Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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29. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of spaces and the number of applicants to special schools in the Dublin 8, 10, 12 and 20 areas; and to outline her plans to ensure the needs of every child who requires special education is catered to. [23887/24]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I understand that this is an anxious time for parents who are seeking a school place for their child for September and I would like to assure the Deputy that this government is determined to alleviate the pressures faced by parents when seeking a special educational placement.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through their special educational needs organisers (SENOs) work closely with families regarding options for school placements and other special education supports. Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally using the details on the NCSE's website.

My department and the NCSE work closely in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places, work which is close to finalisation for the 2024/25 school year.

The new special schools established over recent years have focused on providing additional places in our largest urban areas: Dublin and Cork. The most recent of these new special schools to open was An Cosán Special School in Dublin 7 which opened earlier this month.

My department and NCSE continue to work on expanding special school capacity for the 2024/25 school year and beyond. In addition to expanding capacity in established special schools four new special schools will be established for the 2024/25 school year. these schools will be located in Limerick City; Enfield, County Meath; Gorey, County Wexford and in Naas, County Kildare. The schools will be under the patronage of their local Education and Training Boards.

The NCSE is working closely with some special schools to provide the necessary additional special schools places required for the coming school year in Dublin. The NCSE is also supporting families to make applications to schools for these places as they become available.

The admission of children to special schools is a matter for each school to manage in accordance with their published admission policy and admission notice. The NCSE or my Department does not gather data on the number of applicants to each individual special school.

I referenced earlier that this government is committed to alleviating the pressures faced by parents seeking a special educational placement.

Significant additional resources and funding of €13 million have been allocated to the NCSE to allow for the expansion of its services, which will bolster the level of service and provide effective structures to relieve pressure on parents.

This funding has allowed for, among other things, a significant increase in the number of SENOs which will increase from 73 to 120 by next September. These SENOs will work closely with children, their families and schools on the ground in order to provide the necessary supports.

Additional administrative support staff, team managers and other professionals are also being employed to allow SENOs concentrate on working directly with schools and families.