Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

304. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 984 of 29 April 2025, to outline to the nearest reasonable estimated month, the projected opening date for the new special school at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27227/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.?

As you are aware five new special schools will be established for the next school year, two in County Dublin and one each in counties Cork, Monaghan and Tipperary. This will bring to 129 the number of NCSE supported special schools in the country. Capacity is also being expanded in a number of other special schools across the country, particularly in Cork and Dublin.

The new special school in Lucan will be located in the former East Educate Together National School building and will operate under the patronage of Dublin Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB). Dedicated working groups are progressing the established of each school.

The repurposing of existing buildings, in the first instance, to facilitate the opening of the new special schools allows the schools to open as quickly as possible. While I cannot confirm a date as to when these new special schools will open, it is expected that they will all be operational for September 2025. The admissions notice and policy for the new special school will be published this week.

I want to assure you that my department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.