Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
484. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education for any details on the general location of an additional special school in Dublin north; the projected student intake; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3169/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra487. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education the plans in place for a new special needs school at a location (details supplied); the time frame for the completion of works; whether the new building will be a temporary or permanent structure; the number of students it is envisaged this school will accommodate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3174/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 484 and 487 together.
As you are aware enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for government. Thanks to considerable investment in special education in recent years the vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
My department works closely with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. Building on successive budgets, Budget 2025 secured funding for up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools, and an additional 300 special school places for the 2025/26 school year. This will deliver 2,700 new places for children.
Part of the forward planning process as to where new classes, schools or expansion is required looks at how far students are travelling to access an education appropriate to their needs. This is an important factor which has been incorporated into the decision-making process. Consideration is also given to the information the NCSE hold at local level on the number of children seeking a special school place in a region.
Almost 1,700 new special classes have been opened over the last 5 years and 11 new special schools have been established in recent years. For this school year alone, over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned with classes provided in every county. Four new special schools also opened in counties Meath, Kildare, Wexford and Limerick.
As you are aware five new special schools will be established for the next school year, two in County Dublin and one each in counties Cork, Monaghan and Tipperary. This will bring to 129 the number of NCSE supported special schools in the county. The special school in Dublin north will be located in Balgriffin Park, Belmayne.
Dedicated working groups have been established by my department to work through the details in relation to the establishment of the new special schools.
It is envisaged that existing buildings will be repurposed, in the first instance, to facilitate the opening of the new special schools for the 2025/26 school year. This will allow the schools to open as quickly as possible.
The exact initial capacity of each special school will be considered further and confirmed shortly. Special schools generally operate on the basis of 1 teacher and at least 2 SNAs per class grouping of 6 children. Further supports can be provided if required to meet the needs of the children enrolling in the school.
Parents and families looking to apply for admission to the new special school will be supported and guided by the NCSE at a local level and kept updated on developments.
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 reach their full potential.
