Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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412. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of ASD units that will be provided in north County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51136/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.

My Department and the NCSE continue to work very closely in planning for the delivery of new places required to meet forecasted demand.

I am satisfied that this approach is delivering. We have seen 392 new special classes open, bringing the total of special classes to 2,543 opened nationwide for the 2022/23 school-year. The 392 new special classes for 2022/23 is broken down by 260 at primary level and 132 at post primary level.

For 2023, a further 370 special classes will open nationwide, taking the total number of special classes to over 2,900 in 2023.

As of 21^stSeptember 2022, there are 480 special classes in Dublin for the 2022/23 school year. The 480 special classes in Dublin is broken down by 373 at primary level and 107 at post primary level. Of the 480 special classes 211 are ASD classes in North Dublin (156 primary, 55 post primary), of which 48 newly opened for the 2022/2023 school year (35 primary, 13 post primary).

Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie.

NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. Every support will be made available to schools to progress the opening of special classes in the shortest possible timeframe.

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