Written answers

Thursday, 26 November 2020

Department of Education and Skills

Special Educational Needs

Photo of Steven MatthewsSteven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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267. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a new ASD unit in a school (details supplied) is on track to open for September 2021; and if so, if the new unit will operate at full capacity in its first year. [39372/20]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy, that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has approved the opening of a special class, in St. Kevin's National School, for September 2021.

Officials from my Department are in contact with the school authorities in relation to the necessary steps, should additional accommodation be required for this class. To date no applications have been received for capital funding, from the school in question.

Photo of Steven MatthewsSteven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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268. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the new ASD unit in a school (details supplied) will be offering places exclusively to children already in the school; and if applications will be accepted for new students. [39373/20]

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has advised that a new special class for children with autism was sanctioned for the school referred to by the Deputy in October 2020. It is planned to open the class at the start of the 2021/2022 school year. I understand the school are taking applications for the class this year.

It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act 1998. In schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary.

The selection process used by schools and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, it may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in their school of first choice.

In accordance with the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools have drafted new policies to be published on the school’s website.

The Act requires schools to clearly set out their selection criteria, for application in the event of oversubscription, in their admission policies. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for schools themselves.

Further information on the new admission process is available on the Department’s website at the following link: .

Photo of Steven MatthewsSteven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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269. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the number of students currently on waiting lists for an ASD unit place in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39374/20]

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha 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. Next year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs.

This investment will support the provision of over 1,200 additional special class places.

Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country, including the area referenced by the Deputy, where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. Through better planning at both national and local level, it is my objective that specialist education places should come on stream to meet emerging demand on a timely basis.

The NCSE is actively working with primary and post primary schools in the North Wicklow area, including Greystones, in order to establish special classes in the area. It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE to open a special class. The active collaboration of school communities is vital to the effective inclusion of students with special educational needs.

I should clarify that the NCSE does not maintain waiting lists for ASD classes. Boards of management of individual schools are responsible for such enrolment matters.

The NCSE's local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise both schools and the parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: .

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