Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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113. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she is taking to address special education needs in south-west areas of County Cork. [4648/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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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 and Inclusion.

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.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. NCSE is aware of an identified need for additional special classes for students with autism at primary and post primary levels in the South West Cork area.

Currently, a network of 39 primary school special classes, including 4 Early Intervention classes and 18 post primary special classes provide 342 specialist placements for students with autism in South-West Cork, 7 of which were newly established for the 2021/2022 school year.

Through ongoing consultation with schools and parents at local level, the NCSE is aware of students who are seeking special education placements for the 22/23 academic year.

Through their network of SENOs, NCSE is currently engaging with 9 primary and 5 post primary schools in the general South West Cork area regarding the establishment of additional special classes for 2022/23 and beyond.

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.