I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.
The National Council for Special Education is responsible for organising and planning provision for children with Special Educational Needs, including establishing special classes in mainstream primary and post-primary schools.
The NCSE has advised that there are almost 18,000 students with ASD attending schools nationally. Of these 3,484 are attending primary ASD classes and 1,118 are attending post-primary ASD classes.
In 2011 there were 548 special classes, of which 224 were primary ASD classes, 72 were post primary ASD classes and 34 were early intervention classes. The remaining 218 were special classes service children with mild to moderate/severe general learning difficulties and specific learning difficulties including speech and language difficulties.
There are currently 1,153 special classes, which is an increase of over 100% on the number available in 2011. Of these, 127 are ASD early intervention classes, 525 are primary ASD classes and 237 are post-primary ASD classes. The remainder are non ASD special classes.
With regard to County Donegal, there are currently 36 ASD special classes, of these, 21 are in primary schools and 15 are post-primary ASD classes, including 3 new post-primary classes which opened in September 2016.
The NCSE, in consultation with the relevant education partners, must take into account the present and future potential need, location and sustainability in looking to establish special classes in certain areas. In this regard the NCSE has advised that they are continuing to engage with schools, and in particular the school referred to by the Deputy, in opening special classes where there is an identified need for special class provision.
The continued growth in post-primary special class numbers is a natural consequence of the earlier growth in primary special class numbers. However, it should not be assumed that the same levels of growth in post-primary class numbers should apply. This is because, for children with Autism, transferring from a special class in a primary school to a special class in a post-primary school may not always be the optimal choice. Many children can progress to mainstream post-primary with support of SNA and Resource Teaching hours, while more may transfer from primary to a special school depending on their presentation and needs.
It should also be noted that there is a proportionally larger enrolment at Primary level due to the higher number of standard years. Of the total enrolment in schools currently 68% of students are enrolled at Primary Level (which includes all Special Schools) and 32% are enrolled at Post-Primary level.
With regards to the area referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE advises that there are places available currently in ASD classes at post-primary level and in general, they are satisfied that there are sufficient ASD special class placements to meet existing demand at post-primary level.
Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs, including those in County Donegal, are available on www.ncse.ie in county order.
The NCSE recently launched guidelines for Boards of Management and Principals of Primary and Post-Primary schools which provide information on setting up and organising special classes. These guidelines are available to download from www.ncse.ie.
