Eoghan Kenny
Ceist:487. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide the condition assessment report on a facility (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5775/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Data
Ceisteanna (487)
Freagraí scríofa
The department did not commission the condition assessment report referred to by the Deputy. The report sought was commissioned locally, and the school authority at Mayfield Community School would be the most appropriate body from which to request a copy.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (488)
Aidan Farrelly
Ceist:488. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of a building project for a school (details supplied); the current stage of the project within her Department’s planning and delivery process; when her Department last engaged with the school’s board of management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5776/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at Stage 3 of architectural planning - Tender Award stage. The project will deliver a new 8 classroom primary school and accommodation, including 2 classrooms for children with special educational needs.
The design team have carried out their assessment of tenders for the main contractor, and a Letter of Intent (LOI) has issued to the preferred tenderer. This allows the preferred tenderer to put in place the Bond, Insurances, and confirmations of all legal arrangements required under the Contract.
The next step will be the submission of the supplementary tender report from the design team to my department. Upon receipt and review of the report, my department will advise the design team and school authorities regarding the progression of the project.
My department has regular monthly engagement with the patron body and will continue to update the school and it's patron body on the project progress and next steps.
My Department's National Development Plan (NDP) Implementation Plan for the Education and Youth sector will be published shortly and the first tranche of projects to progress to construction will be published in January.
This NDP Implementation Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (489)
Aidan Farrelly
Ceist:489. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of a building project for a school (details supplied); the current stage of the project within her Department’s planning and delivery process; when her Department last engaged with the school’s board of management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5777/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The school referred to was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme for a project creating one science laboratory, one woodwork room and one home economics classroom.
This project is devolved for delivery to Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB).
The project is currently at Stage 4, and the Department is awaiting final paperwork for the project. Once received, these documents will be reviewed by Department officials. All projects, including this one, are subjected to the required due diligence as specified in the Department's infrastructure guidelines.
Once the submission is received by my Department and reviewed the relevant school authorities will be contacted to advise the outcome of the review.
National Council for Special Education
Ceisteanna (490)
Eoghan Kenny
Ceist:490. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will request the NCSE and SENO to engage with family of child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5797/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Enabling students with special educational needs to receive an education that meets their needs is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of students with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where students with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided.
This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which promotes that students will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.
My Department and the 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. The vast majority of new special classes being announced are being provided in available school accommodation which is being reconfigured as a special class. Each 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.
The NCSE has advised that the local special educational needs organiser (SENO) is engaging with the student’s family regarding options for school placements and other special education supports for the coming school year.
Parents and schools can contact the NCSE directly using the details available on the NCSE's website. Local SENOs are available to offer advice, support and guidance as required to ensure students with special educational needs are supported to achieve their full potential.
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.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (491)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:491. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm a new special school in Lucan (details supplied) has been provided with the necessary resources to provide education to students attending on a full school day basis; whether the necessary allocation of SNAs to support students safely has been provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5798/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Enabling students with special educational needs to receive an education that meets their needs is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of students with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where students with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided. This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which advocates that students will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.
Special needs assistant (SNA) posts are allocated to schools as a school-based resource. Principals/board of managements deploy SNAs within schools to meet the care support requirements of the students enrolled whom SNA support has been allocated. This provides schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
The NCSE has published the SNA allocations for the 2025/26 school year. For ease of reference these allocations are broken down by school type and are available on the NCSE's website.
If a school considers that it has insufficient SNA support to meet the needs of its students an application can be submitted to the NCSE requesting a review of its allocation. Detailed information on the NCSE's SNA review process is published on the NCSE's website. Each case is individually assessed and is based on the student profile of each school. Some review requests can be concluded as an office-based exercise, whilst others require a school to be visited in order to observe the current deployment of SNA support in the school setting.
The NCSE have confirmed that the SNA review for the school named is with the review panel for decision.
I would like to assure you when a NCSE review is completed in a school and the review identifies that additional SNA resource(s) is required that these will be allocated by the NCSE to the relevant school. The timeframe for concluding a review can vary depending on the school context or the nature of the information provided.
Following the outcome of the review, the NCSE can make a local special educational needs organiser (SENO) available to the school to discuss their approach to deployment of SNA support and how best these resources can be deployed to the advantage of the students. The NCSE in-school support service is also available to schools to offer further guidance and support.
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.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (492)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:492. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will meet with the principal of a school (details supplied) to discuss the urgent need for additional autism class provision within their school, and the wider community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5830/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
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.
My Department and the 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. The vast majority of new special classes being announced are being provided in available school accommodation which is being reconfigured as a special class. Each 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.
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.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (493)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:493. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1253 of 13 January 2026, the number of additional school places expected to be delivered at a school (details supplied); and when the project is expected to be completed. [5845/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme. On completion, this campus project will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including 6 classrooms, for children with special educational needs and a new 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including 2 classrooms for children with special educational needs on the ETB-owned site at Fortunestown Lane. Currently the post primary school has an enrolment of circa 760 pupils.
The project is currently at Stage 4 - Construction. Works are progressing on site, with the project being delivered on a phased basis. The first phase is expected to be completed in Quarter 2 2026, with the remaining phases to be completed in 2027 and 2028 respectively.
My department will continue to liaise with the school and its Patron body in relation to interim accommodation needs pending the delivery of the permanent school.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (494)
Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:494. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Question No. 1253 of 13 January 2026, the number of additional school places expected to be delivered at a school (details supplied); and when the project is expected to be completed. [5846/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The large scale project for the school referred to by the Deputy is now at Architectural Planning Stage 4 – Construction.
The project brief for the Major Project includes the Demolition of the existing school and the phased construction of a three storey 1,000 pupil Community School with Special Education Needs Unit and PE Hall.
Works commenced onsite August 2024, and the project has an estimated contract duration of 36 months.
The data sharing arrangements that were in place for the 2025/26 admissions process have been put in place again for the 2026/27 admissions process in school planning areas that are experiencing enrolment pressures, including Newcastle_Rathcoole. The admissions data provided by schools will allow the department to analyse duplicate applications as there can be significant overlap in areas.
The Deputy will appreciate that there can often be significant overlap across areas and schools, and the nature of the admissions processes is quite complex. As a result, there can be multiple iterations, where applicants may accept a place but subsequently be offered and accept a place at a second school, freeing up capacity at the first school accepted.
My department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. The availability of places is a matter for each individual school in the context of their Admissions legislation. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (495)
Ryan O'Meara
Ceist:495. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding an ASA application by a school (details supplied) for a new modular classroom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5860/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy, that the school in question has submitted an application for capital funding, under my department's Additional Schools' Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for additional school accommodation.
The purpose of the ASA Scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation and at other schools in the area.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,400 school building projects along with over 4,000 small-scale improvement works to meet priority maintenance needs and advance energy efficiency and climate goal. In addition, repurposing and optimisation of existing accommodation capacity across the school estate has been a key enabler of timely, local provision of special class capacity in a way that supports best practice in inclusion and integration. Circa 80% of new special classes in 2025/26 are being facilitated in repurposed classroom accommodation.
Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities. Supplementary capital funding of €210 million approved by Government has brought the total capital allocation for 2025 for my department to €1.6 billion.
In July the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
The NDP Implementation Plan for the Education and Youth sector and the first tranche of projects to progress to tender or construction will be published by my department shortly. This NDP Implementation Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
It is within this context that the application from the school, to which the Deputy refers, will be considered. The school authority will be contacted directly as soon as a decision is made.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (496)
Ryan O'Meara
Ceist:496. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of a school’s (details supplied) application for additional schools’ accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5861/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my Department's pipeline for a project under the Additional School Accommodation scheme. The project will provide six general classrooms (three prefab replacement), one technology room with preparation room, one science laboratory with preparation area, one home economics room, one project store and a four classroom special educational needs (SEN) base.
The Stage 2a (developed design) report for the project was received by my Department in July 2025 and is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
In July 2025, the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation the Department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
The NDP Implementation Plan for the Education and Youth sector and the first tranche of projects to progress to construction will be published by the Department shortly. This NDP Implementation Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (497)
Ryan O'Meara
Ceist:497. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of a school’s (details supplied) application for additional school accommodation, as well as an update on their temporary accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5862/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy, that the school in question has submitted an application for capital funding, under my department's Additional Schools' Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for additional school accommodation.
The purpose of the ASA Scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation and at other schools in the area.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,400 school building projects along with over 4,000 small-scale improvement works to meet priority maintenance needs and advance energy efficiency and climate goal. In addition, repurposing and optimisation of existing accommodation capacity across the school estate has been a key enabler of timely, local provision of special class capacity in a way that supports best practice in inclusion and integration. Circa 80% of new special classes in 2025/26 are being facilitated in repurposed classroom accommodation.
Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities. Supplementary capital funding of €210 million approved by Government has brought the total capital allocation for 2025 for my department to €1.6 billion.
In July the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
The NDP Implementation Plan for the Education and Youth sector and the first tranche of projects to progress to tender or construction will be published by my department shortly. This NDP Implementation Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
The application for this school is being considered in the above context and the matter of temporary accommodation has been discussed and resolved with the school's patron Tipperary Education and Training Board.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (498)
Ged Nash
Ceist:498. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education and Youth if he is aware of the school bus transport issue of a school (details supplied) in Dundalk and the apparent disadvantage for Irish-language schools of her Department’s strictly-applied rules on the minimum number required for school bus provision; if his Department plans to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5864/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
Bus Éireann has advised that all eligible children who applied on time and paid on time for school transport for the 2025/26 school year to the school referred to by the Deputy were accommodated on services. Officials in my Department have met with the school principal and will continue to engage in the coming weeks.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (499)
Ryan O'Meara
Ceist:499. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes in Newbridge, County Kildare, in both primary and secondary schools on 1 April 2015 and in each of the years since then. [5865/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. Deputies are also welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas email address.
Through the accelerated provision of additional special class and special school places over recent years, there are now over 30,000 students enrolled in special classes and special schools. 2,700 new places were created for the 2025/26 school year and these, together with the over 1,200 existing places due to students moving on from primary schools and post-primary schools, has meant that close to 4,000 specialist places were made available for the 2025/26 school year.
406 new special classes were sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 17 are in County Kildare, 14 at primary and 3 at post-primary level. This brings to 148 the number of special classes currently in operation in the county.
A list of all mainstream and special schools is available on my department's website on www.gov.ie. In addition, a list of schools with special classes broken down by year, location and class designation is available on the NCSE website.
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.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (500)
Eoghan Kenny
Ceist:500. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will engage with school on a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5866/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
All applications from schools for major capital works including the school referred to by the Deputy must be considered in the context of capacity requirements and climate action commitments. The priority of the department continues to be the provision of required additional school places to meet demographic requirements and crucially for children with special educational needs.
The Department can identify opportunities to transform existing schools as part of energy retrofit projects and the Climate Action Summer Works scheme. The plan for identifying opportunities to transform existing schools at national scale will be informed by the outcome of an Energy and Condition survey of all schools which is due for completion this year. The subsequent analysis of this significant amount of data will help determine priorities going forward in relation to retrofit and refurbishment projects. The process may ultimately identify a requirement for the replacement of some accommodation, but this is not expected to be widespread. This overall process is particularly valuable in facilitating a proportionate assessment of a school’s accommodation upgrade needs relative to all other schools and allow an effective prioritisation of capital investment.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of almost 1,400 school building projects along with over 4,000 small-scale improvement works to meet priority maintenance needs and advance energy efficiency and climate goal. In addition, repurposing and optimisation of existing accommodation capacity across the school estate has been a key enabler of timely, local provision of special class capacity in a way that supports best practice in inclusion and integration.
Following a total capital allocation of €1.6 billion for 2025, the Government announced a further capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation, my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs. The NDP Implementation Plan for the Education and Youth sector and the first tranche of projects to progress to tender and construction will be published by my department shortly. This Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (501)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:501. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm that a formal request has issued to open a second ASD class at a school (details supplied). [5867/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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. The vast majority of new special classes being announced are being provided in available school accommodation which is being reconfigured as a special class. Each 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.
Of the 263 new special classes, 173 are being established in primary schools and 90 in post-primary schools. New special classes are being established in every county with 58 new special classes confirmed for Dublin so far. Further details on additional new special classes will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
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.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (502)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:502. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide senior-level oversight to ensure ASD provision in Dublin 7 reflects verified demand, including provision for girls. [5868/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
In order to support the NCSE and forward planning my department published Circular 0039/2025. This circular informs school management and patrons of measures introduced to support forward planning and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE through the Parent Notify process that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child.
An earlier date of 1 October was set for parents to complete the Parents Notify process this year. I understand this earlier date may not suit every family. However, it was introduced to ensure the NCSE can provide clarity for families earlier than in previous years. It will also support forward planning and equip the NCSE with timely information as to what students would be leaving school, transitioning to post-primary specialist places or those seeking specialist placement and entering the education system for the first time.
My Department and the 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. The vast majority of new special classes being announced are being provided in available school accommodation which is being reconfigured as a special class. Each 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.
Both Minister Naughton and I continue to meet with the NCSE and senior department officials each week to track the progress being made on the provision of special education places for the coming school year 2026/2027 and beyond.
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.
Disabilities Assessments
Ceisteanna (503)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:503. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth to clarify the way in which the State now proposes to discharge its obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, given the confirmed absence of assessments to date. [5869/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The work of my Department to discharge its obligation under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, has been ongoing. Under Section 42.2 of the Act, my Department is required to set out in its Statement of Strategy an assessment of the human rights and equality issues that it believes to be relevant to its functions and purpose as well as the actions that it is currently taking or proposes to take to address those issues.
My Department’s Statement of Strategy (2025-2028) includes a number of issues, along with the associated actions, which were identified as the most pertinent areas to give due regard for human rights and equality issues.
Alongside the obligations provided for in the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, the work of my Department in the area of human rights and equality is guided by a number of international Covenants and Conventions to which the State is a party. My Department regularly reports on the status and progress of relevant actions covered in such covenants and conventions. These include:
• UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR);
• UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD);
• UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW);
• UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD);
• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC);
• UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); and
• EU European Child Guarantee
Ireland's implementation of these conventions is subject to review by the UN and in the past two years officials from my Department have formed part of the national delegations on reviews of both the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
School Funding
Ceisteanna (504)
Pat Buckley
Ceist:504. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding that is available to a school (details supplied) to allow their U19 girls basketball team take part in the World Schools Basketball Championships in Valencia, Spain, in November 2026. [5895/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Schools under the patronage of Education and Training Boards (ETBs) are funded by my Department via a range of pay and non-pay budget allocations.
In that regard, a financial allocation is made to each ETB to fund its schools and head office and the grant is based on the overall student numbers across the ETB and its non-pay head office running costs. ETBs are given a high level of autonomy in the management and appropriation of this grant and each is allowed to distribute in line with its own priorities and identification of need.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (505)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:505. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a letter of eligibility has not been issued to a child (details supplied) in South Tipperary who has applied through the parents notify portal for a letter of eligibility; if she will provide reassurance that when reports are submitted after the 1 October deadline that this will not prevent families from getting letters of eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5924/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
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.
In order to support the NCSE and forward planning my department published Circular 0039/2025. This circular informs school management and patrons of measures introduced to support forward planning and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE through the Parent Notify process that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child.
The NCSE is undertaking analysis of information provided through the Parents Notify process which closed on 1 October to plot demand for special class places for the 2026/27 school year.
An earlier date of 1 October was set for parents to complete the Parents Notify process this year. I understand this earlier date may not suit every family. However, it was introduced to ensure the NCSE can provide clarity for families earlier than in previous years. It will also support forward planning and equip the NCSE with timely information as to what students would be leaving school, transitioning to post-primary specialist places or those seeking specialist placement and entering the education system for the first time.
This information is critical when examining where provision needs to be placed to meet demand. This earlier date in October coincides with when schools begin enrolment processes so affords parents the opportunity to enrol in existing classes. Many mainstream schools, particularly at post-primary level commence admissions processes for the following school year on 1 October annually.
The new timeline will afford greater lead in times for schools that require repurposing or major building works to get works complete and allow schools to recruit staff and undertake the training needed so that children are fully supported in these placements.
I would like to stress that the NCSE will continue to support all children and young people made known to them after 1 October. However, it is critical that the NCSE has as much local information as possible, as early as possible, to effectively plan what new provision is required.
The NCSE remains available to provide advice and support to all families seeking specialist placement and will continue to examine where provision is required for the 2026/27 school year.
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.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (506)
James Geoghegan
Ceist:506. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will ask Department officials to examine and seek to resolve an issue (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5926/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Enabling students with special educational needs to receive an education that meets their needs is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of students with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where students with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided. This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which advocates that students will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.
Special needs assistants (SNAs) posts are allocated to schools as a school-based resource. Principals/board of managements deploy SNAs within schools to meet the care support requirements of the students enrolled whom SNA support has been allocated. This provides schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
The NCSE has published the SNA allocations for the 2025/26 school year. For ease of reference these allocations are broken down by school type and are available on the NCSE's website.
If a school feels like it has insufficient SNA support to meet the needs of its students an application can be submitted to the NCSE requesting a review of its allocation. Detailed information on the NCSE's SNA review process is published on the NCSE's website. Each case is individually assessed and is based on the student profile of each school.
Schools can appeal an allocation review decision to the Appeals Advisory Committee (ACC) if they feel the review process was not followed correctly or a substantial error was made. This committee comprises of an independent chairperson, a representative of school management bodies and a parent representative. The decision of the AAC is final, however, it is important to note that a school may request a further review at any stage should the care needs of the students enrolled change
The NCSE can also make a local special educational needs organiser (SENO) available to the school to discuss their deployment of SNA supports in the school and to put these supports to the best advantage of the students. The NCSE in-school support service is also available to schools to offer further guidance and support.
The NCSE have confirmed that the SNA review at the school was completed in October. The NCSE have further advised that the school have submitted an appeal to the review. This review is being processed.
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.