Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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144. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of ASD classes opened in primary schools in Kildare south; the locations and school numbers; the current capacity of these ASD classes; the number of children enrolled in these classes, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8378/25]

Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of ASD classes opened in secondary schools in Kildare south; the current capacity of these ASD classes; the number of children enrolled in these classes, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8379/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive a befitting education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority 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.

Of the 3,336 special classes nationwide, 131 are in County Kildare. 16 of these were sanctioned 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. The attached document provides a breakdown of the primary and post-primary autism classes in County Kildare for the 2024/25 school year.

Budget 2025 provides funding for another 400 special classes and 300 special school places nationwide.

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.

The NCSE continue to assess what additional provision is required in local areas and what schools have capacity to accommodate required provision for the 2025/26 school year. As the NCSE progress the sanctioning of new special classes over the coming weeks they will advise parents in turn on the location of new special classes for the 2025/26 school year.

My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.

Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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146. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of ASD classes under construction or in planning in primary schools in Kildare south; the locations and school numbers; the expected capacity of these classes, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8380/25]

Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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147. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of ASD classes under construction or in planning in secondary schools in Kildare south, the locations and school numbers; the expected capacity of these classes, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8381/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together.

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive a befitting education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.

Almost 1,700 special 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 3,336 in 2024.

57 of these classes are in Kildare South, of which 5 are new special classes for the 2024/25 school year, 3 at primary level and 2 at post-primary level. Special classes generally operate on the basis of 1 teacher and at least 2 SNAs per class grouping of 6 children.

Details of schools where additional special classes are being established are attached and the tables include the totality of the special class provision that will operate in the schools when building works have been completed.

As the NCSE progress the sanctioning of new special classes over the coming weeks, they will advise parents in turn on the location of these new special classes for the 2025/26 school year.

My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.