Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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235. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of early intervention autism spectrum disorder units attached to primary schools catering for boys and girls with a diagnosis of autism who are aged between three and five years of age here; and if he will change the system regarding special needs assistant allocation for same so that they would automatically retain their allocation every year and not be subject to the normal National Council for Special Education deadline for same due to the age profile of the pupils attending same and the delay in getting in appropriate reports. [21952/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that this Government is committed to ensuring that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.

Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of Special Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating special educational needs supports to mainstream Primary, Post Primary and Special Schools, to assist children with special educational needs, including the allocation of Special needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to assist children with special educational needs, who also have additional and significant care needs.

The NCSE recently published a list of special classes for the 2016/17 school year. In total there will be 1,153 special classes available next year, which is an increase of over 100% in the number of special classes which were available in 2011, which was 548.

For the coming school year, there will be 127 early intervention classes, 525 primary ASD classes and 237 post-primary ASD classes, which represents an increase of approx. 16% on 2015/16 classes for children with autism.

The NCSE makes allocations for SNA support in accordance with the criteria set out in my Department's Circular 0030/14, which is available on my Department's websitewww.education.ie. This circular sets out my Department's policy in relation to the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme. The Circular explains that SNA support is not provided to pre-school services which operate outside of the primary or special school provision. SNA supports are provided for early intervention classes in recognised primary schools, and special schools. This support is provided as part of the schools total quantum of SNA support.

I recently announced that from September next 12,900 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) will be available for allocation to primary and secondary schools, which is 860 more posts, or a 7% increase in the number of posts over which were available last year. In total, the number of SNA posts available has increased by almost 22% from 10,575 posts, available in 2011. About 69% of all students with ASD access SNA support.

While there are no plans currently to change the system for allocating SNA support to schools, including early intervention classes, the Deputy may be aware that I have recently announced, that the Government has decided to proceed with a comprehensive assessment of the SNA Scheme, to be carried out by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), a significant part of which will include consultation with relevant stakeholders. The aim of this process will be to provide better outcomes for students with special educational needs and to ensure that we are making the best form of investment for children with special needs.

The terms of reference and timeframes for this assessment are currently being developed. On completion of the assessment, the NCSE will submit its report and recommendations to me.