Written Answers Nos. 326-327
326. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education if her Department will work with a school (details supplied), with a view to retaining and enhancing its special class beyond June 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32794/23]
View answerI 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.
Along with the two new special schools, 380 new special classes – 250 at primary and 130 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks
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
The NCSE is committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for the coming school year 2023/24.
In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy; the NCSE has advised my department that the number of students enrolled in one of the schools special classes, a Mild General Learning Disability (MGLD) class, has dropped significantly. MGLD classes generally support up to 9 children.
The NCSE will continue to engage with the school in relation to this class, what efforts the school are making to enrol additional students and whether available places can now be offered to children who require such a placement. The designation of this special class may also need to be considered. The NCSE have advised my department that they intend to meet the school principal again after the summer break to progress the matter.
327. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education the progress of a school site in Celbridge which has been identified as a preferred new location for three schools (details supplied); the delays currently being experienced; the timeline for progression of the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32807/23]
View answerThe project the Deputy refers to has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a bundled school building programme. The shared education campus at Celbridge is in the bundle referred to as ‘Project Liffey’.A letter was issued by the Department to the schools to advise that their respective school had been included in the programme and the NDFA has since been in contact with each school to introduce the team, communicate arrangements and discuss the project briefs.The NDFA are currently finalising arrangements for the procurement process in respect of the schools' design team. While it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project at this early stage, the NDFA will continue to update the school authorities directly.
