Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
633. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education the status of the case of a child (details supplied) who has level two autism and whose parents have been unsuccessful in securing a primary school place for them in a Limerick school with ASD supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12593/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs (SEN) to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.
It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my Department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
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 providing supports to children and young people with special educational needs and their schools.
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 funding to support children with SEN in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
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 mainstream, 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.
There are currently 113 special classes in Co. Limerick. Of these, 78 special classes are at primary level and 35 are at post-primary level. Over the last three years, 38 new special classes at primary and 18 new special classes at post-primary have been provided in Co. Limerick.
My Department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. The number of special class and special school places required in any school year for each locality requires detailed planning and engagement between the Department, the NCSE and schools to ensure sufficient mainstream, special class and special school places are provided for. The planning activity between all stakeholders occurs all year round and the NCSE continuously engages with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes. Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.
The Department is engaging 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 review of school accommodation needs.
At local level, the 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.
It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
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.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. 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.
In relation to the pupil referred to by the Deputy, the NSCE has advised my Department that the local SENO is aware of the pupil's situation and has recently been in contact with with the pupil's parent and has provided advice and recommended a number of schools which may have suitable placements. The SENO remains available in order to provide further support to the family.
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 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.
