Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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210. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she intends on expanding the Dublin 15 autism class application trial across Ireland to introduce a centralised application system for autism classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16918/25]

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. 2,700 new places are being created and these together with the over 1,200 existing places available for enrolment will mean there is close to 4,000 places available for the coming school year. This significant level of provision means that the department and NCSE have created sufficient capacity for the children whose parents and schools have identified as requiring a place.

As you are aware a new taskforce to support the forward planning of special education provision in the Dublin 15 area has been established. The Dublin 15 area has experienced significant increases in population growth in recent years, with high levels of migration into the area and includes areas with social disadvantage. The taskforce will also consider the development of a common application system for admission to primary special classes.

The voice of parents will be a key component of the taskforce. Parent representation on the taskforce includes representatives from the Autism School Dublin 15 (ASD15) group, the National Parents Council and parents from the local area.

The taskforce has met seven times, their next meeting is scheduled for 28 April where it will continue to advance its programme of work. The taskforce is also working on a report with recommendations that they will present to myself and Minister McEntee in quarter two this year.

My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.