Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
251. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education how many new special schools were either opened or expanded for the 2023-2024 school year nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46094/23]
View answer252. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education for a geographical breakdown of the number of new special schools that were opened or expanded for the 2023-2024 school year, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46095/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together.
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
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 classes and special school places are provided.
For 2023, the spend by my department on special education has been substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education. Further progress has been made in Budget 2024 where 26% of my department’s budget will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs, representing a 5% increase on Budget 2023.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs and in 2024 a further 744 teachers, and 1,216 SNAs will be added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. Together we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
Over the last number of years, my department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with almost 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over recent years.
My department engages intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, earlier this year, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two special schools in Carrigtwohill, east Cork and Dublin 7 for the 2023/24 school year, with further capacity being expanded in 19 other special schools. Attached please find a list of the special schools with building projects delivering additional school accommodation for the current school year 2023/2024.
My department's planning and building unit has provided, in an attached file, a table outlining the locations of special schools with which they are currently engaging.
Along with the two new special schools, 388 new special classes – 253 at primary and 135 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year.
There continues to be an increasing need to provide additional special school places to support children with complex needs. To meet this need, 7 new special schools have been established in recent years and special school capacity expanded. The most recently established special schools are due to open in Dublin and Cork before the end of term 1 in this school year.
The new special schools established over recent years have focused on providing additional places in our largest urban areas – Dublin and Cork. My department and the NCSE have already begun planning in relation to further expanding special school capacity for the 2024/25 school year and beyond. It is estimated that a further 300 new special school places may be required each year for the coming years.
When looking to provide additional capacity the department's preferred option is to increase provision in existing special schools if possible. Where this is not possible in a region, the department and the NCSE will consider the need to establish a new special school.
In planning for increased special school places, my department and the NCSE are reviewing all of the available data on the growing need for special school places across the country. This involves a detailed analysis of enrolment trends and the potential for existing special schools in a region to expand.
My department and the NCSE are also carefully considering the distances being travelled by students attending special schools at present. My department and the NCSE are progressing this review work ahead of determining where additional capacity is required in existing special schools or in what regions a new special school may need to be established.
I want to assure you also that my department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
Special schools building projects providing additional capacity for 2023/2024
|
School Name |
County |
|
St Anne’s Special School |
Clare |
|
Rochestown Community Special School |
Cork |
|
St Bernadette's Special School |
Donegal |
|
Libermann Spiritan School |
Dublin |
|
Rosedale School |
Galway |
|
St. Teresa's Special School |
Galway |
|
Tígh Nan Dooley Child Education and Development Centre |
Galway |
|
St Ita's & St Joseph's Ns |
Kerry |
|
St Francis Special School |
Kerry |
|
The Kolbe Special School |
Laois |
|
St Anthony’s Special School |
Mayo |
|
St Brid’s Special School |
Mayo |
|
St Dympna’s Special School |
Mayo |
|
Stepping Stones Special School |
Meath |
|
Scoil Micheal Naofa |
Roscommon |
|
St. Cecilia's School |
Sligo |
|
St Joseph’s Special School |
Sligo |
|
Scoil Aonghusa |
Tipperary |
|
St Martin’s Special School |
Waterford |
