Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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137. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is satisfied that there are sufficient special school places in Cork city and county for September 2023 intake; the engagement she has had with the National Council for Special Education in relation to this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13571/23]

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:

Enabling children with special educational needs (SEN) to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.

It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my Department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion providing supports to children and young people with special educational needs and to their schools..

This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.

This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants. 

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

Over the last 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 and almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years.  Two of these new special schools are in Cork – Carrigaline Community Special School and the new Rochestown Community Special School which will open later this year.

There are currently 14 special schools in County Cork with a provisional enrolment of 952 children in September.

The number of special schools in Co. Cork will rise to 15 when the new Rochestown Community Special School opens later this year and will enrol 25 children to begin with.  It is envisaged that this new special school will grow to accommodate over 60 students over the next few years.  

A list of all special schools is available on the website of the NCSE www.ncse.ie.

My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.  Where additional special school places are required, this may be provided through the establishment of a new school or the expansion of existing schools. 

The NCSE continues to work with parents and schools to determine the need for additional special school places in the Cork area for September 2023. This work involves a detailed analysis of the particular needs of each child.

In addition, the NCSE also considers the number of places that may become vacant from students leaving special schools during the summer.

My Department is working closely with the NCSE to consider the need for additional special school places both nationally and at regional level.  Where additional places may be needed, my Department will work closely with the NCSE and schools to consider any necessary arrangements that may need to be put in place to meet increasing needs.

I want 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 education.