Written answer
Special Educational Needs
For County Laois, 15 new special classes—11 primary and four post-primary—have been sanctioned for 2026/27, bringing the total in operation to 109; two special schools have about 170 students. The department and NCSE plan provision using local demand, existing capacity and travel distances, with parents’ notifications helping forecast need.
455. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special education classes in a location in 2023; and the expected number of special education classes to be in place in 2027. [73480/26]
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 vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children 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 children will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.
My department and the NCSE have sanctioned 587 new special classes for the school year 2026/27. Of these 15 are in County Laois, 11 at primary and 4 at post-primary level. This brings to 109 the number of special classes currently in operation in the county. There are also 2 special schools in Laois with approximately 170 students enrolled.
The table below gives a breakdown of the information requested by the Deputy for the past five school years which is currently available. Enrolment data for special schools is published at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/collections/primary-schools-enrolment-figures/ once it is available.
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.
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.
The Parents Notify process provides the NCSE and the department with information on the potential need for specialist placements and facilitates effective work with schools to forward plan for special education provision.
The NCSE will continue 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.
SEN Provison in Mainstream Schools and Special Schools in Co. Laois 2022 - 2026