Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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49. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a child has not been offered a special school place (details supplied). [27376/24]

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 my department that they continue to support the family of the child referred to by the Deputy, who is seeking a special school placement for September. The local special educational needs organiser (SENO) is providing support and advice to the family in this regard and will provide details of special educational placements as they arise.

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.

381 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2024/25 school year, 267 at primary and 114 at post primary level. Of these, 59 are in Dublin, this brings the overall number of classes in the county to 593. The vast majority of these are autism classes.

The NCSE expect to confirm some additional classes shortly to ensure that a sufficient level of provision is available. The NCSE is confident that through the provision of these new classes and vacancies in existing classes there is sufficient places to meet the needs of all children known to them for September 2024.

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.

Legislation also provides for the NCSE to have a greater role in the admission of children with special educational needs. This is something that would require significant engagement with the education partners and it is something my Department and the NCSE.