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

The Deputy is correct that I do have a responsibility to meet the special education provision needs of people in various places around the country, including in Carrick-on-Suir. Regarding the assessment of children with additional needs, the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, has responsibility for that in the Department of Health. She is aware of it and I understand that she has cleared 70% of the backlog. It is important that we work well together so that those assessments are made before children avail of their educational placements.

The National Council for Special Education has been engaging with the Gaelscoil, particularly about its medium of instruction and the interaction and integration of students in mainstream settings. That is a possibility. I mentioned other schools, including Portlaw National School and Carrigeen National School. Piltown National School also has one space for September. Additional school accommodation can be provided where there is no existing capacity in a school to cater for children. I understand that the most recent application from schools in Carrick-on-Suir for capital funding in that school planning area has been approved. That may indicate that there will be space for special classes.

Anticipating the current and future demand is critical when we are planning for special education. For the first time, the National Council for Special Education is working closely with the building and planning unit so that we can anticipate that demand and provide those places. If there are children in Carrick-on-Suir who are without a school place, special class place or a mainstream class place, we will endeavour to make sure that they have that place when they attend school. The Deputy brought it to the House's attention today and it will be brought to the attention of the Department.

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