Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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28. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on a proposed additional ASD room in a national school (details supplied) in County Donegal; if her attention was drawn to the impact on the children waiting for a place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37994/24]

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.

The NCSE has advised my department that they previously engaged with the school regarding opening a second special class for the 2024/25 school year. The school at the time was not in a position to do so and other schools in the local area were approached. The NCSE advise that there remains places available in the vicinity to accommodate students who wish to avail of a special class place.

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.

Over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2024/25 school year bringing the total number of special classes nationwide to 3,335 - 2,338 at primary level and 997 at post-primary level.

Of these, 12 are in County Donegal, 9 at primary and 3 at post-primary, bringing the total number of special classes in Donegal to 127. The vast majority of these are autism classes which have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6.

The NCSE will be undertaking planning visits to schools during term 1 of this school year to assist with the forward planning of special class provision for the 2025/26 school year.

My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.