Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2023
97. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the closing date for applications for a school (details supplied) in Grangegorman; how parents can apply; how this is being communicated to parents of children with additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32965/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
For 2023, the spend by my department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs in our schools next year.
For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 SNAs. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. The department does not have a role in making individual school determinations.
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 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.
My department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, on the 12th April, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two new special schools for the 2023/24 school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
Enrolments to individual schools are a matter for each board of management.
In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, this school will be under the patronage of the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (ETB) .
The admission’s policy and admission notice for this school was recently published online and is available on the ETB's website at: www.cdetb.ie. Per the published admission notice, the closing date for applications was 30 June. Applications will now be assessed and decisions on enrolment will be issued to applicants shortly.
The NCSE, through their local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) have been supporting parents of children known to them who require a special school place to make an application for admission to the new school. Support has also been provided to ensure that the necessary reports and documentation is available. SENOs have been engaging with and communicating updates to parents as the new school was announced, as the number of places were confirmed and as the admission process commenced.
SENOs remain available at local level to support parents over the coming period also.
