Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2024
318. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in the provision of an ASD unit at a school (details supplied); the current status of current pending project plans; the length of time they have been pending; the likely advancement of the project in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41540/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy, that my Department has no current record of receiving an application for additional accommodation from the school in question.
It is open to the school authority to make an application for additional accommodation through the 'Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, details of which are available at www.gov.ie .
I can confirm that officials in my Department have contacted the school authorities and it was confirmed that the school authority is liaising with the County Council regarding the acquisition of land adjacent to the school.
My Department would be open to considering an application from the school authority in question under my Department's ASA scheme once the land acquisition issue is resolved by the school authority.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.
The main focus of the Department’s capital funding over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics and children with special education needs.
Enabling 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.
For 2024, €2.7 billion is being spent on special education, an increase of €113 million, and this is dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs. This will allow for, amongst other things, the opening of up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools and 300 additional special school places.
