Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change)
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224. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that a young child receives a school placement by September 2024 (details supplied). [23851/24]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I understand that this is an anxious time for parents who are seeking a school place for their child for September and I would like to assure the Deputy that this government is determined to alleviate the pressures faced by parents when seeking a special educational placement.

In respect of the child referred to by the Deputy, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has advised that the local special educational needs organiser is working closely with the student's family regarding options for school placements and other special education supports for the coming academic year.

My department and the NCSE work closely in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places, work which is close to finalisation for the 2024/25 school year.

So far more than 320 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE nationwide for the 2024/25 school year. Of these, 36 are in Dublin of which 23 are at primary level and 13 at post-primary level, bringing the total number in the county to 570. Of the 36 classes sanctioned for next September, 4 are in the Dublin 7 and 15 areas.

The NCSE continue to sanction classes for the coming school year and is engaged in ongoing discussions with schools. As new classes are sanctioned, the NCSE will support families to make applications for places.

I have asked the NCSE to ensure classes are established as a matter of urgency and to keep all families seeking class places updated on an ongoing basis to ensure their children can access the provision to which they are entitled.

I referenced earlier that this government is committed to alleviating the pressures faced by parents seeking a special educational placement.

Significant additional resources and funding of €13 million have been allocated to the NCSE to allow for the expansion of its services, which will bolster the level of service and provide effective structures to relieve pressure on parents.

This funding has allowed for, among other things, a significant increase in the number of SENOs which will increase from 73 to 120 by next September. These SENOs will work closely with children, their families and schools on the ground in order to provide the necessary supports.

Additional administrative support staff, team managers and other professionals are also being employed to allow SENOs concentrate on working directly with schools and families.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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225. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take to address the substantial shortfall of educational places in Cork city for children with autism spectrum disorder, and if she will set out her proposals for dealing with this shortfall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23861/24]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I understand that this is an anxious time for parents who are seeking a school place for their child for September and I would like to assure the Deputy that this government is determined to alleviate the pressures faced by parents when seeking a special educational placement.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through their special educational needs organisers (SENOs) work closely with families regarding options for school placements and other special education supports. Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally using the details on the NCSE's website.

My department and the NCSE work closely in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places, work which is close to finalisation for the 2024/25 school year.

This forward planning has resulted in over 3,000 special classes and the establishment of eleven new special schools in recent years and the expansion of many others. My department secured funding of €2.7 billion for special education expenditure in Budget 2024 which will provide essential supports to children with special educational needs and allow for the opening of up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools and 300 additional special school places.

So far more than 320 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE nationwide for the 2024/25 school year. Of these, 57 are in Cork of which 37 are at primary level and 20 at post-primary level. This brings the total number of special classes in the county to 553.

The vast majority of these are autism classes which have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6. The NCSE continue to sanction some additional classes for the coming school year and is engaged in ongoing discussions with schools. As new classes are sanctioned, the NCSE will support families to make applications for places.

I have asked the NCSE to ensure classes are established as a matter of urgency and to keep all families seeking class places updated on an ongoing basis to ensure their children can access the provision to which they are entitled.

I referenced earlier that this government is committed to alleviating the pressures faced by parents seeking a special educational placement.

Significant additional resources and funding of €13 million have been allocated to the NCSE to allow for the expansion of its services, which will bolster the level of service and provide effective structures to relieve pressure on parents.

This funding has allowed for, among other things, a significant increase in the number of SENOs which will increase from 73 to 120 by next September. These SENOs will work closely with children, their families and schools on the ground in order to provide the necessary supports.

Additional administrative support staff, team managers and other professionals are also being employed to allow SENOs concentrate on working directly with schools and families.