Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2026
139. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will confirm receipt of a submission (details supplied); the status of this submission; to confirm whether or not her Department has been in communication with the school in relation to this submission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22998/26]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that correspondence from the school in question which was issued to the NCSE has been copied to my department. This correspondence relates to a request by the NCSE seeking the school to open a Special Education Needs class for 2026/27.
The NCSE actively encourages expressions of interest from schools to open special classes. However, it is not always possible to open additional special classes in every school that expresses an interest.
In order to ensure new special classes can open as quickly as possible the NCSE is prioritising working with medium and larger primary schools who do not already have a special class and have available accommodation to accommodate new special class. This approach maximises the use of existing space which can be reconfigured efficiently while also ensuring that new provision continues to be established. It also increases the number of schools with special classes providing parents with greater choice and reducing the distances that some students are travelling to access a special class place.
This approach and other key measures to support the forward planning for special education provision for the 2026/27 school year is clearly outlined in the Department’s Circular Letter 0039/2025 which issued to all schools last May, and which followed significant engagement by the Department and the NCSE with school patron bodies and school management bodies in relation to the forward planning for new special classes.
I can confirm that the school in question has not been sanctioned a special class for 2026/27.
Also, an official from my department will make contact with the school shortly to discuss the correspondence referenced.
