James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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496. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an additional special classroom for a school (details supplied); if a timeline could be confirmed on when this approval will be given; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39398/25]

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.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) 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.

The NCSE acknowledge that circumstances may change, and these schools not sanctioned this year, such as the school referred to by the Deputy will remain as a potential option for future classes. Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise the parents of children seeking a special educational placement. They can advise where vacancies remain in their locality. Local SENOs can be contacted using the details available on the NCSE's website.

My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.