Written answers

Tuesday, 1 December 2020

Department of Education and Skills

Special Educational Needs

Photo of Michael MoynihanMichael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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410. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the need to enhance and facilitate further participation in the classroom for children with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40096/20]

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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It is my belief that children with special educational needs should receive their education in placements which are appropriate to their needs alongside their peers wherever possible unless such an approach would be inconsistent with the best interests of the individual child or other children in the school.

This approach is consistent with the provisions of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004.

My Department's policy is therefore to provide for the inclusive education of children with special educational needs in mainstream schools. The majority of children with special needs attend mainstream education with additional supports.

This policy is supported by significant investment by Government, €2bn or 20% of the total education spend. This funds the provision of additional teachers, special needs assistants and other supports required to enable children with special needs to access education.

Only where it has been assessed that the child is unable to be supported in mainstream education, are special class placements or special school placements recommended and provided for.

It is therefore not the case that special educational placements are required to support all children with special educational needs, nor is it intended that this should be the case.

My Department will continue to provide for a continuum of provision, which includes special class and special school places for children who have been assessed as needing such placements.

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