Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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5. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the forward planning her Department has achieved in respect of special class places for children with additional needs in secondary schools in County Clare to align with primary school special class places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23856/24]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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At the outset, I want to assure parents that this government is determined to help families when seeking a special educational placement and alleviate the pressures that can arise.

I understand that this can be an anxious time for parents who are seeking enrolment for their children for September, and I want to assure them that work continues to provide the appropriate school place for their child’s needs.

Over 320 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE nationwide for the 2024/25 school year. Of these 7 are in County Clare, 4 at primary level and 3 at post-primary level. This brings the number of special classes in Clare to 75.

The NCSE continue to sanction classes for the coming school year. As new classes are sanctioned, the NCSE will support families to make applications for places. The NCSE has advised my department that local special educational needs officers (SENOs) are engaging with parents and schools, with a view to ensuring all children with special educational needs in County Clare, and across the country, secure a school placement for this September.

I have asked the NCSE to ensure that these classes are established as a matter of urgency, and to keep all families who are seeking these class places updated on an ongoing basis to ensure that their children can access the provision to which they are entitled.

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally. Local SENOs are available to assist and advise the parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE's website.

My department engages intensely with the NCSE 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. This forward planning has resulted in over 3,000 special classes and the establishment of eleven new special schools in recent years and the expansion of many others.

Demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years. This is due to changing demographics and increasing prevalence rates for special educational needs. My department and the NCSE continue to engage proactively with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes.

In October 2022, my department wrote to all post-primary schools requesting that all schools begin planning to provide for special classes – up to four special classes in the case of larger post primary schools – to meet the needs of children progressing from primary level.

I can assure the deputy that 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.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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6. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the lack of autism school places for children in the Dublin 15 and 7 areas, and in particular for a child (details supplied). [23888/24]

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) has advised that the local special educational needs organiser is working closely with the family of the case he has raised regarding options for school placements and other special education supports for the coming academic year.

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.

This forward planning has resulted in over 3,000 special classes and the establishment of eleven new special schools in recent years and the expansion of many others. My department secured funding of €2.7 billion for special education expenditure in Budget 2024 which will provide essential supports to children with special educational needs and allow for the opening of up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools and 300 additional special school places. So far more than 320 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE nationwide for the 2024/25 school year. Of these, 36 are in Dublin of which 23 are at primary level and 13 at post-primary level, bringing the total number in the county to 570. Of the 36 classes sanctioned for next September, 4 are in the Dublin 7 and 15 areas.

The NCSE continue to sanction classes for the coming school year and is engaged in ongoing discussions with schools. As new classes are sanctioned, the NCSE will support families to make applications for places.

I have asked the NCSE to ensure classes are established as a matter of urgency and to keep all families seeking class places updated on an ongoing basis to ensure their children can access the provision to which they are entitled.

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.