Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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130. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 559 of 24 February 2015, her views on correspondence (details supplied), regarding a language unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10747/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the availability and provision of health-related services, including speech and language therapy supports, is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive and matters in relation to the provision of such services should be directed to that body. My Department has no responsibility or mandate for such services.

However, I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department works with service-providing partners in the health and disability sectors to support the co-ordinated delivery of services to families of children with special educational needs. The interdepartmental Cross-Sectoral Team, comprising of representatives of my Department, Department of Health and Children, the National Council for Special Education and the Health Service Executive, plans for co-ordinated service delivery across the disability sector.

In addition, my Department is a member of the Health and Education Steering Committee which has been established to progress the National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People. This Programme is based on the recommendations of the Report of the National Reference Group on Multidisciplinary Services for Children aged 5-18 Years produced by representatives of the professions and management involved in delivering multi-disciplinary services to children. The long term goal of this Programme is to bring consistency in service delivery and a clear pathway to services for all children with disabilities according to need.

As I have explained previously, pupils with SSLD have the option of attending their local school with additional teaching supports or attending a Special Class for pupils with SSLD. Speech and language therapy services are provided in all cases by the HSE.

The NCSE is responsible for opening special classes in schools, where sufficient need aises, advises parents with regard to the availability of special classes in their area or to the potential establishment of new classes.

Parents may contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs and to seek assistance in identifying placement options, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.