Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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873. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the educational options available in the case of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19921/22]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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874. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of all additional places for special needs children that will be provided in Limerick city and environs for the upcoming academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19927/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 873 and 874 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 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.

Budget 2022 provided for the creation of 287 additional special classes for the 2022/2023 school year. These additional classes will provide over 1,700 new places from September next.

The NCSE is currently engaging in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. Both my Department and the NCSE are always grateful to schools who express a willingness to open a special class to meet the educational needs of students in their local communities. It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.

There are Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) located across the country and they have a specific remit in helping and supporting parents in accessing the education necessary for their children, including in identifying suitable school placements.

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

In respect of the Deputy’s query regarding the individual placement I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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875. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding special education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19932/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring in this instance to a special school.

Special schools funded by my Department are classified as primary national schools and are intended, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 64(1) of the Rules for National Schools, to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from the age of 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year.

Special schools may however seek approval from my Department for an exemption from Rule 64(1) in respect of students over the age of 18 who are pursuing courses leading to accreditation on the National Qualifications Framework (e.g. Junior Certificate/LCA/FETAC 3).

A request for an exemption from Rule 64(1) can only be made by a school where:

1. The student is pursuing a course leading to accreditation on the National Qualifications Framework (e.g. Junior Certificate/Leaving Certificate Applied/FETAC 3) 

2. The student requires one additional year in order to complete their course

3. Retaining the student in the school for another school year will not prevent a younger pupil being enrolled there

4. Plans are in place to transition the student to a post-school setting at the end of the 2022/2023 school year

Special schools are invited each year to make applications for exemptions from Rule 64(1) in respect of pupils who meet the above criteria.  Where the criteria are met, my Department will approve the exemptions.

I will arrange for my officials to engage with the Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) regarding the particular circumstances of the case referenced by the Deputy.