Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 February 2024
135. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education if she will sanction increased funding and resources for primary schools in County Laois to ensure that no child with special needs is left without a place in an ASD unit where required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8447/24]
View answer136. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education the number of school places available in ASD units in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8448/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 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.
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 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 have been 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, 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, 390 new special classes – 254 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening this current school year.
Of these 8 are in Laois, 4 at primary and 4 at post-primary level. This brings to 60 the number of special classes in County Laois, 44 at primary level and 16 at post-primary level. The vast majority of these class are autism classes and have a teacher/pupil ratio of 1:6.
The tables below details the list of autism classes within primary and post-primary settings in County Laois for the 2023/24 school year.
Planning for special classes and places in County Laois and nationwide is currently underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year.
As 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.
My department has communicated to all post-primary schools 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 2 to 4 years, with an approximate average of 4 special classes in each school.
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
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 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.
Primary Autism Classes in County Laois 2023-24
|
School Roll Number |
School Name |
Address |
|
00892Q |
Shanganamore N S |
Shanganamore |
|
00892Q |
Shanganamore N S |
Shanganamore |
|
13643Q |
Emo Mixed N S |
Portlaoise |
|
13643Q |
Emo Mixed N S |
Portlaoise |
|
13741Q |
Rath Mixed National School |
Rath |
|
13741Q |
Rath Mixed National School |
Rath |
|
17489G |
S N Fionntan Naofa |
Abbeyleix |
|
17555Q |
Scoil Naomh Abban |
Crettyard |
|
19747M |
Scoil Bhride Ns |
Portaoise |
|
19747M |
Scoil Bhride Ns |
Portaoise |
|
19750B |
Scoil Mhuire |
Ballyroan Road |
|
19750B |
Scoil Mhuire |
Ballyroan Road |
|
19750B |
Scoil Mhuire |
Ballyroan Road |
|
20065Q |
Our Ladys Meadow National School |
Durrow |
|
20065Q |
Our Ladys Meadow National School |
Durrow |
|
20270R |
Holy Family Junior School |
Aghnaharna |
|
20347D |
Portlaoise Educate Together NS |
Summerhill Downs |
|
20347D |
Portlaoise Educate Together NS |
Summerhill Downs |
|
20353V |
St Colmans NS |
Stradbally |
|
20353V |
St Colmans NS |
Stradbally |
|
20480F |
Holy Family Senior School |
Aughnaharna |
|
20480F |
Holy Family Senior School |
Aughnaharna |
|
07442U |
St Joseph's National School |
Borris in Ossory |
|
07442U |
St Joseph's National School |
Borris in Ossory |
|
07636K |
St Fintans N S |
New Line Road |
|
07636K |
St Fintans N S |
New Line Road |
|
16070K |
Mountmellick Boys NS |
Mountmellick |
|
16070K |
Mountmellick Boys NS |
Mountmellick |
|
16667W |
Tobar An Leinn |
Raheen |
|
16667W |
Tobar An Leinn |
Raheen |
|
17493U |
Rosenallis N S |
Rosenallis |
|
17493U |
Rosenallis N S |
Rosenallis |
|
18166K |
Clonenagh N.S. |
Clonenagh |
|
18294T |
Barr na Sruthan NS |
Mountmellick |
|
18294T |
Barr na Sruthan NS |
Mountmellick |
|
18513F |
Naomh Padraig N S |
Doire Liaim Oig |
|
20071L |
Scoil Bhride |
Rathdowney |
|
20169F |
Castletown N.S. |
Castletown |
|
20169F |
Castletown N.S. |
Castletown |
Post-Primary Autism Classes in County Laois 2023-24
|
School Roll Number |
School Name |
Address |
|
63430G |
St. Mary's C.B.S. |
Borris Road |
|
63430G |
St. Mary's C.B.S. |
Borris Road |
|
63430G |
St. Mary's C.B.S. |
Borris Road |
|
68068R |
Colaiste Iosagain |
Portarlington |
|
68068R |
Colaiste Iosagain |
Portarlington |
|
71510A |
Portlaoise College |
Mountrath Rd. |
|
71510A |
Portlaoise College |
Mountrath Rd. |
|
76474B |
Dunmase College |
Railway Street |
|
76474B |
Dunmase College |
Railway Street |
|
91427C |
Heywood Community School |
Ballinakill |
|
91427C |
Heywood Community School |
Ballinakill |
|
71470O |
Clonaslee College |
Clonaslee |
|
71470O |
Clonaslee College |
Clonaslee |
|
71520D |
St. Fergal's College |
Rathdowney |
|
91550B |
Mountrath Community School |
Mountrath |
