Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

509. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a child (details supplied) is not permitted to enrol or attend their local school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39595/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. I have forwarded this issue to them for their attention and direct reply.

Deputies are also welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie.

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.