Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the Dublin 15 Special Education Taskforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17231/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware a taskforce to support the forward planning of special education provision in the Dublin 15 area was established in October last year.

The area has seen significant demographic growth in recent times. It covers 5 local school planning areas in which there are 47 schools - 32 mainstream primary schools, 13 post primary and 2 special schools. There are 11 different patrons of these schools.

As a result, the taskforce offers to provide in depth insights of the different admission process, procedures, and the challenges and barriers faced by parents when seeking a special educational placement.

Its remit is to;

1. Examine and recommend best approaches to ensure better information sharing on the level of need for special education placements.
2. Examine the challenges relating to special education provision, including requirements for classroom reconfiguration, provision of modular accommodation and teaching/SNA resources.
3. Formulate recommendations to improve the effectiveness of forward planning and ensure delivery of sufficient additional special education capacity as early as possible.
4. Progress the introduction of standard admission timelines across schools, and the development of a Combined Application System which would allow parents to make one application to a number of schools.
5. Discuss wider special education policy matters of relevance to the taskforce, with a particular focus on the provision of special educational placements in a timely manner.

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 Deputy will also be pleased, I am sure, to be aware that the NCSE has sanctioned 11 additional special classes in the area for the new school year, with more expected to be announced in the coming days. Capacity is also being expanded in Danu Community Special School and a new special school is being established close by in Lucan.

The taskforce is also working on a report with recommendations to be presented to both myself and Minister Moynihan in quarter two this year.