Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

347. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of ASD classes approved in 2025 at both primary and secondary level in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13440/25]

Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

348. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to provide further ASD classes in County Laois this year at both primary and secondary level in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13441/25]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 and 348 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.

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 336 of these classes have already been sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 9 are in County Laois, 7 at primary level and 2 are at post-primary level. This will add to the over 3,330 special classes currently in operation in the country. This will brings the total number of special classes in the county to 87, 63 at primary and 24 at post-primary level. The vast majority of these classes are autism classes.

The table at the link below provides a breakdown of all special classes in County Laois.

The NCSE continue to engage intensely with schools and school patron bodies in County Laois and indeed nationwide to confirm the location of the remaining classes. As the NCSE progress the sanctioning of these 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 SENO's directly using the contact details available on the NCSE website.

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

">Special Classes Laois