Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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908. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps her Department will take to ensure that a child (details supplied) can access a suitable educational setting for the 2025/2026 academic year. [19571/25]

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) is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. I have forwarded this issue to them for their attention and direct reply.

Deputies are also welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie

Of the 400 new special classes places provided for in Budget 2025, 399 classes have already been sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these sixteen are in Waterford, eleven at primary and five at post primary level. This will add to the 70 special classes currently in operation in the county. There are also three special schools in Waterford with approximately 370 students enrolled.

In County Waterford and indeed nationwide, the NCSE continue to engage intensely with schools and school patron bodies to confirm what remaining provision is required. As the NCSE progress the sanctioning of the remaining special provision they will inform parents.

My department has requested the NCSE to work closely with schools and families to ensure that children can access these 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 soon as possible.