Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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235. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) had its application turned down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12314/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for organising and planning provision for children with Special Educational Needs, including the establishment of special classes in mainstream primary and post primary schools.

Special classes offer a supportive learning environment to students with ASD who are unable to access the curriculum in a mainstream class, even with support, for most or all of their school day. Special classes are for students who have a recommendation for a special class placement in their professional reports.

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.

The NCSE, in looking to open special classes, must take into account the present and future potential need for such classes, taking particular account of the educational needs of the children concerned. The NCSE will also take account of location and sustainability in looking to establish special classes in certain areas. 

In addition, the NCSE will consider:

- the school’s accommodation and accessibility

- the number of special classes, if any, already in the school.

The NCSE has informed my Department that they have sanctioned a number of new ASD Special Classes in Co. Clare. While it is not always possible to ensure that a special class placement will be available in the child’s local school, the NCSE are satisfied that there will be sufficient ASD special class placements for students in Co. Clare in the forthcoming school year.

Parents/Guardians who may need advice or are experiencing difficulties in locating a school placement, including special class 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 at.

The NCSE has not currently identified the need to establish an additional ASD special classes in the area referred to by the Deputy.

However, this process is ongoing, and should the NCSE identify the requirement for additional special class placements in the area it will contact schools in the area in relation to establishing an ASD special class.

My Department continues to work with the NCSE to ensure that there is appropriate planning in place to ensure that all children who require special class placements can access such placements in schools within their communities.