Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their contributions, and they are correct in saying that I have met with a number of different groups in respect of the issue of ASD units and special classes. Indeed, in Dublin 6W there are four special educational needs, SEN, classes and four ASD classes, in Dublin 8 there are eight SEN classes and eight ASD classes, and in Dublin 12 there are 17 SEN classes and 17 ASD classes. The Deputies will also be aware that I have triggered the section 37A mechanism of the Education Act 1998, and on 2 November we issued the second section 37A notices to schools, compelling them to open special classes where they have the capacity to do so, and it is the view of the Department that there are at least 25 schools that would be in a position to do so. The NCSE, in fairness, has already opened 197 new special classes this year alone without having to use the relevant legislation, so it always tries to work with schools collaboratively.

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