Written answers

Thursday, 7 November 2024

Department of Education and Skills

Special Educational Needs

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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175. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if and when a review of her circumstances might be undertaken to ensure all supports for a child with special needs can be granted (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46035/24]

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde 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 me as Minister for Special Education and Inclusion, 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 responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs. As your query relates to a individual case I have asked the NCSE to respond to you directly.

Almost 1,700 new special classes have been established in recent years, eleven new special schools have been established and many more have been expanded. For this school year alone, over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned with classes provided in every county, and four new special schools have been established, one of which is in County Kildare.

There are now 3,337 special classes nationwide. 131 of these are in Kildare, 16 are new for the 2024/25 school year, 12 at primary level and 4 at post-primary level. The vast majority of these are autism classes and have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6.

The NCSE have recruited additional special education needs organisers (SENOs), advisors and team managers. A total of 120 SENOs now operate nationwide, six of these are operating solely in County Kildare. SENOs play an important role in ensuring there is adequate special educational provision within local areas and are currently visiting schools nationwide to conduct planning meetings. These visits will be key in terms of forward planning for the 2025/26 school year.

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