David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether all children with special educational needs are being adequately accommodated by the current educational options of home tuition, special schools and special needs supports in mainstream schools; if his attention has been drawn to any children who have withdrawn from the education system as a result of their special educational needs not being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4769/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides for a continuum of special educational provision to be made available for children with special educational needs, so that regardless of the level of need of the child, educational provision can be made for them. My Department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools which have enrolled pupils with special educational needs in order to ensure that, wherever a child is enrolled, s/he will have access to an appropriate education. Some children may be fully integrated into mainstream schools without additional teaching or care supports. Others are able to attend mainstream schools but need additional teaching and/or care assistance. In respect of children who cannot be accommodated in mainstream education, they may be enrolled in special classes or special schools where more intensive and supportive interventions are provided. Provision is therefore made for children across the continuum of need. Where children are unable to attend school for a period of time due to medical reasons, or where no school placement is available for a child, home tuition may be provided for them in order to provide for compensatory education on an interim basis.

The National Council for Special Education can also assist parents to identify school placements which can then be resourced to support children with special educational needs. Given the range of provision which is available, I am satisfied that all children who wish to avail of state provided education can be accommodated within the current educational system.

In the event of a child being refused enrolment to a school, or having been suspended or expelled from a school, parents may appeal this decision to my Department under Section 29 of the Education Act.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received proposals from parents of children with special needs or disability organisations or groups regarding possible alternative models of education for children with special needs; if he is considering any alterations to the current special education options as a result which could improve cost effectiveness and meet individual children's needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4770/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a formal role under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 to advise me as Minister in relation to any matter relating to the education of children and others with disabilities. The NCSE have been asked to provide comprehensive policy advice on how the education system can best support children with special educational needs. This advice will guide the preparation of a plan on how aspects of EPSEN can be implemented, including the prioritising of access to children with special needs to an individual education plan.

I can advise that this advice will consider:

- the identification and assessment of children with special needs

- the nature of supports provided for children

- the way in which supports are allocated to schools and

- how these supports are configured.

The NCSE has advised my Department that representative groups including parent representatives have been consulted as part of the development of this policy advice. These representative groups also participate on the NCSE Consultative Forum, which meets regularly to consider policy matters relating to the provision of services for children with special educational needs. The advice from the NCSE is expected in the coming months. It is my intention that the significant resources to support children with Special Educational Needs are deployed to ensure the best possible outcomes for students. The advice will be a key input into achieving this goal.