Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

87. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the budgetary process for the allocation of ASD special classes in mainstream schools; if additional funding is provided to schools for such classes; if the funding for these classes is included in the schools' budget or the budget of the NCSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39272/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 NCSE is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including S support and resource teachers to support students with Special Educational Needs including Autism.

It is also the role of the NCSE to make appropriate arrangements to establish special classes in schools in various geographical areas as required.

On approval of a special class in a school, my Department provides lump sum grant aid (€6,500 per class) towards the purchase of educational aids and equipment for special needs pupils enrolled in that class.  My Department also provides lump sum grant aid (€7,000 per room) towards the purchase of equipment for schools with approval for a multi-sensory room.

Grant aid may also be made available to schools under the Loose Furniture and Equipment Scheme to fund the purchase of special items of furniture for special needs pupils.

All of this additional funding is provided directly to schools and is not provided to the NCSE.

Furthermore, it is general practice to include a Special Needs Unit in the accommodation brief for new school buildings, unless local circumstances indicate that it will not be required. In addition, my Department may also provide capital funding to schools to establish special needs provision e.g. re-configure existing accommodation to provide a special class where this has been approved by the National Council for Special Education through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers.

Approximately 150 new Special Classes opened for the 2016/17 school year, which means there are now over 1,150 special classes in place, compared to 548 special classes in 2011. 889 of these classes are for children with autism.