Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
646. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of an application for a SEN classroom for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35310/26]
View answerThe 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.
My department and the NCSE continue to work closely with school patron bodies, school management bodies and schools to confirm new special classes for the next school year 2026/2027. To date, 504 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the next school year. This is a number of months ahead of last year and should provide greater clarity for parents.
Further details on additional new special classes will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Details of the new special classes are available on the NCSE website.
Schools seeking to establish new special classes should continue to engage with the NCSE at local level. In sanctioning new special classes, the NCSE have due regard to the level of need in an area and the existing provision, including how many places are expected to be available through the normal movement of students from primary to post-primary or finishing school.
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 achieve their full potential.
