Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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79. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an additional class (details supplied) in time for the September 2025 intake. [24674/25]

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.

At a local level and indeed nationwide the NCSE examined which schools had capacity to expand and focused 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. All post primary schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, are on notice from my Department since 2022 that they need to plan to provide on average 4 special classes each. These considerations will continue to factor in planning for the 2026/27 school year also. This will ensure that classes can open quickly as existing accommodation can be reconfigured in a more streamlined and efficient manner.

It also ensures that new provision is established in as many schools as possible. This not only provides parents more options when deciding which schools to apply to but ensures that provision continues to grow in a diverse number of schools across regions.

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, the department will continue to provide additional classroom accommodation to provide necessary places.

Schools not sanctioned this year, such as the school referred to by the Deputy will remain as a potential option for future classes. Local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs.

My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.

Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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80. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 384 of 25 February 2025, if the application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24523/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Assistive Technology Scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes.

All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment. It must be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs. Where necessary, schools may also purchase new or additional equipment or software for students from normal school resources or funds.

Based on the professional information provided to the SENO and in line with criteria set out in Circular 10/2013, the SENO was not in a position to recommend an assistive technology grant for the school concerned on behalf of the student. This decision issued to the school on the 9th of May 2025.

It is open to the school to appeal this decision. The appeals process is outlined on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/237c68-assistive-technology-grant/.

Separately, where an appeal has been unsuccessful, but new information becomes available, the school may submit a new application to the SENO for consideration.

Parents may also contact SENOs directly to discuss their child’s special educational needs, using the contact details available at: