Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
378. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the request to open two additional autism classes from a school (details supplied); if her Department accepts that there is unmet need for special education school places in the school planning area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51583/26]
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.
584 new special classes have been sanctioned to date, including 68 inclusive special classes. This brings the total number of special classes sanctioned to date to over 4,300. Of the 584 new special classes, 378 are being established in primary schools and 206 in post-primary schools. New special classes are being established in every county with 140 new special classes confirmed for Dublin. Further new special classes may be confirmed in the coming weeks, if required.
The NCSE actively encourage expressions of interest from schools to open special classes, and I appreciate and commend the efforts taken by boards of management in expressing their interest. However, it is not always possible to open a special class in every school that expresses an interest.
When assessing the needs in the local area, the NCSE identify schools in the neighbouring vicinity with available special class vacancies or capacity and assess their capability with consideration to demographical and statistical data.
The NCSE acknowledge that circumstances may change, and these schools will remain as potential options for future classes. Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs.
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.
