Alan Kelly
Question:604. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education when a child (details supplied) will get a place appropriate to their growing needs [18153/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (604)
Written answers
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs (SEN) to receive an education appropriate to their needs 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).
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 providing supports to children and young people with special educational needs and their schools.
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 SEN in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants.
The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with SEN nationwide.
In relation to the student referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has confirmed with my Department that the local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) , is aware of this student, and will work with and offer personalised guidance and recommendations to his parents on the appropriate educational placement for him.
The NCSE is committed to collaborating with parents and schools in the area to provide special education placements as appropriate to each student’s needs.
However, it should be noted that enrolment of students in a school is a matter for each individual school having regard to their own enrolment/admissions policy. The NCSE has no role in regard to enrolments or in regard to waiting lists for places in any school.
My Department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places for the next school year 2023/2024. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class and special school places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements, consideration of school accommodation capacity and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As both Minister Foley and I announced just last week, 2 new special schools are being established for the 2023/2024 school year - one in Carrigtwohill, east Cork and one in the Dublin 7 area - with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools, including Scoil Aonghusa in Co. Tipperary.
In addition, the NCSE have sanctioned 218 new special classes for the coming school year 2023/2024. Further classes will be sanctioned over the coming weeks. 9 of these new special classes have been sanctioned in schools in Co. Tipperary with 8 at post-primary level. Information on all special classes, including the new classes sanctioned are available on the NCSE website and via the local SENO.
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.