536. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the delayed opening of the new special school in Balbriggan; the reasons for the delay; the steps being taken by her Department to ensure that the school opens as soon as possible; the reason parents and families were not adequately or promptly informed of the delay; the reason alternative educational provision, including temporary home tuition, was not put in place for children who are unable to attend school as a result of the delay; and the supports that are currently available to affected children and their families. [64839/26]

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.

In 2026, €3 billion of funding has been provided for special education. This represents the highest ever annual provision for special education and represents a 58% increase on the level of funding in 2020. This unprecedented investment reflects the Government's commitment to ensuring children with additional needs can access an appropriate educational placement as close to home as possible.

It is estimated that over 34,000 children and young people will attend a special class or special school in 2026/27, representing an 86% increase since 2020. 2026 saw the largest ever expansion of specialist educational provision in the history of the State. Through the combined efforts of the department and the NCSE, 587 new special classes have been sanctioned for the coming school year, including 70 inclusive special classes. This represents an increase of over 40% in the number of special classes being provided in 2026 compared to 2025.

Over 500 additional special school places are also being provided for the 2026/2027 school year through the opening of 4 new special schools and the expansion of many other special schools

This means over 4,000 new specialist places (new special classes and special school places) are being delivered for the next school year 2026/2027. Together, with the normal movement of children through their school journey, for example students transitioning from primary to post-primary, it means that almost 7,000 specialist places are available for this coming school year.

In terms of special schools, 20 new special schools have been established over the last few years. This includes the four new schools establishing for this school year as announced in April 2026. Following this announcement, working groups were formed to support the establishment of the new special schools.

The working group for Balbriggan Community Special School is chaired by the department and includes representatives from the patron body and the NCSE. The group continues to meet regularly to advance preparations for the school’s opening. The school is funded, resourced, and supported by the department and the NCSE, in accordance with the profiled needs of the students. Recruitment of staff has progressed positively, and the admissions process has been completed, with all available places now offered. School management and the NCSE continue to engage with families at local level, providing updates and supporting each student’s transition to the new school.

My department and DDLETB continue to closely monitor progress with all project stakeholders to assess readiness for occupation and to address any risks that may impact the planned opening date.

The Home Tuition scheme provides funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for;

(a) Early educational intervention for children with autism.

(b) Students with special educational needs seeking an educational placement in a recognised school

(c) Students, enrolled in schools, with a significant medical condition/school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety, which has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, major disruption to their attendance at school.

It should be noted that home tuition is provided as an interim measure and should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a school placement.

The preferred approach is that students are educated in school settings where they have access to fully qualified teachers, individualised education programmes, special needs assistants, school curriculum with the option, where possible and appropriate, of full or partial integration and interaction with student peers.

The local special educational needs organisers (SENO) is available to offer advice, support and guidance as required to ensure students with special educational needs and their families are supported to achieve their full potential.

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.