Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 July 2024
210. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when she expects a report on special education provision throughout the country, with particular reference to the establishment of special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30761/24]
View answerEnabling 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.
The Department of Education and the NCSE are working to increase special school capacity for the 2025/2026 school year and beyond. Where additional special school places are needed, the preference is generally to expand capacity in existing schools. However, consideration is being given to whether further new special schools, in addition to the 11 recently established or those currently being established, are required in certain locations. As part of this work, the NCSE is examining known demand in areas, the distances children are travelling to special schools and capacity in an area to expand special schools which already exist. This work is ongoing and is expected to be substantially completed in late autumn. A number of regions are under consideration for special school provision.
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.
