Special Educational Needs

Thursday, 11 December 2025

Ceisteanna (105)

Joe Neville

Ceist:

105. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a school (details supplied) will receive its special class hub funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70801/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth

Approximately 97% of all students and the vast majority of students with special educational needs attend mainstream classes with their peers. 15,000 special education teachers and 12,500 special needs assistants (SNAs) support students with special educational needs to attend mainstream classes. Where students have more complex needs a special class place can be provided.

The school referred to by the Deputy currently has one special class dedicated to supporting students with autism. This class has long been in existence and demonstrates the school’s commitment to special education provision.

My department is progressing a long-term project to provide a new school building for the school which will cater for 1,000 students and will include 6 special classes. In addition, the school has a retrofit project ongoing. My department will also engage with the school to ensure it has all necessary facilities to support the students currently enrolled.

Ahead of the current school year, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has worked closely with this school to support local children and young people seeking a special class place. The NCSE has provided additional staffing resources in the form of 1.5 special education teaching posts and 2 SNA posts on top of the existing special education class resources to ensure the school can support more students with special educational needs.

The supports allocated are outside of the normal special class allocation and ensure that students can have their educational needs met through an optimal blend of special class and mainstream class supports. This approach can be beneficial where a school is short of available accommodation to establish another special class pending the delivery of additional accommodation. The NCSE will continue to support the school and all of the students attached to its special class.