Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 September 2021
254. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education her views on whether it is acceptable or appropriate under the UNHCR Best Interest of the Child principle or equality that 732 children with special educational needs are without a school place and currently sanctioned for home tuition with some families believing they are hidden away from society and mainstream education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36252/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
The level of investment in special education, at almost €2 billion, is at an all-time high.
An additional 269 additional special classes are being opened this school-year. This will bring the total number of special classes nationally to 2,118. The new classes provide 1,600 additional places, spread right throughout the country.
Two new special schools are also opening this year, one in Dublin and one in Cork.
Despite this unprecedented increase, I am very aware of the need for further specialist education places in a small number of areas, mainly concentrated in Dublin.
I acknowledge that any delay in securing a suitable school placement can cause much anguish for parents and families involved.
Delays can happen for a variety of reasons including, for example, assessment reports for children coming available over the summer period while schools were closed. In other cases, parents may change their preference for a class placement and request that their child move from a mainstream class to a special class.
My Department and the NCSE have therefore put in place new planning structures and procedures to ensure sufficient places become available to meet local need. As new need emerges, there is a cohesive response available to ensure places become available in a timely and targeted way.
Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) are working closely with parents and schools to address their needs. My Department will support their work in any way necessary to ensure the required number of school places become available as quickly as possible.
My Department’s policy focuses on ensuring that all students with special educational needs can have access to an education appropriate to meeting their needs and abilities.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of SENOs, for the development, delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with special educational needs. In circumstances, where the NCSE confirms that no placement is available for a child with special educational needs, my 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 funding is not an alternative to a school placement. By its nature it is intended to be a short term intervention.
Where the NCSE has identified an available school placement for a child, the local SENO continues to be available to engage with the family and the school concerned to ensure that the child's needs are addressed.
The Deputy may also be aware that in 2018, the then Minister requested the NCSE to advise on the educational provision that should be in place for students in special schools and classes. Ireland is not alone in considering educational provision for students in special education settings. Many European countries are thinking about the future direction they should take. This is particularly the case in light of new obligations and responsibilities under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
A lot of work has been done and NCSE published a progress report in November, 2019. The report found no evidence to show that one type of special education placement is better that another. It also stated that any decision to move towards greater inclusion would require careful consideration and planning. It is not something that could be achieved in the short term.
Since the publication of the progress report, NCSE has conducted further research and analysis, engaged in a public consultation survey and has received further submissions and expert inputs. It has also examined the implications arising from the UNCRPD.
Before the advice is finalised, every effort is being made to ensure that NCSE has consulted widely with a view to developing shared understandings on the critical issues involved and proposed solutions.
I expect that the policy advice will be completed before the end of the year.
