Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
591. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the research carried out by a person (details supplied) into the supports required by children classed as twice exceptional that also have an advanced learning need (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30559/26]
View answerThe Department is currently developing policy and best practice on a number of fronts.
To provide a coherent vision for provision of education to children classed as twice exceptional, the Department established an internal working group. The working group is jointly chaired by Special Education Section and the Curriculum and Assessment Policy (CAP) Unit.
In April 2024 the department commissioned a piece of research to review the education provision within the school system and childhood and care settings for students with exceptional abilities across a number of jurisdictions (UK, Finland, Canada and Australia). Dublin City University (DCU) successfully tendered for this research.
In November 2024 the completed report was submitted to the Department by DCU. The findings and the recommendations in the report are being considered by the internal working group.
I am not aware of the research by Dr Orla Dunne referred to in your question but I have asked the internal working group on Exceptional Abilities to consider this research and report back to me.
The Department is currently supporting a number of programmes to test best practice and to create a network of schools and education centres throughout the country that can provide support and advice for exceptionally gifted students in their region. These include:
Saibhriú:• This pilot programme established in 2025 and funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund will foster local collaboration between primary and post-primary schools to establish how they can most effectively work together to support the needs of students who are exceptionally able and gifted. The pilot has been extended for 2026.
Summer Course for Teachers; • The Department via Mayo Education Centre hosted a summer course for teachers in 2025. Plans are underway to extend this course in 2026.
Summer Programme for Students• ; In Summer 2025 two schools were invited to participate in a summer programme for exceptionally gifted students in their locality. This programme is funded through the existing Summer Programme scheme and was in addition to the summer programmes running in the schools. It is proposed to extend this programme to an additional small number of schools for summer 2026.
