Thomas Gould
Ceist:475. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the number of proposed new ASD units that will open in secondary schools in Ballincollig, County Cork in September 2022. [13985/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 22 March 2022
Ceisteanna (475, 476)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:476. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the status of plans for the opening of an ASD unit in the temporary accommodation in a school (details supplied). [13986/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 475 and 476 together.
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes additional teaching and care supports.
As a result, the number of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
Throughout 2020 and 2021, my Department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school-year.
I am satisfied that this more joined up approach is delivering. Through this intensive intervention, we have seen an additional 300 special classes, providing 1,800 new places, opened nationwide for the 2021/22 school-year.
I also acknowledge that 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.
The NCSE 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 currently engaging in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond by looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special class places. Budget 2022 ensured that resources are in place for 1700 additional special class places across the country in 2022.
With specific regard to the Ballincollig area, the Department is working closely with the NCSE and schools in the area to ensure that the necessary additional provision is made as quickly as possible. All options are being considered including making some interim accommodation arrangements if necessary to meet the local need.
The level of accommodation being planned for the school to which the Deputy refers is also intended to include for the provision of a two classroom SEN provision. My Department has considered all options for the September 2022 interim accommodation for the school in question, including locating the school on the site of another post primary school in the town.
In considering available space on the other school site, the proposed development can be considered exempt under the planning exemption introduced in March 2021 - Planning and Development (Exempted Development) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 114 of 2021) – School Buildings.
My Department is also engaging with another Post Primary school in Ballincollig in respect of the provision of SEN accommodation at the school, including the provision of 2 SEN classrooms in interim accommodation.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children should contact their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO).
Question No. 476 answered with Question No. 475.