Special Educational Needs

Tuesday, 26 May 2026

Questions (524)

John McGuinness

Question:

524. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason approval was not granted for a modular build extension to accommodate special needs students on the waiting list for a school (details supplied) who have not been allocated a school place; and if she will expedite a positive response. [38703/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places.

At present I can confirm that this school currently has one special education class open.

I also confirm that my department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) Scheme from the school in question.

As the Deputy will be aware, my department published the NDP (National Development Plan) Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sector in January last. This NDP Sectoral Plan involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs.

The department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects through the design pipeline having regard to the continual need to maximise existing capacity and determine the prioritised needs going forward. This process will involve engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools and will ultimately inform the next tranches of programme rollout to tender. The department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities.

I note that the school in question situation is a very complex one and its accommodation needs including the provision of any additional special education needs will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with the school’s patron and school authorities.