Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Daly for raising this very important matter. As somebody who was involved with the Cope Foundation in Cork, now Horizons, I recognise the huge work being done in special education and for those with disabilities in Kerry. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth.

The Government is committed to the provision of additional special places for children with additional needs. The Deputy is right that there is huge frustration and stress being felt by parents, and that should not be the case. As I said earlier, as a former teacher I recognise that early intervention is critical and early years provision is so important to young children, particularly those with additional needs. There are 160 early intervention classes nationwide, the vast majority of which are for children with a diagnosis of autism. Many of the early intervention classes sanctioned to date have been reclassified as the children enrolled reach primary level age. This allows the children to remain in the class at the school they attended for early intervention. However, this it is not always the case, with many classes enrolling a new cohort of children yearly.

As the Deputy knows, budget 2026 secured funding for 3,000 new specialist places. The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, is currently examining where these places would be best located for the 2026-27 school year. More than 400 new special classes were provided for the 2025-26 school year, meaning there are now 3,741 special classes nationwide. The Government is committed to building on this figure next year, placing provision in locations where it is best placed to meet existing and future demand.

In County Kerry, which Deputy Daly represents and has referenced, 114 special classes are now in operation, providing capacity for up to 864 students. That provision includes 25 new special classes for this school year. In total, the number of special classes in County Kerry has almost doubled since 2020. Two of these classes are early intervention classes. Where the NCSE identifies need for an early intervention class, the class is sanctioned and supports are provided by the Department to ensure the school identified can accommodate the class. These classes are available in mainstream and special school settings for children aged between three and five with a diagnosis of autism. There is also a small number of classes dedicated to children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The classes are intended to provide early support to children with the most complex of needs before they start school and can aid their transition to junior infants.

Looking ahead to the 2026-27 school year, the NCSE will have a clear picture of local demand for special class places after it reviews and assesses all the information provided through the parents' notification process, which, as Members know, closed on 1 October. The NCSE will then engage directly with school boards of management in relation to the opening of new special classes, including early intervention classes. I assure the House that the Department, the Minister, the Minister of State and the NCSE are committed to ensuring sufficient special education placements remain available for all children with additional needs.

It is Important to note that within the early years sector, the access and inclusion model, AIM, under the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, continues to support a growing number of young children with additional needs. AIM provides a tiered system of support, including extra staffing for early years providers, and, importantly, it does not require a formal diagnosis for access. There has been a significant increase in resources and supports provided to children with additional needs accessing the AIM programme over recent years.

I will convey the matters the Deputy raised, particularly the parliamentary question he referenced, to the Minister. To be fair, there has been significant investment in special education. However, I accept there is frustration and concern on the part of parents, which should not be the case.

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