Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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504. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if children (details supplied) will be provided places in the local ASD unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14740/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

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.

In 2023, €2.6 billion was spent on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113 million will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.

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, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).

In 2024, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.

The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.

Over the last number of 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 almost 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over the last four years.

My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.

As a result of this forward planning, two new special schools have been established for this current school year in Cork and Dublin, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.

In December 2023, I was also very happy to announce the establishment of a further four new special schools for the 2024/25 school year in Meath, Kildare, Wexford and Limerick. This will bring to 11 the number of new special schools established in recent years.

Along with the two new special schools opening this school year, 390 new special classes – 254 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening this current school year.

Of these 5 are in Cavan, 4 at primary level and 1 at post-primary level. This brings to 52 the number of special classes in County Cavan, 40 at primary level and 12 at post-primary level.

Planning for special classes and special school places in County Cavan and nationwide is currently underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. The locations of new classes for 2024/25 will be confirmed by the NCSE shortly.

The provision of health therapy supports for children with disabilities is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, and matters in relation to the provision of health-related services including Speech and Language therapy services, the assessment of needs process and the services of the Children's Disability Network Teams should be directed to that body or to the Department of Health.

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE's website at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.

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/special-classes.

As your query refers to an individual placement, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. As previously outlined, the majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes. It may be possible for children to be supported in a mainstream setting pending an assessment which may consider a special class placement.

My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.