Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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228. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new special schools and special classes that have been sanctioned in Dublin bay north for the 2025-2026 school year; if all of these will be open and operational by September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16467/25]

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.

Of the 400 new special classes places provided for in Budget 2025, the NCSE has advised that 352 of these classes have already been sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 66 are in Dublin, 48 at primary and 18 at post primary level.

This will add to the 602 special classes already sanctioned in Dublin, 455 in primary and 147 at post-primary level.

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.

A complete list of special classes; broken by location and class designation is available on the NCSE website. The attached list provides details of the new classes sanctioned in Dublin to date.

Some schools sanctioned for a new special class will require building works or modular accommodation in order to open the class. These schools are being supported by my department to ensure these classes can open as quickly as possible.

In County 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 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.