Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 7 September 2026
1240. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes opened in Dublin west, by year from 2020 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61658/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling students with special educational needs to receive an education that meets their needs is a priority for this Government.?It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of students with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where students with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided. This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which advocates that students will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.
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 for each previous school year is available on the NCSE website ncse.ie/special-classes
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 as well as existing school provision and future capacity in an area. In addition, part of the forward planning process as to where new classes, schools or expansion is required considers 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.
My department and the NCSE have worked closely with school patron bodies, school management bodies and schools to confirm new special classes for the next school year 2026/2027. 587 new special classes have been sanctioned to date, including 70 inclusive special classes. The need for specialist provision remains under review and further new special classes may be confirmed in the coming weeks. Of the 587 new special classes, 140 are in County Dublin, 94 at primary and 46 at post-primary level. This brings to 845 the number of special classes currently in operation in the county.
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.
