Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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314. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will instruct schools (details supplied) to open ASD units, as they have the space to do so and there is a severe lack of ASD units in these catchment areas. [36490/24]

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. Over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2024/25 school year meaning there is now over 3,300 special classes nationwide.

The NCSE has advised that they are aware of future need for special classes in the area and will visit schools with the potential to expand over the course of the school year. Engagement with all schools with available capacity will form the planning process for the 2025/26 school year and beyond.

While it may not be possible to expand accommodation in all schools due to site restrictions, in such cases schools with students enrolled with special educational needs are provided additional supports such as special need assistants (SNAs). The NCSE can also arrange tailored visits from their special educational needs advisors if required.

For the 2024/25 school year one new special class has been sanctioned in the area and resources have been allocated, in addition, there are a number of places in a local primary school for students seeking enrolment into second class or above. The NCSE is confident that through the provision of these classes and vacancies in existing classes there is sufficient places to meet the needs of all children known to them for the 2024/25 school year.

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE’s website.

The department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.

Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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315. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in two schools (details supplied) opening their ASD units, given that four and a half years have passed since both schools were granted autism classes in 2020, with no sign of the autism classes being opened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36491/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Project referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the department’s pipeline of school buildings in June 2021 to provide a four Classroom Special Educational Needs (SEN) base, a General purpose room and Ancillary under the department‘s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority.

I can confirm that this project received my departments approval to go to planning in Q1 of 2024 and the department awaits a post planning (developed design) report from the school for review.

The delays have been primarily due to the timing required for the appointment of a design team, the subsequent development of the design and the necessary review of the project from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code.

My department will continue to engage with the school authority to provide practical advice and assistance on this much needed project. It is now within the remit of the school authority to progress this project accordingly.