Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
492. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 142 of 28 June 2018, the schools that will have new ASD special classes in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32895/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), in consultation with the relevant education partners, is responsible for the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.
The NCSE is aware of emerging need from year to year, and where special class provision is required, it is planned and established to meet that need.
Since 2011, the NCSE has increased the number of such classes by over 130% from 548 in 2011 to 1,304 across the country now, of which 1,048 are Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) special classes. This network includes 130 ASD early intervention classes, 641 primary ASD classes and 277 post-primary ASD classes in mainstream schools.
The NCSE, in looking to open special classes, must take into account the present and future potential need for such classes, taking particular account of the educational needs of the children concerned. The NCSE will also take account of location and sustainability in looking to establish special classes in certain areas.
There are currently 4 special schools and 70 special classes in mainstream schools in Co. Kildare, including 48 ASD special classes at primary level and 14 ASD special classes at post primary level. The NCSE has informed my Department that to date they have sanctioned 5 new ASD classes- 4 Primary and 1 Post Primary - which are due to open in September 2018.
Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs, in county order and indicating where new classes are due to open in 2018/2019 school year, are available on the NCSE website at the following link: http://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/NCSE-List-of-Special-Classes-for-September-20181.pdf.
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 in Co. Kildare, to ensure that each child has a school placement appropriate to their needs for the 2018/19 school year and beyond.
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 class placements can access such placements in schools within their communities.
As part of the process of planning for future provision, a number of measures have been included in the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016, which was passed by the Oireachtas on 10th July 2018, to provide certain powers to the NCSE to designate a school placement for a child in circumstances where a child is experiencing difficulties in securing enrolment.
The Bill also proposes powers for the Minister, in certain circumstances, to require a school to open a special class for children with special educational needs. This amendment will give the Minister the power to compel 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.
These measures will further enhance the ability of my Department and the NCSE to plan for special class provision and to address issues in provision that may arise from time in time at local levels.
Guidelines for Boards of Management and Principals of Primary and Post Primary schools contain information on setting up and organising special classes, including information on resources which may be provided to schools to establish special classes are available to download from www.ncse.ie.
