Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 November 2025
467. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a review of special education hours for a school will be considered (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63234/25]
View answer499. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the special education teaching allocation for a school (details supplied); if she will ensure that the school receives an allocation that accurately reflects the current needs of its pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63696/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 467 and 499 together.
The Special Education Teaching (SET) Allocation Model is a standardised allocation model that provides schools with additional teaching hours to support the teaching needs of students in mainstream classes.
For the 2025/26 school year close to 15,000 special education teachers have been allocated to schools to support these children and young people.
The primary responsibility for the education of all students, including those with special education learning needs, is the class teacher.
The allocation of hours to each school is based on a unique profile of learning need in each individual school. The allocation model uses a variety of statistical data to complete allocations. This data includes, enrolment data, data on educational needs profiles (literacy and numeracy) and data on educational disadvantage.
The department is aware that unique circumstances may arise in schools that may be difficult to reflect in a standardised method. Any school who has any concerns that their allocation is insufficient to meet the identified learning needs of all children and young people enrolled based on the Continuum of Support framework can engage with the NCSE to request a review of their allocation.
I can confirm that the NCSE have advised that in relation to the school referred to by the deputy that the school submitted a SET review request. The NCSE further advised that the outcome of the review was no change to their allocation for 2025/26 school year and the NCSE communicated this outcome to the school.
The NCSE are available to support the school with the deployment of their SET allocation and the school may request this support via the NCSE school portal.
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 reach their full potential.
