Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline plans in relation to opening five new special schools for the 2025-26 school year; if these additional school places will be created through the redesignation of existing schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30866/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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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.

The new special schools will operate under the patronage of their local Education and Training Board (ETB). Dedicated working groups are progressing the established of each school.

It is envisaged that existing buildings will be repurposed, in the first instance, to facilitate the opening of the new special schools for the 2025/26 school year. This will allow the schools to open as quickly as possible.

These new special schools being established will generally support children with autism and complex educational needs.

Special schools generally operate on the basis of one teacher and at least two SNAs per class grouping of six students. Further supports can be provided if required to meet the needs of the children enrolling in the school.

Parents and families looking to apply for admission to the new special school will be supported and guided by the NCSE at local level and kept updated on developments.

These schools will initially enrol the number of students as outlined in the table below, however, will expand as the schools become more established in their communities.

1 special school has completed its admissions process, a second has made offers of admission, 2 have recently opened for admissions and the final special school is publishing an Admissions Notice and Admissions Policy this week.

A number of other special school places have been made available by expanding capacity in existing special schools. My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.