Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 February 2024
258. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education the number of two-teacher schools that have a special autism class attached to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4791/24]
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.
In 2023, my department spent over €2.6 billion on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113m will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
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 2024, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 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 educational 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.
My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, 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, two new special schools are being established for this current school year in Cork and Dublin, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
In December 2023, I was also very happy to announce with my colleague Minister Foley, the establishment of a further four new special schools for the 2024/25 school year in Enfield, South Kildare, Gorey and Limerick. This will bring to 11 the number of new special schools established in recent years.
Along with the two new special schools opening this school year, 389 new special classes – 253 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening this current school year.
The attached document provides a breakdown of two teacher schools with autism classes for the current school year. Planning for special classes and places nationwide is currently underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. It is usually the case that special classes are generally sanctioned in medium and larger schools where there is an expectation of a continued need for this support over time. There are over 2,000 special classes sanctioned by the NCSE across our primary schools.
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) are available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE's website at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list
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.
Two-Teacher Schools with Special Classes 2023/24
|
County |
Roll Number |
School Name |
Class Type |
No of Classes |
|
Clare |
18526O |
Ballycar N S |
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
1 |
|
Clare |
18630J |
Carrigaholt Mixed N S |
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
1 |
|
Cork |
13125R |
Darrara NS |
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
1 |
|
Cork |
14227H |
Kilcoe Mixed N S |
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
1 |
|
Donegal |
16819T |
SN Gort An Choirce |
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
1 |
|
Donegal |
16869L |
SN An Bhreacaigh |
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
1 |
|
Dublin |
20531T |
Gaelscoil Lír |
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
2 |
|
Dublin |
20543D |
Sallynoggin Killiney ETNS |
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
1 |
|
Galway |
17574U |
S N Naomh Ciarain |
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
1 |
|
Kerry |
06227L |
Sn Mhaolcheadair |
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
1 |
|
Kerry |
15878H |
Derryquay Mxd N S |
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
1 |
|
Kerry |
17915U |
Freastogail Mhuire Mxd |
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
2 |
|
Limerick |
14005M |
Kilteely NS |
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
1 |
|
Offaly |
18777Q |
Lumcloon National School |
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
2 |
|
Sligo |
03924S |
Owenbeg N S |
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
15299O |
Gaile National School |
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
18512D |
St Francis National School |
Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
1 |
|
17 |
20 |
