Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 March 2023
104. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if schools can refuse a child a place in a special class for children with autism based on continence issues, despite a recommendation for a place in such a class being made by a clinical psychologist.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10423/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and if the Deputy wishes to share the details of this particular child with me I will arrange to have the matter referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
In relation to the general position regarding school admissions and SNA support I would like to advise the following:
The type of significant care needs that pupils may have can be varied, depending on the nature or level of the disability or sensory impairment that a child may have. My Departments Circular Letter 30/2014 provides examples of the primary care needs which would be considered significant – and which might require Special Needs Assistant support. The examples provided include assistance with toileting and general hygiene, in cases where a child with special needs cannot independently self-toilet, and until such time as they are able to do so.
The Special Needs Assistant scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs.
The care needs must be of such significance that they are beyond that which would normally be expected to be provided to a child by the child’s class teacher, support teacher, or other school teachers, or beyond the level of assistance which could be offered to the student by his/ or her fellow pupils in school.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of Special Needs Assistants. Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local NCSE Special Education Needs Organisers (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
In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools have admission policies, which are published on the schools website. Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary.
The selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. Nonetheless, where a school is oversubscribed some pupils may not obtain a place in the school. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. My Department does not seek to intervene in the selection criterion that is applied by schools.
