Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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160. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills arising from the inability of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare to obtain a second level place for their child, previously attending special needs class at a school and currently attempting to access a place in another school, if it will be possible to make provision by way of creation of appropriate facilities at this school in time for the next school year and having regard to the number of pupils from the area seeking a place with similar requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4127/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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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.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. The parent of the child referred to by the Deputy is encouraged to liaise with the local SENO to discuss a placement for their child.

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

Details of all of the special classes for children with special educational needs which are attached to mainstream schools are published each year on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie.