Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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391. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school place in a local special school for September 2023 can be found for a child (details supplied). [14844/23]

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 (SEN) to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.

It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my Department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

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 providing supports to children and young people with special educational needs and their schools.

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 funding to support children with SEN in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants.

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 to three years, my Department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient mainstream, 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.

There are currently 105 special classes in Co. Kildare. Of these, 79 special classes are at primary level and 26 are at post-primary level. Over the last three years, 20 new special classes at primary and 9 new special classes at post-primary have been provided.

There are currently 4 special schools in County Kildare with a provisional enrolment of 290 children in September.

A list of all special schools is available on the website of the NCSE www.ncse.ie

In relation to the pupil referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my Department that the SENO and team manager have recently been in contact with the parent regarding suitable special education placements for students with a profound intellectual disability. The parent has been provided with a list of schools suitable for the pupil’s disability profile.

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. Where additional special school places are required, this may be provided through the establishment of a new school or the expansion of existing schools.

The NCSE continues to work with parents and schools to determine the need for additional special school places in the Kildare area for September 2023. This work involves a detailed analysis of the particular needs of each child.

In addition, the NCSE also considers the number of places that may become vacant from students leaving special schools during the summer.

My Department is working closely with the NCSE to consider the need for additional special school places both nationally and at regional level. Where additional places may be needed, my Department will work closely with the NCSE and schools to consider any necessary arrangements that may need to be put in place to meet increasing needs.

I want 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.