Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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37. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that no artificial cap is placed on the number of students who can attend an ASD unit within a school (details supplied). [44995/24]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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386. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 607 of 9 September 2024, the reason for the reduction in availability of places within the autism unit in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44183/24]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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387. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 607 of 9 September 2024, if she will report on her engagements regarding the number of places available within the autism unit in a school (details supplied); if her Department or the NCSE has placed a cap on the number of children that can be accommodated in the unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44184/24]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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388. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 607 of 9 September 2024, if she will outline the reason a school (details supplied) has had an artificial cap placed on the number of spaces within its autism unit; if she is aware that teaching posts have been cut arising from the artificial cap placed on the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44185/24]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 386 to 388, inclusive, together.

Almost 1,700 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE in the last 5 years, and in this time 11 new special schools have also been established and many more expanded. For this school year alone over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned bringing the total number of special classes nationwide to 3,337. 54 of these classes are in County Monaghan, 7 are new for the 2024/25 school year, 6 at primary level and 1 at post-primary level.

Budget 2025 provides funding for another 400 special classes and 300 special school places nationwide and it is estimated that a similar level of provision will be needed each year for the next 3 years.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) have recruited additional special education needs organisers (SENOs), advisors and team managers. SENOs play an important role in ensuring there is adequate special educational provision within local areas. There are now two SENOs operating in County Monaghan. These SENOs are currently visiting schools to conduct planning meetings which will be key in terms of forward planning for the 2025/26 school year. SENOs are particularly targeting medium to larger (Principal + 8 teachers) primary schools who don’t yet have a special class to open a special class. This work is ongoing in Co. Monaghan and other areas.

My Department continues to engage with the school referred to by the Deputy in respect to its ongoing building project. The local Education and Training Board is providing assistance to the school also at local level. Complications with this schools planning permission in relation to its building project and its temporary accommodation has resulted in the school aligning its enrolment figures with regard to its existing permanent accommodation.

My Department will continue to support the school in addressing its accommodation needs and in this regard, it is my Department’s intention to engage directly with the school after the mid-term break.

I would like to assure parents that where there is known demand for special education provision in an area my department and the NCSE will provide the necessary supports and capital funding to ensure there is adequate provision for their children within that local area.