Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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752.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department intends to develop a strategic plan for the provision of SEN at primary schools over the next three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32375/24]

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 works closely with the NCSE on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. Over the next three years it estimated there will be a need for at least 1,200 additional special classes across primary and post primary schools or 400 additional classes on average per year. In addition, it is estimated that 300 additional places will be required annually in special schools.

The information held on the department's Geographical Information System (GIS), particularly in relation to student demographics, is a key component when forecasting the need for additional special class and special school places. My department and the NCSE have also undertaken analysis of the trends in special class and special school provision over recent years by county and local school planning area.

This forward planning has resulted in the sanctioning of over 1,700 new special classes, the establishment of eleven new special schools and the expansion of many others over recent years.

402 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2024/25 school year, 284 at primary and 118 at post primary level, providing over 2,400 special education places in mainstream schools.

I am determined to ensure that all children who require a placement can access this as quickly as possible. I meet with NCSE weekly to discuss progress and to ensure that every child has a school place for the coming term and the longer term.

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.