141. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she would consider creating a grant for all schools to undertake awareness events such as grandparents coffee mornings, specifically aimed at creating more understanding and awareness around special and additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38133/26]

Enabling students with special educational needs to receive an education that meets their needs is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

The vast majority of students with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where students with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided.

This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which promotes that students will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.

The Department provides resources to State-recognised schools to ensure that children with special educational needs have access to an appropriate education with additional supports as necessary.

Over recent years, my Department has carried out an extensive review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004. As part of this review an online survey open to members of the public garnered over 28,000 responses. The recommendations of the review were published last year and included a recommendation about promoting positive attitudes among educators, peers and school communities towards students with special educational needs to foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity in schools.

My Department is working on developing an implementation plan to reflect the recommendations made in the EPSEN review. This will need to give careful consideration of how to practically progress each recommendation. This work is nearing completion.

My Department understands that many schools, particularly at primary level, do organise annual grandparents days and schools are free to consider providing information on the school at these events. With the doubling of the number of special classes over recent years at primary level, it is likely that many schools will now have special classes and/or sensory and quiet spaces within the overall school accommodation.