Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 January 2026
67. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide records in relation to the number of times section 37a of the Schools Admissions Act 2018 has been enforced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6827/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis 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 Minister has powers under Section 37A of the Education Act to direct a school to provide additional places but this power is only used as a last resort and where all reasonable efforts have failed. Prior to the introduction of new legislation in 2022, the Section 37A process had been used to secure additional special class provision on two occasions in Dublin.
The provision has also been enacted in regard to one school in Kildare in 2025 in order to ensure that children with special educational needs in the local area had an appropriate placement for the 2025/2026 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 reach their full potential.
