Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Carrigy for raising this question and for his work as Chairman of the autism committee. I had the good fortune to be able to work closely with him on that committee. It was a real privilege to be able to be engaged in that work. I thank the Senator for his commitment to it and his work in this area.

To answer his question very directly, as the Senator is aware, six special classes opened in County Longford in the period between September 2023 and this academic year. I am trying to confirm the figures for the previous years. That brings the total number of special classes in Longford to 39, with 25 at primary level and 14 at post-primary level. The Senator is asking me about the special school in Longford, which currently enrols 41 students. It is my understanding that the school was recently refurbished, that there are nine classes there and that there is, therefore, some more capacity than 41. I am told by the Department that the admission policy is open at the moment. I appreciate that there may be constraints with regard to some equipment or the size of some of the equipment but it appears, from the briefing I have had from the Department, that the admission policy is open. Of course, it is very important that this school is available and open to the students who need it, working with the SENO who is able to identify the different needs of the children who may need it. We are aware, from our work on the committee and for other reasons, that children can come in and out of a special school and into a special class in a mainstream school as befits their needs and meets their educational needs most appropriately over time, recognising that children's needs change over time.

I am very glad that the Senator has given me the opportunity to answer this question this morning on the importance of that school in Longford, and to confirm that its admission policy. I am told by the Department of Education that it is in fact open. I know the Department and the NCSE are working closely on forward planning with regard to the special classes for the 2024-25 school year and beyond and, as demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase, to make sure those post-primary special classes are available.

I am told that the Department has communicated to all post-primary schools on the need to begin planning. This is obviously on the mainstream side as well. I want to highlight for the Senator that the Department has asked post-primary schools to plan and come to it with what is necessary. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next two to four years, with an approximate average of four special classes in each school. That is a significant amount of planning and work. I certainly can see in my own constituency the great expansion in the number of special classes at primary level.I am very pleased and encouraged to see it is appropriately meeting a need, although there is more to be done. Of course, the work has to continue into post-primary level. I can answer any further questions, if needs be.