Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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500. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she expects to be in a position to meet the special needs education requirements throughout north Kildare, with particular reference to the growing population, the extra needs arising therefrom in terms of accommodation and special classes or special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45223/24]

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.

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 in this time. For this school year alone over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned bringing the total number of special classes nationwide to 3,337.

131 of these classes are in County Kildare, 16 are new for the 2024/25 school year, 12 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. There is also six special schools in the county supporting approximately 350 students with more complex needs. One of these was newly established for this school year.

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 number of SENOs has increased to 120 nationwide. There are now six SENOs operating in County Kildare. 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.

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.