Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 December 2025
397. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of early intervention Early Intervention classes in place across the country from 2020–2025; to provide a breakdown of classes operational by county during this period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69303/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra413. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if early intervention classes are being re-classified as primary autism classes in order to reduce the numbers of students looking for primary school places across the State; and if so, the measures that are being implemented to ensure that children who require access to an early intervention class are not left behind. [69744/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra416. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of early intervention classes across the State broken down by county, for each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025. [69747/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 397, 413 and 416 together.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.
The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) under the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, enables the full inclusion and meaningful participation of children with disabilities/additional needs in the Early Childhood Care & Education Scheme (ECCE) programme. Its goal is to create a more inclusive environment in pre-schools, so all children availing of preschool, regardless of ability, can benefit from quality early learning and care. There has been a significant increase in resources and supports provided to children with additional needs accessing the AIM programme over recent years.
It is important to note that a diagnosis is not required in order to access AIM supports and that while some children require additional supports at preschool level, many will transition into mainstream classes thereafter. This trend has also been noted as students’ progress from primary level to post-primary.
The NCSE is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for children and young people with special educational needs. Where the NCSE identifies need for an Early Intervention class, the class is sanctioned and supports are provided by my department to ensure the school can accommodate the class. Three new Early Intervention classes were established for the 2025/26 school year. Generally, these classes are resourced at a 6:1 student/teacher ratio with two special needs assistants (SNAs) also allocated.
Early Intervention classes are available in mainstream and special school settings for children aged 3-5 years old with a diagnosis of autism. There is also a small number dedicated to children who are deaf/hard of hearing. These classes are intended to provide early support to children before they start school and can aid their transition to junior infants.
A list of schools with special classes, broken by location and class designation is annually published by the NCSE on their website: https://ncse.ie/special-classes. Also attached is a list of early intervention classes broken down by county for the school years 2020/2021 - 2025/26. While the number of Early Intervention classes continues to increase year on year, in some counties the number may have fallen. This normally reflects where the NCSE have redesignated the class as a primary special class to support the students transitioning from early years to primary school.
