Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2024
38. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education the steps being taken to support children attending a school (details supplied) after the board of management made changes to its enrolment policy for the senior DLD class, resulting in the loss of service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21984/24]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for 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. The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
The provision of health supports, including speech and language therapy services, is the responsibility of the HSE.
Students with Specific Speech and Language Difficulties (SSLD) have access to speech therapy services either through the speech and language therapy services provided in the special class setting by the Health Service Executive (HSE), or through the HSE’s primary care service.
Enrolments into SSLD classes are managed locally by an admissions & discharges committee, comprising the Speech and Language Therapy Manager, Speech and Language Therapist, Class Teacher and Principal. The NCSE is not represented on this committee.
The criteria for enrolment in a Special Class for pupils with SSLD is set out in the Department's Circular 0038/2007.
Students with specific speech and language difficulties that are not enrolled in a special class for SSLD may qualify for additional teaching support under the school's special education teaching support provision.
In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE advise my Department that a number of issues emerged in discussions between the school and the HSE in relation to admissions for the class for the coming 2024/2025 school year. The NCSE intervened to support the school and the HSE to work through these issues. A number of meetings were held and at the last meeting the HSE outlined that they were withdrawing their Speech and Language Therapy services for the class. The class therefore cannot operate for the coming school year.
The NCSE continue to be available to mediate between the school and the HSE local team to work through any issues relating to admission. The HSE continue to provide supports for another speech and language class in a Junior school on the same campus as the school referred to by the Deputy.
Any decision on the provision of speech and language supports for the school is ultimately a decision for the HSE. The NCSE consider that it will be difficult to establish another speech and language class in another school ahead of the coming school year. Therefore, I would ask the school and the HSE to reconvene discussions on admission and work to reinstate HSE supports to allow this much needed class to continue to operate for the coming school year. This particular class has been in operation since 1995.
