Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (Wicklow-Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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495. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students in counties Wicklow and Wexford who have diagnosed special needs for both primary and secondary level, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16942/25]

Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (Wicklow-Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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500. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in counties Wicklow and Wexford that were approached by the National Council for Special Education to open a specialist class; the percentage of those schools declined; the reasons given for these refusals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16949/25]

Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (Wicklow-Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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501. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in counties Wicklow and Wexford that expressed an interest in opening a special education class in the past two years; the number of applications that were refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16950/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 495, 500 and 501 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. Parents are advised to contact the NCSE to inform them that they are seeking a special education placement, this is to allow the NCSE provide advice and support to the parent but also to ensure adequate planning regarding required provision in local areas. Therefore, the information and detail requested is held by the NCSE. 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 375 of these classes have already been sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 12 are in County Wexford and 12 are in County Wicklow.

This will add to the 119 and 120 special classes currently in operation in each respective county. There are also three special schools in each county.

Currently 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.

My department has requested the NCSE to work closely with schools and families to ensure that these children access places as quickly as possible. My department has also written to all schools opening new special classes asking them to commence their admission processes as quickly as possible.

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