Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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137. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 259 of 1 December 2022, if all efforts are being made to ensure that the son of a person (details supplied) is not left without access to mainstream education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62379/22]

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:

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.

For 2022, my Department will spend in excess of €2.3 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs.

For 2023, this spend will be substantially increased by over 10%, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.

This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.

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

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. 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.

The role of the SENO is to support parents and guardians by providing information, establishing special classes and engaging with other professionals working with their child.

The NCSE have advised my Department that in the case of the child referred to by the Deputy, they have been in contact with the parents of the child on a number of occasions to provide information on available schools and special classes in the Celbridge area, as well as advice on the application process.

To date, the parents have applied to local schools. One of the schools has not yet closed its admission process, and it will be January/February 2023 before the intake of students is announced.

The NCSE have advised my Department that the SENO and the team manager have provided the child’s parents with a list of schools in the Celbridge area and surrounding areas.

The SENO and the NCSE are working continuously with all schools in North Kildare who are willing to open new special classes or additional classes, in order to meet the growing demand for these classes.

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.

While the preference is for the NCSE to work in collaboration with schools to provide sufficient places, there is recourse to the Section 37A process if necessary. Under Section 37A, where all efforts to provide sufficient places have not been successful, the Minister can compel a school to make additional provision. New urgent legislation enacted this summer provides for a more streamlined Section 37A process.

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 education.