Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy that the Minister for Education’s response was comprehensive, which is welcome. As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the coming years due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, the Department of Education and the NCSE are engaging with post-primary stakeholders on the provision of special classes. In October 2022, the Department wrote to all post-primary schools to advise them of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. Essentially all post-primary schools can expect to open special classes over the next three to five years. That is welcome because when the special classes started across every constituency they were in primary schools and then when students get to sixth class they have to move on. This will ensure that children can access a special class in their local post-primary school, rather than having to travel a significant distance to another school.

At local level the NCSE is continuing to engage with schools on the establishment of additional special classes for the next school year. Every support will be made available to schools to progress the opening of special classes in the shortest possible time frame. The Department continues to engage intensely with the NCSE on the forward planning for new special classes, which is really positive. I know the Cork area well, including Mitchelstown and Fermoy. I know Cork is a big county and it is difficult for families when they have to travel. I think of my constituency of Waterford which has three special schools, two in the city and one in Dungarvan, and that is the norm although it is hard. I will bring the Deputy's comments back to the Minister and I am cognisant of how big a county Cork is. Travel for a child with additional and complex needs is not always easy.

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