David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

994. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that an autism class previously sanctioned at a school (details supplied) will be permitted and resourced to open in September this year; if she realises that the NCSE and her Department are holding up the opening of a much-needed autism class at a school which is willing, which is supported in this by its patron, which has the space, and which previously had sanction as a result of delays on her Department’s end in approving an emergency works application, which was not addressed until January 2025 despite the application being submitted in May 2023; if she will ensure that the original sanction is upheld and that the class is allowed to open without further obstruction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20586/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

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 actively encourage expressions of interest from schools to open special classes, and I appreciate and commend the efforts taken by boards of management in expressing their interest. However, it is not always possible to open a special class in every school that expresses an interest.

When assessing the needs in the local area, the NCSE identify schools in the neighbouring vicinity with available special class vacancies or capacity and assess their capability with consideration to demographical and statistical data.

A particular focus has been placed on medium and larger primary schools (at least 8 teachers) with available accommodation and no existing special class to open a new special class for the 2025/26 school year. This ensures that classes can open quickly as existing accommodation can be reconfigured in a more streamlined and efficient manner. This focus will remain when planning for new provision for the 2026/27 school year. It is important that these medium to larger schools with no special classes do open new special classes. This should also assist in reducing the need for children to undertaken significant travel to access a special class place.

However, as in other years where schools have no available accommodation, particularly at post-primary level and there is known demand in a local area, my department will continue to provide additional classroom accommodation to provide necessary places.

Schools who have expressed an interest in opening a special class for the 2025/26 school year but have not received sanction will remain as potential options for future special classes.

Of the 400 new special classes places provided for in Budget 2025, the NCSE has advised that 399 of these classes have already been sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 16 are in County Waterford, 11 at primary and 5 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 274 students enrolled.

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.