Last week I planned to question Minister Josepha Madigan in the Dáil on the provision of autism specific school places for students in South Roscommon and Athlone at both primary & post primary level:
More autism school places needed in South Roscommon & Athlone – Naughten
This was on foot of concerns regarding the lack of places expressed to me by parents and data that I had collated on local demand. Sadly, I my questions did not come up, but I did get a written reply (below), which failed to address the urgent situation in the greater Athlone area.
As a result, I discussed my concerns regarding school places with the Ceann Comhairle and he agreed to allow me to raise this matter on the floor of the Dáil this week.
At the same time that I hoped to question the Minister in the Dáil, my neighbour across the river, Sen. Micheal Carrigy raised the issue of autism specific school places for Westmeath students in the Séanad. Read the debate here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/seanad/2022-05-12/3/#s5
Again, the reply was unsatisfactory.
This afternoon, I received confirmation from the Office of the Ceann Comhairle that my request to have the issue of local school autism places debated in the Dáil was accepted and just after 9.20am tomorrow morning I will be moving my Topical Issue:
To discuss steps to secure post-primary ASD class places in Athlone and South Roscommon this September will be raised in the Dáil tonight with the Minister for Education by Deputy Denis Naughten
The Deputy has 4 minutes to make an initial statement and the Minister/Minister of state has 4 minutes to reply.
The Deputy has 2 minutes for a supplementary statement and the Minister/Minister of state has 2 minutes for a concluding statement.
Proceedings in Dáil Éireann can be viewed live here
Just over a hour after receiving confirmation from the Ceann Comhairle that this matter will be debated in the morning Minister Josepha Madigan tweeted that she was now going to invoke Section 37 of the Education Act 1998 directing schools to make school places available “ in areas which desperately require additional special education needs school places across the country”. See it here: https://twitter.com/josephamadigan/status/1526588219642548225?s=20&t=aluusMKdxqJDc3WBjtTwOA
This is a positive and constructive step taken by Minister Madigan, and one which I wholeheartedly welcome.
I believe that this announcement was made in advance of tomorrow mornings discussion, and I hope that Minister Madigan will confirm that Section 37 notices will now be issued to post primary schools within the catchment of Athlone, and that she will also address the challenge of places at primary school level, locally.
You can watch the discussion here: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/oireachtas-tv/dail-eireann-live/
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For Oral Answer on : 12/05/2022
Question Number(s): 150,138 Question Reference(s): 22474/22, 22475/22
Department: Education
Asked by: Denis Naughten T.D.
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QUESTION
* To ask the Minister for Education the steps which she intends to take to cater for the increasing numbers of children requiring access to ASD units at primary level in the wider Athlone area; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
– Denis Naughten T.D.
For ORAL answer on Thursday, 12 May, 2022.
* To ask the Minister for Education the steps which she intends to take to cater for the increasing numbers of children requiring access to ASD units at post-primary level in the wider Athlone area; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
– Denis Naughten T.D.
For ORAL answer on Thursday, 12 May, 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 a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes additional teaching and care supports.
As a result, the number of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
Over the last two years, my Department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school year.
I am satisfied that this more joined up approach is delivering. Through this intensive intervention, we have seen an additional 300 special classes, providing 1,800 new places, opened nationwide for the 2021/22 school-year.
I also acknowledge that notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.
The NCSE has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
Budget 2022 provided for the creation of 287 additional special classes for the 2022/2023 school year. These additional classes will provide over 1,700 new places from September next.
The NCSE is currently engaging in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. Both my Department and the NCSE are always grateful to schools who express a willingness to open a special class to meet the educational needs of students in their local communities. It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
There are Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) located across the country and they have a specific remit in helping and supporting parents in accessing the education necessary for their children, including in identifying suitable school placements.
I want to reassure the Deputy 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.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the type and location of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at https://ncse.ie/special-classes