Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2024
288. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the efforts that are being made by her Department to ensure a person (details supplied) obtains a school place suited to their specified educational needs, given that refusals have been received from all schools on a list provided by the NCSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21338/24]
View answerEnabling 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. The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
In relation to the student referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my department that they continue to work with the family regarding special education placements options. The local SENO will continue to support the family to secure an appropriate placement. As new special classes are sanctioned by the NCSE at local level, families can apply for admission to these new classes.
Almost 300 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE nationwide for the 2024/25 school year, and of these 30 are in County Dublin. The NCSE continue to sanction classes for the 2024/25 school year.
The NCSE are currently actively working on enhancing capacity in the local area and remain available to assist and advise the parents of students with special educational needs. The NCSE will continue to keep the parents of children with special educational needs informed of the location of new classes as they are sanctioned.
My department engage 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.
Local special education needs officers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise the parents of children with special educational needs on placement options and the various supports available. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE's website.
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.
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, 300 additional special school places and will increase the number of teaching and SNA posts.
An additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs will be 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.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.
