Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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233. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an ASD class at primary school level will be provided in Gort, County Galway and surrounding areas given the lack of any such classes at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21865/25]

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.

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 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. However, special classes have also been sanctioned by the NCSE in smaller schools, particularly in rural areas.

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 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 thirteen are in Galway, nine at primary and four at post primary level. This will add to the 169 special classes currently in operation in the county. In Gort, there are four special classes operating, one at primary level and three at post-primary level.

Where new special classes have been sanctioned, I would urge schools to progress the admission of students as soon as possible to ensure that the NCSE can continue to evaluate demand in local areas, sanction classes as required and assist parents in securing a school place.

My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs. The NCSE will continue to monitor the need for another special class in the area going forward.