Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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132. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will support the development of a pilot project in a small number of DEIS primary schools in order to gather empirical and scientific evidence, in data form, of the benefit of reading rooms in primary schools in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17156/25]

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.

At present, there are fourteen reading classes and four special schools to support students with severe dyslexia and I want to acknowledge the excellent work they do. It is important to note they were established at a time when there were much fewer additional supports in schools.

In working to develop a more inclusive education system, we want to support students to attend their local mainstream schools. This means that children can be educated with their peers and are not required to travel long distances to attend special schools or classes.

15,000 special education teachers have been provided to enable schools to achieve this. In practical terms this means schools get a substantial additional teaching allocation to support children with special education needs who are in mainstream classes.

The additional resources are intended to support students with the greatest level of need, including those with dyslexia or severe dyslexia.

Of course, I recognise the importance of building the capacity of teachers in mainstream schools to meet the needs of all students. To support this, 338 places are funded each year to teachers to attend post-graduate special education needs programmes. The NCSE offers dedicated professional learning opportunities for teachers supporting students with additional needs. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) also provides professional learning opportunities that are available to all primary and post primary school teachers on supporting children and young people with literacy difficulties, including dyslexia.

Funding is also made available to schools for the purchase of specialised equipment to assist children. Schools can apply to the NCSE, through their local special educational needs organiser (SENO) for such support.

The need for any additional provision or resources for schools to support students with dyslexia is kept under constant review by the NCSE.

Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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133. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the use of spare classroom accommodation at a school (details supplied) for the establishment of an interim special school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17206/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the new special school will be based at the former primary school building in Carignavar. The scope of repurposing works to facilitate the establishment of the new special school is currently being worked through by Project Managers and their Design Team. A contractor framework is in place to facilitate commencement of works when the scope of works and design process has been completed. The target is to have these works completed as early as possible in the 2025/26 school year.

In the interim, it is envisaged the new special school will open in September 2025 using spare classroom accommodation at Gaelscoil De Híde in Fermoy and my Department is liaising with the school management in this regard. This is a Department owned school building built in 2017 and has good modern facilities. Transport arrangements will be put in place to facilitate the opening of the new school in its interim location in Fermoy.