Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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408. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the third special class at a school (details supplied). [2190/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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As you are aware enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for government. Thanks to considerable investment in special education in recent years 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 National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs. Almost 1,700 classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE in the last 5 years, 11 new special schools have 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 over 3,330.

In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has confirmed that the school has received sanction to open a third special class. My department’s Planning and Building Unit is engaging with the school in relation to the school’s additional accommodation requirements. This engagement will continue with a view to addressing the school’s accommodation needs. The local SENO also remains in contact with schools and a number of parents in the area and its surrounds.

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally for planning purposes. Local SENO's are available to assist and advise parents and can provide details on schools with available special educational places. Parents may contact SENO's directly using the contact details available on the NCSE website.

My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.