Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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689. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider establishing a special school or pre-school unit for children with additional needs in a school building which is no longer in use (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11832/25]

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.

Almost 1,700 classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE in the last five years, eleven new special schools have 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 over 3,300. Five new special schools are also being established and capacity is being expanded in other special schools.

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 10 are in County Wexford, 8 at primary and 2 at post primary level.

This will add to the 119 special classes currently in operation in the county. There are also 3 special schools in Wexford with approximately 307 students enrolled. One of these special schools just opened in September 2024 in Gorey and is expanding its numbers further for the coming school year.

In County Wexford 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.

In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, the property in question is not in the ownership of the Minister for Education. Nonetheless, the Department will consider whether there are any educational requirements for the use of the property and engage with the patron if appropriate.

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.

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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690. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when enrolment will be open for applicants for the new special school in Griffeen Avenue, Lucan; the process and criteria for new applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11836/25]

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

My department works closely with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. Building on successive budgets, Budget 2025 secured funding for up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools, and an additional 300 special school places for the 2025/26 school year. This will deliver 2,700 new places for children.

As you are aware five new special schools will be established for the next school year, two in County Dublin and one each in counties Cork, Monaghan and Tipperary.

Dedicated working groups have been established by my department to work through the details in relation to the establishment of the new special schools.

It is envisaged that existing buildings will be repurposed, in the first instance, to facilitate the opening of the new special schools for the 2025/26 school year. This will allow the schools to open as quickly as possible.

The exact initial capacity of each special school will be considered further and confirmed shortly. Special schools generally operate on the basis of 1 teacher and at least 2 SNAs per class grouping of 6 children. Further supports can be provided if required to meet the needs of the children enrolling in the school.

The new special school for Lucan will be managed by Dublin and Dun Laoghaire ETB. The ETB will shortly be advertising for a principal for the new special school. It is anticipated that the ETB will also move to finalising and publishing an admissions policy and admissions notice for the new school in the coming weeks also.

Parents and families looking to apply for admission to the new special school will be supported and guided by the NCSE at a local level and kept updated on developments.

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.

Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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691. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to consider establishing a special school, or pre-school unit for children with additional needs in a building no longer in use by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11876/25]

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.

Almost 1,700 classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE in the last five years, eleven new special schools have 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 over 3,300. Five new special schools are also being established and capacity is being expanded in other special schools.

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 10 are in County Wexford, 8 at primary and 2 at post primary level.

This will add to the 119 special classes currently in operation in the county. There are also 3 special schools in Wexford with approximately 307 students enrolled. In County Wexford 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.

In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, the property in question is not in the ownership of the Minister for Education. Nonetheless, the Department will consider whether there are any educational requirements for the use of the property and engage with the patron if appropriate.

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.