Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 April 2025
786. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education the number of special classes for children with intellectual disabilities in each primary school in Kildare north; the number of available spaces for children with intellectual disabilities in primary schools in Kildare north; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18762/25]
View answerThis government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. I have forwarded this issue to them 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.
Of the 400 new special classes places provided for in Budget 2025, 399 classes have already been sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 15 are in County Kildare, 12 at primary and 3 at post primary level. This will add to the 131 special classes currently in operation in the county. There are also 6 special schools in Kildare with approximately 359 students enrolled.
My department has requested the NCSE to work closely with schools and families to ensure that these children access places as quickly as possible. My department has also written to all schools opening new special classes asking them to commence their admission processes as quickly as possible.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.
