Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
503. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the emergency measures available for children who are deemed unsuitable for mainstream education and ASD units but who cannot access a special school placement due to administrative delays or lack of places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37135/26]
View answerThis 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.
My department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools and students with special educational needs in order to ensure that wherever a child is enrolled, they will have access to an education that meets their needs.
The functions of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) include planning and coordinating the provision of education and support services to children and young people with special educational needs in conjunction with schools and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The NCSE, through its network of local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports as required. The NCSE is aware of emerging need from year to year and where special provision is required it is planned and established to meet that need.
The allocation of special education teachers allows schools to provide additional teaching support for all students who require such support in their schools and for schools to deploy resources based on each student’s individual learning needs.
In addition, special needs assistants (SNAs) play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools ensuring that these students can access an education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
When allocating resources schools take into account the learning needs of students as evidenced by performance in schools but also supported where relevant by information provided regarding the nature of a condition that a student may have. Specific interventions are therefore tailored, by the school, to the individual’s needs, rather than being generic to a specific difficulty, disability or condition.
My department also provides funding for assistive technologies for students where they are required. Information on these supports is available also via the local SENO.
My department and the NCSE continue to work closely with school patron bodies, school management bodies and schools to confirm new special classes for the next school year 2026/2027. To date, 504 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for 2026/27. This is a number of months ahead of last year and should provide greater clarity for parents.
Further details on additional new special classes will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Details of the new special classes are available on the NCSE website.
The NCSE remains available to provide advice and support to all families seeking specialist placement and will continue to examine where provision is required for the 2026/27 school year.
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 achieve their full potential.
