Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising this issue as it gives me an opportunity to outline the current position regarding provision for children with special educational needs, including autism.

With regard to the particular case referred to by the Deputies, I am assured by the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, that the local special education needs organiser, SENO, is working with this family so that the child concerned is placed in the most suitable school placement and the necessary supports are put in place.

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority. Children with special educational needs should receive their education in placements that are appropriate to their needs alongside their peers wherever possible unless such an approach would be inconsistent with the best interests of the individual child or other children. This inclusive approach is consistent with the provisions of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. This policy is supported by significant investment on the part of the Government. The State will spend approximately €2 billion, or just under 25% of the entire education budget for 2021, on making additional provision for children with special educational needs this year.

The NCSE has responsibility for co-ordinating and advising on education provision for children nationwide. It has well-established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents. The NCSE seeks to ensure that schools in a given area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special education placements. There are planning processes at both national and local levels to ensure the required number of specialist education places come on stream to meet identified need in a timely way. Normally, schools are very willing to respond to the emerging needs in their areas. However, where a shortage of places is identified, the Department of Education works closely with the NCSE and the schools in question to expand provision to meet local need. This collaboration works well. There has been strong collaboration and engagement between the partners in education, the parents and schools in making the provision possible.

The NCSE is working with a significant number of families and schools to secure suitable placements for children with special educational needs. This is important work. I assure the Deputies that it is a priority for all concerned. We will continue to work hand in hand with the partners in education to ensure the individual needs of children are met in the appropriate environment, be it in a special class or a special school.

On some of the points raised by the Deputies, early years education is not my domain but I take the point raised in respect of the need to have appropriately trained staff. Regarding the allocation of staff within the school setting, significant progress is being made in terms of the allocation of special needs assistants. The number of special education teachers is at a significantly higher level, with over 18,000 pupils covered. The same applies to staff with expertise in working with children with additional needs, including children with autism. It must be acknowledged that over one fifth of the budget is rightly being spent in the area of special education.

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