Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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13. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the crisis regarding a shortage of school places and ASD units for children with autism who are being denied access to school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19253/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I want to assure the Deputy and Parents that concerns regarding a shortage of appropriate school places for next September are being taken very seriously.

The National Council for Special education (NCSE) has formally advised me that there is insufficient special school and special class capacity in Dublin 15 and Kildare.

My Department Officials, the NCSE are actively engaging with local schools and school patron bodies to address this urgent and important issue. As a result of these efforts, three special classes catering for 18 students are on track to open in September 2019.

If existing schools, including special schools, cannot provide the necessary number of places, then other arrangements will have to be made following any necessary consultation with parents and schools.

Options are currently being examined and scoped out, in relation to establishing additional special school places to cater for the needs of children in Dublin 15. My Department officials are engaging with patron bodies including Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board with regard to suitable space which may be made available immediately for the purpose of providing the required placements.

As progress intensifies in the coming weeks, I expect the shortage in provision to reduce as existing schools expand provision and informed decisions are made on other options.

I have asked the NCSE to keep in regular contact with the Parents of the children concerned and advise them of progress.

In short, ensuring that every child has a suitable placement available to them from September is a key priority for me and my Department.

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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14. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review the process in which schools receive resources and staff for ASD classes in order to achieve more flexibility for schools to apply and receive the necessary resources at multiple points during the year rather than exclusively at the start of the school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19797/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of special class.  In most circumstances children enrol in special classes at the start of the school year. The National Council for Special education (NCSE) will sanction the relevant staffing resources once the school confirms enrolments. This minimises disruption for the child and allows time for a transition plan to be developed where a child is changing educational setting.  It also ensures that resources are in place to support the child upon enrolment.

However, there are situations where new special class placements are required during the school year. Existing policy is flexible and allows new special class placements to be established at any point during the school year.

The NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.

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 sanction special classes in schools at the earliest possible opportunity to ensure adequate provision is in place to meet need as it emerges.

The NCSE which advises me on policy in relation to special education matters is currently reviewing the educational provision for students with special educational needs.  This review will look at current provision and make recommendations that will inform future policy. The review will be completed in June next year.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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15. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the July provision for special needs children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19822/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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My Department's July Provision Grant Scheme provides funding for an extended school year for students with severe or profound intellectual disabilities and students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

The scheme was developed to reduce potential regression in learning associated with these specific categories of special education needs over the summer holidays.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) which advises me on these matters published its Policy Advice on Educational Provision for Children with Autism in July 2016 which included a review of the July Scheme.

The review found that in general parents value July provision because it provides day-time respite for families and a structured day for students. The NCSE review found a number of problems with the scheme as currently organised.

These include concerns that the scheme may be inequitable because it is not provided to all students with complex special educational needs.

The Council recommended that the relevant Government Departments consider how an equitable national day activity scheme could be developed for all students with complex special educational needs.

The proposed scheme would provide a structured, safe, social environment for all students with complex special educational needs.

My Department has convened an Implementation Group to ensure that the Report’s recommendations are fully and appropriately considered.

There has been consultation with a number of other Departments and State agencies regarding the future direction of the July Education Programme. 

It is expected that the Group will make recommendations shortly concerning a revised scheme which would be implemented next year at the earliest.  Before any changes are made, there will be consultations with stakeholders.