Cavan-Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD, Brendan Smith, has been informed by the Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, that her Department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) continue to monitor and review the need for further new special schools and the expansion of existing special schools in all areas of the country including County Monaghan.
Minister Foley was responding to Deputy Brendan Smith’s Parliamentary Question in Dáil Éireann when he asked if urgent consideration would be given to the establishment of a special school in County Monaghan in view of the well-documented need for such school provision.
In response to Deputy Smith’s Parliamentary Question, Education Minister Norma Foley said:
“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.
“My department and the NCSE continue to monitor and review the need for further new special schools and the expansion of existing special schools in all areas of the country including County Monaghan.
“In planning for increased special school places, the department and NCSE review all of the available data on the growing need for special school places across the country. This involves a detailed analysis of enrolment trends and the potential for existing special schools in a region to expand.
“My department and the NCSE are progressing this review work ahead of determining where additional capacity is required in existing special schools or in what regions a new special school may need to be established for the 2025/26 school year.
“It is estimated that a further 300 new special school places may be required nationwide each year for the coming years. When looking to provide additional capacity the department’s preferred option is to increase provision in existing special schools if possible.
“An important consideration when deciding to establish or expand provision in an existing special school is the distances that some students are travelling in order to access a special school placement.
“My department and the NCSE are continually reviewing where additional capacity is required in existing special schools or in what regions a new special school may need to be established over the coming years,” concluded the Minister in her response to Deputy Brendan Smith.
Deputy Smith said: “There is a clear need for a special school in Monaghan. The need is well documented and I asked Minister Foley if urgent consideration could be given to the establishment of such a school, given how it would help Monaghan pupils with special educational needs and their families achieve the best possible outcomes.
“The Minister and her Department along with the NCSE are continuing to monitor where new special schools can be established and I will continue highlighting the need for such a school in Monaghan.”
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
Below is the reply to the Parliamentary Question from Minister Norma Foley.
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For Written Answer on : 11/07/2024
Question Number(s): 211 Question Reference(s): 30762/24
Department: Education
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Education if urgent consideration will be given to the establishment of a special school in County Monaghan, in view of the well-documented need for such school provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
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.
My department and the NCSE continue to monitor and review the need for further new special schools and the expansion of existing special schools in all areas of the country including County Monaghan.
In planning for increased special school places, the department and NCSE review all of the available data on the growing need for special school places across the country. This involves a detailed analysis of enrolment trends and the potential for existing special schools in a region to expand.
My department and the NCSE are progressing this review work ahead of determining where additional capacity is required in existing special schools or in what regions a new special school may need to be established for the 2025/26 school year.
It is estimated that a further 300 new special school places may be required nationwide each year for the coming years. When looking to provide additional capacity the department’s preferred option is to increase provision in existing special schools if possible.
An important consideration when deciding to establish or expand provision in an existing special school is the distances that some students are travelling in order to access a special school placement.
My department and the NCSE are continually reviewing where additional capacity is required in existing special schools or in what regions a new special school may need to be established over the coming years.
22/07/2024