Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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955. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a special class for children with autism and other conditions (details supplied) will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46482/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an appropriate education is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

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. This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which promotes that children will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.

In order to ensure new special classes can open as quickly as possible the NCSE prioritise working with medium and larger primary schools who do not already have a special class and have available accommodation to accommodate new special class. This approach maximises the use of existing space which can be reconfigured efficiently while also ensuring that new provision continues to be established. It also increases number of schools with special classes providing parents with greater choice and reducing the distances that some children are travelling to access a special class place.

The NCSE has confirmed that it is engaging with the school referred to by the Deputy to examine if a special class can be accommodated in the school for the 2026/27 school year. The NCSE has also confirmed that they are aware of the student referred to by the Deputy and are working with the family to secure a special class placement for the 2026/27 school year.

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally for planning purposes. For the 2026/27 school year parents should do so by the 1 October 2025. Parents can make initial contact, submit reports and provide consent forms directly via the NCSE’s emailing parentsnotify@ncse.ie or calling 01 603 3346.

My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.