Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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264. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he will issue a roll number to a centre for autism (details supplied) in Carrigaline in County Cork which has submitted an application for a special school for children on the autism spectrum disorder. [9647/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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New schools are established to meet demographic demand. In general, the Department's policy is to integrate children with special educational needs into the mainstream school system wherever possible. Many of our schools have special education units included within them. However, special schools are also necessary to meet the educational needs of pupils whose needs cannot be adequately catered for in a mainstream school.

The need to establish a new special school would be identified by the National Council for Special Education in conjunction with the Department. My Department is currently aware that there is an emerging need for Special School placement options in County Cork and consideration of how this need can be met is currently underway.