Ms Mary McGrath:

In 2019, the NCSE recognised that there was a shortage of special class places in south Dublin and we advised the Department of our opinion of this. As part of our work in this area, we examined all the primary schools in south Dublin and looked at which schools would be in a position, with the available in space within their accommodation, to provide autism special classes in the short term to respond to that immediate need. We identified 39 schools spread across the various areas in south Dublin. To date, a number of these schools have opened classes, some are working to do so, while others are continuing in the process.

Generally, schools respond to our requests to open special classes and are very positive in their engagement with local SENOs. It is important to recognise that some schools, particularly in built-up areas of cities, may simply have insufficient space within the school environment. It may be that the school is oversubscribed and is using all the available classrooms for classroom purposes, with no space in which to expand the school in terms of its external provision.