Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am glad the Senator has raised this most important issue of special needs education provision for Beara Community School. The Senator made a passionate case in highlighting the geographical location of the school and in stressing why it is so important that we fast-track a solution as soon as we can. There is no easy option for children to travel to attend units elsewhere. That has been made clear by the Senator. I will certainly bring that to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, and the Minister for Education. The Minister of State would like to be here today to take the Commencement matter, but is unable to do so. I will also engage with the Senator directly on the issue. We are keen to fast-track a solution as soon as possible to ensure the needs of the children are met.

I thank the Senator for raising the matter today. At the outset, I want to stress that enabling students with additional needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs, and as close to home as possible, ideally in their own local school, is an ongoing priority for this Government. As the Senator said, that is most important. This year, the Department of Education will invest in excess of €2 billion, or more than 25% 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, SNAs, and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels, and rightly so. For the 2021 to 2022 school year, the number of special classes in mainstream schools stands at a current total of 2,148. Of these, almost 1,900 special classes cater for students with autism. Recognising some of the difficulties experienced by parents in securing appropriate school placements, over the last two years the Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school year. Overall, this intensive intervention has seen an additional 300 special classes, providing 1,800 new places, already opened nationwide for the 2021 to 2022 school year. For the 2022 to 2023 school year, an additional 315 classes, providing 1,800 additional places, will become available in September.

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. I assure Senator Lombard that the Department continues to prioritise and support this work. The Department also recognises that where parents have difficulties in securing an appropriate school placement for their children, particularly a child with additional needs, it can be a stressful experience. The Department is working hard to ensure there are sufficient school places appropriate to the needs of all children available on a timely basis nationwide.

As matters stand, I can confirm on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, that there are two special classes in Beara Community School which cater for children with multiple disabilities and autism. While the Department has already approved funding for two permanent special educational units under the additional school accommodation scheme, it is open to the school to request further funding for interim accommodation under this scheme pending delivery of the permanent building project.

The Department is engaging with the school on the issue in terms of identifying the most appropriate solution. While the Senator is correct that we need to fast-track the system of delivery after the initial allocation of funding through planning and all the different phases, sometimes there is also the need for a temporary solution. That option is open here and there is engagement. I am happy that we will try to continue with that engagement in order that we have solutions for this coming September.

The Department and the NCSE are always grateful to schools that express a willingness to open a special class to meet the educational needs of students in their local communities. There are special educational needs organisers located across 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 engaging in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022-23 school year and beyond. The NCSE is looking at local information with regard to projected demand for future special education places, particularly to cater for students with autism who have associated complex needs. It will continue to work in Cork for a number of years to identify the needs for the county and the various areas.