Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the question. I also thank him for the work he does in this sector and the support he has given me since I took up this role. I greatly appreciate it. The majority of children with special educational needs are supported by mainstream classroom teachers, special education teachers and SNAs to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children have more complex needs, a special class or special school place needs to be provided.

There are 2,700 new places being created and there are more than 1,200 places already in existing special classes and schools. There are close to 4,000 places available for the coming school year. There is a significant level of provision. The Department and NCSE have created the significant capacity for children whose parents and schools have identified to them as requiring a place. The NCSE has sanctioned more than 390 special classes to date and is working on actively engaging with other schools and school patron bodies to confirm additional special classes as soon as possible.

Of these, 53 are in Cork, 35 at primary level and 18 at post-primary level. This will add to the 563 special classes currently in operation in County Cork. The NCSE advises that there are vacant places in a number of special classes across County Cork as well that are available to students for the forthcoming school year.

Of the 16 special schools with approximately 1,060 students enrolled, three were established in the past five years. One of the new special schools for next September will be located in the north of Cork city. It is expected this school will open for enrolment shortly. It will initially enrol 24 students. The site of the school, as the Deputy will be well aware, is at the former primary school at Carrignavar but due to building works, the school will open temporarily in available school accommodation in Fermoy, which means that the school can open on 1 September.

My Department is working with school patron bodies, particularly Cork ETB, to expand capacity at other schools, particularly those that opened in recent years, namely, Rochestown Community Special School and East Cork Community Special School.

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