Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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412. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether she is aware that an ASD class sanctioned in a school (details supplied) is still not open. [37369/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.

Over 3,700 special classes will be operating across our schools for the coming school year, including just over 400 new special classes.

The NCSE have confirmed that the school referred to by the Deputy was not sanctioned a new special class for the coming school. While the NCSE had been in contact with the school during recent months, a new special class was not sanctioned at this time. The NCSE will continue to work with the school and consider sanctioning a new special class for the 2026/2027 school year or beyond.

A key element for the NCSE will be assessing what the level of need is locally in the area for the 2026/2027 school year.

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.