Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael)
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158. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the incentives or assistance available to second level schools in County Louth to provide an autistic unit for students who require these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2562/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Funding for special education provision in 2016 amounted to some €1.5 billion, which was equivalent to over 17% of the gross overall allocation for education and training and an increase of 10% in spending in the previous two years. 

This funding provides for a range of supports and services including additional learning and resource teaching support, access to SNA support, special transport arrangements, building adaptations, enhanced capitation in special schools and special classes, specialised equipment, additional teacher training and the services of the National Educational Psychological Service.

This range of supports and services furthers this Government's commitment to ensure 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.

The National Council for Special Education is responsible for organising and planning provision for children with Special Educational Needs, including establishing special classes in mainstream primary and post primary schools. Progress in developing the network of Special Classes has been significant.

In 2011 there were 548 special classes, of which 224 were primary ASD classes, 72 were post primary ASD classes and 34 were early intervention classes. The remaining 218 were special classes service children with mild to moderate/severe general learning difficulties and specific learning difficulties including speech and language difficulties.

There are currently 1,153 special classes, which is an increase of over 100% on the number available in 2011.  Of these, 127 are ASD early intervention classes, 525 are primary ASD classes and 237 are post-primary ASD classes. The remainder are non ASD special classes.

The NCSE has advised that there are almost 18,000 students with ASD attending schools nationally. Of these 3,484 are attending primary ASD classes and 1,118 are attending post primary ASD classes.

With regard to County Louth, the NCSE has advised that there are 323 students with ASD attending schools in the county. Of these, 165 Students attend mainstream schools and are accessing in-school supports including Resource teaching and SNA support. A further 99 students with ASD are attending 19 Special Classes for children with Autism of which 3 are Early Intervention ASD Classes, 12 are primary ASD classes and 4 are post primary ASD. The remaining 59 students with ASD are placed in special schools.

The NCSE continues to review special class placement requirements nationally and have informed the Department that, in general, they are satisfied that there are sufficient ASD special class placements to meet existing demand.

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 a primary school to a special class in a 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 school depending on their presentation and needs.

It should also be noted that there is a proportionally larger enrolment at Primary level due to the higher number of standard years. Of the total enrolment in schools currently 68% of students are enrolled at Primary Level (which includes all Special Schools) and 32% are enrolled at Post Primary level.

The NCSE has published a guide for Boards of Management and Principals of Primary and Post Primary schools which contains information on setting up and organising special classes, including information on resources which may be provided to schools to establish special classes as requested by the Deputy. The guide is available to download from www.ncse.ie at the following link:

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.

Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael)
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159. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding an Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2563/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that a two-classroom ASD Unit is being provided as part of the accommodation for the new 1,000 pupil-post-primary school to which he refers and which is currently under construction.