Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2026
132. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the increase in special educational teachers working in schools across Cork city and county for each of the years 2023 to 2025; the allocation for 2026, if available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13072/26]
View answerEnabling 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 advocates that students will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.
Special education teachers (SETs) provide additional teaching to students with special educational needs attending mainstream classes using a wide variety of teaching approaches.
For the 2025/26 school year close to 15,000 SETs have been allocated to schools to support these children and young people.
The Special Education Teaching Allocation Model is a standardised allocation model that provides schools with additional teaching hours to support the teaching needs of students in mainstream classes.
When the model was introduced, it replaced a diagnosis led model with one based on need. This ensures the allocation supports all students that require a level of additional teaching support as identified through the Continuum of Support framework.
Since 2020/21, the number of SETs in schools in County Cork has increased from 2,217 in the 2020/21 school year to 2,743 at present, this is a growth of 23.75%.
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.
