Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I completely understand that. There is extremely intense engagement going on with a lot of the special schools at present in terms of providing additional capacity. Some of the initiatives I outlined to the Deputy were for that very reason. Some of them will be able to add existing accommodation and reconfiguration to the schools that they have themselves. Three special schools have been opened in recent years and two more are opening during the school year. Rochestown Community School is to open later this year. For September 2023 specifically, detailed analysis of the particular needs of each child is being looked at. Of course, some places may become vacant as some pupils will leave during the summer as well. The NCSE is working nationally, regionally and at local level. What I would say to those schools is to engage constructively with the NCSE in terms of what capacity they have and also on special classes.

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