John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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200. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will deliver a special class for a school (details supplied) for September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28029/25]

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.

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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201. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question 385 of 1 April 2025, if she will respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if her department will consider providing additional special education classes in the area; if the National Council for Special Education has engaged with this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28069/25]

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.

Through the accelerated provision of additional special class and special school places over recent years, there are now just over 28,000 students enrolled in special classes and special schools. 2,700 new places are being created in 2025 and these, together with the over 1,200 existing places which will become available due to children and young people moving on from primary schools and post primary schools, will mean that there is close to 4,000 places available for the coming school year. The NCSE has engaged in a process with parents and schools to identify children requiring a place for the 2025/26 school year and the 3,900 places available should meet the need that exists.

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

My Department and the NCSE have worked closely with Cork ETB to provide over 60 additional special school places for the coming school year across Rochestown and East Cork Community Special Schools and the new special school in Carrignavar to meet the needs of children known to the NCSE.