Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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512. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) will receive a place in a secondary school; if not, the reason why; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40163/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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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.

Children with autism over the age of four may be eligible for home tuition if a school placement is not available. In this regard I understand that a home tuition application has been approved pending a school placement.

The NCSE has advised that a third special class has been sanctioned on a temporary basis in recent days, following an application by the primary school which the child attended last year, to provide an education for the child referred to by the Deputy and pending the availability of a school placement at post-primary level.

The local SENO continues to be available to engage with, and provide information to, the parent of the child referred to by the Deputy with a view to securing a school placement at post-primary level.