Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 200: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of autistic children and children with special needs for Inishowen, County Donegal, that are forced to travel to Letterkenny, to avail of post primary education; and his plans to address this situation. [16532/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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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 mainstream schools; or in integrated settings in mainstream classes.

The Deputy will be aware 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.

I have therefore arranged for the questions raised by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.