Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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277. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied); when this student will be offered a primary school place in this special unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21246/23]

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 NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with SEN nationwide.

In relation to the student referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my department that enrolments are currently underway for the ASD class in the mentioned school, and the Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) has not received a notification of enrolment for this student.

The NCSE encourages the parent to contact their local SENO, who can provide tailored advice, further assistance, and keep them informed of any suitable placements that become available.

The NCSE is committed to collaborating with parents and schools in the area to provide special education placements as appropriate to each student’s needs.

However, it should be noted that enrolment of students in a school is a matter for each individual school having regard to their own enrolment/admissions policy. The NCSE has no role in regard to enrolments or in regard to waiting lists for places in any school.

My department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places for the next school year 2023/2024. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class and special school places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements, consideration of school accommodation capacity and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.

As both Minister Foley and I announced on 12 April, 2 new special schools are being established for the 2023/2024 school year - one in Carrigtwohill, east Cork and one in the Dublin 7 area - with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.

In addition, the NCSE have sanctioned 218 new special classes for the coming school year 2023/2024 - 126 at primary and 92 at post-primary level. Further classes will be sanctioned over the coming weeks.

In Co. Tipperary, 9 new special classes will open for 2023/24, 1 at primary level and 8 post-primary level, bringing the total number of special classes in Co. Tipperary to 115.

Information on all special classes, including the new classes sanctioned are available on the NCSE website and via the local SENO.

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.