Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
392. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education the number of autism places available in primary schools in Skerries, Rush, Lusk, Balbriggan, Garristown, Naul, Oldtown, Ballyboughal, Rolestown, St. Margaret’s, Meakstown and north Santry, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15264/25]
View answer393. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education the number of autism places available in post primary schools in Skerries, Rush, Lusk, Balbriggan, Garristown, Naul, Oldtown, Ballyboughal, Rolestown, St. Margaret’s, Meakstown and north Santry, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15265/25]
View answer394. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education the number of children on waiting lists to access autism places in primary schools in Skerries, Rush, Lusk, Balbriggan, Garristown, Naul, Oldtown, Ballyboughal, Meakstown, Rolestown, St. Margaret’s and north Santry, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15266/25]
View answer395. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education the number of children on waiting lists to access autism places in post primary schools in Skerries, Rush, Lusk, Balbriggan, Garristown, Naul, Oldtown, Ballyboughal, Meakstown, Rolestown, St. Margaret’s and north Santry, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15267/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 392, 393, 394 and 395 together.
This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.
The NCSE, in line with their statutory function, approach schools in relation to opening new special classes directly and the level of information and detail requested is held by them in order to perform this function. I will therefore share your request with the NCSE for a direct reply.
Of the 400 new special classes places provided for in Budget 2025, the NCSE has advised that 352 of these classes have already been sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 66 are in Dublin, 48 at primary and 18 at post primary level.
This will add to the 602 special classes already sanctioned in Dublin, 455 in primary and 147 at post-primary level.
A complete list of special classes are available on the NCSE website.
In County Dublin and indeed nationwide, the NCSE continue to engage intensely with schools and school patron bodies to confirm further classes. As the NCSE progress the sanctioning of the remaining special classes they will inform parents.
Where new special classes have been sanctioned, I would urge schools to progress the admission of students as soon as possible to ensure that the NCSE can continue to evaluate demand in local areas, sanction classes as required and assist parents in securing a school place.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally for planning purposes. Local SENOs are available to assist and advise parents and can provide details on schools with available special educational places. Parents may contact SENO's directly using the contact details available on the NCSE website.
My Department does not have access to information on waiting lists for admission to schools. This is a matter for each school and the NCSE can access this information to assist with the forward planning of special education provision if necessary. All schools were asked to support NCSE access this information in Circular letter 0080/2024 issued by my Department to all schools.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.
