James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

408. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the provision of extra ASD school places in north County Kildare (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9793/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs. They advise that the local special educational needs organiser (SENO) is working closely with the student’s family regarding options for school placements and other special education supports for the coming academic year.

Through the accelerated provision of additional special class and special school places over recent years, there are now just over 28,000 students enrolled in special classes and special schools. Budget 2025 provides for an additional 2,700 specialist places, made up of 400 new special classes, for on average six children each and 300 additional special school places. On top of this, there will be well over 1,000 places available through the normal annual movement of students progressing from primary to post-primary and students graduating from post-primary or special schools. There are also existing special class vacancies in some areas of the country.

Of the 400 new special classes places provided for in Budget 2025, the NCSE has advised that 209 of these classes have already been sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these nine are in County Kildare, six at primary and three at post primary level. This will add to the 131 special classes currently in operation in the county. There are also six special schools in Kildare with approximately 360 students enrolled.

In County Kildare and indeed nationwide, the NCSE continue to engage intensely with schools and school patron bodies to confirm further new special classes. As the NCSE progress the sanctioning of the remaining special classes they will inform parents.

Where new special classes have been sanctioned, I would urge schools to progress the admission of students as soon as possible to ensure that the NCSE can continue to evaluate demand in local areas, sanction classes as required and assist parents in securing a school place.

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