Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2026
122. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures currently in place to provide training for primary and post-primary teachers in the management of epilepsy in students; if any such training is mandatory or voluntary; if she has plans to introduce mandatory epilepsy awareness and seizure response training for teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37966/26]
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.
The Board of Management of each school is responsible for the care and safety of all of the students in their school and care and safety should be at the centre of all policy and practices. Schools are required to take all reasonable precautions to provide training for teachers to ensure the safety and welfare of their pupils.
It is important that a sufficient number of school staff receive adequate training to meet the care needs of students, and adequate cover is in place where staff designated to provide essential care support is absent on any particular day. Resources should also be deployed so that students with the greatest level of need receive the greatest level of support in the school.
Where specific training is required, the school can liaise with Enable Ireland, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Education Support Centres, at a local level to secure guidance and training to meet the care needs of the student.
The school’s special education needs organiser (SENO) is also available to advise on the resources available to assist students with special educational needs including opportunities for targeted training.
Matters in relation to the provision of health-related services to children should be generally directed to the HSE or to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
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.
