Seanad debates
Tuesday, 27 February 2024
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters
Special Educational Needs
1:00 pm
Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State is very welcome to the Chamber today to take my Commencement matter. To put it simply, we are looking for extra capacity within the special schools in Longford to cater for kids who have that need. While I welcome the significant investment by Government, particularly over the last number of years through the Department of Education and the roll-out of extra special classes in both the primary and post-primary system within the county, there are still those kids who have a greater need.We have two general mild learning difficulty classes in one of our post-primary schools, but it is my understanding that the Department is not looking at opening any additional classes in any of the rest of the schools in the county. Such classes are needed by those kids who have particularly severe difficulties and require the support that a special school gives. I know a number of parents who are in that position and are unfortunately being told that there is not capacity for their child to go to a special school. Those kids are in special classes in some of our primary and post-primary schools. They are being well looked after but they need extra care to give them the potential to maximise their potential.
That is my ask. I have spoken with the SENO, who is well aware of the significant number of parents who are in this position. There is a need, and it is incumbent on us to make sure that we cater for that need. We do not need a situation where kids are not able to access the proper educational facilities that they need. I am the Chairman of the joint Oireachtas committee, which had a significant amount of engagement with parents' groups, schools, unions etc. An issue that was raised with us was that a significant number of special schools were not participating in the summer programme, which is needed for parents, families and particularly kids who have the highest need, and need the highest level of support. We have made significant changes in that regard. An increased number of schools took part in the summer of 2023 but not enough. It is my view that all schools, and all special schools, should provide a full four-week programme. That is something we are calling for in the all-party parliamentary group on autism. We want to make sure every school provides that programme. It is important that every child who needs to access that in a school has the capacity to do so. In my own county of Longford, there are kids who are not able to get that support. We need to put in place the required funding and supports to make sure extra places are there for those children and their families.
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator Carrigy for raising this question and for his work as Chairman of the autism committee. I had the good fortune to be able to work closely with him on that committee. It was a real privilege to be able to be engaged in that work. I thank the Senator for his commitment to it and his work in this area.
To answer his question very directly, as the Senator is aware, six special classes opened in County Longford in the period between September 2023 and this academic year. I am trying to confirm the figures for the previous years. That brings the total number of special classes in Longford to 39, with 25 at primary level and 14 at post-primary level. The Senator is asking me about the special school in Longford, which currently enrols 41 students. It is my understanding that the school was recently refurbished, that there are nine classes there and that there is, therefore, some more capacity than 41. I am told by the Department that the admission policy is open at the moment. I appreciate that there may be constraints with regard to some equipment or the size of some of the equipment but it appears, from the briefing I have had from the Department, that the admission policy is open. Of course, it is very important that this school is available and open to the students who need it, working with the SENO who is able to identify the different needs of the children who may need it. We are aware, from our work on the committee and for other reasons, that children can come in and out of a special school and into a special class in a mainstream school as befits their needs and meets their educational needs most appropriately over time, recognising that children's needs change over time.
I am very glad that the Senator has given me the opportunity to answer this question this morning on the importance of that school in Longford, and to confirm that its admission policy. I am told by the Department of Education that it is in fact open. I know the Department and the NCSE are working closely on forward planning with regard to the special classes for the 2024-25 school year and beyond and, as demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase, to make sure those post-primary special classes are available.
I am told that the Department has communicated to all post-primary schools on the need to begin planning. This is obviously on the mainstream side as well. I want to highlight for the Senator that the Department has asked post-primary schools to plan and come to it with what is necessary. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next two to four years, with an approximate average of four special classes in each school. That is a significant amount of planning and work. I certainly can see in my own constituency the great expansion in the number of special classes at primary level.I am very pleased and encouraged to see it is appropriately meeting a need, although there is more to be done. Of course, the work has to continue into post-primary level. I can answer any further questions, if needs be.
Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for her reply. It is very positive to know that there is capacity. I will be delighted to bring back that news to the parents. I look forward to any further correspondence from the Department regarding when those places will be available for the parents and kids.
Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator Carrigy and commend him on the fantastic work he does in this area, particularly his work as Chair of the autism committee. It has made a fundamental difference in this House. Well done.