Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2024
221. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to open a special school in the Citywest area of Dublin; if so, when this would take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23839/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new special schools established over recent years have focused on providing additional places in our largest urban areas: Dublin and Cork. The most recent of these new special schools to open was An Cosán Special School in Dublin 7 which opened earlier this month.
The department and NCSE continue to work on expanding special school capacity for the 2024/25 school year and beyond. In planning for increased special school places, the department and NCSE review all of the available data on the growing need for special school places across the country. This involves a detailed analysis of enrolment trends and the potential for existing special schools in a region to expand.
An important consideration when deciding to establish or expand provision in an existing special school is the distances that some students are travelling in order to access a special school placement.
My department and the NCSE are continually reviewing where additional capacity is required in existing special schools or in what regions a new special school may need to be established over the coming years.
It is estimated that a further 300 new special school places may be required each year for the coming years. When looking to provide additional capacity the department’s preferred option is to increase provision in existing special schools if possible.
