Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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211. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the special needs' class requirements at schools (details supplied) can be met in full in the short-term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58517/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:

The NCSE is statutorily responsible for planning and coordinating provision at both a local and a national level and advising the Department in this regard.

The NCSE have advised my Department that the first school referred to by the Deputy has 2 ASD classes, which are at max capacity for the school year.

The NCSE have advised my Department that the second school referred to by the Deputy has 1 ASD class that is at max capacity. It also has 1 moderate general learning disability class, with 2 available places.

Neither school have formally applied for or expressed an interest in opening additional special classes.

Over the last two to three years, my Department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.

These initiatives are bearing fruit with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years.

The NCSE have sanctioned 20 new special classes at primary level and 9 new special classes at post-primary level over the last 3 years in County Kildare.

My Department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level. My Department has recently written to all post-primary schools in relation to the growing need for special classes.

At local level, the 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.

I want to reassure you also 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 appropriate education.

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