Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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127. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made on the provision of autism spectrum disorder unit spaces at secondary level in an area (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16994/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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My Department's policies focus on ensuring that all children can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.

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 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.

Details of the number of special classes in each county are available on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie. The NCSE is also currently considering applications by schools to establish new special classes for the coming 2015/16 school year. This work is ongoing in some counties and SENOs continue to liaise and work with schools in order to meet the demand for such placements at local level.

I have arranged for the Deputy's request for specific detail on provision in Co. Kildare to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.