Written answer
Special Educational Needs
The NCSE’s local SENO is supporting the family in seeking an appropriate school place for the student to complete her Leaving Certificate. Schools must apply fair, transparent and non-discriminatory admissions policies, while responsibility for educating students with additional needs rests with schools, supported by special education teachers and the SET Allocation Model.
545. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will ensure that a child (details supplied) with additional needs secures an appropriate local school place to allow her to complete her leaving certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64845/26]
Comment on this
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs. Parents and schools can contact the NCSE directly using the details available on the NCSE's website: ncse.ie/seno-contact-information
Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) are available to offer advice, support and guidance as required to ensure students with special educational needs are supported to achieve their full potential. The NCSE has informed me that the local SENO has been in contact with the family of the student referred to by the deputy to provide support.
It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an admissions policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. Under the provisions of this act, all schools are required to have admissions policies which have been approved by the patron following consultation with staff and parents of students who are attending the school. It is a key requirement of the act that all school admission policies are fair and transparent.
Parents may apply to enrol their child in a school of their choosing and where the school has places available for the relevant year, the student should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. Nonetheless, it may result in some students not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The primary responsibility for the education of all pupils in post primary schools, including those with special education learning needs, is the subject teacher.
Special education teachers provide additional teaching support to students in mainstream classes with an identified and recorded special educational learning needs in the student support plan aligned with the Continuum of Support framework.
The Special Education Teaching (SET) Allocation Model is a standardised allocation model that provides schools with additional teaching hours to support the teaching needs of students in mainstream classes based on the schools profile of need.
The SET Allocation model inputs for the post- primary model are all sourced from data provided by schools to the department and the State Examinations Commission.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to achieve their full potential.