Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
353. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children with special needs in an area (details supplied) who do not have an appropriate primary or second level school place in September 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15360/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra354. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to ensure that a child (details supplied) in County Cork receives an appropriate second level school place in the child's catchment area for September 2018. [15366/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 353 and 354 together.
My Department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools, which have enrolled students with special educational needs, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), in order to ensure that wherever a child is enrolled, s/he will have access to an appropriate education.
Most children with special educational needs attend mainstream class, but some require the environment of a special class or special school. This decision is based on a professional assessment in consultation with the NCSE.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) which is a separate independent statutory body, plans and co-ordinates the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The NCSE is aware of emerging need from year to year, and where special provision, including special class or special school provision, is required, it is planned and established to meet that need.
In Cork City and County there are 222 special classes of which 23 are Early Intervention ASD classes, 102 Primary ASD classes and 50 Post-Primary ASD classes in mainstream schools for 2017/18 school year.
The NCSE has advised my Department that it intends to establish 27 new classes in the city and county for the 2018/19 school year including 4 new Early Intervention ASD classes, 17 new Primary ASD classes and 5 new Post-Primary ASD classes.
The NCSE has advised my Department that there is an emerging need for additional Special School placement options in the Cork area. My Department continues to work with the NCSE to ensure that there is appropriate planning in place to ensure that all children who require special school placements can access such placements. This process is ongoing.
The enrolment of a child in 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 and the NCSE has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools.
Accordingly, the NCSE advises parents to seek to enrol their child, by applying in writing, to the school/s of their choice as early as possible. Where Parents have been unsuccessful in enrolling their child in a special school or special class placement for the 2018/19 school year, they should update their local SENO to inform the planning process. Contact details are available on www.ncse.ie.
The NCSE has advised that they continue to work with schools, parents, NEPS, health professionals and other staff who are involved in the provision of services in the Cork area for children with special educational needs, to ensure that each child has a school placement appropriate to their needs for the 2018/19 school year.
The Deputy may be aware that during the Committee Stage debate of the School Admissions Bill, I outlined my intention to include a provision that will provide, based on reports and advice from the NCSE, a power for the Minister to require a school to open a special class or increase the number of special classes in schools identified by the NCSE. My Department officials are currently engaging with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on the development of legislative proposals on this matter which they hope to bring forward to Government for approval.
With reference to the student referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised officials in my Department that, based on the professional report available to them, a post-primary placement has been identified and notified to the parents.
In general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest special class that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs under my Departments criteria. Most but not all children with Special Educational needs avail of this support.
