Written answers

Wednesday, 11 June 2025

Department of Education and Skills

Schools Building Projects

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to issue a letter to approval as a matter of urgency to a school (details supplied). [30889/25]

Photo of Michael MoynihanMichael 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: .

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.

When assessing the needs in the local area, the NCSE identify schools in the neighbouring vicinity with available special class vacancies or capacity and assess their capability with consideration to demographical and statistical data.

The NCSE acknowledge that circumstances may change, and these schools will remain as potential options for future classes. Local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs.

Schools not sanctioned this year, such as the school referred to by the Deputy will remain as a potential option for future classes. Local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs.

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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122. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will urgently issue a letter of approval to a school (details supplied) for the provision of SET classrooms. [30897/25]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The School to which the Deputy refers was approved funding under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation Scheme for a project providing two special education tuition rooms. The project is devolved for delivery to the school authority.

The Stage 2b (developed design) report was received by my Department and is currently under review from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, are subjected to the required due diligence as specified in the Department's infrastructure guidelines.

Upon completion of this review process my Department officials will communicate with the school authority regarding the next steps to advance this significant project.

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