Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2020
379. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a special needs school place will be made available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6872/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring that every child has a suitable school placement is a key objective of my Department. Significant resources are allocated each year to ensure that appropriate supports are available for children with special educational needs.
Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased almost threefold, from 548 to 1,618 for the 2019/2020 school year; with 1,353 of these catering for children with autism.
A list of special classes and special schools for the current school year is available on the NCSE website.
Budget 2020 provided for an additional 265 special class teachers in 2020, which will allow for the opening of additional classes where required.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide; has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents; and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
The NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and special school places nationally to meet identified need for next year. This process is ongoing.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school. My Department works closely with the NCSE in this regard.
The NCSE's Local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise both schools and the parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at:
https://ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list
My Department understands that the NCSE are engaging with the parent of the child referred to by the deputy on the matter of an appropriate school placement. The SENO remains available to offer further advice and assistance, and I would encourage the parent to continue to engage directly with them, as required.
