I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Ensuring that every child with special educational needs gets a suitable education is a priority for the Department of Education.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
Over the last two to three years, my Department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient mainstream, special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years.
In relation to access to an appropriate school placement, I provided the details supplied by the Deputy to the NCSE who subsequently confirmed that the child is not known to them.
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 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
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie.
While I can set out the position regarding the Home Tuition Grant Scheme, I understand that my Department has not received an application for the scheme in relation to the child referred to by the Deputy.
The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of reasons, are unable to attend school. The scheme also provides a compensatory educational service for children with special educational needs seeking an educational placement for whom such a placement is not available.
Children with Special Educational Needs who are aged 4 years and over may avail of home tuition where a school placement is not available as confirmed by the NCSE, through the local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO).
The availability of a school placement will be assessed by the NCSE having regard to, although not limited to, the relevant diagnosis and relevant professional report.
The Home Tuition Grant Scheme is an interim measure to provide for education until an educational placement becomes available. When a school placement becomes available the home tuition grant will be discontinued.
A school placement can be:
- A place in a mainstream class in a mainstream school.
- A place in a special class attached to a mainstream school.
- A place in a special school.
My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.
I want reassure you also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
