Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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155. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she can provide details of any forthcoming ASD units; the units under development in planning for any primary schools in Rush or surrounding areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38511/24]

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 responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.

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 3,336 - 2,338 at primary level and 998 at post-primary level.

The table below outlines the location of autism classes in the Rush & Lusk school planning area.

My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning for new special classes and additional special school places. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements, a review of school accommodation needs and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.

My department and the NCSE identify the need for special educational provision with consideration to demographical and statistical data and in regard to an areas existing school provision and future capability. 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.

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.

The number of SENOs has increased from 65 to 120 at the start of this school year and the NCSE plan to undertake almost 800 school planning visits through September and October. These visits will consider the forward planning of special education 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.