Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:399. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if an additional special needs class will be provided for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8234/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 17 February 2021
Ceisteanna (399)
Freagraí scríofa
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. The Department of Education will spend approximately €2 Billion or over 20% of its total educational budget in 2021 on making additional provision for children with special educational needs this year.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. It has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents. NCSE seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special education placements.
NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and special school places nationally, to meet identified need. 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.
Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.
Through better planning at both national and local level, it is my objective that specialist education places should come on stream to meet emerging demand on a timely basis. However, the active collaboration of school communities is essential in this regard.
Through ongoing consultation at local level the NCSE is aware of those parents whose children will be seeking placement for the 2021/22 academic year, including mainstream placement with appropriate support, special class placement, Early Intervention and special school placement. The NCSE continues to work at local level to identify any and all relevant suitable placements.
The local SENO is currently liaising with the school referred to by the Deputy, as part of ongoing contact with schools in the area on the provision of ASD special classes to meet local demand.
I can also reassure the Deputy that the local SENOs continue to be available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs.