Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
667. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if there is a holistic view of special education needs within her Department ensuring that the building unit team and the NCSE liaise with one another; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16843/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise that my Department is committed, in conjunction with the National Council for Special Education (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.
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.
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 include:
• Enhanced arrangements in place, for planning and coordination of Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision requirements using the Department’s Geographic Information Management System (GIS).
• Updated technical guidance for building projects involving SEN provision.
• Future proofing at post-primary level with the incorporation of 4 special classes in all new 1,000 student post-primary schools.
• Strategic engagement with a school patron in relation to SEN provision at its school sites including its post-primary schools in the fee-charging sector.
• Modular Accommodation Framework put in place by the Department in early 2021.
• Expansion of existing planning exemptions for provision of additional accommodation at existing school sites.
• Providing expanded Project Management support to schools.
• Introducing a much-simplified application process for reconfiguration works for SEN.
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.
Officials from my Departments Special Education Section, Planning and Building Unit and the NCSE meet on a weekly basis to forward plan for sufficient provision of special classes and special school places. Information is shared by the NCSE on demand for special education provision with my Department on a regular basis. In turn, information on the status of school building projects is shared with the NCSE on a regular basis.
My 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, consideration of available school accommodation capacity, and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
Just last week, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two new special schools as part of a comprehensive update on enhanced education provision for students with special educational needs. These two new special schools will be established in Carrigtwohill, east Cork and Dublin 7 for the 2023/24 school year.
Along with the two new special schools, I also confirmed that 218 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the coming school year 2023/2024, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks – 126 at primary and 92 at post-primary level. Also capacity will be expanded in 11 other special schools around the country.
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 appropriate education.
