Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Byrne for raising this matter. I apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Bruton, who is unable to be present because he is answering parliamentary questions in the Dáil Chamber. It is unfortunate that the times have clashed.

I assure the House that ensuring children with special educational needs are supported and given the opportunity to reach their full potential is a key priority for the Government. Almost €1.8 billion will be invested in special education in 2018. This represents an increase of almost 43% since 2011 and amounts to almost 20% of the Department's overall budget. During the worst years of the recession, the Government not only protected supports for children with special educational needs, including children with Down's syndrome, but it increased them.

The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, published its policy advice on educational provision for children with autism spectrum disorders in July 2016. In developing this policy advice, the NCSE reviewed the Department's July provision grant scheme. The NCSE consulted widely with parents, professionals and other stakeholders and interested parties while also conducting research. The policy advice, which is available on the NCSE website, recommends that relevant stakeholders should discuss the development of a national day activity scheme that provides a structured and safe social environment for all students with complex special educational needs for one month of the summer holidays.

The Department of Education and Skills has convened an implementation group with representatives of the NCSE, the National Educational Psychological Service, the inspectorate and external representatives to ensure the recommendations in the report are fully and appropriately considered. The work of the implementation group is ongoing. Department officials will engage with officials in the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the Department of Health and other relevant stakeholders on the implementation of the recommendations, including those regarding July provision. While that work is under way, there are no plans to extend the existing July provision to all children with special educational needs. Indeed, this was not recommended by the NCSE in its policy advice.