Written answers

Thursday, 13 February 2014

Department of Education and Skills

Special Educational Needs Services Provision

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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99. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the actions he will take to deal with the call made to him by parents of the outreach classes in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 in respect of the proposed closure of this school with particular consequences for the two ASD classes; if he will appreciate the serious concerns of the parents and the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7300/14]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I can confirm for the Deputy that while my Department is aware of the Patron's proposals to merge three schools including the school to which he refers, I have not received any proposal from the Patron in the matter. The initiative for any amalgamation or re-organisation may come from a variety of sources, such as parents, staff, Boards of Management and patron. Any such proposal to amalgamate schools must involve consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders and follow decisions taken at local level. The decision making authority for any amalgamation belongs to the Patron of a school, subject to the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills.

The Deputy will be aware that the establishment of a network of autism-specific special classes in schools across the country has been a key educational priority in recent years. 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, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

The NCSE met recently with the principals from the three schools in question in relation to the issue of an amalgamation with particular reference to the autism classes in the school. The SENO has also met with some of the parents concerned. The NCSE will continue to liaise with these schools on the concerns raised.

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