Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2024
47. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education the number of additional school places that will be available for the school year starting August/September 2024, above 2023 levels, for children with additional needs in the Fingal area at primary and secondary level, by school places in ordinary classes and special classes in mainstream schools, in tabular form. [23685/24]
View answerI understand that this is an anxious time for parents who are seeking a school place for their child for September and I would like to assure the Deputy that this government is determined to alleviate the pressures faced by parents when seeking a special educational placement.
My department and the NCSE work closely in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places, work which is close to finalisation for the 2024/25 school year.
This forward planning has resulted in over 3,000 special classes and the establishment of eleven new special schools in recent years and the expansion of many others. My department secured funding of €2.7 billion for special education expenditure in Budget 2024 which will provide essential supports to children with special educational needs and allow for the opening of up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools and 300 additional special school places.
So far more than 320 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE nationwide for the 2024/25 school year. Of these, 36 are in Dublin 23 in primary and 13 at post-primary level, this brings to 570 the number of special classes in the county. The attached document provides a breakdown of these new classes by area.
The NCSE continue to sanction classes for the coming school year and is engaged in ongoing discussions with schools. As new classes are sanctioned, the NCSE will support families to make applications for places.
I have asked the NCSE to ensure classes are established as a matter of urgency and to keep all families seeking class places updated on an ongoing basis to ensure their children can access the provision to which they are entitled.
