Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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453. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria a school must meet to start an ASD class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44991/20]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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It is open to any school to make an application to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) for the establishment of specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.

In considering such applications, the NSCE considers the current provision in the area, if there is a sustainable demand for additional specialist provision and how best this demand can be met having regard to the availability of suitable school accommodation, the needs and location of the children concerned.  

My Department is not involved in adjudicating on the applications received by the NCSE from schools.