Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
616. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria and policy basis used by her Department when sanctioning autism classes in schools; whether the age of a school building is considered as part of this decision making process; if so, to specify the minimum age a school building must reach before it is deemed eligible for the sanctioning of autism classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30854/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to the continued accelerated provision of additional special class and special school places for 2026/27.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) are the statutory body tasked with sanctioning new special education provision in our schools.
The information held on the department's Geographical Information System (GIS), particularly in relation to student demographics, is a key component when forecasting the need for additional special class and special school places. My department and the NCSE have undertaken analysis of the trends in special class and special school provision over recent years by county and local school planning area. In total there are 314 local school planning areas.
My department and the NCSE identify the need for special educational provision with consideration to demographical and statistical data and in regard to an areas existing school provision and future capability. In addition, part of the forward planning process as to where new classes, schools or expansion is required looks at how far students are travelling to access an education that meets their needs. This is an important factor which has been incorporated into the decision-making process. Consideration is also given to the information the NCSE hold at local level on the number of children and young people seeking a special school place in a region.
In order to ensure new special classes can open as quickly as possible the NCSE prioritise working with medium and larger primary schools who do not already have a special class and have available accommodation to accommodate new special class. This approach maximises the use of existing space which can be reconfigured efficiently while also ensuring that new provision continues to be established. It also increases the number of schools with special classes providing parents with greater choice and reducing the distances that some students are travelling to access a special class place.
However, as in other years where schools have no available accommodation, particularly at post-primary level and there is known demand in a local area, my department will continue to provide additional classroom accommodation to provide necessary places.
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 achieve their full potential.
