Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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424. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an application for an additional special education resource will be approved for a school (details supplied). [32234/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Council For Special Education 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.

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.

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.