Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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985. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current number of pupil places at a school (details supplied) in County Louth; the number of available places for this school for the 2016-17 academic year ; if there are any issues with the timeframe for completion of the school's new build areas, if parents of current pupils have been advised to enrol their children in alternative schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38082/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the policy of my Department is that children with special educational needs, including children with autism, should be included where possible and appropriate in mainstream placements with additional supports provided. In circumstances where children with special educational need require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are also available.

The Deputy will be aware that 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.

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

Parents can choose to enrol children with autism in an early intervention class from the age of three and where such a placement is not available home tuition is approved. Children with autism over the age of four may also be eligible for home tuition if a school placement is not available for them.

With regards to the particular school referred to by the Deputy, I understand that the school currently has an enrolment capacity for 30 pupils. Building works at this school are complete. I further understand that Louth has three other special schools who enrol children with autism. There are 14 autism special classes in mainstream schools in Louth and East Meath and the NCSE has year on year increased the number of special classes available, with agreement from schools.

I have arranged for the Deputy's request for specific detail in relation to placement availability in the school referred to, to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. The NCSE is aware of a growing need for autism provision in the area and is actively liaising with schools in this context.