Special Educational Needs Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2015

Thursday, 19 February 2015

Ceisteanna (181)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

181. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children with special needs who are being brought to and from school by bus, in situations where a place is not provided for, or available, in their local school; the cost of providing such transport in 2014; the number of children involved in 2014; if an evaluation was done to predict special education needs, in order to provide, as locally as possible, a school space, and reduce long commutes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7512/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

My Department's policies focus on ensuring that all children can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.

A range of placement options for children with special educational needs is provided, in order to ensure that all children can receive a school placement. Many children with special educational needs will be able to attend a local mainstream school, whereas for children who have needs which require more specialist interventions, special class and special school placements are provided for.

As such, a child may have access to a number of different placement options in a locality. However, the enrolment of a child to a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), engage with schools annually in order to plan for specialist provision, and to open new special classes each year in various geographical areas, as required, in order to ensure there are sufficient special class placements available at primary and post primary school level to meet demand in a given area.

The NCSE will continue to plan and coordinate the provision of education and support services to ensure that the educational requirements of children with special needs can be met in all areas.

In general, under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs children are eligible for school transport where they are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs.

The level of detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I can confirm that there are currently almost 10,000 children availing of school transport services under the terms of the above scheme at an annual cost of some €50m.