Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 November 2025
447. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the NCSE has completed a capacity audit of all post-primary schools in Cork to determine which schools can accommodate new autism classes for 2026-27, and if she will publish the findings. [64988/25]
View answer448. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools in Cork that identified for reconfiguration or minor works to support the opening of new autism classes for 2026-27, and the expected timelines for completion. [64989/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 447 and 448 together.
Through the accelerated provision of additional special class and special school places over recent years, there are now over 30,000 students enrolled in special classes and special schools. 2,700 new places were created for the 2025/26 school year and these, together with the over 1,200 existing places due to students moving on from primary schools and post-primary schools, has meant that close to 4,000 specialist places were made available for the 2025/26 school year.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is currently collating the data and information received by 1 October through the parents notify process and are engaging with schools regarding where specialist provision is best placed for the 2026/27 school year.
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.
In October 2022, my department wrote to all post-primary schools requesting that each school begin planning to provide for up to four special classes to meet the needs of students progressing from primary school. Last year my department issued a circular to all schools setting out new measures to support the forward planning of special education provision. Included in this circular was a reminder of the need for post-primary schools to continue planning for this level of provision.
The NCSE continue to assess what additional provision is required in local areas and what schools have capacity to accommodate required provision. It is envisioned that the majority of these special classes will be sanctioned by 31 December 2025. There is a particular focus on establishing new special classes in post-primary schools with none or just 1 special class.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs and will continue to review and monitor the situation as to where new specialist provision is required.
