Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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498. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to list the special classes that were in place for 2024 to 2025 but that will be suppressed for 2025 to 2026 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39437/25]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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499. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to list the special classes that were sanctioned for 2025 to 2026 but which now have been withdrawn by the National Council for Special Education and her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39438/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 498 and 499 together.

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 class and special school places are provided.

During the planning process a number of schools may be approached to consider opening a special class in their locality. It is preferred that schools with existing accommodation and no existing special class are given preference in this regard. This allows schools to open classes more quickly and also ensures that more schools provide specialist provision providing more diverse options for parents in their local areas. In order to ensure resources are utilised to the maximum, additional classes are only sanctioned where there is known demand and where existing classes have been fully utilised. This ensures resources are allocated to classes where they required, when they are required.

The school referred to by the Deputy has an existing special class and had worked with the NCSE collaboratively to open a second special class if required for the coming 2025/26 school year. Recent engagement by the NCSE with the school confirms that the first special class has remaining capacity and there is insufficient local need to open the second special class at this time.

Looking forward 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 beyond. The school's willingness to open a second class is to be commended and will be considered further for the 2026/27 school year.

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.