Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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458. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the basis upon which the four autistic spectrum disorder classrooms designated for a new school (details supplied) are all to be based in the junior school rather than split evenly between the junior and senior school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4287/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The school referred to by the Deputy is not designated as a Junior School and Senior School.  The location of the SEN Unit will be determined as part of the design process for the new school extension.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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459. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if additional ASD secondary school places will be made available for pupils with ASD and mild or moderate intellectual disabilities in the northside of Cork city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4300/22]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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460. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if additional secondary school ASD places in secondary schools will be made available for pupils attending a school (details supplied) due to the needs of pupils for more spaces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4301/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 459 and 460 together.

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government. I fully recognise that where parents have difficulties in securing an appropriate school placement for their child, particularly a child with special educational needs, it can be a stressful experience. My Department is working hard to ensure that there are sufficient school places, appropriate to the needs of all children, available on a timely basis nationwide.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs and my Department works in close collaboration with the NCSE to ensure that the necessary provision is available. There are Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) located across the country and they have a specific remit in helping and supporting parents in accessing the education necessary for their children, including in identifying suitable school placements.

The policy approach of the Department is that children with additional 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.

This policy is supported by significant investment by this Government. This 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.

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.

Recognising some of the difficulties experienced by parents in securing appropriate school placements, my Department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special education placements ahead of each new school year. This intensive intervention has seen an additional 301 special classes already opened nationwide for the 2021/22 school year.

There is currently a network of 357 special classes in Cork, including Cork City, of which 309 are special classes for children with autism.Of the 309 special classes for children with autism, 228 are at primary level including 21 Early Intervention classes and 81 are at post primary level. A total of 45 new ASD special classes were established in Cork for the 2021/2022 school year.

Additional special school places have been created by the establishment of the new Carrigaline Community Special School and a planned increase in places in existing special schools for September next. The NCSE continues to work with special schools in Cork to increase the number of available places.

My Department is committed, through the NCSE and network of local SENOs, to continue to work with parents and schools to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for children with additional needs and to support all children to achieve their potential.

I can assure the Deputy that the local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: .