Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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84. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is satisfied that there are sufficient special school places in Cork city and county for the September 2023 intake; the engagement she has had with the National Council for Special Education in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4808/23]

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Is the Minister satisfied that there is a sufficient number of special school places in Cork city and county for September 2023?

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his question. Obviously, planning in respect of special school placements does not relate only to Cork, but to the rest of the country as well. However, Cork and Dublin are probably the most densely populated areas, which has an impact with regard to forward planning. I am not sure if the Deputy was in the Chamber earlier on but I outlined some of the initiatives that the Department and the NCSE are taking in respect of forward planning, which was lacking in the past. We have undertaken a number of different initiatives, which are now bearing fruit in the classes we are delivering. We have 600 new special classes at primary level and 300 at post-primary level.

I will get into the detail of what is currently available in Cork but I will first very briefly outline some of the initiatives being undertaken. We have a geographical information system, which shares real-time data on the capacity we have across the schools system.

We have new technical guidance for building projects. We have future-proofing at post-primary level with the incorporation of four special classes in all new 1,000-student post-primary schools. We are working in respect of the fee-charging sector, modular accommodation, existing planning exemptions, project management support and so on. For Cork specifically, over the last three years the NCSE sanctioned 103 new special classes at primary level and 46 new special classes at post-primary level.

On special school placements, which the Deputy is asking about specifically, there are 15 special schools in Cork at present catering for 970 children. Rochestown Community Special School is to open later this year and Carrigaline school opened in 2021, as the Deputy knows. I have visited both Carrigaline Community Special School and St. Mary's Rochestown. They are doing incredible work in Cork.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I acknowledge all the progress made in the last few years on the delivery of ASD classes in particular. I have witnessed it in my constituency where many classes have been sanctioned. Some are still awaiting delivery but nonetheless it is progress. We all know what happened a year ago with the delivery of Carrigaline and the scramble that happened there. Again, it is progress, places were made available and students were catered for. That said, before I came in here this morning I rang the principals of five special schools in Cork, five of the 15 the Minister of State mentioned. All are full for next September. I was listening to Deputy Ó Laoghaire earlier. Specifically, what capacity is available for September? The Minister of State might not have the number here today but I would appreciate if she could get a figure to tell us how many places are available. The families contacting my office and Deputy Ó Laoghaire's office are concerned about the lack of places for September.

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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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.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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If I am applying to a school, be it in Carrigtwohill, Fermoy where I used to teach, or Glanmire, I know the intake or enrolment of that school. There are X number of places available, or there is a cut-off point or a waiting list. Do we have a number specifically for how many schools have a vacancy for September? I cannot find one at the moment in the city or its hinterland. That is the concern. It is our job to relay that concern to the Minister of State. My question was specifically in respect of special school places. If the Minister of State has a figure I would appreciate if she could give clarification.

On ASD classes, which is an aside from the question, I would like to ask what is happening in the Department when ASD classes are sanctioned but are yet to be delivered. I have come across cases where ASD classes were sanctioned as far back as 2017 or 2018 but are yet to be delivered. Who in the Department oversees that to ensure the classes are delivered and people are not just resting on their laurels while time goes by?

Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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Deputy Stanton wishes to come in briefly.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State knows well, as she has visited east Cork quite often, that we have no special school at all. As Deputy O'Sullivan has said, children have to travel long distances if they can get a place. East Cork is as big as some small counties but there is no special school. I note the need for special classes and all that but special schools are a set apart. Would the Minister of State ask her officials to look east Cork, in particular Midleton or Youghal, and establish a special school there where there is nothing at the moment?

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I thank both Deputies for their contributions. There is a site as well in Glanmire which I may not have mentioned. There is agreement in principle in respect of that acquisition. It is being progressed through conveyancing with the Chief State Solicitor's office at present. There is a detailed breakdown on the NCSE website of what is there. I am aware of Deputy Stanton's particular concern in east Cork. There is intensive engagement. In response to Deputy O'Sullivan, it is a fool's errand for me to give any figures. What I can say is that these children are known to the NCSE. Because of the enhanced forward planning that is available, the NCSE is well aware of where the children are, who needs an appropriate placement and where it is needed. I would say to Deputy Stanton that we endeavour to find a place in the locality for a child where possible. The number of children changes on a regular basis but we are aware of those who need places and we are working really hard and intensively to ensure every child has an appropriate placement.