Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2019
185. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of an autism special school in the Dublin 15 area; if he will direct the NCSE to meet with parents to progress the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17393/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for planning, coordinating and advising on education provision for children with special educational needs.
The Council ensures that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
Individual school boards of management are responsible for the establishment of special classes. It is open to any school to make application to the NCSE to establish a class.
When the NCSE sanction the establishment of a special class or the expansion of special school provision in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation.
The number of ASD special classes has more than doubled in the last 5 years from 511 in 2014 to 1,196 across the country now. In addition, 124 Special schools provide for children with Autism and very complex special needs.
The NCSE is aware of the recent demand for additional special class and special school placements in the north Dublin area.
Planning is actively underway to ensure that all children currently without a suitable placement for next year are provided with a suitable placement. Responsibility for ensuring all children have access to a suitable education is a shared responsibility.
The NCSE is leading the work in this regard with significant support from the Department. Meetings with parents are a normal feature of the NCSE planning and communication procedures. The NCSE and an official of my Department met with a group of parents from the Dublin 15 area on Friday 12 April.
The Council is actively engaging with schools, school Patrons, parents, NEPS, health professionals and others 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 2019/20 school year.
A clearer picture regarding the demand for places will emerge in the coming weeks when Schools have finalised their enrolments.
I am confident that through the work of NCSE and the cooperation of schools and patron bodies we can address current difficulties.
