Ann Graves (Dublin Fingal East, Sinn Fein)
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719. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to address the lack of school places for children with additional needs in the Donabate area; the options that will be open to parents who do not get a school place in September; and if a series of queries (details supplied) will be addressed. [12127/25]

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).

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.

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.

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally for planning purposes. Local SENOs are available to assist and advise parents and can provide details on schools with available special educational places. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE website.

Looking forward my department and the NCSE have begun preparatory work in relation to planning for the provision of further new special class and special school places for the 2026/27 school year and beyond.

My Department’s Home Tuition Grant Schemes provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. By its nature, it is intended to be a short term intervention. The NCSE are working to ensure all children have a school placement rather than children of school going age having to access home tuition support.

The Home Tuition Grant Schemes are governed by annual circulars which sets out the purpose, eligibility criteria and details of the scheme. Circular 0050/2024 provides information in relation to the 2024/2025 Home Tuition Grant Scheme and can be accessed by clicking on the following link: www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=

Children aged 4 years and over with special educational needs can avail of home tuition if there is no available placement in a special school or a special class for the applying school year. This must be confirmed by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO). Unless indicated otherwise, home tuition can be granted for the full school year.

For children and students who qualify under the Home Tuition Grant Schemes, sanction is given to approve a grant towards the engagement of a tutor who will provide home tuition for the child/student in question. Home tutors are engaged by the parents/guardian of the child who is to receive tuition and the tutor has no contractual relationship with the Department of Education.

It is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian to source a tutor at the earliest possible opportunity to allow for applications for registration/vetting to be made by the tutor to the Teaching Council, if necessary. This Department does not keep lists of tutors available to carry out home tuition. It may be helpful for parents to contact local schools in the first instance. Alternatively, the Department is aware that many parents use education provider websites to advertise for tutors or indeed place advertisements in local newspapers or on shop/community notice boards. Additionally, to help parents source a suitable home tutor for this scheme in their local area, the Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) has created a Home Tuition Noticeboard for Parents. This noticeboard is available on www.educationposts.ie.

In relation to the child referred to by the Deputy, 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.

The NCSE have confirmed that the SENO will continue to support the parent secure a special class placement.

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme is under the remit of the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Questions in relation to the ECCE programme should be directed to that Department.

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