Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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242. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the establishment of a special class or specific speech and language impairment, SSLI, unit in which there is a clear demand from the locality for such a class and there is no facility of its kind in north Wexford (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5769/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The policy of my Department is that children with special educational needs should be included, where possible and appropriate, in mainstream school placements with additional supports provided. In circumstances where children with special educational needs require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are also available.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas where a need has been identified. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. Applications meeting the criteria are approved by the NCSE.

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 welcomes expressions of interest from schools in opening special classes to meet the demand for special class provision. In deciding on the location of a special class SENOs take into account both the present and the future potential need for special class provision and they must be satisfied that the special class is sustainable and appropriately located. SENOs liaise with relevant professionals in their area to arrive at an informed decision.

The establishment of a Specific Speech and Language Unit class is contingent on the HSE providing Speech and Language Therapy support for the students in the class.

The NCSE are in the process of determining where any additional special class provision for the 2017/18 school year will be required and SENOs hope to have initial information on where those classes will be required throughout the country by February/March.

The NCSE has informed my officials that if the school in question has a commitment from the Health Service Executive to provide Speech and Language Therapy for the students in the class, the Principal should contact the SENO for her consideration in regard to the need for a SSLI class in the area, the suitability of the school as a location for a special class and sustainability of the class.