Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
300. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education to facilitate the opening of an ASD unit in a school (details supplied) where there is a known demand for this September for an ASD unit and where there is appropriate accommodation available on the grounds of the school. [34163/23]
View answerEnabling 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).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
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 funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, 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 for the next school year 2023/24. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class and special school places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements, consideration of school accommodation capacity and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, on the 12 of April, Minister Foley and I announced the establishment of 2 new special schools for the 2023/24 school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
Along with the two new special schools, 384 new special classes – 251 at primary and 133 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year.
Of these new classes, 15 are in Donegal, with 8 at primary level and 7 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Donegal to 112.
My deparment and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for the coming school year 2023/24.
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. Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs.
Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details on the NCSE's website: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list. SENO's are available to offer advice and assist in recommending the appropriate educational and support services for students.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is also published on the NCSE website: www.ncse.ie
In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, as this question relates to a specific school, my department will ask the NCSE to provide a direct response.
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.
