Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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74. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special educational needs officers that have been appointed to County Tipperary; the reason that there is no full-time SENOs appointed in south County Tipperary; the number of children currently seeking special educational needs supports in County Tipperary; the number of students currently awaiting placement in an ASD unit and learning disability units in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58412/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.

In 2023, there will be a significant investment in the expansion of the NCSE with a total full-year investment of €13 million. This will allow for the employment of over 160 additional staff, including special needs officers (SENOs). This investment is being undertaken so that the NSCE can act responsively and effectively, to the increased need in our education system and to ensure that children, their families and schools are fully supported to achieve the best possible education outcomes.

SENOs are permanent employees of the NCSE, who are recruited through the Public Appointments Service (PAS).

The NCSE has advised my Department that there are no current vacancies for SENOs in Tipperary. There are three SENOs working across the Tipperary region. Each SENO has a caseload of schools for which they are responsible and SENOs are assigned across the country in accordance with the number of schools in an area.

The NCSE has also advised my Department that there are no students in County Tipperary with a special class recommendation known to the NCSE without a special class place for the current 2022/2023 school year.

SENOs are continuing to work with parents where there are new diagnosis/recommendations in respect of special placements. There are currently several special class vacancies across the county which remain available to students who require them.

My Department and the NCSE continue to work very closely in planning for the delivery of new places required to meet forecasted demand.

Over the last two to three years, my Department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.

These initiatives are bearing fruit with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years. The NCSE have sanctioned 21 new special classes at primary level and 11 new special classes at post-primary level over the last 3 years in County Tipperary.

For 2023, a further 370 special classes will open nationwide, taking the total number of special classes to over 2,900 in 2023.

Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie

The NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes for the next school year 2023/2023. Every support will be made available to schools to progress the opening of special classes in the shortest possible timeframe

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

My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.

I want to reassure you also 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 appropriate education.