Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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263. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if research has been carried out on the need to expand the number of places for children with autism spectrum disorder at primary school level in Skerries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18096/17]

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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265. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a shortage of specific primary school placements for children with ASD in the Skerries area; his plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18098/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 265 together.

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.

In respect of children with Special Educational Needs who cannot be accommodated in mainstream education, they may be enrolled in special classes or special schools where more intensive and supportive interventions are provided.

The Deputy will also be aware that it is the role of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to make appropriate arrangements to establish special classes and special school placements where the need for such placements has been identified.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required.

The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. Special Classes and Special Schools are staffed with a lower pupil–teacher ratio ranging from 6-1 to 12-1, on the basis of disability categorisation of pupils attending the school.

There are currently 1,152 special classes nationally, which is an increase of over 100% on the number available in 2011. Of these, 126 are ASD early intervention classes, 526 are primary ASD classes and 236 are post-primary ASD classes. The remainder are non-ASD special classes. 125 special schools also provide specialist education for those pupils who need it, from infants to eighteen years of age.

With regard to Co. Dublin (city and county), the NCSE has advised that there 119 ASD special classes attached to mainstream primary schools.

The NCSE, in consultation with the relevant education partners, must take into account the present and future potential need, location and sustainability in looking to establish special classes in certain areas. 

In this regard the NCSE has advised that they are continuing to engage with schools in opening special classes where there is an identified need for special class provision and in order to ensure there are sufficient placements available to meet demand.

Parents/guardians may contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs and to seek assistance in identifying placement options, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

As details relating specifically to the area referred to by the Deputy are not readily available in my Department, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be forwarded to the National Council for Special Education for their attention and direct reply.