Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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212. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether Uisce Éireann has granted sanction for a proposed special school (details supplied). [18101/25]

Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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213. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether wastewater treatment will need to be upgraded for the opening of a proposed special school (details supplied). [18102/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the new special school will be based at the former primary school building in Carrignavar. 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 matters referred to by the Deputy will be considered as part of this process.

Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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214. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of places to be open in a proposed school (details supplied). [18103/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Enabling children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.

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.

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 53 are in County Cork, 35 at primary and 18 at post primary level. This school will initially enrol 24 students and enrolment will open shortly.

This will add to the 563 special classes currently in operation in the county. There are also 16 special schools in Cork with approximately 1,060 students enrolled. One of the five new special schools for next September will also be located North of the Cork City area. This school will open for enrolment shortly. This school will initially enrol 24 students. The site of the school is Carrignavar, but due to building works the school will be temporarily located in available school accommodation in Fermoy.

We are also working with school patron bodies, particularly Cork ETB, to expand capacity at other special schools, particularly two that opened in recent years – Rochestown Community Special School and East Cork Community Special School.

The additional special class provision and special school provision should ensure that all students known to the NCSE have a special education placement for the coming school year. My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.