Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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364. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the arrangements being made to ensure that the parents of children with autism in the Taghmon area of Westmeath will have an appropriate school place for September. [29893/24]

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.

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, 9 are in Westmeath, 7 at primary and 2 at post primary level. This brings the overall number of classes in the county to 68.

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.