Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

387. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will request the NCSE to review again the need for an ASD unit at a school (details supplied). [46555/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

Some students, although academically able to access the curriculum in mainstream, may find it too difficult to manage full-time placement there. This can be due to significant difficulties in areas such as behaviour or sensory needs which have not been ameliorated, even with appropriate intervention, in mainstream.

Enrolment in an ASD special class should only be considered where it has been demonstrated that a student requires the support of a special class because he/she is unable to learn effectively in a mainstream class for most or all of the school day even with appropriate supports.

Students enrolling in ASD Special Classes must have a report from a relevant professional or team of professionals (for example, psychologist, speech and language therapist, psychiatrist) stating that:

- S/he has ASD, and that 

- S/he has significant learning needs that require the support of a special class setting and the reasons why this is the case.

The NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), in consultation with the relevant education partners, is responsible for the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.

Schools may apply to the NCSE to open a special class where a need has been identified in their area i.e. a number of students have professional reports indicating they require the support of a special class.

SENOs may also approach a school directly where they are aware that a special class is or will be required in the near future. SENOs consult with other education parties (e.g. NEPS and Inspectorate) when planning to set up a special class.

Before approaching schools to request the establishment of a special class, SENOs take into account both present and future potential needs within the area and must be satisfied that the class is sustainable and appropriately located.

While it is not always possible to ensure that a special class placement will be available in a child’s local school, the NCSE has informed my Department that they are satisfied that there are currently sufficient ASD special class placements to meet existing demand in the area referred to by the Deputy.

Parents/Guardians who may need advice or are experiencing difficulties in locating a school placement should contact their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) who can assist in identifying an appropriate educational placement for their child. Contact details are available on www.ncse.ie.

Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs, including those in the area to which the Deputy has referred are available on www.ncse.iein county order, and with new classes identified.