John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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72. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will fund a placement at Middletown autism centre for a person (details supplied); the protocol for such placements; the role of the National Educational Psychological Service in the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16761/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Middletown Centre for Autism project is a jointly funded initiative between the Department of Education in Northern Ireland and the Department of Education aimed at supporting the promotion of excellence in the development and harmonisation of education and allied services to children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders.

At the request of my Department, and, as approved by the North South Ministerial Council, Middletown Centre for Autism (MCA) commenced provision, on a limited basis in the Republic of Ireland of an intensive educational assessment and learning support service to children and young people on an outreach basis (MCA Pilot). This is a second-tier service which complements existing provision for children and young people with autism. Therefore, where autistic children and young people experience significant difficulties, the first course of action is engagement with first tier services provided by the Department of Education, (including NEPS), National Council for Special Education and Health Services Executive and (HSE)/HSE funded services.

The MCA Pilot is a second-tier service and works with a defined number of referrals. The nomination and referral process is initiated by parents and professionals at school level via the Principal following a multi-disciplinary school based review involving the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), the local Special Educational Needs Officer (SENO) and other relevant professionals. Nominations cannot be made directly to Middletown Centre for Autism (MCA), the Department of Education or the NCSE.

Nominations for MCA Referral are only considered for children and young people where such a review concludes despite comprehensive autism specific support and consistent engagement from school and home with first-tier services, the child or young person continues to present with significant and enduring behavioural and emotional concerns which impact their engagement and participation in education. MCA’s Learning Support & Assessment team builds on the work of first tier services and works alongside them to ensure their involvement in the process. They aim to create a strong base for building family and professional capacity to support the child when the referral concludes (normally after 10 months).

The Centre provides a comprehensive nationwide training service for parents and educational professionals. Parents can view the range of courses which the Centre has available through the website www.middletownautism.com.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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73. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to a request by the parents of a person (details supplied) who needs a special educational school placement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16804/22]

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.

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 or school 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

I should clarify, however, that the NCSE does not maintain waiting lists for schools. Boards of management of individual schools are responsible for such enrolment matters.

As the Deputy’s query refers to an individual placement case, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.