Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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723. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills of the number of early intervention classes available in each of the years 2015 to date in 2025, by county, in tabular form. [58469/25]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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724. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of early intervention classes available in each of the years 2015 to date in 2025, by city, in tabular form. [58470/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 723 and 724 together.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has responsibility for provision of services to children of pre-school age. The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) provided by that department, enables the full inclusion and meaningful participation of children with disabilities/additional needs in the Early Childhood Care & Education Scheme (ECCE) programme.

Its goal is to create a more inclusive environment in pre-schools, so all children availing of preschool, regardless of ability, can benefit from quality early learning and care.

This is keeping with the general policy position of supporting children with additional needs to access supports and services with their peers and siblings in their local community.

There has been a significant increase in resources and supports provided to children with additional needs accessing the AIM programme over recent years.

It is important to note that a diagnosis is not required in order to access AIM supports and that while some children require additional supports at preschool level, many will transition into mainstream classes thereafter.

To further supplement the provision of services for these children my department also provides a number of early intervention classes in mainstream and special school settings for children aged 3-5 years old with a diagnosis of autism. There are also a small number dedicated to children who are deaf/hard of hearing.

These classes are intended to provide early support to children with the most complex of needs before they start school and can aid their transition to junior infants. The vast majority of young children with additional needs are therefore supported to attend their local Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) setting and do not need to attend a primary school or special school to access early years support. A professional recommendation for placement in such a class is also a requirement.

Where the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) identifies need for an early intervention class, the class is sanctioned and supports are provided by my department to ensure the school can accommodate the class.

3,000 new specialist places will be created in our education system for the 2026/27 school year. The NCSE is currently examining the level of need by special class and special school type and where these places are best located, including for early intervention classes.

A list of schools with special classes, broken by location and class designation is annually published by the NCSE on their website: . Also attached is a list of early intervention classes broken down by county for the school years 2015/2016 - 2025/26. While the number of Early Intervention Classes continues to increase year on year, in some counties the number may have fallen. This normally reflects where the NCSE have redesignated the class as a primary special class to support the students transitioning from early years to primary school.