Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020
554. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of ASD special classes in primary and secondary schools by county for the period 1 Jan 2016 to 30 June 2020, inclusive, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19153/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe list of special classes for the years referred to by the Deputy, including special classes for children with autism, is available on the NCSE website at https://ncse.ie/.
Ensuring 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.
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 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 school places national to meet identified need for next year.
