Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:92. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of secondary school places currently available for children with autism in Dublin 15 for September 2016. [10860/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 18 May 2016
Ceisteanna (92, 93)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:93. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the options and services available for children with autism who have been refused secondary school places in Dublin 15 for September 2016; and the accommodations his Department is making to ensure that they can access education in their locality. [10861/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take questions 92 and 93 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that the policy of my Department is that children with special educational needs, including children with autism, should be included where possible and appropriate in mainstream placements with additional supports provided. In circumstances where children with special educational needs require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are also available.
The Deputy will be aware that 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.
Recent years have seen an increase in the number of SNAs from 10,575 posts in 2011 to 12,040 in June 2016. Almost 40% of all students with SNA provision are students with Autism. Over the same period the number of ASD special classes in mainstream primary and post primary schools has increased by 435, from 330 in 2011 to 765 in 2015. A further 168 ASD special classes are due to open in 2016.
The NCSE has advised that there are currently 2 autism specific classes at post primary level in the area referred to by the Deputy. Each special class for autism has a 6:1.5 pupil teacher ratio at post primary level as well as Special Needs Assistant support normally amounting to 2 SNAs for a class of 6 children.
The NCSE continues to monitor and review the requirement for special class places in particular areas and has capacity to establish such new special classes where necessary subject to the willingness of schools to open classes. Full details of all of the special classes that are currently provided is available at www.ncse.ie.
I have arranged for the Deputy's request for specific detail in relation to placement availability in the area referred to, to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
Children with autism may also be eligible for home tuition if a school placement is not available for them and/or where a determination is awaited in respect of an expulsion or refusal to enrol taken under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998. Details in relation to the Home Tuition schemes are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.