Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which autism or other special needs units are located, available and fully operational at various schools and locations throughout County Kildare; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to ensure the continuation, expansion or extension to other of such facilities to such schools or other schools in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35156/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for the provision of a range of educational services at local and national level for students with special educational needs. In particular, its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) co-ordinates special needs education provision at local level and arranges for the delivery of special educational services including the approval of special classes for children with special needs. The SENOs act as single points of contact for parents of students with special educational needs. Another specific function of the SENO is to identify appropriate educational placements for children with special educational needs. 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. I have arranged for the information requested by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct response.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of children currently attending the various special needs classes at mainstream education throughout County Kildare; the number of children with special needs attending in which no special needs units exist; the number of applications on hand for access to special needs classes; the extent to which it is expected that this requirements can be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35157/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that my Department provides for the education of children with special educational needs through a number of support mechanisms depending on the child's assessed disability. In general, educational provision for children with special needs is made; in special schools; in special classes attached to ordinary schools; or in integrated settings in mainstream classes.

The nature and level of the educational response is based on the professionally-assessed needs of each individual child. My Departments policy is to ensure the maximum possible integration of children with special needs into ordinary mainstream schools. Many students with special educational needs will therefore not require or seek a special class placement, but will be educated along with their peers in mainstream provision, with additional supports.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of 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 allocation of resource teaching hours to schools as well as the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas, including the area referred to by the Deputy, as required and the discontinuation of such classes where the need no longer exists.

I have therefore arranged for the Deputy's question to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.