Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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461. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a child (details supplied), who is six years old, has not been awarded a place in an autism unit or special school; and when they will be accommodated in Dublin 10, or close by, to begin their education journey [44814/24]

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.

The NCSE has advised my department that they remain in contact with the family of the child referred to by the Deputy and are aware of the student’s need for a special class. Parent's are advised to apply to all preferred schools within each school's application window to ensure their child is considered within the school's admission process. The special educational needs organiser (SENO) remains available to advise and assist the family regarding applications for the 2025/26 school year and will notify the parent of any local updates.

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

603 of these classes are in County Dublin, 70 are new for the 2024/25 school year, 48 at primary level and 22 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. A total of 120 SENOs now operate nationwide, 28 of these are operating solely in County Dublin. SENOs play an important role in ensuring there is adequate special educational provision within local areas and are currently visiting schools nationwide to conduct planning meetings. These visits will be key in terms of forward planning for the 2025/26 school year.