Joan Collins
Question:74. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education for an update on a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 that the NCSE visited to report on suitability for special education provision. [22858/23]
View answerTuesday, 16 May 2023
Questions (74)
Written answers
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and reassure you that enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this government.
For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be €2.6 billion, a 10% increase on last year.
This level of funding and support represents over 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023 and includes funding for new special classes, new special school places, additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants.
The 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 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 is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. 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 a result of this forward planning, on the 12th of April, Minister Foley and I announced the establishment of 2 new special schools for the 2023/2024 school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
Along with the two new special schools, 305 new special classes – 197 at primary and 108 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Of these, 63 will be in Dublin, with 43 at primary and 20 at post-primary level. This will bring the total number of special classes in Dublin to 528.
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 have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes.
In October of last year, my Department wrote to all post-primary schools to advise them of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next 3 to 5 years, with an approximate average of 4 special classes in each school.
In relation to the schools referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE advise my Department that there are no plans to open additional special classes in these particular schools for the upcoming school year, as other schools in the local area still have availability for the 2023/24 school year.
My Department is aware of another post-primary school in the Dublin 12 area that requires reconfiguration to their existing building in order to accommodate a new special class. My Department is currently engaging with the school and progress is underway to ensure the school is prepared for the intake of new students.
The NCSE will continue to monitor this situation on an ongoing basis.
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.