Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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509. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the level of communication between her Department and the NCSE; if the NCSE reports to her Department on the demand for mild learning classes in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26051/25]

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.

It is important to note that 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 demographical 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 education placement in a region. In this regard it is important that parents contact the NCSE when seeking a specialist placement.

In October 2024, my Department issued a new circular letter introducing a range of new measures to support the forward planning of special education provision. One of the measures included a new process where parents were requested to notify the NCSE where a child had a requirement for a special class or special school place. This measure has been significant, in additional to the significant additional posts recruited by the NCSE, to ensure that the NCSE have a greater lens on the overall level of need for special class and special school places.

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. Parents may contact special educational needs organisers (SENOs) directly using the contact details available on the NCSE website.

Where demand is established and there are no classes to accommodate this demand the NCSE will sanction the classes and my department will provide the necessary supports needed to ensure the class can open.

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

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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510. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a record of demand for mild learning classes in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26052/25]

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 oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie.