Written answers

Wednesday, 6 April 2016

Department of Education and Skills

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Photo of Aindrias MoynihanAindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

697. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to ensure additional accommodation is made available in the autism unit in a school (details supplied) in County Cork for autistic siblings of children currently attending there. [5911/16]

Photo of Aindrias MoynihanAindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

698. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to retain the early intervention unit in a school (details supplied) in County Cork and accommodate additional students in the autism spectrum disorder 1 classroom. [5912/16]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 697 and 698 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the enrolment of a child to a school is a matter, in the first instance, for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school.

However, parents/guardians who may need advice or are experiencing difficulties in identifying a school placement should contact their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) who can assist in identifying an appropriate educational placement for their child. Contact details are available on www.ncse.ie.

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.

SENOs engage with schools annually in order to plan for, and to open, new special classes each year, in order to ensure there are sufficient special class placements available at primary and post primary school level to meet demand in a given area.

The NCSE has advised that SENOs are currently liaising with schools in Cork City and County regarding the establishment of classes for the 2016/17 school year.

In all cases the policy of my Department is that children should be enrolled in appropriate placements in line with the recommendations set out in their assessment. In relation to this school, the NCSE has indicated that at present there is not a basis for extending the special class provision.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.