Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
317. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if all of the schools that have been allocated additional teaching resources for September 2026 will open as planned (details supplied); if any of the schools have indicated constraining circumstances that limit or prevent the opening of the new class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47056/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. The NCSE began sanctioning new special classes in January of this year, which is several months earlier than last year.
In addition, I recently announced inclusive special classes as part of a new approach to supporting students with additional needs. This is one of many ways my department is actively engaging to meet the increased demand.
575 new special classes have been sanctioned to date, including 60 inclusive special classes. Further new special classes may 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.
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.
The department and the NCSE continue to make a range of supports available for schools opening special classes which include the provision of teacher and special needs assistant (SNA) resources, enhanced capitation grants, assistive technology grants, the school transport scheme, dedicated training and guidance and resource documents. The earlier a school agrees to establish a new special class the more time that is available to access training, complete any refurbishment works, recruit new staff and complete admissions processes.
Schools with students with special educational needs receive an enhanced caption grant in recognition that the supports required may exceed the cost of normal operational costs. Currently primary schools receive the mainstream capitation rate (€224 per student) and an enhanced capitation grant of €880 per student enrolled in a special class for students with a Severe/Profound General Learning Disabilities giving a total per student of €1,104. This rate will increase by €50 per student for the 2026/27 school year. Schools have flexibility in how to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary fees.
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.
