Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
593. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes in Dublin 15 at primary school level, broken down per school, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34660/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra594. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes in Dublin 15 at secondary school level, broken down per school, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34661/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra595. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes in Dublin 7 at primary school level, broken down per school, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34662/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra596. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes in Dublin 7 at secondary school level, broken down per school, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34663/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 593, 594, 595 and 596 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.
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.
A list of all mainstream and special schools is available on my department's website on gov.ie. In addition, a list of schools with special classes; broken by location and class designation is available on the NCSE website. (www.ncse.ie/special-classes)
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. To date, 504 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for 2026/27. This is a number of months ahead of last year and should provide greater clarity for parents.
Of the 504 new special classes, 330 are being established in primary schools and 174 in post-primary schools. New special classes are being established in every county with 114 new special classes confirmed for Dublin so far.
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.
Further details on additional new special classes will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Details of the new special classes are 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 achieve their full potential.
