Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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483. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the circumstances surrounding the decision not to approve the application made by a school (details supplied) for the opening of a special class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25824/25]

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.

A particular focus this year was placed on medium and larger primary schools with available accommodation and no existing special class, to open a new special class. This not only ensures that classes can open quickly, as existing accommodation can be reconfigured in a more streamlined and efficient manner, but also that new provision is established in as many schools as possible. This provides parents more options when deciding which schools to apply to and ensures that provision continues to grow in a diverse number of schools across regions. This should also help in reducing the distances that some children are travelling to access a special class place.

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 this focus will remain to the fore during planning. Schools not sanctioned for a new special class this year will also remain as an option for future years as required by demand.

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