Special Educational Needs

Wednesday, 14 February 2024

Questions (159, 160, 161, 162, 163)

Duncan Smith

Question:

159. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education how long waiting lists are for ASD units in Swords; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6859/24]

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Duncan Smith

Question:

160. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education how long waiting lists are for ASD units in Portmarnock; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6860/24]

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Duncan Smith

Question:

161. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education how long waiting lists are for ASD units in Malahide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6861/24]

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Duncan Smith

Question:

162. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education how long waiting lists are for ASD units in Donabate/Portrane; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6862/24]

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Duncan Smith

Question:

163. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education how long waiting lists are for ASD units in Kinsealy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6863/24]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 to 163, inclusive, together.

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.

In 2023, my department spent over €2.6 billion on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113 million 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.

My department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools and it does not maintain details of the waiting lists of schools. Therefore, the information requested by the Deputy is not available.

The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.

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

The NCSE continue to engage with schools directly in relation to opening further new special classes in locations where they are needed. Almost 1,300 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE over the last 4 years. Budget 2024 has provided funding for additional teaching and SNA staff to support the establishment of up to 400 further special classes for the coming 2024/2025 school year.

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/special-classes

My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.

Question No. 160 answered with Question No. 159.

Question No. 161 answered with Question No. 159.

Question No. 162 answered with Question No. 159.

Question No. 163 answered with Question No. 159.