There is currently a very serious shortage of autism school places for local children.
I’ve worked in the past with a number of local primary and post-primary schools to establish specialist classes to meet the needs of local students, rather than forcing them to travel long distances to avail of an education.
The ASD issue has been highlighted on a number of occasions and while I have taken up individual cases with the Department, it has been impossible to get an accurate figure on the overall number of children impacted locally.
It seems to me that this is not just individual placements but that there is a far more fundamental problem with planning for adequate capacity to meet the needs of local children.
To try to get a handle on the numbers involved and as a result push for a practical solution as we have secured in the past, I raised this specific issue with the Minister for Education in the Dáil last month (see below) and she referred the questions to the National Council for Special Education.
As I have not received a reply from the National Council for Special Education, I’m again raising the issue in the Dáil this week, and as soon as I have a detailed reply, I intend to take this matter up directly with the Minister again.
There are specific provisions under the Education Acts for the Minister to intervene in specific circumstances and I’m compiling the evidence to support such an intervention.
Recently similar issues have been highlighted with me regarding post-primary provisions for local children and I’m also taking this up with the Minister in the Dáil this week, seeking similar data to that for primary schools.
Denis
Dáil Éireann
15/02/2022
* To ask the Minister for Education the number of primary school pupils presently accommodated in an ASD unit (details supplied); the number of children on a waiting list for the school in question; the steps she is taking to address the need; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
– Denis Naughten T.D.
For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 15 February 2022.
* To ask the Minister for Education the number of primary school pupils presently accommodated in an ASD unit (details supplied); the number of children on a waiting list for the school in question; the steps she is taking to address the need; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
– Denis Naughten T.D.
For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 15 February, 2022.
* To ask the Minister for Education the number of primary school pupils presently accommodated in an ASD unit (details supplied); the number of children on a waiting list for the school in question; the steps she is taking to address the need; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
– Denis Naughten T.D.
For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 15 February, 2022.
* To ask the Minister for Education the number of primary school pupils presently accommodated in an ASD unit (details supplied); the number of children on a waiting list for the school in question; the steps she is taking to address the need;; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
– Denis Naughten T.D.
For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 15 February, 2022.
* To ask the Minister for Education the number of primary school pupils presently accommodated in an ASD unit (details supplied); the number of children on a waiting list for the school in question; the steps she is taking to address the need;; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
– Denis Naughten T.D.
For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 15 February, 2022.
* To ask the Minister for Education the number of primary school pupils presently accommodated in an ASD unit (details supplied); the number of children on a waiting list for the school in question; the steps she is taking to address the need;; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
– Denis Naughten T.D.
For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 15 February, 2022.
REPLY
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.
The NCSE through their network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers) are currently engaged in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. They are looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special class places.
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: https://ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
As the Deputy’s queries refer to individual schools, I will arrange to have them referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
I should clarify, however, that the NCSE does not maintain waiting lists for schools. Boards of management of individual schools are responsible for such enrolment matters.