Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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257. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the request issued by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to a school (details supplied) to open a special class; when a decision will be made on this request; the timeline involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23241/26]

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 students with special educational needs.

My department and the NCSE continue to work closely with school patron bodies, school management bodies and schools to confirm new special classes for the next school year 2026/2027. The NCSE began sanctioning new special classes in January of this year, which is several months earlier than last year. 387 have been sanctioned to date and many more new special classes will be confirmed in the coming weeks. The earlier sanctioning of new classes provides clarity for parents and allows schools more time for the planning and establishment of new special classes. The vast majority of new special classes being announced are being provided in available school accommodation which is being reconfigured as a special class. Each special class at primary level is allocated 1 teacher and 2 SNAs and at post-primary level, schools receive 1.5 teachers and 2 SNAs. Details of the new special classes are available on the NCSE website.

Of the 387 new special classes, 256 are being established in primary schools and 131 in post-primary schools. New special classes are being established in every county with 19 new special classes confirmed for Galway so far. Further details on additional new special classes will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Schools seeking to establish new special classes should continue to engage with the NCSE at local level. In sanctioning new special classes, the NCSE have due regard to the level of need in an area and the existing provision, including how many places are expected to be available through the normal movement of students from primary to post-primary or finishing school. Budget 2026 provides funding for over 400 new special classes.

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 achieve their full potential.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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258. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports her Department is providing for a school (details supplied) as it undertakes the movement of the entire school from its current temporary location back to its permanent building between Wednesday 29 April 2026 and Friday 8 May 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23273/26]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that a new 24- classroom primary school was built in the Dublin 15 area which was to be used in the first instance as decant accommodation for Tyrellstown ETNS and St Lukes National School while they are being remediated.

Following completion of remediation works in Tyrellstown ETNS, the plan was for the school to relocate to their own school at which stage St Lukes National School would then be decanted to Hollywoodrath.

I am pleased to confirm that the remediation and upgrade works are due to be completed in Tyrellstown ETNS by 24th April 2026. The temporary closure of the school during term time is necessary to facilitate its relocation back to its permanent accommodation.

In order to ensure a safe and orderly transition, the ETNS school will close for a short period of a few days. This will allow staff sufficient time to move materials, unpack resources, and properly set up classrooms to ensure that teaching and learning can resume without disruption.

The physical move is being managed on-site by the project managers and contractors overseeing the remediation works in conjunction with the school staff. My department is providing oversight and support to ensure the transition is delivered in a coordinated and effective manner, with minimal disruption to the operation of the school.

I appreciate that any closure during term time can be inconvenient, however, this brief period is necessary to support the delivery of improved facilities for both school communities.