Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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34. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 388 of 21 July 2020, if the decision will be reversed not to grant an exemption for three pupils to allow them to repeat their final year of education in a special needs school (details supplied) in Dublin 22. [19295/20]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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As outlined previously, special schools funded by my Department are classified as primary national schools and are intended, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 64(1) of the Rules for National Schools, to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from the age of 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year.

Special schools may however seek approval from my Department for an exemption from Rule 64(1) in respect of students over the age of 18 who are pursuing courses leading to accreditation on the National Qualifications Framework (e.g. Junior Certificate/LCA/FETAC 3).

A request for an exemption from Rule 64(1) can only be made by a school where:

1. The student is pursuing a course leading to accreditation on the National Qualifications Framework (e.g. Junior Certificate/Leaving Certificate Applied/FETAC 3) 

2. The student requires one additional year in order to complete their course

3. Retaining the student in the school for one school year will not prevent a younger pupil being enrolled there

4. Plans are in place to transition the student to a post-school setting at the end of the additional school year

Special schools are invited each year to make applications for exemptions from Rule 64(1) in respect of pupils who meet the above criteria. Where the criteria are met, my Department will approve the exemptions.

The school to which the Deputy refers has engaged in this process with my Department. I can also confirm that an application for exemptions, as referenced above, was made by the school. However, as the criteria were not met, it was not possible to approve the application. The school has been notified of this decision and the postition remains unchanged from my reply to the Deputy on 21st July 2020.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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35. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the communications she has had in relation to the need to establish a special school for children with learning disabilities in the Dublin 12 committee. [19033/20]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.  Currently, almost 20% of the total Education Vote or €1.9bn is invested in supporting children with special needs.

Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country, including South Dublin, where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places for next September.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. NCSE is continuing its engagement with schools, patron bodies, parents and others across South Dublin to bring the required additional special class and special school placements on stream.

While progress has been achieved NCSE has identified the need for an additional 36 special school places in South Dublin for September.

Planning is actively underway to ensure that children without a placement for next year are provided with a suitable placement.  The NCSE is leading the work in this regard. My Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.

A number of options are currently being explored to increase the number of suitable places to cater for the needs of children in this area.