John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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178. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to approving the establishment of a special class in a school (details supplied) for the 2026-27 academic year, in view of the fact the school has identified an available classroom to accommodate such a class, that the school is centrally located, and that there is strong local demand from families for the provision of such a class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53171/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Enabling children with additional 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 NCSE is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. I will arrange for your query to be forwarded to the NCSE 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.

The NCSE will have a clear picture of the local demand for special class places for the 2026/2027 school year after they review and assess all of the information which has been provided through the parents notification process which closed on 1 October last week.

Once the NCSE has fully collated and assessed this information, the NCSE will be in a position to engage with schools across the country to open new special classes. The NCSE will also have due regard to any vacant places in existing special classes in an area and any places that will be become available through the normal movement of children leaving primary or post-primary school.

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.