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

I thank the Deputy for his question. It is important to stress that education is a right under the Constitution, as has just been mentioned here. That obviously applies to children with additional needs as well. What the State endeavours to do in the first instance is to get an appropriate placement for children with additional needs. Sometimes they have to travel, which is not desirable. We always endeavour to provide appropriate placements for children in their own localities. I understand that St. Eunan's National School made an application. I appreciate the efforts of the board of management in that regard. I have questioned the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, on the matter because, as Minister of State with responsibility for special education, I obviously very much welcome the initiative of a school that wants to open a special class when we sometimes have to use legislation to compel schools to do so. I certainly welcome the school's initiative but the NCSE tells me that there is sufficient capacity in the near environs of that particular school. It says that Scoil Bhríde in Convoy has one place available, Dromore National School has five places available and St. Baithin's National School in St. Johnston has two places available. The NCSE is not saying "No" but it is saying "Not right now". This is something that will be welcomed in the future.

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