Written answer
Special Educational Needs
210. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update, including a timeline, on the new ASD classes for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54064/26]
Comment on this
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.
In relation to the modular project for Finglas Parochial National School, planning permission was granted on the 25 of March. The department and its project manager will be working to ensure that this project gets delivered as quickly as possible. The project will be completed as early as possible in the new school year (late Q3/ early Q4 2026). The assigned Project Manager will keep the School Authority updated regularly as the project progresses.
Home tuition funding was available for all relevant children for 2025/26. Some availed of this option and stayed in their existing settings with overage ECCE exemptions, continuation of private autism preschool funding or otherwise. Some availed of the 2 hours per child daily offering by the school in the church/community hall. Some children have subsequently secured alternative placements during the school year/ for this coming September 2026 with the places now offered to new children.
The department and the NCSE want to reassure families that they will be supported in seeking a placement and that the NCSE remains available to provide advice and support to all families seeking specialist placement. It's important to note that the majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers, through the provision of resources such as Special Education Teachers and Special Needs Assistants.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to achieve their full potential.