Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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263. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the case of a child (details supplied) who despite having all documentation required, including psychologist reports, HSE service statements, multidisciplinary assessments, as well as a NCSE eligibility letter, is unable to secure a place in an ASD classroom for September 2026 as there are none available in their area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50957/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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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 welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie.

The NCSE has advised that the local special educational needs organiser is working closely with the student’s family regarding options for school placements and other special education supports for the 2026/27 academic year.

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 website (ncse.ie/notify-ncse-special-class-special-school), 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.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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264. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review a request made by a school (details supplied) to have an additional SNA approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50958/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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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.

My department has been steadily building on the number of special needs assistants (SNAs) in our education system. By the end of this year there will be over 23,000 SNAs in our mainstream classes, special classes and special schools, committed to supporting and nurturing children with special educational needs, enabling them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.

SNA posts are allocated to schools as a school-based resource. Principals/board of managements deploy SNAs within schools to meet the care support requirements of the children enrolled whom SNA support has been allocated.?This provides schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.

Schools can apply for a SNA review from the 15th September to October 24th via the NCSE school portal. This is to support the earlier announcement of allocations for the 2026/27 school year to align with the release of the annual staffing schedule, this was requested by schools to allow them to plan better. In addition, it also supports our SNA workforce and the implementation of the SNA redeployment scheme.

Where an emerging requirement for further SNA support arises outside this time the school can contact their NCSE special education needs organiser (SENO) as in previous years, to discuss the need for a SNA review.

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.