Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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360. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children the NCSE is currently assisting in sourcing a school place for next September, per county, in tabular form. [29889/24]

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).

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. While my department are heavily involved in forward planning and the forecasting of future demand for special educational places, the NCSE, through its network of local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), advise and support the families of students seeking special educational placements. Therefore, the NCSE as the statutory agency is best placed to provide the information requested. I have advised the NCSE of the Deputy's request and they will reply directly.

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. These additional resources will bolster the level of service the NCSE provides and will make it an all round more responsive service.