Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 September 2025
69. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update regarding the provision of an autism unit and extension in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50724/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no current record of receiving an application for additional accommodation from the school in question.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or by available accommodation at other schools in the area.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.
When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school (primary or post-primary), school authorities can apply to my Department for capital funding to repurpose an existing space within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). ASA application forms are available on my Department’s website, www.education.ie. Should the school in question receive a sanction from the NCSE for a special class they can apply as set out above to repurpose space or for additional accommodation.
Over the last two years, my Department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special education placements ahead of each new school year.
My Department continues to work with the NCSE in relation to the short-term requirements for special class and special school places and also the more strategic and longer-term requirements.
