Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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421. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the availability of school places for children with special educational needs in east Galway; if her Department is aware of the current shortfall in both mainstream schools with special classes and dedicated special schools in the region; and the measures being taken to ensure that every child in east Galway can access an appropriate school place for the 2025-2026 academic year. [32184/25]

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

The National Council for Special Education has sanctioned 399 of the 400 new special classes for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 13 are in County Galway, 9 at primary and 4 at post primary level. This will add to the 169 special classes currently in operation in the county. There are also 7 special schools in Galway with approximately 350 students enrolled.

The NCSE is confident that this new provision when added to the existing provision will meet the known demand for the 2025/26 school year. I implore any parent who has not contacted the NCSE and is seeking a special educational placement to contact the NCSE 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 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.

My department and the NCSE have begun preparatory work in relation to planning for the provision of further new special class and special school places for the 2026/27 school year and?are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.