Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
382. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding her Department’s assessment of the Education (Medical Emergencies in Schools) Bill 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29451/26]
View answer383. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on the merits of progressing the aims of the Education (Medical Emergencies in Schools) Bill 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29452/26]
View answer384. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on whether the aims of the Education (Medical Emergencies in Schools) Bill 2026 are already covered under existing legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29453/26]
View answer385. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on whether there are sufficient provisions in schools to deal with extreme medical cases including severe allergic reactions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29454/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 382, 383, 384 and 385 together.
The Board of Management of each school is responsible for the care and safety of all pupils. It is understood that schools have local arrangements in place, including parents attending to administer medication on-site. Where the school is aware of potential difficulties that may arise as a consequence of a medical condition suffered by one or more pupils, it may be possible for the management authorities, working in conjunction with parents, teachers and children to put preventative measures in place to lessen the possibility of any difficulties arising or to ensure that, if a pupil suffers from an illness requiring, for example, the administration of medication, that appropriate treatment is available.
Where a child requires adult assistance to assist in the administration of medicine and where the extent of assistance required would overly disrupt normal teaching time, Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support may be allocated for this purpose. It is a matter for the Board of Management to ensure that SNAs are in a position to effectively meet the care needs of pupils for whom SNA support has been allocated in the school, when appointing an SNA.
Where specific training is required, the Board of Management can liaise with the Health Service Executive (HSE) in order to ensure that the HSE provides guidance and training that enables the SNA to meet the care needs of the pupil in an appropriate manner. It is a matter for individual school authorities to make such arrangements locally.
The Bill referred to by the Deputy is scheduled for debate in Private Members’ time on Thursday afternoon, 23rd April. Government will make its position known during that debate.
