Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 July 2025
102. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the average waiting time for a child with ASD to be allocated a place in a special class, including the length of time children are waiting on their local school’s SNA and resources list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36446/25]
View answerThis 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.
In order to support the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and forward planning my department recently published Circular 0039/2025. This circular informs school management and patrons of new measures introduced to support forward planning going forward and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child. An earlier date of 1 October has been set in which parents must do so. This notification will provide the NCSE with valuable insights as to which children will continue to require a special class as they progress to post primary level and details on students who require a place for the first time. The earlier date will also allow for earlier sanctioning of classes for the 2026/27 school year, and it is the aim of the NCSE to sanction the majority of new special classes by 31 December 2025.
The NCSE has advised that just under 3,300 valid notifications were received by mid-February via their new parent notify service. Some of these notifications were children already known to the NCSE however, many others were new. Also, while parents were asked to notify the NCSE by mid-February the NCSE continues to receive notifications and continues to review reports and recommendations for specialist placement as appropriate.
The allocations of special education teaching posts for the next school year were published on 11 February and all schools received an email notification from the NCSE of their allocation. All schools have been informed of their special needs assistants allocation for the 2025/26 school year also.
The department recognises the importance of providing well-timed and appropriate support to students with identified learning needs.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
