Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 October 2014
179. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when supports will be afforded in respect of a child (details supplied) to allow them to attend school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40626/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides for a continuum of special educational provision to be made available for children with special educational needs, so that regardless of the level of need of the child, educational provision can be made for them.
This includes the provision of mainstream educational placements, special classes, or special school placements for those children who require more intensive and supportive interventions.
Schools have access to a full range of supports to facilitate the enrolment of pupils with special educational needs, including the provision of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support to provide assistance with the care needs of such children, where necessary.
For children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school, or for children with special educational needs for whom a school placement or preschool placement is not available, my Department provides a compensatory educational service through the Home Tuition scheme. Details of the scheme are available on my Department's website www.education.ie.
I understand that in relation to the child referred to in the Deputy's question that a special school placement has been made available along with provision for special needs assistant support.
Should the school require additional SNA support to provide assistance for this child's care needs, they may apply for such additional support to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
Schools may also apply to the NCSE for assistive technology support for pupils who require such support.
In relation to additional health care provision, such as nurse-provided care, I wish to advise that the provision of such health services for children with special educational needs is a matter for the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health and the Deputy may wish to direct queries in respect of these matters to those bodies.
