1545. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes planned for commencement for the 2026-2027 school year which were not operational on the first day of the school year; the reasons for any delay; the expected opening date of each delayed class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63997/26]

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.

My department and the NCSE have worked closely with school patron bodies, school management bodies and schools to confirm new special classes for the 2026/27 school year.

The NCSE began sanctioning new special classes in January of this year, which is several months earlier than last year. 587 new special classes have been sanctioned to date, including 70 inclusive special classes. This brings the total number of special classes sanctioned to date to over 4,300. Of the 587 new special classes, 379 are being established in primary schools and 208 in post-primary schools. The need for specialist provision remains under review and further new special classes may be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Following the sanction of a special class, the practical arrangements required to open it including staff recruitment and any required minor or major accommodation works are managed directly at school level by the relevant Board of Management and patron body. While most sanctioned classes open for the start of the school year, individual opening timelines can vary depending on local recruitment and building schedules.

NCSE regional teams and planning teams from my department remain in active engagement with school authorities to provide targeted support and facilitate opening as swiftly as possible. The NCSE publishes and regularly updates lists of all sanctioned and operational special classes by county on its website (www.ncse.ie).

In order to support the NCSE and forward planning my department published Circular 0063/2026. This circular informs school management and patrons of measures introduced to support forward planning and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE through the Parent Notify process where they are seeking a special educational placement for their child. This process provides the NCSE with critical information on children who continue to need a special class as they progress to post-primary education as well as details on students who require a place for the first time. This is essential to support effective planning of special education provision.

This year to facilitate earlier sanctioning of classes for the 2027/28 school year, an earlier date of 1 September was set for parents with necessary documentation to be provided by 15 September 2026 or as soon as is reasonably practicable thereafter. The NCSE will engage with parents/guardians and schools to ensure timely provision of relevant information to support the planning process.

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.