Written answer
Special Educational Needs
The Minister of State said Carlow’s future special-class needs are assessed by the NCSE and Department using demographic data, local provision, travel distances and parental notifications. The named school has four special classes, including one sanctioned for 2026/27, but no specific commitment was made to establish an additional moderate ASD class.
585. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of the limited availability of moderate ASD class places at post-primary level in County Carlow; whether her Department has assessed the future demand for such places in advance of September 2028; and if consideration will be given to establishing a moderate ASD special class in a school (details supplied) given the existing ASD provision in the school and the need for additional local places. [65265/26]
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.
The school referred to by the Deputy has 4 special classes including 1 newly sanctioned for the 2026/27 school year and any school willing to open further new special classes is to be commended.
My department and the NCSE identify the need for special educational provision with consideration to demographical and statistical data and in regard to an areas existing school provision and future capability. In addition, part of the forward planning process as to where new classes, schools or expansion is required looks at how far students are travelling to access an education that meets their needs. This is an important factor which has been incorporated into the decision-making process. Consideration is also given to the information the NCSE hold at local level on the number of children and young people seeking a special school place in a region.
The information held on the department's Geographical Information System (GIS), particularly in relation to student demographics, is a key component when forecasting the need for additional special class and special school places. My department and the NCSE have undertaken analysis of the trends in special class and special school provision over recent years by county and local school planning area. In total there are 314 local school planning areas.
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 that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child. The Parents Notify process provides the NCSE and my department with information on the potential need for specialist placements which supports work with schools to forward plan for special education provision. This provides the NCSE with critical information on children who continue to need a special class as they progress to post-primary level as well as details on students who require a place for the first time.
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 continues to engage with parents/guardians and schools to ensure all of the relevant information is provided as quickly as possible to facilitate comprehensive forward planning.
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.