John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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60. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of autistic spectrum disorder, ASD, units attached to primary and post-primary schools in the Clondalkin catchment area and the Lucan catchment area; his views on whether there are sufficient ASD units available and, in particular, if there are enough ASD units available at post-primary level to meet the transition from those attending ASD units at primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1810/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for organising and planning provision for children with Special Educational Needs, including establishing special classes in mainstream primary and post primary schools.

Special classes are part of a continuum of educational provision that enables students with more complex special educational needs to be educated, in smaller class groups, within their local mainstream schools.

Special classes offer a supportive learning environment to students with ASD who are unable to access the curriculum in a mainstream class, even with support, for most or all of their school day. Special classes for students with ASD are staffed with a lower pupil–teacher ratio of 6:1 at primary level and 6:1.5 at post primary level, and also have Special Needs Assistant support normally amounting to 2 SNAs for a class of 6 children.

Students enrolled in special classes should be included in mainstream classes to the greatest extent possible, in line with their abilities.

Progress in developing the network of Special Classes has been significant and there are currently 1,153 available, which is an increase of over 100% on the number available in 2011, which was 548. Of these, 127 are ASD early intervention classes, 525 are primary ASD classes and 237 are post-primary ASD classes.

The continued growth in post primary special class numbers is a natural consequence of the earlier growth in primary special class numbers. However, it should not be assumed that the same levels of growth in post primary class numbers should apply. This is because, for children with Autism, transferring from a special class in primary to a special class in post primary school may not always be the optimal choice. Many children can progress to mainstream post primary with support of SNA and Resource Teaching hours, while more may transfer from primary to a special schools depending on their presentation and needs.

The National Council for Special Education has informed my Department that they are satisfied that there are sufficient ASD Post Primary special class placements to meet existing demand in the area referred to by the Deputy.

With regard to future potential need in this area, the NCSE has advised that they are continuing to engage with schools in the area to open special classes where there is an identified need for special class provision.

The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill was published on 6^thJuly 2016. The Bill contains a provision which will empower the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to designate a school for a child who has no school place for reasons related to the child's special educational needs and for the Child and Family Agency to designate a school for a child who has no school place (other than a child with special educational needs).

In line with recommendations from the NCSE in policy advices provided in 2011, it is the policy of the Department 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, the 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 or recommended by the National Council for Special Education.

The NCSE recently launched guidelines for Boards of Management and Principals of Primary and Post Primary schools which provide information on setting up and organising special classes. These guidelines are available to download fromwww.ncse.ie.