Written answers
Tuesday, 24 September 2024
Department of Education and Skills
Special Educational Needs
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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202. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of ASD classrooms available to children with special needs attending national schools in the Dublin 4 area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37853/24]
Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
Over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2024/25 school year bringing the total number of special classes nationwide to 3,335 - 2,338 at primary level and 997 at post-primary level.
Of these, 70 are in Dublin - 48 at primary and 22 at post-primary, bringing the total number of special classes in Co. Dublin to 602, 454 at primary level and 148 at post-primary level. The vast majority of these are autism classes which have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6.
At primary school level in the Dublin 4 area, there are 5 autism special classes for the 2024/25 school year. This includes 1 autism special class newly established for the 2024/25 school year.
Details of these 5 classes are:
| School Roll Number | School Name | Class Type |
|---|---|---|
| 11894I | Scoil Mhuire | Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
| 15995L | Canon O Hanlon Memorial N S | Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
| 19727G | St Marys Central N S | Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders (New for 2024/25) |
| 20441S | Shellybanks Educate Together NS | Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
| 20441S | Shellybanks Educate Together NS | Autism/Autistic Spectrum Disorders |
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally for planning purposes. Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise parents and can provide details on schools with available special educational places. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE website.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.
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