Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 May 2024
65. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the projected demand for school places in mainstream primary schools for pupils with special educational needs for the school year commencing September 2024. [24129/24]
View answer66. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the projected demand for school places in mainstream secondary schools for pupils with special educational needs for the school year commencing September 2024. [24130/24]
View answer67. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the projected demand for school places in special schools for pupils with special educational needs for the school year commencing September 2024. [24131/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 65 to 67, inclusive, together.
I 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.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through their special educational needs organisers (SENOs) work closely with families regarding options for school placements and other special education supports. Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally using the details on the NCSE's website.
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 work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class and special school places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements, consideration of school accommodation capacity and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
The information held on the department’s Geographical Information System (GIS), particularly in relation to student demographics, is a key component when forecasting the need for additional special class and special school places.
For 2024, €2.7 billion is being spent on special education, an increase of €113 million, and this is dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs. This will allow for, amongst other things, the opening of up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools and 300 additional special school places.
Four special schools have been established for the 2024/25 school year in Counties Meath, Limerick, Kildare and Wexford, and a number of other special schools expanded. In addition, so far, more than 320 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE nationwide for the 2024/25 school year. Of these, 225 are at primary and 101 at post-primary level. The NCSE continue to sanction some additional 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. The NCSE advise that there are also vacancies in existing special classes available across the country.
