Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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My department and the NCSE work closely on forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places including for the 2024/25 school year.

Demand for special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly and my department and the NCSE have engaged with stakeholders on the provision of special classes.

Over 386 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for the 2024/25 school year. Of these, 63 are in County Dublin, 20 are at post-primary level. The NCSE continue to engage with some schools in Dublin regarding a small number of additional classes. I have asked the NCSE to update me on an ongoing basis as enrolment for these classes is finalised and places become available for individual children. NCSE are also keeping parents updated on this progress.

The NCSE advise that the known demand for post-primary special class places is being met through existing special class provision in the area. This position is reviewed on an ongoing basis. Schools who do not have a special class for the 2024/25 school year, including those referenced by the Deputy, remain options for future years and the NCSE and my department will engage with these schools as forward planning ensues.

Of the 63 new classes sanctioned in County Dublin for the 2024/25 school year 4 are in Dublin 12, 3 at primary level and 1 at post-primary.

These classes in addition to the existing classes in the area brings the number of classes in Dublin 12 to 35.

In October 2022, my department wrote to all post-primary schools requesting that they begin planning to provide for up to four special classes to meet the needs of children progressing from primary school. In May 2024, my department also wrote to all schools regarding forward planning for mainstream and special education placements. My department and NCSE will continue to have close engagement with schools and management bodies in relation to these classes for 2025 and beyond.

The NCSE actively encourages expressions of interest from schools to open special classes, and I appreciate the efforts taken by boards of management. Indeed, I encourage more schools to do so.

We need to secure this provision on a phased basis. It is important that as we bolster provision in schools that we do so in geographical areas with most need. Providing an even spread of provision across geographic areas, will ensure children are not travelling long distances to access an education and give parents more local options when enrolling their children.

Under Section 37A of the Education Act there is power to direct a school to provide additional places but this power is only used as a last resort where all reasonable efforts have failed.

This legal power to compel schools to open new special classes is only used where;

• there is established need for additional places in an area,
• it is considered that the schools involved have capacity to open the additional classes
• all reasonable efforts have been made to support the school in making the required provision.