Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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596. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 848 to 850, inclusive, of 29 April 2025, the number of SNAs are based in mainstream schools; the number who provide supports that are not deemed as primary care needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24007/25]

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 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

Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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597. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 848, 849 and 850 of 29 April 2025, if there is an actual appeals process for SNA allocations separate to the review which is to determine if the correct process is followed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24008/25]

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 has developed an appeal mechanism for schools that are not satisfied with the outcome of their special needs assistant (SNA) review. When processing appeals, the NCSE ensure that the appeal is dealt with by an official (appeals officer) who was not involved in the SNA review decision. The appeals officer is tasked with reviewing the information on which the SNA review decision was made. When the appeal is complete, the outcome is communicated to the school by email or letter.

Where a school is not satisfied with the outcome of the appeal on the basis that the process was not followed, it can refer the matter to the Appeals Advisory Committee (AAC) which comprises an independent chairperson, a representative of school management bodies and a parent representative. The decision of the AAC is final. Further information on these processes is available on the NCSE website.

The Deputy is welcome to raise any queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at .

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.

Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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598. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 852 of 29 April 2025, what constitute a "demand in the area" for special classes; the way in which this is assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24009/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Enabling children with special educational needs to receive a befitting education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me, 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.

My department works closely with the NCSE on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. The information held on the department's Geographical Information System (GIS), particularly in relation to student demographics, is a key component when forecasting the need for additional special class and special school places. My department and the NCSE have undertaken analysis of the trends in special class and special school provision over recent years by county and local school planning area. In total there are 314 local school planning areas.

My department and the NCSE identify the need for special educational provision with consideration to this demographic and statistical data and in regard to an areas existing school provision and future capability. In addition, part of the forward planning process as to where new classes, schools or expansion is required looks at how far students are travelling to access an education appropriate to their needs. This is an important factor which has been incorporated into the decision-making process. Consideration is also given to the information NCSE hold at local level on the number of children seeking a special school place in a region.

Under circular letter 0080/2024 published by my Department in October 2024, parents were required to notify the NCSE by 1 February 2025 where a child required a special class or special school place. This new process, coupled with the significant increase in NCSE staff to work with parents and schools, is ensuring that the NCSE at local level, in each local school planning area, should have a better lens on the level of need for special education placements. The NCSE also conducted over 1,700 school planning visits in the early months of this school year which provided key information on the level of needs in individual schools.

Looking forward my department and the NCSE have begun preparatory work in relation to planning for the provision of further new special class and special school places for the 2026/27 school year and beyond. Critical to this planning is the need for families to contact the NCSE and inform them that they are looking for a school place. The contact details of all local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) is available on the NCSE's website.

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.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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599. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills why a special class for a school (details supplied) was denied. [24081/25]

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 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 .