Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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26. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the additional resources she plans to provide for children with additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44964/24]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I want to thank the Deputy for this question.

For 2025, the special education budget will be substantially increased by 6%, meaning that for 2025 the Department will spend over €2.9 billion on supporting children with additional needs.

The 2025 budget provides funding for almost 44,000 qualified and committed people who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs. The children will undoubtedly benefit, as is right and proper, from the additional focus these resources will bring to their education.

In September 2024, a total of 3,337 special classes have been established for children with autism across our primary and post primary schools, and the number of special schools has also increased in the last four years.

On the 18th October I along with my colleague Minister for Education Norma Foley TD, announced plans to establish five new special schools next year to cater for the increasing number of students with Special Educational Needs.

The schools will cater for children and young people with complex special education needs up to 18 years of age. They are being sanctioned as early as possible as part of advanced forward planning for the next school year 2025/2026 to ensure that appropriate placements are available where needed to meet the needs of students with special educational needs.

This level of need will continue as more and more children are diagnosed with autism.

In 2025, funding will be provided for 1,600 additional SNA posts that will help support the care needs of children in primary, post-primary and specialist school settings.

Budget 2025 provided for 768 new teachers which will support children in both mainstream and specialist education settings, including 205 new posts in mainstream schools and 563 posts for new special classes and in special schools.

These additional resources will enable the establishment of 400 new special classes and 300 additional special school places.

Investment was also secured in Budget 2025 for the continuation of the Summer Programme, supporting effective transition of children into post primary settings, enhanced training requirements, and the establishment of a Special Education Innovation Fund.

My department will continue to work hard to support children with special educational needs and work with all stakeholders to ensure an appropriate education is provided for every child in our schools.