Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will investigate the needs of a person (details supplied) whose school requires additional funding in order to allow them to complete their junior and leaving certificates; and if funding will be made available to secure their place at the school for three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10562/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that Special Schools funded by my Department are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year. At that point, the Department of Health and Children/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs who are over 18 years. My Department, at that stage, may allocate resources towards an education component of such provision.

However, my Department will consider requests from schools who wish to retain students who are over 18 years of age, for an extra school year, in circumstances where they are following courses leading to accreditation at a level of FETAC 3 or above. Applications received from schools in respect of individual pupils will be considered in the context of my Departments policy in this regard, as set out above.

I understand that the student in question will remain in her present school for the 2011/2012 school year as she will not reach 18 years of age until 2012.

My Department encourages parents and school authorities to engage locally regarding pupils' education. It is open to the parents concerned to raise any queries they may have relating to their child's special educational needs, including education planning, directly with the school authorities.