Liam Quaide
Ceist:551. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding available to a special class at post-primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6269/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 27 January 2026
Ceisteanna (551)
Freagraí scríofa
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.
My department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) continue to work closely with school patron bodies, school management bodies and schools to confirm new special classes for the next school year 2026/2027. NCSE have begun sanctioning new special classes this month, which is several months ahead of last year. 263 have been sanctioned to date and many more new special classes will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
The earlier sanctioning of new classes provides clarity for parents and allows schools more time for the planning and establishment of new special classes. Each new special class at primary level is allocated 1 teacher and 2 SNAs and at post-primary level, schools receive 1.5 teachers and 2 SNAs. 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.
It is expected that the majority of schools opening new special classes will do so through the reconfiguration of existing available school accommodation. 80% of all special classes opened for the 2025/2026 school year were provided in reconfigured available school accommodation.
The NCSE provide a formal sanction letter to each school opening new special classes. The formal sanction letter from the NCSE to the school will provide details in relation to the accommodation, staffing and training for the new special class.
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.