Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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94. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has considered the correspondence sent to her by a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22728/23]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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345. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the need for an ASD room in a school (details supplied); if she has considered the suitability for such an addition to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22498/23]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 345 together.

I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:

My Department is committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential. My Department strives to ensure that every child has access to an educational experience that is appropriate to their needs and supports both their academic and personal development. The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.

As part of Budget 2023, my Department’s budget for special education was substantially increased, by over 10%, meaning that for 2023 the Department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education. 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 additional teaching and care supports.

We have made a lot of progress over the last three years in terms of providing special classes and special school places 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.

There are a total of 2,537 special classes opened nationwide. Of the 2,537 special classes, there are 1,798 at primary level and 739 at post primary level. We want to continue this level of progress to ensure that there are sufficient places in special classes and special schools for children who need them.

Just recently on 12th April, Minister Foley and I announced the establishment of two new special schools as part of a comprehensive update on enhanced education provision for students with special educational needs. This will bring to 7 the number of new special schools established in the last 3 years. Capacity is also being expanded in 11 other special schools.

Along with the two new special schools, 305 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2023/24 school year, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks – 197 at primary and 108 at post-primary level.

Of these new classes, 12 are in Co. Donegal, with 7 at primary level and 5 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Co. Donegal to 109, 64 at primary and 45 at post-primary.

In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my Department that this school expressed an interest in opening a special class in March this year.

The NCSE actively encourages expressions of interest from schools to open special classes, and I appreciate the effort taken by the Board of Management in expressing their interest.

Upon assessing the needs in the local area, the NCSE identified that there were schools in the neighbouring vicinity with available special class vacancies and, as such, an additional special class is not required in this school at this time. The NCSE acknowledge that circumstances may change, and they are committed to ensuring that both the parents and the school receive the necessary advice and support.

My Department and the NCSE is committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for the coming school years.

The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs.

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.