Matt Carthy
Question:634. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children currently enrolled in each NCSE supported special school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10283/26]
View answerTuesday, 10 February 2026
Questions (634)
Written answers
Enabling students with special educational needs to receive an education that meets their needs 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 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 class and special school places are provided. This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which advocates that students will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.
Special schools support children and young people aged between 4 and 18 years of age with the most complex special educational needs and ensure positive links are established and fostered between the home, school and other agencies for these students.
Special schools publish their admission notice which sets out the number of places available for the next enrolment intake. Capacity is subject to multiple factors that are dependent on the individual needs of the student.A full list of NCSE supported special schools is available on gov.ie - [Special Schools]
Preliminary enrolment data for the academic year 2025-2026 is available on the Gov.ie page - [Primary schools enrolment figures]. This data will be replaced by the final data for 2025-2026 in June 2026 at the link. The same page also contains final data for previous school years.
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.