Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change)
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130. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) will have access to therapists. [4130/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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In general, speech and language and occupational therapy supports in schools are provided by the HSE. My Department provides a range of specialist education, psychological and care supports for schools in line with the needs of each school.

As the Deputy is aware my Department opened the school in question this year in recognition of the significant demand for special school places in the local area. The establishment and opening of the school helped to ensure that children who required a special school place could access one, with priority in admissions given to those students who did not have a special school place previously.

The ground floor areas were completely renovated to provide classrooms with associated Assisted Use WCs and Quiet Spaces, staff and admin areas and support spaces to enable the school start up in September 2021. The layout was developed by the Department in consultation with the school and is based on optimising the space available. A sensory room has been provided as part of the extensive development undertaken at the school and external secure play area was also provided.

Special schools generally cater for children with the most complex needs. Accordingly, these schools have enhanced staffing levels with greatly reduced pupil/teacher and SNA staffing allocations.

On an ongoing basis, special schools also have access to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) advisory support service which advises on children with the most complex needs, including behavioural needs.

Special schools in a start-up situation are targeted for specific support. Care is taken in the planning of these schools and the provision of specialist training and support. A bespoke package of CPD and professional learning for the staff of this new school is currently taking place with inputs from my Department, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and the relevant agencies including the NCSE. This school will also continue to be supported by NEPS.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department and the NCSE will continue to prioritise this school for support.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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131. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a progress report on her most recent efforts to provide certainty regarding enrolment in September 2022 for ASD pupils at a school (details supplied) in County Cork; the position regarding acquisition of a site for the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4660/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to assure the Deputy that the provision of accommodation for pupils with special education needs is a priority for my Department and my officials are aware of the pressing requirement for the provision of post primary classes for pupils with special education needs in the area to which the Deputy refers.

My Department is considering all options for the school in question for its September 2022 interim accommodation, including SEN provision, and will keep the school authority and its patron updated in this regard.

In respect of the permanent accommodation solution for the school in question, my Department continues to engage with officials in the relevant local authority in relation to the identification and acquisition of a suitable site.

A potential suitable site has been identified in conjunction with the Local Authority and my Department is currently exploring all options available to it to obtain possession of this site.