Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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349. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 302 of 11 November 2021, the terms of reference within the review of the education provision in special classes and special schools given the fact that the National Council for Special Education has been requested to develop policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57080/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The NCSE strives to ensure that its policy advice is informed by robust and wide-ranging consultative and research processes. Its policy advice is always informed by international best practice.

A lot of work has been done and NCSE published a progress report in November, 2019. At that stage, NCSE had reviewed existing educational provision in Ireland, conducted a detailed literature review, consulted various stakeholder groups and visited a number of Irish schools. NCSE had also looked at fully inclusive schools and practice in Canada and Portugal.

The report found that no evidence to show that one type of special education placement is better that another. It also stated that any decision to move towards greater inclusion would require careful consideration and planning. It is not something that could be achieved in the short term.

Since the publication of the progress report, NCSE has conducted further research and analysis, engaged in a public consultation survey and has received further submissions and expert inputs. It has also examined the implications arising from the UNCRPD.

Before the advice is finalised, every effort is being made to ensure that NCSE has consulted widely with a view to developing shared understandings on the critical issues involved and proposed solutions.

The terms of reference referred to by the Deputy is available in the progress report on the NCSE website - ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Progress-Report-Policy-Advice-on-Special-Schools-Classes-website-upload.pdf

I expect that the policy advice will be completed in early 2022.