Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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550. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review and advise on the case of a child (details supplied) diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and a moderate to severe intellectual disability who consultants state needs a special school place as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12481/25]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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553. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine the case of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10630/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 550 and 553 together.

Enabling children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential 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.

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.

Of the 400 new special classes places provided for in Budget 2025, the NCSE has advised that 309 of these classes have already been sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 53 are in Dublin, 37 at primary and 16 at post primary level. Two of the five new special schools for the 2025/26 school year will open in Lucan and Belmayne also. These schools will open for enrolment shortly.

This will add to the 602 special classes currently in operation in the county. There are also 40 special schools in Dublin with approximately 2,600 students enrolled. Two of the five new special schools for the 2025/26 school year will open in Lucan and Belmayne also. These schools will open for enrolment shortly.

In Dublin 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.

The NCSE has advised that the local special educational needs organiser is working closely with the student’s family regarding options for school placements and other special education supports for the coming academic year.

My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.