Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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1079. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children with additional needs who are on short school days this year, and for the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41726/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Education’s policy in respect of supporting children and young people with additional needs is very clear. Based on a child-centred approach to the provision of education, the role is to ensure that all children with additional needs are supported to access an education appropriate to their needs The underpinning principle is that the child with the greatest level of need should receive the greatest level of support in the school.

The Reduced School Days (RSD) are part of a set of arrangements, to ensure children who might otherwise not be able to attend school at all, to continue to have close links with their school and build up their attendance to greater levels in line with the child's ability to manage these arrangements. The RSD is a transitionary arrangement which should only be put in place in exceptional circumstances, and for very limited and time-bound circumstances. It is designed to assist the student to attend for the full school day along with his/her peers and it can be of particular benefit to children with special educational needs. The use of reduced school days can be a positive intervention with a view to assisting a student to return to full time attendance, for example, supporting a student to return to school after a period of absence, or due to a medical or mental health- related condition, or due to other exceptional circumstances, and it is based on the needs of the individual student. NCSE SENOs work collaboratively with TUSLA Educational Welfare Officers at a local level where appropriate to ensure all necessary supports are available to students with special educational needs who are out of school.

The department is committed to supporting all children with special education needs to reach their potential, using all the resources at our disposal to include full attendance as appropriate. This year, the Department of Education will spend in excess of €2.9 billion, or almost 29% of the Department’s budget supporting children with special educational needs. This is the highest ever provision of funding by the State for special education. By the end of this year there will be almost 44,000 special education teachers (SET) and special needs assistants (SNAs) working in our schools who are specifically dedicated to supporting students with special educational needs.

2025 will see an additional 768 teachers and a further 1,600 special needs assistants in our schools and an additional 400 special classes will take the total number of special classes to over 3,700. Additional funding for the National Council for Special Education will enable it to provide additional support to students with special educational needs and their families. Investment of €13 million has enabled the recruitment of an additional 121 frontline and administrative posts to support families.

NCSE SENOs work collaboratively with TUSLA Educational Welfare Officers at a local level where appropriate to ensure all necessary supports are available to students with special educational needs who are out of school.

The figures for reduced school days as requested by the Deputy are available since January 2022 and are published on gov.ie - The Use of Reduced School days. An extract containing a summary of this information is attached. The report on the use of the Reduced School Day for the 2024/25 school year is expected to be published in the autumn.

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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1080. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update, including a timeline, for the new ASD classes for a school (details supplied). [41727/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm to the Deputy, that my department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question.

Initial approval has been given to the school authorities for 2 Special education classrooms in modular accommodation and this offer has been accepted by the school.

The school is currently undergoing site surveys, which will determine if the school's preferred location is a viable option for the accommodation. When this has been confirmed a Project Manager will be appointed for the delivery of the modular accommodation.

I can confirm that my department's aim is to progress this project to delivery as soon as possible.