Special Educational Needs

Thursday, 18 December 2025

Questions (475, 476)

David Cullinane

Question:

475. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes and special school places operating in County Waterford at the end of 2023, 2024 and 2025; the number of children enrolled; and the number of children without a confirmed place at the start of each school year, in tabular form. [73757/25]

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David Cullinane

Question:

476. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes and special school places allocated to schools in each county at the end of 2023, 2024 and 2025; and the number on a per capita basis, in tabular form. [73758/25]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 475 and 476 together.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.

Almost 1,900 classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE in the last five years, sixteen new special schools have been established and many more expanded. For the 2025/26 school year alone over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned bringing the total number of special classes nationwide to over 3,700. Five new special schools were established and capacity is being expanded in a number of other special schools.

The vast majority of students with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where students with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided. These classes are resourced in line with the Special Education Review Committee's recommendations. This ensures that these classes continue to meet the needs of students who are enrolled, and the class is as inclusive as possible in that as many students as possible are accommodated.

Generally, these classes are resourced at a 6:1 student/teacher ratio and two special needs assistants are allocated to each class. For the school years 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 in County Waterford there were 3 special schools with 271, 276 and 274 pupils enrolled respectively.

The following table shows the number of special classes per county from the 2020/21 to 2025/2026 school years and the percentage increase in the number of special classes. Enrolment data for schools is available on the government website via the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/collections/data-on-individual-schools/

In relation to the number of children without a confirmed place at the end of 2023, 2024 and 2025, as the matter relates to a NCSE process, I will arrange for this query to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

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.

Carlow	40	42	45	53	59	68	70%
Cavan	38	40	47	52	59	68	79%
Clare	45	58	62	68	76	83	84%
Cork	311	357	420	496	563	617	98%
Donegal	84	92	97	115	127	133	58%
Dublin	304	375	474	534	602	705	132%
Galway	102	117	135	149	169	180	76%
Kerry	61	74	81	90	98	114	87%
Kildare	85	91	105	116	131	148	74%
Kilkenny	34	36	43	51	62	71	109%
Laois	37	44	52	60	81	94	154%
Leitrim	12	17	21	27	31	33	175%
Limerick	72	91	114	128	146	164	128%
Longford	22	26	33	39	47	48	118%
Louth	47	56	70	88	98	115	145%
Mayo	39	46	55	65	72	76	95%
Meath	70	85	113	132	156	177	153%
Monaghan	30	34	39	42	54	60	100%
Offaly	76	88	97	104	108	111	46%
Roscommon	26	28	34	41	48	55	112%
Sligo	21	22	25	29	32	36	71%
Tipperary	80	95	106	120	138	154	93%
Waterford	35	44	51	58	70	86	146%
Westmeath	34	43	53	59	69	79	132%
Wexford	65	72	87	101	119	135	108%
Wicklow	69	79	90	104	120	132	91%
Total	1839	2152	2549	2921	3335	3742	103%

Question No. 476 answered with Question No. 475.