Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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348. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a decision to provide a special class in a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34804/17]

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.

Special classes within mainstream schools are intended for children who, by virtue of their level of Special Educational Needs, cannot reasonably be educated in a mainstream class setting, but who can still attend their local school in a special class with a lower pupil–teacher ratio and have access to Special Needs Assistant support.

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. In considering Special Education provision, the NCSE takes into account existing supports in place in the area. 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 NCSE has advised that the school in question expressed an interest to the SENO in relation to establishing a Specific Speech and Language Class (SSLI) and an ASD class in the school. The SENO has written to the Principal on several occasions stating that the NCSE do not have any plans currently, to establish either an SSLI or an ASD class in the school.

It should be noted that 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. If the school 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 local SENO for 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.