Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am here on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, who cannot be present. I will answer questions on her behalf. In fact, this is a subject that is dear to both our hearts because we have the same issue in south Dublin as the Senator has in Dublin 15. I have to pay tribute to and acknowledge the analysis and work done by the parents of children with autism in establishing that there was a statistical lack and a shortage of special education places in particular areas of the country, including Dublin 15 and south Dublin.

At the outset, I stress that enabling students with additional needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is an ongoing priority for this Government. This year, the Department of Education will invest in excess of €2 billion, or over a quarter of the Department's budget, in the area of special educational needs support. As a result, the numbers of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels. Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased from 548 to a current total of 2,148 for the 2021-22 school year.

Recognising some of the difficulties experienced by parents in securing appropriate school placements over the past two years, the Department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined-up planning process. This has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school year. The Department is satisfied that this approach is delivering. This intensive intervention has seen an additional 300 special classes, which provide 1,800 new places. They have already opened nationwide for the 2021-22 school year. The NCSE has responsibility for co-ordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide. It has well-established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents. The NCSE seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.

The Department recognises that where parents have difficulties in securing an appropriate school placement for their child, particularly a child with additional needs, it can be a stressful experience. The Department is working hard to ensure that there are sufficient school places, appropriate to the needs of all children, available on a timely basis nationwide. In line with the demographics and as part of forward planning, it is envisaged that special classes will be required at most, if not all, post-primary schools in Dublin.

A range of measures to meet additional special educational needs, SEN, capacity demands have already been put in place, including the utilisation of spare capacity in existing schools and delivery of additional SEN capacity within the scope of existing building projects. Additionally, it is general practice to include a SEN base in the accommodation brief for new school buildings, unless exceptional local circumstances indicate that it will not be required. The extent of provision made at these schools is informed by the level of demand in the area as well as the size of the school. There is currently a network of 41 special classes in Dublin 15. There are 32 special classes at primary level and nine at post-primary level.

The Department and the NCSE are always grateful to schools who express a willingness to open a special class to meet the educational needs of students in their local communities. Special educational needs organisers are located throughout the country and they have a specific remit in helping and supporting parents in accessing the education necessary for their children, including in identifying suitable school placements. The NCSE is currently engaged in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022-23 school year and beyond. The NCSE is looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special education places, particularly to cater for students with autism who have associated complex needs.

The NCSE has carried out a review of the requirement for special class places for the 2022-23 school year in the Dublin 15 region. This included a review of the available accommodation in the Dublin 15 area and a review of the students known to the NCSE, with recommendations for special class places.The NCSE is currently engaged with four post primary schools in the Dublin 15 area with a view to opening additional special classes as soon as possible.

Finally, budget 2022 has provided for the creation of 287 additional special classes for the 2022-23 school year. These additional classes will provide in excess of 1,700 new places this year. This additional provision will bring the total number of special classes to 2,435 in the 2022-23 school year.