Written answer
School Enrolments
1281. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to examine the case of a person (details supplied) who does not yet have a school place for the upcoming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62246/26]
Comment on this
This government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
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. Parents and schools can contact the NCSE directly using the details available on the NCSE's website, at www.ncse.ie/seno-contact-information. Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) are available to offer advice, support and guidance as required to ensure students with special educational needs are supported to achieve their full potential.
While the NCSE has advised my department they have not been contacted by the family of the student named they are available to provide support through the SENO Feena Costello at Feena.Costello@ncse.ie or at 01 6033298 and would welcome direct contact. The NCSE has also confirmed they have been in contact with the Deputy regarding this matter.
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.
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. The need for specialist provision remains under review and further new special classes may be confirmed in the coming weeks. Details of the new special classes are available on the NCSE website.
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.