Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 April 2014

Wednesday, 16 April 2014

Ceisteanna (55)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

55. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills the strategic plan, if any, his Department has for the provision of ASD units or other special education units in post-primary schools across the country; if he appreciates the need to ensure that such units are available in any reasonable-sized post-primary school; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that SENOs are advising second level students to access places outside their catchment area; if he accepts that this approach will give rise to students crisscrossing regions to access special education units while such units should be available if at all possible in their local area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18139/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware that the establishment of a network of autism-specific special classes in schools across the country to cater for children with autism has been a key educational priority in recent years.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

I referred the Deputy's query to the NCSE with particular reference to the establishment of places for the coming school year. NCSE advised that it is currently planning, through its local network of SENOs, for special class settings for children who cannot be educated in a mainstream class setting but who can still attend their local school in a special class with a lower pupil–teacher ratio.

SENOs have been working with local schools on a national basis over the past number of months to plan and establish special classes for children with SEN who require such placements for 2014/2015. This work is ongoing in some counties and SENOs continue to liaise and work with schools in order to meet the demand for such placements at local level.