Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
285. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to ensure assessments of needs are completed as quickly as possible for children (details supplied); that they receive funding for SNA hours and home tuition due to lack of school places suitable for their needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52709/26]
View answerMy 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 achieve their full potential.
The NCSE is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. As your query refers to individual placements, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
The vast majority of students with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where students with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided.
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.
584 new special classes have been sanctioned to date, including 68 inclusive special classes. Of the 584 new special classes, 378 are being established in primary schools and 206 in post-primary schools. New special classes are being established in every county with 12 new special classes confirmed for Co Clare. This brings the total number of special classes sanctioned to date to over 4,300. Further new special classes may be confirmed in the coming weeks, if required. Four new special schools were also recently announced by Ministers Naughton and Moynihan.
My department provides resources to state-recognised schools to ensure that children with special educational needs have access to an appropriate education.
Special needs assistants (SNA)s 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 that enables them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
SNA posts are allocated to schools as a school-based resource. Principals/board of managements deploy SNAs within schools to meet the care support requirements of the students enrolled whom SNA support has been allocated.This provides schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
The Home Tuition Grant Scheme provides a compensatory educational service for children who are unable to attend school and for children with special educational needs who are seeking a school placement where such a placement is not currently available. Home Tuition is intended as an interim support only and should not be regarded as an alternative to a recognised school placement.
The NCSE, through its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers, remains available to support families in identifying and securing appropriate school placements and educational supports for children with special educational needs.
An Assessment of Need is a service provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) for children or young people with a disability. The assessment identifies the child's health needs and what health services are needed to meet the child’s needs.
Matters in relation to the provision of health-related therapy services and the assessment of needs should be directed to the HSE or to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
Matters in relation to the Domiciliary Care Allowance should be directed to the Department of Social Protection.
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.
