I may let the Minister, Deputy Foley, answer Deputy Murnane O'Connor's query on DEIS schools if she has time at some point. On training for teachers, the guidance was developed by an expert working group from the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, and it is important to say that. The Deputy was talking about the mandatory training and I mentioned that there are modules of special education in place already for qualified teachers, and that is part of the process of becoming a teacher. We are looking a…

I know this is a matter of great concern to the Deputy and we have spoken about it on a good few occasions. I have made representations to the NCSE on the Deputy's behalf and it is aware of the fact we have spoken about this on numerous occasions. It has said it will compile a report on the need for a special school in Midleton and in the east Cork area. It will undertake a feasibility study for the area and establish if there is the need for additional provision in the area. The NCSE was of the view there was no n…

It is important to stress that, wherever possible, the Department’s approach is to co-locate special schools on campus sites with other schools to maximise the opportunities for integration. The NCSE is only looking at an interim site for Rochestown. In that context, it will be looking for special school provision on the eastern side of Cork city also. I will make sure the NCSE is aware of the Deputy's comments on the absolute need for it. He is right that there are children in that situation and we do not dispute …

As I said to Deputy Stanton, I would be happy to do that, perhaps with the NCSE, so we can see in real terms what is happening. The NCSE has committed to undertaking a feasibility study and is aware of the identified need for additional special education placements for students, particularly with autism, in Cork. I understand the Deputy's points that Rochestown and Carrigaline are a bit further away. There are other special schools like Mayfield, which is getting an additional 18 places, Carrigaline, Bishopstown an…

I thank the Deputy for his question. My understanding is that there has been a substantial increase in the number of schools eligible for DEIS status and the number of DEIS schools is almost double what it was previously. An appeal mechanism is available to schools that believe they should have DEIS status. If the Deputy gives me the details of the case, I will pass them on to the Department which may be able to revisit it.

In regard to the Clondalkin Autism Parents Support Network, I am happy to meet those involved if that would assist in terms of educational supports and obviously I will speak to the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, as I do on a regular basis about the assessment of need and therapeutic supports.

I thank Deputy Whitmore for raising this important topic, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. I advise that the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport but it is the National Transport Authority that has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, including management of the rural transport programme which operates under the Transport for Ireland, TFI, Local Link br…

As the Deputy has pointed out and appreciates, I am not the line Minister for this matter. Nevertheless I have taken into account some of the Deputy's contribution, particularly that there are 30 Local Link services but in essence, they work out at one bus per week. With regard to the composition of a settlement I wonder whether it is based on population, which may not take Brittas Bay into account. I am not au fait with it but I will pass it on to the line Minister. I heard what the Deputy said about the poor rail…

I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. As he knows, it is something of which I am acutely aware. I have had numerous conversations with families whose children want to attend Gaelscoil Laighean. As we know, we want a permanent building to be provided as soon as possible on the Mount Anville site. I understand the Department lodged a planning application with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on Tuesday, 21 June, to provide interim accommodation on the Mount Anville site. I understand that, as a c…

The Senator has made his views known quite clearly. As a parent, I know how difficult it must be not having clarity. We want clarity as soon as possible. I agree with his sentiments around Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. In that case, at least the parents can be told one way or the other where their children will attend in advance of September so that they can make the appropriate arrangements needed. Obviously, this is a critical issue. In tandem with that, I will put pressure on the planning and building u…

It is very important for me, as Minister for State with responsibility for special education and inclusion, that I support children with additional needs in any way I can. I have a budget of €2 billion, which is more than 25% of the entire education budget and an unprecedented amount. It has grown by 60% since 2011. Due to that, we have been able to put in place many more special education teachers. We have more than 14,000 of those and more than 19,000 special needs assistants, SNAs. In addition, special classes a…

I thank Senator Flynn. The Department is working closely with stakeholders and the advocacy groups she mentioned to ensure that children with special educational needs can access educational places appropriate to their needs. My Department and I are listening really closely to the voice of parents and those representing children with disabilities. That is essential to ensure that what we deliver meets their needs. There is a shared determination to work intensively on the issues facing us. We are doing that through…

I thank Senators Kyne and Dolan. At the outset, the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, has informed me that both Senators have been in constant contact with him about this issue and secured a package last year through their work, and that he will work closely with them again over the coming period of time. The local property tax as we know was introduced to provide a stable and sustainable funding base for the local authority sector, providing greater levels of connection between local revenue and associated expendit…

I note what the Senators have said about Galway being the seventh-largest centre of population and the comments around FEMPI and core funding, which are important. I acknowledge that Galway County Council moved to increase commercial rates for 2022 to increase the level of funding available to the council, which made an important contribution to the overall position. Of course, Senators are aware that local authorities may also vary their local property tax rate by up to 15%. Authorities that increase the rate reta…

I will take this opportunity to speak directly to the parents and families of children with special educational needs, SEN. While I could not possibly understand all the day-to-day pressures they face, I am on their side and the Government is committed to ensuring every child with special educational needs has access to an education. One child who does not have a place is one child too many, and I fundamentally believe our most vulnerable children in society must be prioritised. As a Government, we fully recognise …

I thank the 24 Deputies who spoke in the debate over the past two and a half hours. They have been very frank, honest, articulate and comprehensive in their contributions on special education. I very much welcome that because it gives me an opportunity to hear from individual Deputies around the country, who hear from their own particular constituents and from advocacy groups about the particular issues they want brought to the attention of the Dáil and to my attention. It was mentioned here today that empathy and …

I thank the Deputies for their contributions to this debate. I too share their views that children with special education needs should be supported to access the education system. As a Government, we fully recognise the importance of an inclusive and all-embracing education system. Never is it more important than in the case of children with special education needs. I fundamentally believe that our most vulnerable children in society must be prioritised. Government policy on supporting children with special educati…

I thank the Senator for raising this issue. He will be aware that the creation and opening of special classes are of paramount importance to me and the Department. To put it in context, we have 2,118 special classes in the country at present. We have opened 300 special classes this year, creating about 1,800 special class places. By the end of this year, we will have 2,148 special classes. We are making substantial progress, especially considering that we only had 548 special classes in 2011. The Senator has made a…

I appreciate that. My understanding from speaking to the Department is that the school contacted the Department in April of this year for the refurbishment under the additional school accommodation scheme. My understanding is that the Department liaised quite quickly with the school in respect of particular information it required to progress the application and that it had to issue a reminder recently because the information was not forthcoming. It might be worthwhile for the Senator to speak to the principal and …

As the Minister of State with responsibility for special education, I have been liaising very closely with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, on the provision of adequate therapists in special schools. We have approximately 127 special schools. There is a progressive disability network and I know the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, has been working intensely with stakeholders on that. It is an issue in special schools. We need to make sure that children have adequate speech and occupational therapists and …