Written answers

Tuesday, 1 February 2022

Department of Education and Skills

Special Educational Needs

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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499. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of additional special education classes that have opened in the country in each of the years since 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4875/22]

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.  

This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs.

This includes additional teaching and care supports.

As a result, the number of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels. 

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.

Throughout 2020 and 2021, my Department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school-year

I am satisfied that this more joined up approach is delivering. Through this intensive intervention, we have seen an additional 301 special classes, providing over 1,800 new places, opened nationwide for the 2021/22 school-year.

I also acknowledge that notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.

NCSE has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements. 

It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.

The following table outlines the number of newly established special classes by school year:

Newly Established Special Classes by School Year

- 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22
Primary 94 129 108 135 132 214
Post Primary 56 43 53 57 70 87
TOTAL Per Year 150 172 161 192 202 *301

*Special classes opened to date in current 2021/22 school year

I want to reassure the Deputy that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.

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