Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy and appreciate the question. I recognise the great importance of investing in special education. A significant investment is being made in both special classes and special schools by the Department of Education. Almost one fifth of the Department's budget, amounting to €2 billion, is spent on special education annually.

The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the HSE. This includes the establishment of special classes and special school placements in geographical areas where there is an identified need.

When the NCSE sanctions a special class in a school, the school authorities can apply to my Department for capital funding to reconfigure an existing space within the school building to accommodate the class or to construct additional accommodation under my Department's additional school accommodation scheme, or both. Similarly, where special schools are requested to expand provision or wish to refurbish existing facilities, they may apply to my Department for capital funding to carry out these works. Between 2018 and 2020, permanent accommodation was delivered for 229 special classes and for 67 new classrooms in special schools.

As the Deputy is aware, a minor works grant is payable to all primary schools. This grant provides good flexibility at local level to make improvements to the physical infrastructure of school buildings, including the enhancement of facilities for special needs pupils. The grant payment structure reflects the priority of supporting special needs provision, with the grant rate for special needs students in special classes and special schools being four times the standard rate for mainstream students. For example, a 60-pupil primary school will receive €19,830, comprising €6,610 paid in July, a further €6,610 in additional funding as part of July stimulus, and an early payment of €6,610.

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