Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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780. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding funding for a course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1059/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, 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/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. This is generally transacted through the co-operation hours scheme operated by Education and Training Boards (ETBs). Funding is also provided to Vocational Training Centres and the National Learning Network for this purpose.

Special Schools are staffed in accordance with arrangements set out in my Department's Circular 0042/2011, which provides for enhanced pupil teacher ratios for pupils attending Special Schools ranging from 6-1, to 12-1, on the basis of disability categorisation of pupils attending the school.

The course to which the Deputy has referred in his question is a post school Further Education and Training course.

In general, my Department funds Further Education and Training programmes through SOLAS, the new Further Education and Training Authority. These programmes are mainly provided locally through the Education and Training Boards (ETB).

As such, the correspondent should contact their local Education and Training Board in relation to their matter.