Special Educational Needs

Thursday, 23 April 2026

Questions (386)

Jen Cummins

Question:

386. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to use Section 37A of the Education Act 1998 to progress new special education classes [29472/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth

This government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.

The Minister has powers under Section 37A of the Education Act to direct a school to provide additional places but this power is only used as a last resort and where all reasonable efforts have failed.

I am satisfied that I have the necessary statutory powers under Section 37A of the Education Act 1998 to compel schools to make provision for children and young people with special education needs. In addition, the NCSE also has the power to direct schools to admit individual children and young people with special education needs.

My department and the National Council for Special Education (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.