Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Joe McHugh.

The provision of education for children with special needs is an ongoing priority for the Government. Currently, almost 20% of the total education Vote, or €1.9 billion, is invested in supporting children with special needs. The numbers of special classes, special education teachers and special needs assistants are at unprecedented levels. Nationally, 167 new special classes opened for the 2019-20 school year, which means there are 1,618 special classes in place compared with 548 in 2011. Of these 1,353 special classes cater for students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, ASD. The majority of children with autism attend mainstream classes, where they may access additional supports if required.

Some students may find it difficult to manage full-time placements in mainstream classes and, therefore, placement in a special class or special school setting may be deemed appropriate where placement in mainstream class is not in the best interests of the child. The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services for children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the HSE. The council has well established structures in place to plan and co-ordinate special education provision throughout the country. This includes identifying the need for and establishing special class placements in various geographical areas where they are required. It ensures that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.

Normally, special classes are established with the full co-operation of the schools in areas where they are required. However there are some parts of the country where the council has faced challenges in getting schools and their patrons to voluntarily agree to provide special classes or school places. I know that this can cause much anguish for the parents and families involved. In County Wexford, there are currently two special schools and 60 special classes in mainstream schools, including four ASD early intervention classes, 33 primary ASD classes and 15 ASD post-primary ASD classes. Seven of the ASD classes are new for the 2019-20 school year. All newly assigned teachers to special classes and schools with newly established special classes undergo a suite of professional development provided by the NCSE through its network of advisers.

The Minister for Education and Skills has the power under section 37A of the Education Act 1998 to direct a school to provide additional provision where all reasonable efforts have failed. The legislation contains a procedure through which the capacity of schools in an area can be tested and, ultimately, a ministerial direction made requiring a school to make additional special education provision available. The Minister for Education and Skills is prepared to use the legislation when necessary to ensure that children can access a suitable education. However, the preference is for schools to engage with this challenge on a voluntary basis because it is the right thing for the children in their community.

To this end, the NCSE is continuing its engagement with schools, patron bodies, parents and others throughout the country to bring the required additional special class and special school placements on stream. The Department of Education and Skills is not aware of any significant unmet need for additional places in County Wexford. If the Deputy has information in this regard, I will arrange for it to be passed on to the NCSE. Special education needs officers are available at a local level to support parents and schools on the placement of students. I again thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

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