Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

315. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number primary and secondary schools in Tallaght that have expressed an interest in opening a specialist class in the 2024/2025 academic year; the number of these applications that were accepted and refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13105/25]

Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

316. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in Tallaght that were approached by the National Council for Special Education to open a specialist class; the percentage of those schools that declined; and if her Department can provide insight into the reasons given for these refusals. [13106/25]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 316 together.

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, in line with their statutory function, approach schools in relation to opening new special classes directly and the level of information and detail requested is held by them in order to perform this function. I will therefore share your request with the NCSE for a direct reply.

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.

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

Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

317. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for a special educational needs extension, including the stage it is currently at; and the expected timeline for approval and funding. [13112/25]

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

The school to which the Deputy refers was approved funding under my Department's Additional School Accommodation scheme for the provision of 12 General classrooms, 1 Technology room & Prep area, 2 Home Economics rooms, 1 Art craft room, 1 Science lab & prep area and 1 staff room. This project was devolved to the school authorities for delivery and is currently at construction.

More recently the school in question was approved for reconfiguration works of an existing outdoor changing room to provide SEN provision.

My department has requested the school to provide costings for this additional scope of works. Upon receipt of this information, it will be reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the public Infrastructure Guidelines.

On completion of this review process, my Department officials will communicate with the school authority regarding the next steps to advance this significant project.