Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 428: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the status of an agreement between his Department and a school (details supplied) in County Wexford that a permanent structure to facilitate the expansion of the school's autistic specific unit from six to 12 places would be funded by his Department; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that because the current prefab structure can only accommodate six students, no vacancies will arise until 2011 unless the permanent structure is constructed in the meantime and that a number of children on the autism spectrum will be seeking placement in the school in 2010; his proposals to meet the needs of these students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12795/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for an extension project which includes accommodation for a special needs unit. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and has been assigned a Band 1 rating which is the highest Band rating possible.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.

It is open to the school authority to apply for temporary accommodation in the meantime to meet any short term needs that it might have. The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports. This includes the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.