Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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94. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) is likely to be awarded a special needs school place to meet their educational requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10188/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The policy of my Department is to ensure that all children with special educational needs can be provided with an education appropriate to their needs.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.

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, using the contact details available at .

As the matter raised by the Deputy refers to a placement for a particular child, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be forwarded to the National Council for Special Education for direct reply.