Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
359. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans for the development of an additional SEN class at a school (details supplied); and the engagement with the school to ensure all SEN classes are at ground floor and to a similar standard will take place. [13776/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is progressing urgent building projects that involve the repurposing of existing space in schools for SEN purposes. These projects will ensure that existing school capacity is optimised and that teaching spaces are adaptable and flexible to facilitate a student-centred approach to learning. Potential repurposing options will be school and site specific, presenting different opportunities and challenges. To support the delivery of these classes in good time for the 2025/26 school year a new streamlined approach to funding is available to repurpose accommodation for SEN.
A SEN Start Up grant of €30,000 for each new SEN classroom sanctioned and opened for the 2025/26 school year will be payable to the school directly following receipt of NCSE notification of sanctioned classes. My Department has commenced issuing the first tranche of these payments to schools.
The school to which the Deputy refers was approved by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to open a special class for the 2026/2027 school year. I am pleased to advise that the start up grant payment has been processed by my Department.
A small scale repurposing works application has yet to be received from the school. I encourage the school authorities to submit an application to my Department as soon as possible to ensure that any works required are completed for September 2026.
Further information on SEN repurposing supports can be accessed on: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/sen-repurposing-information/
