Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2025
456. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the breakdown of resources provided to schools in north Kildare to accommodate children with mild general learning disabilities in mainstream schools; the number of children in those classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34443/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is my department’s policy, in accordance with the principles of inclusive education, that students with additional learning needs are supported in mainstream classes along with their peers, with additional supports provided as necessary.
The department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools and students with special educational needs in order to ensure that wherever a child is enrolled, they will have access to an appropriate education.
My department has significantly increased the resources available to support children with special educational needs in mainstream provision. For the 2025/26 school year there will be 15,000 special education teachers and over 12,500 special needs assistants (SNAs) in schools supporting students in mainstream classes. The NCSE publish a breakdown of both allocations by county on their https://ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations
For children with more complex needs special class and special school places are provided. My department works closely with the NCSE on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. My department and the NCSE identify the need for special educational provision with consideration to demographical and statistical data and in regard to an areas existing school provision and future capability.
In addition, 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.
Of the 3,700 special classes sanctioned nationwide, 146 are in County Kildare, 1 of these is a Mild General Learning Disability (MGLD) class.
Many of the MGLD pre-date the significant increase in special education teachers and Special Needs Assistants allocated for mainstream classes.
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.
