Peter Fitzpatrick
Ceist:61. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to increase the number of special education units nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22393/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 22 May 2018
Ceisteanna (61)
Freagraí scríofa
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 in order to ensure that wherever a child is enrolled, s/he will have access to an appropriate education.
Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.
My Department therefore provides for a continuum of provision which includes mainstream school placements with additional supports, or for pupils who require more specialist interventions, special school and special class placements.
Since 2011, the NCSE has increased the number of special classes from 548 in 2011 to 1,304 for the 2017/18 school year.
This network includes 1,048 ASD special classes, of which 130 are ASD early intervention classes, 641 primary ASD classes and 277 post-primary ASD classes in mainstream schools and 125 Special schools of which 20 are ASD special schools.
The National Council for Special Education is responsible, through its network of Special Needs Organisers, for the development and delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with Special Educational Needs, including the establishment of special classes.
The NCSE is aware of emerging need from year to year, and where special provision is required it is planned and established to meet that need.
The NCSE is continuing to work with schools, parents, NEPS, health professionals and other staff who are involved in the provision of services 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 and beyond.
To this end the NCSE has indicated that it intends to establish approximately 145 new special classes for the forthcoming school year.
Parents/guardians of children with special needs who may need advice or are experiencing difficulties in locating a school placement should contact their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO).
The Deputy may be aware that the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016, which was published in July 2016, has been amended to include a measure which provide for the Minister to require a school to open a special class for children with special educational needs.
This amendment will give the Minister the power to direct a school to open a special class or classes where the National Council for Special Education has identified a need for such provision within an area. This will complement the provisions already included in the Bill which will provide for a situation where a child with special educational needs cannot find a school place, and allow the National Council for Special Education to designate a school place for the child.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill passed Committee Stage on 28th June 2017 and will shortly proceed to Report Stage.