Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is very important to say the NCSE has been given the authority, because it is composed of the experts in this field, to decide what is best practice for pupils involved. It reports that there is a good and improving range of placement options, including appropriate settings both at preschool, primary and second level. The NCSE is looking at the need to evolve each year. As the Deputy correctly said, it has recommended this year that 169 additional special classes would be provided. Relatively speaking, one is seeing stability in the mainstream in that approximately 63% remain in mainstream classes but more children are being accommodated in special classes, which in previous times might have been in special schools. The NCSE is seeing the evolution of a changed education environment and that is to be welcomed but it is for it to advise me not for me to decide that the solution is one thing or another. The NCSE has the experts in the field.

Deputy Shortall raised another issue as to whether the Dáil should consider giving the NCSE additional legislative authority. I am certainly open to considering that and it is an issue other Deputies have raised in the House, but that will have to be discussed at committee because there are issues around compulsion and the model has been based on working with schools. Sometimes schools say they do not have the infrastructure or this or that and the NCSE works with them to resolve those issues. We need to thrash that out at committee and I am happy to do so.

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