Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
486. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of special schools here in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; the names and locations of these schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22814/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra487. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of mainstream schools with an ASD unit here in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; the names and locations of these schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22815/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 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 additional teaching and care supports 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 with special educational needs nationwide.
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.
Parents seeking special class or special school placements for their children are advised to contact NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.
The NCSE through their network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers) are currently engaged in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. They are looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special class places.
The Deputy will also be aware of increased special school provision generally with two new special schools opened in Cork and Dublin in the current school-year and further expansion planned in 2022/23 which Minister Foley and I were pleased to announce on 23 March last.
The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to special schools is available on the NCSE website at the following link:
ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCSE-Teaching-SNA-Allocation-Special-Schools-20.21-12.06.2020.1.pdf.
and for special classes at ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Final-2021_2022-Sp-Class-list-25_03_22.pdf.
