Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 December 2025
142. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if figures provided by her Department, to a newspaper are accurate (details supplied); the methodology her Department used to classify a special class place as vacant; if places counted as vacant are fully operational, and appropriately staffed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68311/25]
View answerEnabling students with special educational needs to receive an appropriate education is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The NCSE is the statutory agency with responsibility for the provision of special education places.
All schools must notify the NCSE when a child or young person is enrolled in a special class or special school place. In addition to this information source, the NCSE also completed an exercise at the start of this school year to examine the number of vacant places in existing special classes. 782 vacant special class places were identified.
These are the confirmed number of available special class places as at the start of this school year as reported by schools to the NCSE.
Please note that children and young people may take up some of these places on an ongoing basis through this school year 2025/2026.
It is accepted that these available places may not always be in an area that some children and young people wish to apply to for the upcoming school year. Parents can contact the NCSE who will provide advice and support to where vacancies are.
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.
