Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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95. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the breakdown of the number of special education classes currently available at second level schools in Dublin Bay north; the projections for the number of special classes expected to be required in the area for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 school years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34851/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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As you are aware 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.

Budget 2025 secured funding for up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools, and an additional 300 special school places for the 2025/26 school year. This will deliver 2,700 new places for children. It is expected that this level of new provision will continue to be required over the coming years.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has advised that there are 18 special classes at post-primary level in Dublin Bay North. The vast majority of these classes are autism classes and have a teacher/student ration of 1:6.

Demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes. My department has over recent years continuously communicated to all post-primary schools of the need to provide for up to four special classes to meet the needs of children progressing from primary school.

My department and the NCSE continue to engage with schools and school management bodies in relation to the provision of future special classes and are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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96. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the planned special school in the existing section of a school (details supplied); the expected opening date; the number of classrooms to be provided and the projected student capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34852/25]

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 school in Belmayne will be located in Belmayne Educate Together Secondary School Campus and will operate under the patronage of Dublin Education and Training Board (DETB). The school will initially enrol 30 students and will grow and expand over time. The school's admission process for the 2025/26 school year will conclude shortly and parents will be notified if their children have been offered a place in the coming weeks. Recruitment of staff is also currently underway for the upcoming school year.

My department and the NCSE are engaging with schools and school management bodies in relation to the provision of future provision and are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.