Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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40. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when approval will be given to proceed to the next stage of works to provide urgent accommodation for a new autism unit/class, for a school (details supplied); when architects to design the project will be appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38151/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question for funding to reconfigure a classroom to accommodate a Special Education class.

The main focus of the Department’s capital funding over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics and children with special education needs.

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.

For 2024, €2.7 billion is being spent on special education, an increase of €113 million, and this is dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs. This will allow for, amongst other things, the opening of up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools and 300 additional special school places.

The Department is required to manage the overall school building programme so that we target and prioritise areas that are under greatest pressure for additional school places. This reflects our fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of a school place for every child.

I can confirm that officials in my Department are currently corresponding with the school authority regarding outstanding supplementary information. Once this information is received and the assessment completed, the school authority will be notified of the decision directly.