Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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290. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of autism-specific units for schools (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21552/23]

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.

Just recently on 12th April, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two new special schools as part of a comprehensive update on enhanced education provision for students with special educational needs. These two new special schools will be established in Carrigtwohill, east Cork and Dublin 7 for the 2023/24 school year. This will bring to 7, the number of new special schools established in the last 3 years, 4 of which are located in Dublin. Capacity is also being expanded in 11 other special schools.

Along with the two new special schools, I also confirmed that 218 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the coming school year 2023/2024, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks – 126 at primary and 92 at post-primary level. Of these new classes, 29 are in Co. Dublin, with 15 at primary level and 14 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Co. Dublin to 494, 376 at primary and 118 at post-primary. Additional special classes will be sanctioned in the coming weeks.

Regarding the first of the two schools referred to by the Deputy, this school has proposed a new special class as part of their overall building upgrade. This proposal is in the early stages of development and is still under consideration.

In relation to the second school referred to by the Deputy, they school are currently awaiting the installation of a modular unit to open a special class for children with autism in September 2023.

Further to the sanction of SEN provision at the school, I am pleased to inform you that my department is supporting the school by making direct arrangements for the delivery and installation of the required modular accommodation to facilitate the introduction of these classes.

My department has appointed a Project Manager Team to assist and oversee the delivery of this accommodation. The team will be liaising with the school authority and the providers of the modular accommodation to facilitate the schools requirements. The project manager and their team will engage with the school authority, my department and the accommodation supplier with respect to same.

In the surrounding area where the two schools referred to by the Deputy are located, a new class is being opened in a separate primary school which will accommodate six children in September 2023. Additionally, there are two special schools in a nearby primary school as well.

The number of special class and special school places required in any school year for each locality requires detailed planning and engagement between my department, the NCSE and schools to ensure sufficient mainstream, special class and special school places are provided for. The planning activity between all stakeholders occurs all year round and the NCSE continuously engages with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes. 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.

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.