Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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104. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) will be accepted as a pupil at a school. [46140/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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My Department's policy is to provide for the inclusive education of children with special educational needs, including Autism (ASD), in mainstream school settings, unless such a placement would not be in the best interests of the child concerned, or the children with whom they will be educated.

The greater proportion of children with ASD attend mainstream class, where they may access additional supports if required.

Some students with ASD, although academically able to access the curriculum in mainstream, may find it too difficult to manage full-time placement there and placement in an ASD special class should be considered.

Special school placements are provided for other students with ASD and very complex special needs who wouldn’t manage in a mainstream school even for part of the week. Enrolment of a child in a special school is based on a professional assessment in consultation with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

The Department therefore provides for a continuum of provision which includes mainstream school placements with additional supports, or for pupils who require more specialist interventions, special class and special school placements.

The NCSE is responsible for the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE).

There are 4 special schools and 27 special classes in mainstream schools in Co. Westmeath.

The school referred to by the Deputy supports students with ASD and complex needs who wouldn’t manage in a mainstream school even for part of the week. The Department consulted with the NCSE when planning the new school build for this school. The NCSE is satisfied that the additional accommodation this project will deliver will meet future potential need for such placements.

The new school project will deliver a new 2-storey 6-classroom base Special Needs School including a General Purpose Hall, all staff and pupil facilities, allowing for the school to accommodate an additional class for 6 students with ASD and complex needs, should it be required in future years. 

As the matter raised by the Deputy refers to a particular child, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be forwarded to the National Council for Special Education for their attention and direct reply. My Department has no role in making such determinations.