Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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518. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the D15 pilot scheme for common enrolment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29141/25]

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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519. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the schools engaged in the D15 pilot scheme for common enrolment, in tabular form. [29142/25]

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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520. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to extend the D15 pilot scheme for common enrolment to other areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29143/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 518, 519 and 520 together.

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 taskforce to support the forward planning of special education provision in the Dublin 15 area was established last October. The Dublin 15 area has experienced significant increases in population growth in recent years, with high levels of migration into the area there is significant demand for special educational provision in the locality.

The taskforce is currently working on a report with recommendations to be presented to both myself and Minister McEntee within the coming weeks.

The NCSE is leading work at local level with school principals on running the admissions trial for another year. The key focus of my department has been working with the NCSE and school patron bodies to secure additional special classes. This has involved extensive engagement over recent weeks and months.

The Common Application System Trial conducted for special classes in Dublin 15 forms part of a larger single application system and the lessons learned will contribute to the development of a larger system nationwide. My Department is working to pilot a Single Application System for admission to first year and to special classes at post-primary schools in certain areas as a step towards a nationwide common application system as included in the Programme for Government.

The thirteen schools involved in trialling the common application system in Dublin 15 this year are outlined in table below;