Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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383. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills noting her intention for all children with additional needs to have a school place in September, for an update on the application by a school (details supplied) for additional accommodation; if the application by a second school will receive approval without delay; the number of children in south Tipperary currently waiting for a school placement for September and working with the NCSE through their special educational needs officer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7128/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the first school referred to by the Deputy, I can confirm that the department received an application under the Additional Schools' Accommodation (ASA) scheme for funding for the provision of eighteen special education classrooms.

The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. The Department and the NCSE are working closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process to ensure a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school-year and is committed to delivering an inclusive educational environment for all pupils. The Department and the NCSE continue to work closely in planning for the delivery of new places required to meet forecasted demand. The NCSE continues to review the SEN provision requirements in South Tipperary and the wider area in relation to the delivery of special school places.

In this regard the department approved the provision of modular accommodation of four classrooms for the mentioned school to cater for immediate needs. This project is now complete.

I am pleased to confirm that an accommodation brief for 14 classrooms and associated ancillary accommodation has recently being issued to the school authority for its approval. My Department considers that this accommodation could be delivered for the school with the support of project managers under the Department’s timber-frame modular framework. This is a very significant project which will add capacity and transform facilities for the school.

The Deputy will also be aware that my Department will be establishing a new special school in Nenagh as part of its broader forward planning for additional special school places.

The expansion of capacity at special schools is an important priority for my Department.

Of the 124 special schools nationwide, four special schools are new for this school year and further capacity has been expanded in eleven others. Five more have been established for the 2025/26 school year in counties Cork, Dublin (2), Monaghan and Tipperary(Nenagh). This will bring to 16 the number of new special schools opened in recent years.

In relation to the second school referred to by the Deputy, I can confirm that the department has no record of receiving an application under the ASA scheme for this school.

Information on submitting an application can be found on the department’s website at www.education.ie -

My department is working closely with the NCSE on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places.

Building on successive budgets, Budget 2025 secured funding for up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools, and an additional 300 special school places for the 2025/26 school year. This will deliver 2,700 new places for children.

Of the 3,336 special classes nationwide, 138 are in County Tipperary. 16 of these are new for the 2024/25 school year, 12 at primary level and 4 at post-primary level

In relation to the number of children in South Tipperary waiting on a school placement, as already stated, the NCSE has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs. This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need. When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school (primary or post-primary), school authorities can apply to my department for capital funding to re-configure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation under my Department’s ASA scheme.

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