Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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322. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if support will be provided to a school (details supplied) to open an additional autism spectrum disorder unit. [7121/22]

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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323. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the process a school undergoes in order to open a new autism spectrum disorder unit. [7122/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.

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 additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.

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

It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.

The NCSE through their network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers) are currently engaged in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. They are looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special class places.

The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.

As the query refers to an individual school, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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324. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are plans to increase the number of places available for students within special reading schools given the shortage at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7133/22]

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 additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.

A continuum of education provision is in place covering the full range of need spanning placement in mainstream classes with supports through to more specialist placements either in a special class or a special school depending on the level of complexity of need.

Available supports include provision to meet care needs and to provide additional teaching support where this is required. In addition, there are specialist educational supports provided by the National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS) and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to help schools provide an appropriate education for pupils with special educational needs including reading difficulties.

There are no plans to expand Reading Schools at this time.

NCSE is currently undertaking Policy Advice on Education Provision in Special Classes and Special Schools to examine whether placement in specialist settings brings about improved educational outcomes and experiences, relative to their ability, for students with special educational needs.

This Policy Advice is to be completed shortly and will then be considered by my Department.

I have also requested my Department to arrange for a review of the policy on reading classes and schools. When received, this report will also be considered in the context of planning future provision.