James Geoghegan
Question:529. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to review a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38747/26]
View answerTuesday, 26 May 2026
Questions (529)
Written answers
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 with regard to policy and best practices as laid out by my department.
Departmental policy is that special education provision should be made in State funded recognised schools (free-scheme schools) in the first instance. It is only where there is insufficient capacity in free scheme schools that the NCSE will engage with fee charging schools in order to provide special classes. It is however recognised that in certain school planning areas, the NCSE may need to consider engaging with fee-charging schools in relation to the provision of special classes for the 2026/27 school year and beyond.
There are approximately 50 fee-charging post-primary schools nationwide. Of these, one school has two special classes. These were sanctioned for opening as it was considered that there was insufficient provision in free scheme schools to meet the special educational needs of students in the local area.
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. The NCSE began sanctioning new special classes in January of this year, which is several months earlier than last year.
In addition, I recently announced inclusive special classes as part of a new approach to supporting students with additional needs. This is one of many ways my department is actively engaging to meet the increased demand.
546 new special classes have been sanctioned to date, including 47 inclusive special classes. 355 are being established in primary schools and 191 in post-primary schools. New special classes are being established in every county with 128 new special classes confirmed for Dublin so far. Further new special classes expect to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Details of the new special classes are available on the NCSE website.
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.