Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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484. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special classes that are situated in schools in Rathcoole, County Dublin; and the action her Department is taking to increase the number of special classes to meet demand in the area. [14126/22]

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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485. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are plans to introduce a special class in a school (details supplied). [14127/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 484 and 485 together.

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 additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.

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

It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.

Over the last two years, 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 over 300 special classes, providing 1,800 new places, opened nationwide for the 2021/22 school-year.

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.

The NCSE through their network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers) are currently engaged in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. They are looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special class places.

The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: es-contact-list.

Information on the list of schools with special classes, the type and location of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at .

As the Deputy's query refers to an individual school, I will arrange to have the details referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.