Question Heading for question(s) 678

Tuesday, 17 February 2026

Ceisteanna (678, 679)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

678. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth to consider the creation of a second ASD class in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12552/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

679. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth her current plans to increase the places available in ASD classes for girls in a particular area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12553/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 678 and 679 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.

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. The NCSE began sanctioning new special classes last month, which is several months earlier than last year. 301 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 301 new special classes, 199 are being established in primary schools and 102 in post-primary schools. New special classes are being established in every county with 71 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 ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for students with special educational needs and will continue to review and monitor the situation as to where new specialist provision is required.

Question No. 679 answered with Question No. 678.