Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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476. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to examine and respond to points raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48029/25]

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 National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised.

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

The NCSE have confirmed that the National School referred to by the Deputy has applied for an SNA Review through the interim guidelines. These guidelines had a closing date of 31st August and the outcomes are due to issue to schools shortly.

In order to support the NCSE and forward planning my department published Circular 0039/2025. This circular informs school management and patrons of measures introduced to support forward planning going forward and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child. An earlier date of 1 October has been set in which parents must do so. This notification will provide the NCSE with valuable information as to which children will continue to require a special class as they progress to post-primary level and details on students who require a place for the first time. The NCSE is actively communicating this requirement nationally also.

The earlier date will allow for earlier sanctioning of classes for the 2026/27 school year, and it is the aim of the NCSE to sanction the majority of new special classes by 31 December 2025.

Parents can make initial contact, submit reports and provide consent forms directly via the NCSE’s ncse.ie/notify-ncse-special-class-special-school or emailing parentsnotify@ncse.ie or calling 01 603 3346.

The NCSE have confirmed that following the parents notify process, if there is a shortfall of places in Cavan town, this national school will be considered, in line with Department of Education criteria, for opening a Special Class.

In relation to the accommodation issues raised by the school, I will examine the matter further with my Department officials and reach out to the school directly on this.

My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.