Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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418. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she and the NCSE will urgently examine the lack of autism class spaces in west Clare and give consideration to opening an additional autism class at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44474/24]

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 me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, 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 coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide. My department and the NCSE actively encourage expressions of interest from schools to open special classes, and I appreciate and commend the efforts taken by boards of management in expressing their interest.

Planning for special classes and places in County Clare and nationwide is currently underway ahead of the 2025/26 school year. I have passed the details of the school referred to on to the NCSE to assist in this planning.

Almost 1,700 classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE in recent years, 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.

76 of these classes are in County Clare, 9 are new for the 2024/25 school year, 5 at primary level and 4 at post-primary level. The vast majority of these are autism classes and have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6.

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 NCSE have recruited additional special education needs organisers (SENOs), advisors and team managers. The total number of SENOs has increased to 120 nationwide. SENOs play an important role in ensuring there is adequate special educational provision within local areas. The are now three SENOs operating in County Clare. These SENOs are currently visiting schools to conduct planning meetings. These visits will be key in terms of forward planning for the 2025/26 school year.

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. Local SENOs are available to assist and advise parents on their options and the supports available.