Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

229. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are plans to provide funding to schools to be able to provide sensory rooms or in cases in which space is restricted sensory hubs, to allow children in mainstream classes with SENs access to this necessary resource; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51960/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.

When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school (primary or post-primary), school authorities can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure an existing space within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. ASA application forms are available on my Department’s website www.education.ie.

Similarly, where special schools are requested to expand provision or wish to refurbish existing facilities, they may also apply to my Department for capital funding to carry out these works. The provision of sensory rooms form part of the accommodation brief for Special Educational Need Bases.  This information is available on the Departments website www.education.ie.

The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of such additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The second half of the National Development Plan will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock.