Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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978. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has informed herself and conducted any analysis in relation to the number of primary schools that have vacant places in ASD units currently which cannot be availed of due to the waiting times for children of school going age waiting for an assessment of need; and if she has discussed the issue with the Minister for Health and the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29415/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Assessment of Need (AON) process is provided for under the Disability Act 2005. Assessment Officers under the remit of the HSE are charged with organising the Assessment of Need. The Assessment Officer makes the determination as to whether or not a child or young person meets the definition of disability contained in the act. The Assessment Officer coordinates and completes the Assessment Report.

Following a recent High Court ruling in October 2021there is now a requirement on the education system to provide an assessment of Education Needs as part of the Assessment of Need Process.

The Department is considering its implications. The Department are working with the Department of Health, the NCSE and the HSE and taking legal advice.

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 nationwide.

Throughout 2020 and 2021, 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 over 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 in 2022.

It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.

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.