Emer Currie
Ceist:650. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she will consider providing special schools with an AP1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12285/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 17 February 2026
Ceisteanna (650)
Freagraí scríofa
This 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 actively engages with the representative bodies for special schools, in order to help to address some of these additional challenges these schools face over their mainstream counterparts.
Following close engagement with special schools, and awareness of the challenges facing special schools a number of new measures have been introduced to support special schools. Firstly, the extension of administrative deputy principal posts to all special schools has been instrumental in assisting principals with leadership and management functions and to support learning and parental and community engagement.
Secondly, the allocation of 100 post-primary teaching posts to ensure a greater range of the national curriculum subjects can be taught to improve student progression and transition.
An increase in funding to ensure that the Summer Programme continues to expand for students with special educational needs.
In addition to these budgetary measures, my department is also working closely with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to further support special schools in relation to a range of issues relating to administration, curriculum and training.
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.