Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
254. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education what planning has taken place to secure new special classes in primary schools in Dublin 15 for September 2024 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39567/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs 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 has been 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 (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs.
For the first time ever there will be over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 SNAs. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special education needs.
Over the last number of 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 almost 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over the last four years.
Earlier this year, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two 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, 388 new special classes – 252 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year.
Of these new special classes 7 are in the Dublin 15 area - 4 at primary level and 3 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Dublin 15 to 57.
The number of special class and special school places required in any school year for each locality requires detailed planning and engagement between my 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.
My Department engages intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. Planning work for the school year 2024/2025 has already commenced. 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.
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 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 available at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list
I can assure the Deputy 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 and education.
