Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

81. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has considered legislative or regulatory changes to aid the fast-track delivery of temporary school building accommodation to increase special school- and special class-provision for September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9992/25]

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

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 class and 300 additional special school places. On top of this, there will be 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 also remains special class vacancies in some areas of the country.

At a local level and indeed nationwide the NCSE is examining which special schools have capacity to expand and are targeting medium and larger primary schools with available accommodation and no existing special class to open a new special class for the 2025/26 school year. This will ensure that classes can open quickly as existing accommodation can be reconfigured in a more streamlined and efficient manner.

However, as in other years where schools have no available accommodation, particularly at post-primary level and there is known demand in a local area, my department will continue to provide additional classroom accommodation to provide necessary places.

To support forward planning work, my department issued a circular letter (0080/2024) in October 2024 to all schools setting out a number of new measures to support the work of the NCSE and schools in providing new special classes. These measures include more streamlined funding for the refurbishment of available accommodation to provide a special classroom.

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. The vast majority of these new special classes are being provided through the reconfiguration of existing school accommodation. This is particularly the case at primary level where enrolment numbers are dropping nationally.

The NCSE continue to engage intensely with schools and school patron bodies to confirm further 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.

If necessary, I am satisfied that I have the necessary statutory powers under Section 37A of the Education Act 1998 to compel schools to make provision for children with special education needs. In addition, the NCSE also have the power to direct schools to admit individual children with special education needs.

I want to assure you that my department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

82. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the delivery of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10013/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build Programme and will deliver a new 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including four classrooms, for children with special educational needs.

My Department's Project Manager is currently finalising the response to a Request for Further Information (RFI) from the local authority on the planning application, including any necessary consents required. It is anticipated that the RFI response will be submitted in the coming weeks.

It is not possible to provide a time-frame for the progression of the project to tender and construction stages until such time as the necessary statutory approvals have been secured.

My Department will continue to keep the school and its patron body updated as the project progresses.