Written answers

Wednesday, 9 March 2022

Department of Education and Skills

School Admissions

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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119. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of ASD primary school places that are available for children with autism in County Wexford; the number of children that are on a waiting list for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13174/22]

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha 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 with special educational needs nationwide.

Over the last two years, 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 300 special classes, providing 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.

The 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 County Wexford, I can confirm that the NCSE is aware of an identified need for additional special classes for students with autism in primary and post-primary schools.  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.

Currently, a network of 47 primary special classes, including 6 Early Intervention ASD classes and 19 post primary special classes provide specialist placements for students with autism in County Wexford.  5 of these classes were newly established at primary level and 3 at post primary level giving a total of 8 new special classes for the current school year.  Each class has placements for up to a maximum of 6 students per class .

The NCSE is continuing to engage with primary and post-primary schools throughout County Wexford 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 should also clarify that the NCSE does not maintain waiting lists for schools.  Boards of management of individual schools are responsible for such enrolment matters. 

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.

Information on the list of schools with special classes, the type and location of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at ncse.ie/special-classes.

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