Written answers

Wednesday, 28 April 2021

Department of Education and Skills

Autism Support Services

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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532. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of autism classes in Dublin 12; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21128/21]

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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533. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the four schools that have been compelled to open autism classes in the Dublin 12 area;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21129/21]

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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535. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if additional schools will be compelled to provide autism services in the Dublin 12 area in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21131/21]

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 532, 533 and 535 together.

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.

This year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs. As a result, the numbers of special education teachers, SNAs and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.

NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and special school places nationally, to meet identified need. This process is ongoing. 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. However, the active collaboration of school communities is essential in this regard.

It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.

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.

The Deputy will be aware of the process underway in South Dublin under Section 37A of the Education Act, 1998. Statutory notices issued under the Act together with the representations received from the schools and their patrons are published on my Department’s website. As the legal process is still underway, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.

Minister Foley and I also announced the establishment of a new special school (Our Lady of Hope School) in Crumlin, Dublin 12 last December. Both the NCSE and my Department are working closely with the patron and the school's management team on the practical arrangements required to progress this project as speedily as possible.

Finally, I can reassure the Deputy that the local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) continue to be 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: es-contact-list.

Information on the list of schools with special classes, the type and location of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie.

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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534. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the two schools (details supplied) that have tendered for the provision of autism services in the Dublin 12 area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21130/21]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, in relation to the Junior National School referred to, my Department has recently approved this project to go to Construction Stage for a one-classroom SEN base, two mainstream classroom with ensuite toilets, and WC for assisted users under the Additional Accommodation Scheme. The project is expected to commence on-site shortly. 

In relation to the National School referred to, my Department granted approval under the Additional Accommodation Scheme 2020 to build a two-classroom SEN base and one WC for Assisted Users.  The Department received an Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) application from the school in October 2020 relating to alteration works to main entrance doors and fire exit doors which is currently being assessed in terms of the feasibility of incorporating these works into this project. The Additional Accommodation project is currently at the Design Stage and a Stage 1/2a Report is required to be submitted at this time. 

Both projects have been devolved for delivery to the School Authority to advance in that context

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