Written answers
Monday, 9 September 2024
Department of Education and Skills
Special Educational Needs
Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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504.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason that her Department has failed to make a decision on the opening of a multi-disability class at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.[33875/24]
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.
The NCSE has advised my department that an additional special class was sanctioned in the school on 20 August 2024.
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 3,333. Of these 47 are in County Roscommon.
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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