Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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610.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of ASD places available in secondary schools in Ballincollig, Cork for September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31116/24]

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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611.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of ASD places available in secondary schools in Cork city and county for September 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31117/24]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 610 and 611 together.

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.

402 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2024/25 school year, of these 67 are in Cork, 43 at primary level and 24 at post primary level. This brings to 563 the number of special classes in the county. 491 of these are autism classes with a teacher/student ratio of 1:6, 143 of these are at post primary level, the attached table provides the location of these classes.

The NCSE is confident that through the provision of the newly sanctioned classes and vacancies in existing classes there is sufficient places to meet the needs of all children known to them for September 2024.

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally for planning purposes. Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise parents and can provide details on schools with available special educational places. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE website.

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.

In addition, significant additional resources and funding of €13 million has 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 when seeking a special educational placement.