Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy can understand, I cannot give specifics on the hoof on those schools in question but I will speak to the Minister in question and make sure that is communicated to the Deputy as soon as possible by the Department's team.

The following alludes in some ways to the situation in Laois in particular. Laois is a county the Deputy will know better than me. Indeed, it is the Ceann Comhairle's neighbouring county, so he knows well the rapid growth that has been consistent throughout the county, but particularly around the county town of Portlaoise, especially in terms of the additional housing accommodation over the past decade or 15 years, but more so in recent years. This has all been taken into account by the Department of Education, which is planning for the increased demographic and for increased prevalent rates of need for special classes and has, therefore, engaged extensively with post-primary stakeholders. Indeed, the Department of Education communicated to post-primary schools nationwide the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next two to four years, with an approximate average of four special classes in each school. Whether it be Portlaoise College, Scoil Chríost Rí or any of the other schools the Deputy has mentioned, if they have identified that they have space and they are in a position to do it, the Department of Education with the NCSE will ensure that space is utilised, maximised and, more importantly, the needs of the children at post-primary level in the Deputy's county and, indeed, the needs of their families and wider community are met as quickly as possible.

As a nation, we are playing catch-up on this. That is not through any lack of political will. It is merely increased prevalence of treatment that has occurred through circumstances. No doubt this will be resolved as quickly as possible. I am sure the Ministers concerned look forward to working closely with the Deputy to guarantee this.

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