278. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Education and Youth given the increased demand for special classes, if her Department has plans to designate a special class for children with Autism in a school (details supplied); and her plans to increase the number of special classes in primary schools in Fingal East. [66711/26]

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.

The NCSE actively encourage expressions of interest from schools to open special classes, and I appreciate and commend the efforts taken by boards of management in expressing their interest. However, it is not always possible to open a special class in every school that expresses an interest.

When assessing the needs in the local area, the NCSE identify schools in the neighbouring vicinity with available special class vacancies or capacity and assess their capability with consideration to demographical and statistical data.

My department and the NCSE have sanctioned 587 new special classes for the school year 2026/27, including 70 inclusive special classes.

Of the 587 new special classes, 379 are being established in primary schools and 208 in post-primary schools. New special classes are being established in every county with 140 new special classes confirmed for Dublin.

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.

This notification process will provide 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.  Forward planning has already commenced ahead of the 2027/28 school year.

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.