Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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89. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the provision of special school places and learning support in Cork city. [30478/24]

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.

The new special schools established over recent years have focused on providing additional places in our largest urban areas: Dublin and Cork.

There are 17 special schools in Co. Cork with an enrolment of 1,049 students.

My department and NCSE continue to work on expanding special school capacity for the 2024/25 school year and beyond. In addition to expanding capacity in established special schools, four new special schools will be established for the 2024/25 school year. These schools will be located in Limerick City; Enfield, County Meath; Gorey, County Wexford and in Naas, County Kildare. The schools will be under the patronage of their local Education and Training Boards.

The NCSE is working closely with a number of special schools to provide the necessary additional special school places required for the coming school year. The NCSE is also supporting families to make applications to schools for these places as they become available.

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.