Grace Boland
Ceist:312. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education the number of sanctioned autism classes for 2024 that have opened and enrolled pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13093/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 20 March 2025
Ceisteanna (312)
Freagraí scríofa
This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.
Almost 1,700 classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE in the last five years, eleven new special schools have been established and many more expanded. Five new special schools are being established for the 2025/26 school year and capacity is being expanded in other special schools.
For the 2024/25 school year a total of 408 new special classes were sanctioned by the NCSE, bringing the total number of special classes nationwide to over 3,300. Of these new classes, 395 are autism classes and seven are autism early intervention classes.
These classes have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6 at primary level and 1.5:6 at post primary level with special need assistant support also provided. A number of these classes will have varying enrolments year on year as children move between settings and indeed between schools, however the majority will remain at the maximum capacity of six students per class.
Of the 400 new special classes places provided for in Budget 2025, the NCSE has advised that 309 of these classes have already been sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 53 are in Dublin, 37 at primary and 16 at post primary level. The vast majority of these are autism classes.
This will add to the 602 special classes currently in operation in the county. There are also 40 special schools in Dublin with approximately 2,600 students enrolled. Two of the five new special schools for the 2025/26 school year will open in Lucan and Belmayne also. These schools will open for enrolment shortly.
In Dublin and indeed nationwide, the NCSE continue to engage intensely with schools and school patron bodies to confirm further classes. As the NCSE progress the sanctioning of the remaining special classes they will inform parents.
Where new special classes have been sanctioned, I would urge schools to progress the admission of students as soon as possible to ensure that the NCSE can continue to evaluate demand in local areas, sanction classes as required and assist parents in securing a school place.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.