Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 October 2026
291. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which disability inclusion and awareness is taught to trainee teachers; the number of hours per year of their course that is dedicated to disability training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71630/26]
View answerUnder Section 38 of the Teaching Council Act, all initial teacher education programmes must be accredited by the Teaching Council for registration purposes. The Council reviewed its policy on standards for programmes of initial teacher education (ITE) and published updated standards in Céim Standards for Initial Teacher Education in October 2020.
The Céim standards require programmes to include foundation studies, professional studies and school placement and are underpinned by seven core elements that underpin all aspects of programme design. Inclusive Education is one of the seven core elements which underpin all aspects of programme design and delivery in accredited ITE programmes.
Céim describes inclusive education as one that ‘includes the fostering of appropriate learning environments, including digital ones, that support the development of student teachers’ ability to provide for the learning needs of all pupils by utilising, for example, a universal design for learning framework’.
The term inclusive education is any aspect of teachers’ learning aimed at:
• Improving their capacity to address and respond to the diversity of learners’ needs,
• Removing barriers to education through the accommodation and provision of appropriate structures and arrangements; and
• Enabling each learner to achieve the maximum benefit from his/her attendance at school.
The Teaching Council accreditation process demonstrates that Higher Education Institution (HEI) programmes meet minimum standards in relation to the core element of Inclusive Education. The accreditation process also shows that programmes provide specific content learning, inclusive pedagogical approaches and school placement opportunities, related to inclusive education.
HEIs are also required to integrate Taisce (portfolio) activities with their school placements specifically around Inclusive Education and working with parents to ensure that student teachers not only learn about inclusive education theoretically but also apply these concepts practically in various educational settings, enhancing their ability to support all learners effectively.
Céim is a holistic set of standards, and as such does not prescribe specific hours of teaching for each programme element. Programmes follow a spiral learning approach allowing for key concepts and topics to be revisited over the course of programmes in order to develop deeper understandings.
This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. Special education funding will exceed €3 billion in 2026 – up 58% since 2020 and the highest amount ever provided. Budget 2027 will see further significant investment in special education with increases in the numbers of special education teachers and SNAs.
My Department is 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.
