James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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325. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new ASD classes due to come on stream in Waterford for the next academic year; the locations of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29404/24]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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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.

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.

383 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2024/25 school year, 266 at primary and 117 at post primary level. Of these, 11 are in County Waterford, 6 at primary level and 5 at post-primary. This brings the overall number of special classes in the county to 69.

The attached list provides a breakdown of new autism classes sanctioned for Waterford for 2024/25.

The NCSE is confident that through the provision of the 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 have asked the NCSE to ensure any remaining 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.

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 SENOs are available to assist and advise the parents of children with special educational needs and can be contacted directly using the contact details available on the NCSE’s website.

Special Classes New for 2024/25, Waterford.