Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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397. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) will receive an appropriate school place for the coming 2016-2017 school year. [8296/16]

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 ASD, should be included where possible and appropriate in mainstream placements with additional supports provided. In circumstances where children with special educational needs require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are also available.

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. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools.

However, parents/guardians who may need advice or are experiencing difficulties in locating 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 SENO can also advise parents in relation to supports which may be available to support children with special educational needs, including special transport arrangements which may be made available.

The NCSE have also published a Guide for Parents and Guardians of Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs on Choosing a School. This guide is also available at www.ncse.ie.