Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2025
377. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on an application by a school (details supplied) for the establishment a new autism class ahead of the 2025-2026 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33541/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra404. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school (details supplied) in east Cork will not be given an extra Autism class for 2025-2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33852/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 377 and 404 together.
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.?
The NCSE advise that the school referred to by the Deputy currently has six autism classes.
The NCSE advise that there is sufficient special class places available at primary level to meet the level of need known to them.
This year the NCSE focused on medium and larger primary schools with available accommodation and no existing special class to open a new special class for the 2025/26 school year.?This will ensure that classes can open quickly as existing accommodation can be reconfigured in a more streamlined and efficient manner but also that new provision is established in as many schools as possible. This provides parents more options when deciding which schools to apply to and ensures that provision continues to grow in a diverse number of schools across regions.?This should also help in reducing the distances that some children are travelling to access a special class place.
However, as in other years where schools have no available accommodation, particularly at post-primary level and there is known demand in a local area, my department will continue to provide additional classroom accommodation to provide necessary places.
My department and the NCSE have begun preparatory work in relation to planning for the provision of further new special class and special school places for the 2026/27 school year and?are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.
