Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

344. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of ASD units in secondary schools in south County Kildare; the location of each; the number of proposed ASD units in the pipeline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56957/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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

It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion.

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.

This includes funding for a wide range of schemes and supports including special classes, special school places, SNAs and teachers.

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

Currently there are 4 special schools in County Kildare. Of the 2,118 special classes that opened for the 2021/22 school year, 91 are in County Kildare (69 Primary and 22 Post Primary). 6 of these classes were newly established for the 2021/22 school year.

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.

It is open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.

My Department works in close collaboration 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.

A list of special classes by county is available on the NCSE website at: ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Special-Classes-for-website-21-22_26.05.2021.pdf