Ms Martina Mannion:

I can provide the Chair with up-to-date information from the NCSE. There are 60 special classes in County Laois already, of which 44 are at primary level and 16 at post-primary level. In County Offaly, which I know is in the Chair's constituency, there are 104 special classes, of which 76 are at primary level and 28 at post-primary level. For the 2023-24 school year, eight of those special classes in Laois were new classes, four at primary level and four at post-primary last year. There were seven new special classes in county Offaly, four at primary level and three at post-primary level. For 2024, ten new classes have already been sanctioned for County Laois.

The Chair spoke about Portlaoise. There are two new post-primary special classes going into Portlaoise and there are two new post-primary special classes going into Rathdowney. That will significantly increase capacity to meet the need at post-primary level. It is important to note that the Department of Education continues to see a big demand at primary level. That will be our focus and we will deliver the additional post-primary special classes at post-primary level and as children are moving in.