Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
396. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education if she will make available a place in a special school for a child (details supplied) which would meet the child's additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23360/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring that every child has a suitable school placement is a key objective of this Department. Significant resources are allocated each year to ensure that appropriate supports are available for children with special educational needs.
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 education placements.
The NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and special school places nationally, including Cork, to meet identified need for this school-year and beyond. 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 has advised that they have experienced difficulties in securing special school placements in certain areas in Co Cork, but that they are continuing to work as a matter of urgency in accommodating students who require such placements.
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.
In circumstances, where no placement is available for a child with special educational needs, the Department can provide Home Tuition grant funding towards the provision of 20 hours home tuition per week as an interim measure until the NCSE confirms that a placement is available.
Home Tuition will not however be available where a school placement has been identified by the NCSE. Similarly, failure to enrol a child in school will not give rise to eligibility under this scheme.
The NCSE has confirmed that a placement has been secured for this child in a special school. I am also assured that the local SENO will continue to engage with the family and the school concerned to ensure that the child's needs are addressed.
