Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
377. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Education the total number of school places required for special schools in Dublin and Cork for September 2025, and the projected number of places that will be available, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15095/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis 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.
Through the accelerated provision of additional special class and special school places over recent years, there are now just over 28,000 students enrolled in special classes and special schools. Budget 2025 provides for an additional 2,700 specialist places, made up of 400 new special class and 300 additional special school places. On top of this, there will be over 1,000 places available through the normal annual movement of students progressing from primary to post-primary and students graduating from post-primary or special schools. There also remains special class vacancies in some areas of the country.
There are 40 special schools in County Dublin and 16 in County Cork educating children and young people with the greatest of needs. Three of the five new special schools for the 2025/26 school year will open in Lucan and Belmayne in Dublin and the North City area of Cork also. These schools are presently advertising for their principal posts. This role is critical to the special schools advancing their enrolment policies and procedures as agreed with the school patron, which in each case is the local Education and Training Board (ETB). My department understand that each of the new special schools being established in Dublin and Cork will admit between 24 and 30 students. My department and the local ETBs will continue to review and assess the accommodation options available to allow the new special schools grow and expand over the next few years.
Capacity is also being increased at a number of other special schools across Cork and Dublin. The NCSE will keep parents informed of these additional places and admissions timelines.
The NCSE continue to engage intensely with schools and school patron bodies to confirm further provision. As the NCSE progress sanctioning they will inform parents.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.
