Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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372. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 576 of 22 January 25, for a further update in relation to the new special school announced for Lucan; to confirm the location; the number of student places; the number of teachers required; the number of SNAs required; an update on hiring, if commenced; when applications for enrolment will open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15081/25]

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.

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.

There are 40 special schools in County Dublin educating children and young people with the greatest of needs. Two of the five new special schools for the 2025/26 school year will open in Lucan and Belmayne also. Dedicated working groups have been established by my department to work through the details in relation to the establishment of the new special schools including their exact locations.

The schools are presently advertising for their principal posts. This role is critical to the special schools advancing their enrolment policies and procedures as agreed with the school patron, which in each case is the local Education and Training Board (ETB).

Special schools publish their admission notice which sets out the number of places available for each enrolment intake. It is a matter for each school to set their own selection criteria in the event that there are more applicants than places available. These details are set out clearly for parents in the published admission notice and admissions policy. My department understands that these new special schools will initially admit 30 students and the admissions process will commence in the coming weeks.

Special schools generally operate on the basis of one teacher and at least two special needs assistants (SNAs) per class grouping of six children. Further supports can be provided if required to meet the needs of the children enrolling in the school.

My department and the local ETBs will continue to review and assess the accommodation options available to allow the new special schools grow and expand over the next few years.

Parents and families looking to apply for admission to the new special school will be supported and guided by the NCSE at local level and kept updated on developments. The local ETB and NCSE have held information events with interested parents of children who may require a special school place.

I want to assure you that my department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.