Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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744. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will be granted a place for next year in the school that the person is currently enrolled in due to that person's special needs. [23933/15]

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 until the end of the school year in which they reach the age of 18.

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.

Special Schools may make an application to my Department to retain pupils over the age of 18 who are pursuing courses leading to accreditation at level 3 or above of the National Qualifications Framework; for one additional year, in order to complete these courses.

Schools are expected to liaise with the health authorities during the final year of a young person's attendance in school to ensure the young person's successful transition to adult services by the time s/he reaches age 18. However, my Department may also provide sanction to special schools, subject to application, to retain a pupil for one additional year beyond the age of 18 to facilitate the transition of a pupil to adult services.

I understand that an application has been made by the school concerned in relation to the retention of the pupil referred to in the Deputy's question for an extra year. However, as the pupil does not meet the criteria outlined above, my Department is not in a position to allow the school an exemption for the retention of the pupil in the school for an additional year. My Department has notified the school authorities in this regard.