Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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77. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the number of places that are available in the ASD class in a school (details supplied) for the 2023-2024 school year; if there are plans to build capacity in the number of places available in ASD classes in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21899/23]

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:

My department is committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential. My department strives to ensure that every child has access to an educational experience that is appropriate to their needs and supports both their academic and personal development.

As part of Budget 2023, my department’s budget was substantially increased, by over 10%, meaning that for 2023 the 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.

Additional funding is also being provided to allow the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) recruit additional staff, including Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs). These additional resources should ensure that the NCSE can better support parents and schools in relation to the provision of special education needs places.

Our policy, which is set out in the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004 is that children with special educational needs should be educated in mainstream placements with additional supports provided as appropriate.

Where children require more specialised educational settings, such as special classes or special schools, the department and the NCSE ensures that the necessary resources and supports for such placements are provided in line with the needs of the child.

We have made a lot of progress over the last three years in terms of providing special classes and special school places 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 a total of 2,537 special classes opened nationwide. Of the 2,537 special classes, there are 1,798 at primary level and 739 at post primary level. We want to continue this level of progress to ensure that there are sufficient places in special classes and special schools for children who need them.

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. Capacity is also being expanded in 11 other special schools nationwide.

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, 45 are in Co. Cork, with 29 at primary level and 16 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Co. Cork to 466, 329 at primary and 137 at post-primary. Additional special classes will be sanctioned in the coming weeks.

In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my department that it currently has six special classes catering for students with autism and one special class for pupils with a moderate general learning disability. The special classes in the school cater to the needs of students by promoting independence as they transition into senior cycle programs. This year, several pupils will be transitioning out of special classes and into the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) program. Consequently, the school has met the demand for places in its locality this year.

For the 2023-2024 school year, the school has offered special class places to twelve students. At the current time, there are no plans to expand the provision in this school, as the existing capacity has been sufficient to address the demand for places in the locality.

The NCSE has advised my department that it continues to work with schools to ensure all students identified as requiring places in the special class meet the Department of Education’s criteria for enrolment in a special class.

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-servic.

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

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.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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78. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine the case of a school (details supplied) which was approved for an extension to include an ASD unit that would accommodate over 12 special needs students; the status of the new ASD unit for the school; when construction will commence on the new school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21903/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The project to which the Deputy refers was granted funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to build a 2 classroom SEN Base, new Music Room and 5 classrooms, with new ground floor entrance foyer, relocated administration facilities, meeting rooms, boiler room and all additional associated works.

I can confirm that the project is currently at design stage and the Department is awaiting submission of a Stage 1/2A Report and the Form of Acceptance. The school has been advised of this project status and the information is currently outstanding.

The project has been devolved to Tipperary ETB (TETB) and is now a matter for TETB and the Board of Management of the school to advance the project in that context.