Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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388. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to concerns raised by some school principals regarding proposed changes to the allocation of special schools (details supplied); the actions she will take to ensure that these students are not negatively impacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31877/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an appropriate 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 class and special school places are provided. This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which promotes that children will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.

It is important to state that if is not the intention to exclude children who require a special school place from accessing certain special school settings, But instead to work to ensure children with complex educational needs can apply to their local special school. There are situations currently arising where children with additional needs travel passed special schools in their locality to attend a special school further away. This is not fair on the children or their families.

As more special classes are provided, particularly at post-primary level, this provides more options for children with complex special educational needs to attend local schools. It is essential that special schools work to support children with the most complex needs and that children are not required to pass one or more special school to access a special school place, because of the narrow designation of some special schools. It is essential that we work to ensure more children requiring a special school place can access their nearest special school.

This is not a new Departure. Many special schools originally established under a particular designation of student need have and continue to diversify. These schools now respond to a broader range of students’ needs from within their respective catchment areas. This is in keeping with my departments policy on an inclusive education and facilitates students with more complex needs to be educated in their local special school. My department will continue to support special schools in this endeavour.