I propose to take Questions Nos. 396, 398 and 400 together.
Over 2,700 new special education places were provided for the 2025/26 school year, meaning there are now 3,741 special classes nationwide. We will build on this figure next year by providing at least 3,000 new places, placing provision in locations where it is best placed to meet existing and future demand.
In addition, 16 new special schools have been established in recent years. Special school capacity has also been expanded across a number of special schools nationwide. These schools are supported by my department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The NCSE will have a clear picture of local demand for special class and special school places for the 2026/27 school year after they review and assess all of the information which has been provided through the parents' notification process which closed on 1 October.
This new timeline was publicised widely and communicated with schools and special education advocacy groups and parent representative bodies. The NCSE also undertook a lot of work at local level to ensure that families were aware of the timeline and process.
The earlier notification deadline was introduced this year to support forward planning and to earlier equip the NCSE with local information as to what students would be leaving school, transitioning to post-primary specialist places or those seeking specialist placement and entering the education system for the first time.
This information is critical when examining where provision needs to be placed to meet demand. This earlier date in October coincides with when schools begin enrolment processes so affords parents the opportunity to enrol in existing classes. Many mainstream schools, particularly at post-primary level commence admissions processes for the following school year on 1 October annually.
The NCSE is also working on sanctioning the majority of new special classes for the 2026/27 school year by 31 December 2025. This is four months earlier than last year and will bring clarity and certainty for both parents and schools as to where classes will be located.
It will also afford greater lead in times for schools that require repurposing or major building works to get works complete and allow schools to recruit staff and undertake the training needed so that children are fully supported in these placements.
Once the NCSE has fully collated and assessed the information received from the parents notify process, it will engage with schools across the country to open new special classes.
The NCSE will also have due regard to any vacant places in existing special classes in an area and any places that will become available through the normal movement of children leaving primary or post-primary school.
The NCSE advise that the majority of children and young people coming to them through the parents notify process are already enrolled in school and are being supported by existing special education teachers and special needs assistants.
With any date for applications for supports, it is important that those who come forward after that date are assured that they are not forgotten or excluded from the system. I would like to stress that the NCSE will continue to support all children made known to them after 1 October in their existing placement with appropriate supports, as was the case this year after the February deadline passed. However, it is important for planning purposes that an earlier timeframe is worked to in which the NCSE has as much local knowledge and detail as possible in order to plan what new provision is required.
For the 2025/26 school year the NCSE advise that a small number of special class places remain in every county in the country for those still seeking placement. While these places may not be in a preferred school, vacancies do exist.
The NCSE remains available to provide advice and support to all families seeking specialist placement and will continue to examine where provision is required for the 2026/27 school year.
