John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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159. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons on the autism spectrum waiting for a school placement at an autism spectrum disorder unit in Kilkenny city and county; the number of schools that have an ASD unit; the number of places in each unit; and the number of available spaces in each unit. [17200/19]

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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163. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school placement will be arranged at an ASD unit in Kilkenny city, possibly at the Kilkenny VEC, for a person (details supplied); if confirmation of the placement will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17217/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 163 together.

The National Council for Special education (NCSE), an independent agency of my Department, is responsible for planning, coordinating and advising on education provision for children with special educational needs. This includes taking account of the flow of students from primary into post primary. The Council ensures that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.

The NCSE has informed my Department that they are satisfied that there are sufficient post primary ASD special class placements in Kilkenny to meet identified need for the forthcoming school year.  

160 new special classes have been opened for the 2018/19 school year, which means there are now 1,459 special classes in place, compared to 548 in 2011.

The number of special classes in Co. Kilkenny have increased from 5 in 2011/2012 to 26 in 2018/2019. Of these 22 are ASD special classes - 2 ASD early intervention classes, 13 primary ASD classes and 7 post primary ASD classes.

Individual school boards of management are responsible for the establishment of special classes.  It is open to any school to make application to the NCSE to establish a class. In deciding where to establish a special class in an area, the NCSE take account of the current and projected demand and the available school accommodation both current and planned.  In this regard, the SENO may approach individual schools to discuss the matter with a view to finding the optimal location in terms of convenience and sustainability.

When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to reconfigure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation. 

Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) who are locally based are available to assist and advise parents whose children have special needs.  They also assist and advise schools in making decisions in this area.

As the Deputy's question relates to a particular child, I have referred the question to the NCSE for their direct reply.