Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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88. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will offer a special needs autism spectrum disorder school place to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12275/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department's policies focus on ensuring that all children can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.

A range of placement options for pupils with special educational needs is provided, in order to ensure that all pupils can receive a school placement. Many pupils with special educational needs will be able to attend a local mainstream school, whereas for pupils who have needs which require more specialist interventions, special class and special school placements are provided for.

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 continues 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.

The NCSE has advised that SENOs are currently liaising with schools in the area referred to by the Deputy regarding the establishment of further classes for 2016/17 school year.

I understand that the number of special classes for students with ASD in Co. Kildare is 57, 11 of which are at post primary level, 41 at primary level and 5 are early intervention classes.

I further understand that the SENO has advised the parent of the child referred to by the Deputy of placement options for the 2016/17 school year. 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.

Full details of all special classes are available at www.ncse.ie.