council for Special Education, with a total full-year investment of €13 million, in over 160 additional staff. This investment is being undertaken so that the NSCE can respond effectively, compassionately and quickly to the increased need in our education system so that children and their families are fully supported and achieve the best possible education outcomes.
Over the last two to three years, my Department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years.
My Department has engaged intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning for new special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements, and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level. As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my Department and the NCSE are engaging with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes. My Department has also previously written to all post-primary schools to advise them of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes.
If the recent growth in the need for special classes continues, it is expected that a similar level of special classes will be needed at primary level over the next three years as have been provided over the last three years. At post-primary level however, it is expected that we will need to double the number of new special classes being provided over the next three years as compared to the last three years. In addition, it is estimated that an additional 300 special school places may be needed over each of the next 3 years.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie
NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. Every support will be made available to schools to progress the opening of special classes in the shortest possible timeframe. At present, the NCSE have sanctioned 39 special classes in County Monaghan, 26 at primary and 13 at post-primary. 7 of these primary classes and 6 post-primary classes have been sanctioned over the last 3 years. The majority of these classes cater for 6 children.
It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
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.
The NCSE has advised my Department that the school referred to by the Deputy have expressed an interest in opening an ASD class to the SENO on 12 January 2023.
The school’s expression of interest was acknowledged by the SENO, and the school were informed that their application would be kept in mind when considering future class planning based on identified need in the area.
The NCSE works closely with schools in County Monaghan and liaises regularly with Planning and Building Unit within the Department of Education in a process of establishing new classes for this school year and beyond. The NCSE is continually working with schools in County Monaghan in order to sanction special classes where there is a recognised need.
