Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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71. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if all new school building projects or extension projects will include special education facilities or incorporate the principles of universal design; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4720/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to assure the Deputy that the provision of appropriate accommodation for pupils with special edcuation needs is an absolute priority for Minister Madigan and myself.  This is in two respects: firstly in ensuring that there is sufficient provision for pupils with special education needs and secondly in designing school accommodation that meets the needs of all users - students and staff - and enhances the learning experience.

In order to make accommodation provision to meet the needs of students with special education requirements, my Department has close engagement with the National Council for Special Education which has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.  When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class or to construct additional accommodation.  Similarly, where special schools wish to expand provision, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to accommodate additional placements.

The NCSE has additionally provided my Department with projections of future requirements for classes for students with special education requirements.  These are informing my Department's advance planning for special class accommodation.

This advance planning is building on the significant work to date in delivering additional classrooms for students with special education needs.  There are currently over 1,200 further school building projects in train which are expected to deliver circa 1,800 permanent special classrooms.

Such classrooms for pupils with special education needs are included as standard in the accommodation brief for new school buildings and major extension projects, unless local circumstances indicate that they will not be required. Typically, two classrooms for pupils with special education needs are provided in new primary schools and four classrooms are provided in new 1,000 pupil post primary schools, with pro-rata provision for schools of other sizes.  The overall accommodation suite for students with special education needs would also generally include ancillary accommodation such as a Central Activities Space, Multi Activity Room and Quiet Spaces as well as an outdoor Secure Play Area and Sensory Garden. 

In addition to the specific accommodation provision for students with special education needs, the principles of universal design are embedded in all of my Department's technical guidance for school building projects, for the benefit of all school building users.  A suite of such Technical Guidance Documents is published on my Department's website at www.gov.ie. 

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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72. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special education classes in an area (details supplied) at the present time; and the number of pupils being supported by those classes. [4658/22]

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.  

This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs.

This includes additional teaching and care supports.

As a result, the number of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels. 

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

Throughout 2020 and 2021, 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 needs placements ahead of each new school-year

I am satisfied that this more joined up approach is delivering. Through this intensive intervention, we have seen an additional 301 special classes, providing over 1,800 new places, opened nationwide for the 2021/22 school-year.

I also acknowledge that notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.

NCSE has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements. 

In terms of the area specifically referenced by the Deputy, I can confirm that there are currently 35 special classes in the Dublin Mid-West area of which 28 are at primary level and 7 at post primary level. 4 of these classes have been established in the current school year. These special classes provide 211 placements for students with special educational needs.

I can also confirm that the NCSE is aware of an identified need for additional special classes for students with autism in primary and post-primary schools in the Dublin area generally. Work has been underway with stakeholders for a number of years to meet the demand for places.

We are always grateful to those schools that have responded, and continue to respond positively to meet the educational needs of children in their communities.

NCSE is continuing to engage with schools in Dublin regarding the establishment of additional special classes for 2022/23 and beyond. There are specific plans in place to open additional special classes and every support will be made available to progress their opening in the shortest possible timeframe with a particular focus on September next.

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

I want to reassure the Deputy that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.