1249. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children in an autism inclusion class at primary school level. [61645/26]

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 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. This brings the total number of special classes sanctioned to date to over 4,300. Details of the new special classes are published on the NCSE website.

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.

To date, 70 Inclusive Special Classes have been sanctioned as part of a new approach to supporting students with additional needs. Of these, 46 are at post-primary level and 24 are at primary level. As with all special classes, each inclusive special class will support up to six students.

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.