Eoin Hayes (Dublin Bay South, Social Democrats)
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180. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her policy on the provision of places for children with autism in fee-paying schools, whose teacher salaries are paid by the taxpayer; the way in which such schools are or should be encouraged to provide such places; the other provisos in providing special school places in these facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55987/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for children with special educational needs with regard to policy and best practices as laid out by my department.

Departmental policy is that special education provision should be made in State funded recognised schools (free-scheme schools) in the first instance. It is only where there is insufficient capacity in free scheme schools that the NCSE will engage with fee charging schools in order to provide special classes. It is however recognised that in certain school planning areas, the NCSE may need to consider engaging with fee-charging schools in relation to the provision of special classes for the 2026/27 school year and beyond.

There are approximately 50 fee-charging post-primary schools nationwide. Of these, one school has two special classes. These classes were sanctioned as it was considered that there was insufficient provision in free scheme schools to meet the special educational needs of students in the local area.

My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs and will continue to review and monitor the situation as to where new specialist provision is required.