Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2019
162. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding insufficient secondary school places for children in ASD units in County Wexford; his plans to increase provision of second level ASD units in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20609/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIndividual school boards of management are responsible for the establishment of special classes. It is open to any school to make application to the National Council for Special education (NCSE) to establish a special class.
The NCSE, an independent agency of my Department, 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.
In deciding where to establish a special class in an area, the NCSE take account of the current and projected demand and the available school accommodation both current and planned. In this regard, the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) may approach individual schools to discuss the matter with a view to finding the optimal location in terms of convenience and sustainability.
When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to reconfigure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation.
Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) who are locally based are available to assist and advise parents whose children have special needs. They also assist and advise schools in making decisions in this area.
From time to time, the NCSE identifies local areas where additional special class provision is required. In those circumstances, Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) work with the schools and families concerned to resolve the issues involved. This process is ongoing and the NCSE are actively engaging with schools in relation to establishing ASD classes where there is an identified need for the 2019/2020 school year.
There are now 1,459 special classes in place, compared to 548 in 2011. There are 2 special schools and 52 special classes attached to mainstream schools in Co. Wexford. Of these, 3 are ASD early intervention classes, 28 are primary ASD classes and 14 are post primary ASD classes. The NCSE has informed my Department that they intend to establish approx. 165 new ASD special classes nationally for 2019/20 school year to meet currently identified need.
Since 2011, the number of ASD special classes in Co. Wexford has more than doubled from 17 in 2011 to 45 in 2018/19 school year.
As the Deputy's question relates to a specific area, I have forwarded it to the National Council for Special Education for direct reply.
