Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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728.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a progress report on a special education site in Glanmire, County Cork (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32257/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My department works closely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. There are now over 3,000 special classes in our education system providing places for over 20,000 students. We have also opened four new special schools for September 2024 and increased capacity in a number of existing special schools to ensure that more children than ever can access our special school system.

My department and the NCSE are actively engaging with school patrons and management bodies to continue to establish special classes and increase special school places in areas where provision is required. As part of future proofing of special education provision, the acquisition of the site in Cork referred to is progressing. Approval has been granted by the Elected Members of Cork City Council to dispose of this site and the conveyancing process and transfer of this land to the Minister is ongoing.

My department is currently working on a brief for a new building for a school for this site and will be looking to progress this project as soon as possible.