Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The decision to enrol a child in a special class is made by parents in conjunction with the child, the NCSE's local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) and local schools. This decision must be supported by a report from a relevant professional or team of professionals.

This can be a difficult decision and parents should have access to objective and comprehensive information about the options available. Under no circumstances should a child be placed in a specialised setting without such a professional report.

Where a decision is taken to seek a special class placement for a child the local SENO should be notified as early as possible.

In general such decisions are made the year before the child is due to take up placement. This allows time for the local SENO to plan a placement for the child in their school community, for a transition plan to be developed and to ensure that resources are in place to support the child upon enrolment.

The NCSE has informed my Department that it is not aware of delays in the provision of multidisciplinary assessment of needs impacting on children enrolling into special classes for this September.

The provision of health related services including multidisciplinary assessment of needs are under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Health with the services provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE). 

Questions in relation to the provision of such services should therefore be referred to the Department of Health and the HSE.