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

I thank the Deputy again for raising the question and giving me the opportunity to reassure the House that the Department of Education and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that all children can access an education suitable to their needs. The Department of Education continues to engage intensively with the National Council for Special Education in relation to forward planning for new special provision for the 2025-26 school year and future years to ensure every child has a place in an educational setting best fitting their educational needs. There are now more than 28,000 children being supported in special schools and classes with the number of special classes increasing by 100% since 2020, only five years ago. There has been huge investment by this Government and the previous Government in special education.

It is a statutory responsibility of the National Council for Special Education to work with schools to provide sufficient special education provision each year. As already outlined, budget 2025 provides funding for 400 new special classes and up to 300 additional special school places for the 2025-26 school year. This new provision is announced as the locations are confirmed. The Department and the NCSE are then looking to the 2026-27 school year and will continue to monitor the need for additional school place provision based on demand.

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