Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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167. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students in County Cork expected to require a special school place in September 2022; and the number of spaces currently available, including those in use. [57318/21]

Josepha 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 this Government. Next year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.

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.

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.

Through ongoing consultation with schools and parents at local level the NCSE is aware of students who will be seeking placement for the 22/23 academic year. I should also clarify that the NCSE does not maintain waiting lists for schools. Boards of management of individual schools are responsible for such enrolment matters.

However, the NCSE, through its local network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers), offers advice and support to parents on the possible placement options available to their child, including mainstream placement with appropriate support, special class placement and special school placement.

NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and special school places nationally, to meet identified need. This process is ongoing.

The Deputy will be aware that a new Special School opened in Cork for the 2021/22 school year and this school will have an increased enrolment capacity for the 2022/23 school year. My Department, in close collaboration with the NCSE, is also working with other Special Schools in Cork to increase their enrolment capacity for the 2022/23 school year.

My Department will continue to work with the NCSE to ensure that the necessary provision is put in place on a timely basis throughout the country.

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact their local SENO so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.