Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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400. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the issues facing a special school (details supplied) that is finding it increasingly difficult to find places for its students in mainstream settings in secondary schools in its local area; and the steps she will take to ensure that children attending special schools are not disadvantaged by the feeder school admission policy in secondary schools. [9399/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018.

Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools are required to have drafted new admissions policies, which have been approved by the patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. The revised admissions policy is published on the school's website.

The Act requires schools to clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policy. Schools have discretion in relation to their admission criteria and how they are applied, feeder schools are permitted as a criterion under the Act, and schools can continue to prioritise selected feeder schools should they wish to do so. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are matters for the schools themselves.

My Department's main responsibility in relation to placements generally is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. It has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents. NCSE seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special education placements.

At the time of transition to post primary school, and, as referenced by the Deputy in terms of transition from a special school, the NCSE's local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) will offer advice to parents on the possible placement options available to their child moving forward, including mainstream placement with appropriate support, special class placement and special school placement.

Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: .