Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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676. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of places currently available in a school (details supplied); if there are children on the waiting list to attend the school; the number of children waiting for a place in a special education school in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63357/22]

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 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, 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.

This includes additional teaching and care supports.  It also includes funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) for an additional 54 psychologists to provide services to special schools and special classes.

In 2022, funding for an additional 980 teachers and 1,165 special needs assistants was provided. For 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 special needs assistants in our schools next year.

For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 Special needs assistants. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.

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 National Council for Special Education, with a total full-year investment of €13 million, in over 160 additional staff. This investment is being undertaken so that the NSCE can respond effectively, compassionately and quickly to the increased need in our education system so that children and their families are fully supported and achieve the best possible education outcomes.

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

I am satisfied that this approach is delivering.

There are a total of 2,544 special classes opened nationwide.  Of the 2,544 special classes, there are 1802 at primary level and 742 at post primary level.  This compares to a total of 1,839 special classes in the 2020/21 school year.

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

NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. 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.

The NCSE have advised my Department that the school referred to has three special classes, all for pupils with Autism. One is an Early Intervention ASD class for pupils aged 3yrs-5yrs, there are currently 4 pupils enrolled and 2 places available in this school year.  Two are school age classes for pupils aged 5yrs-12yrs with a full enrolment of 12 pupils, 6 pupils in each class.

The NCSE have also advised that there is no waiting list for these classes and it is not aware of any pupils looking for a special school placement in the area at this time. The local SENO remains available to parents and the school in order to offer advice and assistance.

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 education.