I thank the Deputy for the question. This Government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential, and the programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. Up to an additional 2,700 specialist places, made up of 400 new special classes for, on average, six children each, and 300 special school places will be provided for the coming 2025-26 school year. The NCSE has sanctioned more than 375 new special classes to date, and I think the figure could be up to 390. It is engaging intensely with schools and patron bodies to confirm additional classes as soon as possible. Working groups are also progressing the establishment of five new special schools and capacity is being increased in a number of existing special schools, particularly in Cork and Dublin. On top of this, there will be well in excess of 1,200 places available through the normal annual movement of students progressing and graduating. There also remains special classes with vacant places in some areas of the country. A number of new measures to support the forward planning of special education provision was set out in Circular 0080/2024. These included new measures to address a challenge of the NCSE not knowing about some of the children seeking specialist placements previously. Parents of children with special educational needs seeking specialist placements were asked to notify the NCSE by 1 February. This deadline was extended to mid-February due to the inclement weather at the start of February. The NCSE received 3,275 verified notifications by mid-February. I want to thank all of the parents who notified the NCSE. Through the 2,700 new places being created and the more than 1,200 places in existing special classes and schools, there are close to 4,000 places available for the coming school year.

Sentiment score: 0.43

I thank the Deputy for the supplementary questions. I met a number of parents and have met with them over many years in respect of special educational needs. I know the stress they are under. I cannot overstate how hard the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and I have worked over recent weeks to ensure we would have a place for every child in September. We are working extremely hard with the NCSE and the Department of Education officials to ensure all of the 400 special classes are opened by September. We are a number of months ahead of where we were this time last year because of the work that has been put in. I believe the NCSE has created sufficient capacity for children who need special classes in September. It is important we take note that the deadline was 1 February this year and our intention is to have that deadline earlier in the school cycle so there would be certainty for families earlier in the school year.

Sentiment score: 0.34

There is absolutely no policy change in relation to SNAs. We have more SNAs working in the education system and more budgeted for the 2025-26 school year. I take this opportunity of acknowledging the enormous work the SNAs do in the entire school communities. The work they do in special education, the dedication they put into it and the connection they have with the children and families is second to none. We should acknowledge the great work the SNAs do. We are committed to having more SNAs working within the education system because this means we will have a more inclusive society and support in the classroom for children who need it, right through the school year, not just in primary but right through the school cycle.

Sentiment score: 0.24

No change.

Sentiment score: -0.30