Special Class Grants

Background:

• Special classes are dedicated classes within mainstream schools for students with special educational needs (SEN). These classes typically have smaller numbers and more support.
• The NCSE (National Council for Special Education) provides the necessary resources (like teaching staff, special needs assistants, and training) for these classes.
• These classes exist within a “continuum of educational provision”, which means they are one part of a range of options available to meet the diverse needs of students with SEN.
• The continuum includes supports ranging from:
  • Full inclusion in mainstream classrooms with extra supports,
  • Special classes in mainstream schools,
  • To placement in special schools, for students with more complex needs.
• Schools are requested to use the term ‘special class’ in preference to the term ‘unit’.

Summary of Grants:

1. Start-Up Grant (€30,000)
   Paid automatically to schools (mainstream and special schools) once a special class is sanctioned by NCSE. The school is using existing space, and the grant covers fit-out, sensory space, furniture, equipment, and ICT. If core requirements are fully met, any residual funding may be used for other minor improvements within the school that support the inclusion of students with SEN.

2. Small-Scale Re-Purposing Works (Up to €70,000)
   Some schools may require small-scale re-purposing works to facilitate the establishment of a new special class in existing accommodation. The start-up grant of €30,000 will be paid initially regardless of if a re-purposing grant (up to €70,000) is being applied for.

3. Re-Purposing Works Above €70,000
   For significant refurbishment needs. Requires detailed assessment and is treated as part of the capital programme. The start-up grant of €30,000 will be paid initially regardless of if a re-purposing works grant (above €70,000) is being applied for.

4. Modular Accommodation
   The Department will provide modular accommodation as necessary where it is satisfied there is insufficient capacity within existing accommodation to facilitate the opening of a new special class that is sanctioned by the NCSE. Further guidance on grants for the opening of special classes is available in Department of Education Circular 0080/2024.

5. Specialised Furniture/Equipment Grant
   Schools can request funding for specific items needed by individual students, supported by an occupational therapist’s report.

6. Assistive Technology Grant
   Schools can apply for a grant to purchase specialist equipment, where this is essential and will be used throughout the school day, for students with a diagnosis of:

• a serious physical disability and/or
• a sensory or communicative disability
  For students who are deaf or hard of hearing or students who are blind or vision impaired, the NCSE Visiting Teacher can make recommendations in relation to specific assistive technology e.g., sound field systems, FM  systems, braille embossers, distance cameras etc. Applications for assistive technology should be made to the Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) with responsibility for the school.

7. Special Transport Scheme and Bus Escort
   The school transport scheme applies to children with special educational needs recognised by the Department of Education.  Application forms, with supporting professional reports, are submitted to the SENO, who forwards them to the Department for a decision. The employment of a School Transport Escort is sanctioned by the School Transport Section of the Department. The escort is then employed by the board of management. The School Transport Section of the Department will issue grant funding to the board of management for the salary of the bus escort.

8. Enhanced Capitation Grant
   This grant is paid annually for students who have been psychologically assessed with a mild or moderate general learning disability and are in a special class approved by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). Grant rates are available in Circular: 0079/2024. Schools can check if they have a sanctioned class for mild or moderate general learning disabilities on the NCSE website: https://ncse.ie/special-classes

Further Guidance:

• Further Guidance on Special Class Grants
• Accounting for Special Class Grants – Income & Expenditure COA codes