Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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163. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the roll-out of additional supports for students with additional needs ahead of the 2025 academic year; for a further update on the provision of special education teachers and SNAs across primary and post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30702/25]

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.

Allocations of special education teaching (SET) posts for the next school year were advised to all schools in early Feb 2025 to allow them to plan for the upcoming new school year.

The NCSE have advised my department that all schools were informed last week (6th June 2025) of any change to their SNA allocations for the 2025/26 school year.

By the end of the year there will be over 20,800 special educational teachers and over 23,000 special needs assistants (SNAs) in our mainstream classes, special classes and special schools. This will mean we will have over 44,000 teachers and SNAs working in our education system committed to supporting and nurturing children with special educational needs, enabling them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.

My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.

Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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164. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of additional special classes that will be opened in County Monaghan in 2025. [31316/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.

Of the 400 new special classes places provided for in Budget 2025, 399 of these classes have already been sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 6 are in County Monaghan, 4 at primary and 2 at post primary level.

This will add to the 54 special classes currently in operation in the county. One of the five new special schools for the 2025/26 school year will open in Castleblaney. A former Education and Training Board (ETB) school property will be re-purposed to facilitate the opening of the new special school.

My department has requested the NCSE to work closely with schools and families to ensure that children can access these places as quickly as possible. My department has also written to all schools opening new special classes asking them to commence their admission processes as soon as possible.

Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise parents and can provide details on schools with available special educational places. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE website.

My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.