Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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280. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the application before her Department for new autism classes at a school in County Clare (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10488/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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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.

The NCSE advise this school has two special classes at present. The school are also currently engaging with my department regarding the Pilot Schools Public Private Partnership (PPP) bundle. An application has been received by the school and is currently being examined by officials, in conjunction with the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA). This could provide further special class accommodation at the school.

For the 2025/26 school year the NCSE are examining which special schools have capacity to expand and are targeting medium and larger primary schools with no special class or just one special class to open special classes next September.

Where there is no available accommodation, particularly at post-primary level and special school level, my department will continue to provide additional classroom accommodation to provide necessary places.

Of the 400 new special classes places provided for in Budget 2025, the NCSE has advised that 218 of these classes have already been sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 2 are in County Clare, 1 at primary and 1 at post primary level. This will add to the 76 special classes currently in operation in the county.

There are also two special schools in Clare with approximately 250 students enrolled.

In County Clare and indeed nationwide, 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.

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