Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
588. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the number of students assigned to the school in the National Rehabilitation Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9831/26]
View answer589. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the number of staff assigned to the school in the National Rehabilitation Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9832/26]
View answer590. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the location of all schools that are located within hospitals to accommodate children in longer term medical care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9833/26]
View answer591. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students currently assigned to schools that are located within hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9834/26]
View answer592. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of staff that are currently assigned to schools located within hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9835/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 588, 589, 590, 591 and 592 together.
Enabling students with special educational needs to receive an education that meets their needs is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of students with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where students with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided.
This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which promotes that students will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.
The Department of Education and Youth provides funding and staffing for schools attached to seven hospitals and three CAMHS units where children are treated as inpatients. Hospital schools constitute a critical element of a child’s pathway to recovery while in the hospital setting. They provide opportunities to address children’s wellbeing needs in seeking to maintain continuity of learning and contact with peers, where possible.
While hospital schools are designated as special primary schools, they serve the needs of a broad range of students of various ages including students from both mainstream schools, special classes and special schools. Traditionally, and according to Department rules, newly admitted paediatric patients should be offered education in the hospital school after they have been in hospital for ten days. Children on repeat admissions should access education immediately for each subsequent period in the hospital.
A list of Hospitals schools and CAMHS schools is available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/organisation-information/special-schools/.
Preliminary enrolment data for the academic year 2025-2026 for these schools is available on the Gov.ie page - Primary schools enrolment figures (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/collections/primary-schools-enrolment-figures/#20242025) This data will be replaced by the final data for 2025-2026 in June 2026 at the link. The same page also contains final data for previous school years.
Since the 2025/2026 school year the staffing allocation of each hospital schools will be reviewed annually by the NCSE and is based on the needs of the students in each of the school.
The Department’s Inspectorate has carried out reports on both types of settings which may be of interest and can be accessed via the links below or directly through Gov.ie.:
• Review of education provision in schools attached to CAMHS units www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/review-of-education-provision-in-schools-attached-to-camhs-units/.
• A Review of Educational Provision for Children Attending Hospital Schools www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/collections/inspectorate-publications-evaluation-reports-and-guidelines/.
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.
