The NCSE is working intensively with the parents and schools concerned. The school the Deputy has referred to is one such school. The NCSE engaged with the school to secure agreement to open classes. The NCSE visited the school in September 2024 and, with the support of the school patron body, it worked to sanction two classes. We can now confirm that the issues that were the subject of the Deputy's representation and those of others over recent weeks have been resolved for the school. It is my very clear understan…

It is very important to be fair to the NCSE, the Department and ourselves. A deadline of February was put in place. Parents needed to make contact by that deadline. We worked to those figures. A number of children have come forward post the February deadline in recent weeks. We are actively engaging with those families and with schools in their communities to ensure children are accommodated in appropriate places. A decision was made a number of months ago and the Minister and I, having engaged with the Department …

The NCSE is the statutory agency with responsibility for the provision of special education places. The NCSE has sanctioned 407 new special classes for the coming school year, of which 398 are autism special classes while three are autism early intervention classes. This brings to 3,742 the number of special classes in our schools. The NCSE has advised my Department that an updated list of these classes is available on the NCSE website and I am also happy to share this list with the Deputy. Combined with 300 new sp…

I assure the Deputy that the figures in relation to the number of classes being opened around the country are correct. On the individual school the Deputy mentioned, I am very happy to take the details from her after the session and I will work with her to try to get a satisfactory conclusion to it. I have no difficulty in doing that. I have to say that the Minister and I have done significant work on this over the last number of months. We have had weekly meetings with the NCSE and the Department to make sure we h…

I have some personal experience of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí that opened special classes, and they would be taught through the medium of Irish. What the Deputy has said has been brought to our attention before by people, but it is clear that it is whatever the medium is in the school, in this case the medium of Irish. Some of the schools operating special classes are hugely successful and the school ethos is important. I take that point. If a special class is opening in a school taught through the medium of …

I thank the Deputy for his question and Deputy McAuliffe for his interest in this matter. I thank both Deputies for their continuing interest in education. It is hugely important that it is brought to the fore in the House. Education is a hugely important part of everyone's life, so it is hugely important that we strive to get it right. The NCSE is the statutory agency with responsibility for the provision of special education places. As I alluded to earlier this morning, there are over 407 new special classes sanc…

The review of the EPSEN Act was very important research. I commend all those who helped with the review. Launched recently, it provides very good information, including on additional needs. Teacher and SNA recruitment is kept under constant review by the Department. Many of the boards of management of schools and education and training boards are conducting interviews in these weeks to fill vacancies. Teachers also get additional training. It is important to note that many great teachers are coming through the coll…

We have had many discussions in recent weeks. The Deputy mentioned the deputation from the Down Syndrome Ireland Galway branch who were here yesterday to discuss mild general learning classes. ASD classes are opening across the country based on the need being presented. We have to be mindful of children with other additional needs and ensuring they are accommodated within the school system. That point has been well made by groups throughout the country and it is one we are very conscious of and keeping under consta…

I thank the House for the opportunity to speak on this hugely important and challenging motion. I join the Minister, Deputy McEntee, in recognising the enormous contribution of the survivors whose tireless work and participation has brought us to this point today. I add my personal note of welcome to David Ryan who is in the Gallery, and who spoke so compellingly about his experiences not just in the RTÉ radio documentary, "Blackrock Boys", but in interviews with the media since. The path forged by David and his la…

I thank the Senator from Kerry for his good wishes on the hurling. I take them very graciously. As I come from within a few miles of the County Kerry border, we know full well that it is meant with sincerity and gratitude. I have to declare my interest in Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí. I know well that the Gaelcholáiste is an extremely well-run school under a hugely successful leadership team. There are teachers who have been there for quite a number of years. My wife has been a teacher in Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí for a lon…

I would appreciate if the Senator could give me more details on the students he mentions. Both the Department and I will look at the issue to see how we can ensure the best outcome. Second level education through the medium of Irish has become extremely popular not just in Kerry but right across the country. It is something we must encourage right across the system, notwithstanding the excellence provided in Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí and throughout the country. I know the communities and areas the Senator mentions, as…

I will talk to the Senator afterwards and get the detail.

I cannot provide any commitment but we will work to see if there is any reasonable solution for these students. It is something that is important to Senator Kennelly but it is also important to us to make sure that the Gaelcholáistí are as accessible as possible into the future. I will do anything I can to support the Gaelcholáistí. That is important not just to Senator Kennelly but it is important to me as well.

I thank Deputies Doherty and Mac Lochlainn for raising this issue. I understand the apology made by our colleague, Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher. I recognise the Deputies' dedication to the people of Donegal and to the issue. I will first address the issue of locations for the surgical hubs. The programme for Government commits to establishing six new hubs, in south Dublin, north Dublin, Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford, and exploring the provision of an additional surgical hub for the north west. The programme…

Again, I thank Deputies Doherty and Mac Lochlainn for raising the issue. I will take back exactly what they have said regarding Letterkenny University Hospital. The information I have is very clear. No decision has been made on the location of the north-west surgical hubs. I understand meetings were held and there was engagement with the Minister last night on this issue. I hear what the Deputies are saying about the challenges in Letterkenny and Donegal, and I will bring that back to the Department and the Ministe…

I thank the Deputies for raising this issue, and I fully accept and understand the genuineness with which it is raised. I fully accept the Deputies' bona fides in respect of this issue. The Government is fully committed to supporting all children with additional needs to achieve their full potential. It is a core priority of the work of the Department of education that every child should receive a school place that meets their needs. There is a significant body of work being undertaken to ensure that this is the ca…

There is a meeting taking place today with the school and school patrons to try to resolve the issue. Without putting words in anybody's mouth, I know the school authorities and the Department have been in contact and they will have a meeting today. Let us see what happens with that. I would be only too delighted to bring back any information to the Deputies by email or otherwise when we have that information to hand. I accept the seriousness of the issue the Deputies have raised, and there are a number of other is…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act. I thank my colleague, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, for her opening statement. I wish to thank those who conducted the review and Members of the House for the opportunity to discuss the review. The review represents the most comprehensive national reflection to date on how we can support children and young people with additional needs in our education system. I want to acknowledge the significant effort…

I thank all the Members for their contributions. The report was published last week and is before the House this week, which shows the urgency with which the Government treats the issue of special education. The one thing I am always encouraged by is the depth of knowledge of Members of the House about special education and the challenges being faced by families and I compliment them on that. I urge them to continue that because there is a sense of urgency and genuineness across all parties and none. There was a se…

I welcome the opportunity to be here for statements on education. In recent months, I have worked extremely closely with the Minister to deal with the many challenges we have faced in terms of special education and school places. We have worked with the NCSE and the Department during that time to ensure we will have a place for every student come 1 September. There are some challenges still ahead, but we are very committed to making sure we have the places for them. During the current school year, parents were aske…