John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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32. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions available for children who may not be able to transition adequately from primary to post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8925/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Transitions at all stages and levels including starting school; the move from primary to post-primary; moving between mainstream and special school settings and preparation for life after school can be a difficult time for all parents and students, including those with special educational needs. 

My Department has committed to a range of actions aimed at supporting effective transition at all stages within the education system, including transition from primary to post primary. A range of resources are available to facilitate and support the transition of 6th class students, including those with special educational needs.

My Department provides for a continuum of special education provision to be made available for children with special needs, so that regardless of the level of need of the child, educational provision can be made for them.

In 2018, almost 1.8 billion will be invested in Special Education, nearly one fifth of the overall Education budget, and up 43% since 2011, providing for mainstream classroom supports, special educational needs teachers, SNAs, additional special class support, assistive technology and individual supports depending on the various needs of students at different levels of the education cycle.

A number of useful Resources are available from the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) providing advice and guidance for parents, students and schools covering the transitions between all stages of education, including the transition from primary to post-primary.

Schools use the NCCA Education Passport materials to support the reporting and transfer of pupil information at the end of sixth class, to support the dual purpose of reporting to parents and of transferring pupil information to post-primary schools once enrolment has been confirmed.