Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2024
174. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education the number of additional special classes that will be required at primary and post-primary in each of the next five years; and the estimated cost of providing these. [38593/24]
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.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
Over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2024/25 school year bringing the total number of special classes nationwide to 3,335 - 2,338 at primary level and 997 at post-primary level.
The NCSE will be undertaking planning visits to almost 800 schools during term 1 of this school year to assist with the forward planning of special class provision for the 2025/26 school year.
My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning for new special classes and additional special school places. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements, a review of school accommodation needs and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes. My department communicated in October 2022 to all post-primary schools of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next 2 to 4 years, with an approximate average of 4 special classes in each school.
Over 400 new special classes were provided for the start of this school year and it is estimated that a similar number of new classes will be required annually over the next few years.
The cost of establishing these classes will depend on the schools existing accommodation however, to resource a class with one teacher and two special needs assistants in primary schools the estimated cost is €152,250 and 1.5 teachers and two special needs assistants in post primary €189,885 per annum.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally for planning purposes. Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise parents and can provide details on schools with available special educational places. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE website.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.
