Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 November 2024
169. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Education the number and location of special classes from 2011 to 2024; the number proposed; the delivery date of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45876/24]
View answerEnabling 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.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs. They have advised that in 2011 there were approximately 600 special classes nationwide. This figure has been substantially built on in recent years. There are now 3,337 special classes distributed in every county. Almost 1,700 of these new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE in the last 5 years. The attach document provides a breakdown of where these classes are located.
Over 400 of these classes have been sanctioned for this school year, 289 at primary level and 120 at post primary. Budget 2025 provides funding for another 400 special classes and 300 special school places next year. It is estimated that a similar level of provision will be needed each year for the next 3 years.
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 children progressing from primary school. Just last month 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 have recruited additional special education needs organisers (SENOs), advisors and team managers. A total of 120 SENOs now operate nationwide. SENOs play an important role in ensuring there is adequate special educational provision within local areas and are currently visiting schools nationwide to conduct planning meetings. These visits will be key in terms of forward planning for the 2025/26 school year.
