Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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170. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is considering a school (details supplied) for an autism spectrum disorder unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14095/16]

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 its expects to open up to 100 new special classes for the coming school year.

The NCSE has indicated that, at present, there is sufficient capacity within existing ASD classes to meet demand for placements at primary level in the area referred to by the Deputy.

All schools have the contact details of their local SENO, while Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

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.