Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2026
126. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a request to open two additional special classes will be sanctioned by the NCSE for a school (details supplied); when the next tranche of sanctioned schools will be announced; if she will ensure that the information will be communicated to parents and schools in the first instance, and not Government Teachtaí Dála; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4973/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra127. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a request to open two additional special classes will be sanctioned by the NCSE for a school (details supplied); when the next tranche of sanctioned schools will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4974/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together.
This Government is fully committed to supporting students 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) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.
The NCSE have formally sanctioned 168 (105 primary and 63 post-primary) new special classes in 159 schools across the country for the next school year 2026/2027. This is the first tranche of new special classes being sanctioned and is a number of months ahead of last year. The NCSE expect to continue to sanction further new special classes over the coming weeks. The earlier sanctioning of these classes will provide clarity for parents and allow schools more time for the planning and establishment of new special classes. Details of the new special classes are available on the NCSE website.
Schools seeking to establish new special classes should continue to engage with the NCSE at local level. In sanctioning new special classes, the NCSE have due regard to the level of need in an area and the existing provision, including how many places are expected to be available through the normal movement of students from primary to post-primary or finishing school. Budget 2026 provides funding for over 400 new special classes.
My Department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
