James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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527. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm funding for an autism support unit for County Longford in respect of which contact has been made with her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2564/15]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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528. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the schools in County Longford that provide autism specific education for primary and for second level students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2565/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 527 and 528 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's policy focuses on ensuring that all children with special educational needs can have access to an education appropriate to their needs and abilities.

A range of placement options for pupils with special educational needs is provided, in order to ensure that all pupils can receive a school placement. Many pupils with special educational needs will be able to attend a local mainstream school, whereas for pupils who have needs which require more specialist interventions, special class and special school placements are provided for.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for establishing special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

SENOs engage with schools annually in order to plan for, and to open, new special classes each year, in order to ensure there are sufficient special class placements available at primary and post primary school level to meet demand in a given area.

Details of all of the special classes for children with special educational needs which are attached to mainstream schools are published each year the NCSE website www.ncse.ie. This list details the number of classes which are available on a per county basis.

I can advise that there are currently 6 special classes for children with autism attached to primary schools and 2 special classes attached to post primary schools in Co. Longford for the 2014/15 school year.

The NCSE will continue to monitor and review the requirement for special class places in particular areas and has capacity to open such new special classes where necessary.