Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
283. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 28 June 2023, if she can confirm if the two new classes due to open in Dublin 16 are for this coming September 2023; if so, which schools these classes will be in; and specifically in relation to one school (details supplied), if her Department has plans to meet the need for a special class in this school. [33896/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
I reiterate that enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education 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).
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.
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, including the school referred to by the Deputy, 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.
The NCSE actively encourage expressions of interest from schools to open special classes, and I appreciate and commend the efforts taken by Boards of Management when expressing their interest in opening 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.
I can confirm 1 new primary class in Ballinteer Educate Together National School and 1 new post-primary class in Colaiste Eanna Christian Brothers School have been sanctioned. To date no class has been sanctioned in the school referred to by the Deputy for the 2023/24 school year.
When assessing the needs in the local area, the NCSE identify schools in the neighbouring vicinity with available special class vacancies and assess their capability with consideration to demographical and statistical data.
The NCSE acknowledge that circumstances may change, and they are committed to ensuring that both parents and schools receive the necessary advice and support. The local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs.
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.
