Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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105. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the action that will be taken to ensure that a child (details supplied) is able to access the education they need. [18515/22]

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-servic.

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.

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of sensory hubs or rooms that have been made available in schools in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18529/22]

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 education needs is an absolute priority for my Department. 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.

The provision of sensory rooms form part of the accommodation brief for Special Educational Need Bases. This information is available on the Departments website www.gov.ie.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.

When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school (primary or post-primary), school authorities can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure an existing space within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. ASA application forms are available on my Department’s website.

Similarly, where special schools are requested to expand provision or wish to refurbish existing facilities, they may also apply to my Department for capital funding to carry out these works.

Subject to the type of provision, the number of SEN classrooms, site and accommodation constraints ancillary accommodation associated with Special Education Needs Bases can include a Central Activities Space, Quiet Spaces, a Multi-Activity Room, Daily Living Skills space, Secure Soft Play Area and Sensory Garden. Special Schools include similar ancillary accommodation as well as specific therapy provisions.

Schools may utilise these spaces as they deem most appropriate. Additionally, primary schools may use their annual Minor Works Grant to equip an available space as a sensory room. For these reasons, it is not possible to provide information on the number of sensory rooms in schools in County Kildare.

I can, however, confirm that there are currently 69 special classes opened at Primary level in Co. Kildare and 22 at Post Primary level. This information is available at ncse.ie/special-classes.