Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 May 2024
73. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education the number of additional autism classes attached to mainstream primary schools that will be opened for the 2024-2025 academic year in the Fingal east constituency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23022/24]
View answer74. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education the number of additional autism classes attached to mainstream post-primary schools that will be opened for the 2024-2025 academic year in the Fingal east constituency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23023/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 74 together.
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for 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 classes and special school places are provided.
Over 320 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE nationwide for the 2024/25 school year, and of these 36 are in County Dublin, This means there is now over 3,000 special classes in our education system. The NCSE continue to sanction classes for the coming school year. As these new classes are sanctioned, the NCSE will support families to make applications for places. The attached table provides a breakdown of the special classes sanctioned as of 21 May 2024.
Classes sanctioned as of 21 May 24
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.
