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Special Educational Needs Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2019

Tuesday, 16 April 2019

Ceisteanna (188)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

188. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students diagnosed with autism and awaiting a school place for primary school, secondary school and further post-secondary training, respectively, in tabular form; his plans to increase places available by September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17468/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department does not hold information in relation to the number of children with a recommendation for ASD specific placements.

The National Council for Special education (NCSE), an independent agency of my Department, is responsible for planning, coordinating and advising on education provision for children with special educational needs in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The NCSE’s policy advice on Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (2016) noted a national ASD prevalence rate of 1.55% or 1 in every 65 students.

The greater proportion of children with Autism attend mainstream classes, but some students may find it difficult to manage full-time placement there and will require the environment of an ASD special class for some or all of their time in school and for a minority of children with Special Educational Needs including Autism, placements in a Special School may be required.

The Council ensures that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.

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. As the Deputy's question relates to identified need I have arranged for the question to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

Since 2011, the number of ASD special classes has increased by over 260% from 330 in 2011 to 1,196 across the country now. Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs are available by county on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie. Special classes for students with ASD provide 6 placements and are staffed with a lower pupil–teacher ratio of 6:1 at primary level and 6:1.5 at post primary level, and also have a minimum of two SNAs for every class of 6 children.

In relation to further education places, there are over 320,000 FET places available every year throughout the network of FET providers.

It is estimated that over 18,000 persons with a disability participated in FET provision in 2018.  Around 2,472 persons with a disability participating in PLC provision, 2,764 in Adult Literacy, 1,533 in BTEI, 5,805 in Community Education, as well as 1,539 through FET co-operation hours.

In addition, approximately 1,495 persons with a disability benefited from Specialist Training Provision.  SOLAS, through the ETBs, provides specific funding (almost €47m per annum) for persons with a disability via Specialist Training Providers (National Learning Network).

These programmes are available to people with disabilities who may require more intensive support. The features of this specialist training include: courses of longer duration, adapted equipment, transport arrangements as well as enhanced programme content.

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