Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 July 2025
219. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if any of the 399 new special education classes that were sanctioned for the coming school year have had their sanctioning withdrawn; and if so, the number. [36754/25]
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.
Through the accelerated provision of additional special class and special school places over recent years, there are now just over 28,000 students enrolled in special classes and special schools. 2,700 new places are being created in 2025 and these, together with the over 1,200 existing places which will become available due to children and young people moving on from primary schools and post primary schools, will mean that there is close to 4,000 places available for the coming school year. The NCSE has engaged in a process with parents and schools to identify children requiring a place for the 2025/26 school year and the 3,900 places available should meet the need that exists.
The NCSE has sanctioned 399 of the 400 new special classes for the 2025/26 school year. As Minister, I have also directed a school in Kildare to open 2 new special classes under Section 37A. The NCSE is confident that this new provision when added to the existing provision will meet the known demand for the 2025/26 school year.
The NCSE advise that a very small number of these new special classes sanctioned may not now proceed, particularly where the expected level of need has not materialised. The NCSE have moved to sanction additional special classes in other schools where there is happening to ensure that there will continue to be 400 new special classes available nationwide. The NCSE are working through the final details on these arrangements at present.
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 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.
