97. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the engagement she has had to date with a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40463/26]

The majority of students with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. For children and young people with more complex needs a special class can be provided and for children and young people with the most complex needs a special class place can be provided.

My department and the NCSE continue to work closely with school patron bodies, school management bodies and schools to confirm new special classes for the next school year 2026/2027.

The NCSE began sanctioning new special classes in January of this year, which is several months earlier than last year.

To date 546 new special classes have been sanctioned. Of these 63 are sanctioned in schools across County Cork. Some further new special classes will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

In addition, Minister Naughton and I recently announced the provision of inclusive special classes as part of a new approach to supporting students with additional needs. This is one of many ways my department and the NCSE are working with schools to meet the increased level of need.

In addition to providing new special classes, 4 new special schools have been established in Co Cork over recent years, including the East Cork Community Special School. This new special school continues to grow and expand.

I have met with the group referenced by the Deputy on a number of occasions to discuss the issue of education provision in the Youghal area, and my office has also received correspondence over recent months. As my office has indicated in direct correspondance with the group, as well as in a number of PQs, I am committed to meeting with the group again before the end of this school year.

My Department and the NCSE will continue to monitor closely the need for additional special class and special school places across East Cork as part of forward planning for the 2027/2028 school year and beyond.

The NCSE also continue to engage closely with schools and families to track the placement of children and young people and determine the current remaining level of need for specialist places at local level.