Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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438. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in Cork that reported having no available accommodation for a new autism class during the 2025 NCSE planning process. [64979/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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439. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of eligibility letters issued by SENOs in Cork from January to October 2025; and the number of these children remain without a confirmed placement. [64980/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.

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 vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided.

This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which promotes that children will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.

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 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 was set for parents to do so.

This notification process 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 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. It is expected that schools opening new special classes would run admissions processes for these classes in Spring 2026.

The NCSE will have a clear picture of the local demand for special class places for the 2026/27 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.

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 become available through the normal movement of children leaving primary or post-primary school.

I would like to stress that the NCSE will continue to support all children made known to them after the October deadline also, however, it is important for planning purposes that we set an earlier timeframe for which the NCSE has as much local knowledge and detail as possible in order to plan what new provision is required.

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.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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440. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the average and longest waiting time reported by Cork parents seeking autism-specific class placements for 2025-2026; and whether the Department tracks these waiting times. [64981/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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441. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special class places lost or temporarily unavailable in Cork due to school accommodation constraints in 2025; and the steps being taken to prevent recurrence in 2026. [64982/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 441 together.

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 vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided.

This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which promotes that children will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.

Through the accelerated provision of additional special class and special school places over recent years, there are now over 30,000 students enrolled in special classes and special schools. 2,700 new places were created for the 2025/26 school year and these, together with the over 1,200 existing places due to students moving on from primary schools and post-primary schools, has meant that close to 4,000 specialist places were made available for the 2025/26 school year. The NCSE advise that a number of vacancies remain in every county in the country including a small number in County Cork.

A small number of schools in Cork are still receiving building works in order for classes to open. These schools have been provided with teaching and special need assistant resources and have made contingency arrangements for students to ensure they are being supported while awaiting the completion of works.

In order to ensure new special classes can open as quickly as possible the NCSE prioritise working with medium and larger primary schools who do not already have a special class and have available accommodation to accommodate new special class. This approach maximises the use of existing space which can be reconfigured efficiently while also ensuring that new provision continues to be established. It also increases the number of schools with special classes providing parents with greater choice and reducing the distances that some children are travelling to access a special class place.

However, as in other years where schools have no available accommodation, particularly at post-primary level and there is known demand in a local area, my department will continue to provide additional classroom accommodation to provide necessary places.

The NCSE is also working on sanctioning the majority of new special classes for the 2026/27 school year by 31 December 2025. This is four months earlier than last year and will bring clarity and certainty for both parents and schools as to where classes will be located. The earlier date of sanction will afford schools much earlier lead in time to plan and execute works than in previous years.

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.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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442. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in Cork that requested an SNA review between September and October 2025; and the number of these reviews that remain pending. [64983/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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443. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of Cork schools that received reduced SNA allocations following the 2025 NCSE review; and the reasons recorded by the NCSE for each reduction. [64984/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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444. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of NCSE SNA review recommendations nationally and in Cork that were issued outside the six-week review window; and the impact on schools preparing for 2026. [64985/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 442 to 444, inclusive, together.

The National Council for Special Education (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.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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445. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether any assessment has been carried out on whether the definitions of "complex care needs" and "level 3 care needs" used in the 2025-26 SNA review process adequately reflect the needs of students in autism classes; and if she will publish this assessment. [64986/25]

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 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.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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446. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of autism class applications in Cork redirected by the NCSE due to capacity issues in preferred schools for the 2025-26 school year, and the number expected for 2026-27. [64987/25]

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 vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided.

This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which promotes that children will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.

Budget 2026 has provided funding for 3,000 new special educational places within our education system and the NCSE is currently examining where this provision is best placed for the 2026/27 school year.

In order to ensure new special classes can open as quickly as possible the NCSE prioritise working with medium and larger primary schools who do not already have a special class and have available accommodation to accommodate new special class. This approach maximises the use of existing space which can be reconfigured efficiently while also ensuring that new provision continues to be established. It also increases the number of schools with special classes providing parents with greater choice and reducing the distances that some children are travelling to access a special class place.

However, as in other years where schools have no available accommodation, particularly at post-primary level and there is known demand in a local area, my department will continue to provide additional classroom accommodation to provide necessary places.

The NCSE is currently collating the data and information received by 1 October through the parents notify process and are engaging with schools regarding where specialist provision is best placed for the 2026/27 school year. It is envisioned that the majority of these special classes will be sanctioned by 31 December 2025.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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447. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the NCSE has completed a capacity audit of all post-primary schools in Cork to determine which schools can accommodate new autism classes for 2026-27, and if she will publish the findings. [64988/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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448. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in Cork that identified for reconfiguration or minor works to support the opening of new autism classes for 2026-27, and the expected timelines for completion. [64989/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 447 and 448 together.

Through the accelerated provision of additional special class and special school places over recent years, there are now over 30,000 students enrolled in special classes and special schools. 2,700 new places were created for the 2025/26 school year and these, together with the over 1,200 existing places due to students moving on from primary schools and post-primary schools, has meant that close to 4,000 specialist places were made available for the 2025/26 school year.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is currently collating the data and information received by 1 October through the parents notify process and are engaging with schools regarding where specialist provision is best placed for the 2026/27 school year.

As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes.

In October 2022, my department wrote to all post-primary schools requesting that each school begin planning to provide for up to four special classes to meet the needs of students progressing from primary school. Last year my department issued a circular to all schools setting out new measures to support the forward planning of special education provision. Included in this circular was a reminder of the need for post-primary schools to continue planning for this level of provision.

The NCSE continue to assess what additional provision is required in local areas and what schools have capacity to accommodate required provision. It is envisioned that the majority of these special classes will be sanctioned by 31 December 2025. There is a particular focus on establishing new special classes in post-primary schools with none or just 1 special class.

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.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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449. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children in Cork who received eligibility letters for special class placement but were advised by schools to apply to multiple schools due to lack of transparency or clarity in the admissions process. [64990/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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450. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the NCSE has completed any assessment on the administrative burden placed on parents seeking autism-specific placements in Cork, and whether improvements are planned for 2026. [64991/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 449 and 450 together.

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.

Close to 4,000 specialist places were made available for the 2025/26 school year. This was made up of 2,700 new places and 1,200 places through the natural movement of students from primary to post-primary or out of education.

The NCSE has advised my department just under 3,300 valid notifications were received by mid-February via their new parent notify service. While parents were asked to notify the NCSE by mid-February the NCSE received further notifications after this date. The NCSE advise that a number of vacancies remain in every county in the country including in County Cork. I urge any parent still seeking placement to make contact with the NCSE who will provide guidance and support with securing a placement.

For the 2026/27 school year parents were asked to notify the NCSE by the 1 October 2025, four months earlier than last year. This date coincides with when schools can begin the enrolment process. When a parent notifies the NCSE that they are seeking placement the NCSE validates the submission and provides the parent with a letter of eligibility for the required specialist placement. This letter is then required to be submitted with the enrolment form. The letter's purpose is to inform schools that the NCSE is aware of the students needs and that the student has been factored into the planning process for provision at a local level.

An additional benefit of this process is that it has removed an administrate burden on both schools and families alike. Having this letter removes the need for schools to evaluate reports and for parents to fill in forms and provide reports and recommendations directly to schools.

In addition, the common application system pilot is ongoing in some areas of the country, namely; Athenry, Celbridge, Clonakilty, Greystones and Tullamore. Running concurrently is the extension of the autism class application trial in the Dublin 15 area. These pilots form an important step towards delivering a more efficient, transparent, and equitable school application process. It will reduce stress for parents and children, ease administrative burdens on schools, while also supporting better planning for school places. These pilots will inform my department of what works well and what needs further consideration before it is rolled out to other areas of the country.

The NCSE is currently collating the data and information received by 1 October through the parents notify process and are engaging with schools regarding where specialist provision is best placed for the 2026/27 school year. It is envisioned that the majority of these special classes will be sanctioned by 31 December 2025.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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451. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in Cork that were issued guidance or support on implementing the Relate document during the 2025 SNA review period; and whether training was delivered in person or online. [64992/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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452. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of SNA allocation appeals lodged by Cork schools in 2025; and the proportion upheld in full or in part. [64993/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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453. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of Cork schools where the NCSE recommended no change in SNA allocation despite evidence of increased behavioural or high-support needs reported by the school. [64994/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 451 to 453, inclusive, together.

The National Council for Special Education (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.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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454. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools nationally and in Cork that reported delays in accessing SENOs during the 2025 SNA review cycle; and the steps being taken to ensure timely support for 2026. [64995/25]

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 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.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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455. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the Department has conducted any review of the consistency of NCSE decisions across counties, with specific reference to Cork; and if she will publish the results of any such review. [64996/25]

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.

My department works closely with the NCSE on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. Building on successive budgets, Budget 2025 secured funding for up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools, and an additional 300 special school places for the 2025/26 school year. Together this has delivered 2,700 new places. For the 2026/27 school year an additional 3,000 new specialist places will be provided.

My department and the NCSE identify the need for special educational provision with consideration to demographical and statistical data and in regard to an areas existing school provision and future capability. In addition, part of the forward planning process as to where new classes, schools or expansion is required looks at how far students are travelling to access an education appropriate to their needs. This is an important factor which has been incorporated into the decision-making process. Consideration is also given to the information the NCSE hold at local level on the number of children seeking a special school place in a region.

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 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 was set for parents to do so.

This notification process 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 currently collating the data and information received by 1 October through the parents notify process and are engaging with schools regarding where specialist provision is best placed for the 2026/27 school year. It is envisioned that the majority of these special classes will be sanctioned by 31 December 2025.

In recent years, the NCSE has undergone a significant transformational change. This has included a restructuring of the organisation and a 67% increase in its workforce, which combine to provide an increased and responsive support within communities.

At local level, the NCSE has doubled the number of support teams available to parents and schools, throughout the country, from a 10 team structure to a 20 team structure.

All special educational needs organisers (SENO) grades are now assigned on a county basis and undertake caseloads associated with that county only, on a reduced caseload basis.

To support these staff, additional administrative staff have also been allocated and this allows SENOs to concentrate on working directly with schools and families.

This allows for an integrated community-based service which is conducive to the development of key relationships between NCSE staff, parents, and schools in the provision of services to students with special educational needs.

The additional SENOs, additional administrative support and revised caseload allocations contribute to a comprehensive level of localised cover.

This transformational change has been undertaken to ensure that there is a consistency of approach across the country and to ensure that all special education resources allocated by the NCSE is done on a fair, equitable basis on the key premise that the resources are allocated on the basis of identified need.

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.