Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 April 2024
58. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education if her Department has made a decision regarding a two-classroom autism unit for a school (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18179/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority 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 2024, €2.7 billion is being spent on special education, an increase of €113 million, and this is dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs. This will allow for, amongst other things, the opening of up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools and 300 additional special school places.
In 2024, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting these children.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
Over the last number of 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 almost 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over the last four years.
My department engages intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, 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, two new special schools have been established for this current school year in Cork and Dublin, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
In addition, four new special schools will be established for the 2024/25 school year in counties Meath, Kildare, Wexford and Limerick. This will bring to 11 the number of new special schools established in recent years.
Along with the two new special schools opening this school year, 390 new special classes – 254 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE.
Of these, 6 are in Leitrim, 5 at primary level and 1 at post-primary level. This brings to 27 the number of special classes in County Leitrim, 13 at primary level and 14 at post-primary level. The vast majority of these classes are autism classes and have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6.
The NCSE has advised my department that there are six children known to them who are seeking a special class placement in the local area.
Where special classes are sanctioned in Irish language schools, circular 0013/2017 on Special Education Teaching Allocation notes that the support provided for students by schools to assist with students’ literacy development may be conducted in Irish or English, or a combination of both, as considered necessary by the school.
In relation to the first school referred to by the Deputy, my department has received an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme.
The purpose of my department’s ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes. The capacity at other schools in the area is also considered as part of the assessment of any accommodation needs.
A proposed brief of accommodation has been issued to the school and it is currently with their board of management for consideration. The brief issued to school is for one special education classroom and three special education tuition rooms to be delivered through a traditional construction delivery method. Officials in my department await a response from the school authority.
In relation to the second school referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my department that a class has been sanctioned for the school and the principal has confirmed that supports will be put in place for the new pupils to the class in the mediums of English and Irish.
Planning for special classes and special school places is continues ahead of the 2024/25 school year. The locations of new classes for 2024/25 will be confirmed by the NCSE shortly.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
