Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2026
134. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth which recommendations contained in the report of the Dublin 15 Schools Task Force have already been implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22938/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra135. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the report of the Dublin 15 Schools Task Force will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22939/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together.
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.
To supplement the work of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in relation to forward planning, a taskforce was established in October 2024 to consider the forward planning of special education provision in the Dublin 15 region. The Dublin 15 taskforce included a number of parent and school representatives. The findings of the taskforce have been submitted to the Minister and will be published shortly.
The report makes 21 key recommendations to address the issues, and work is progressing in relation to meeting some of the key recommendations of the taskforce. These include establishment of the Education Therapy Service (ETS), additional capitation, and significant level of capital funding in the National Development Plan (NDP) for special schools.
Significant progress is being made in many of these areas, particularly with a new ETS being established, additional capitation for special schools, a number of school building projects being announced that will provide additional special education places and ongoing work to develop a common application system for admission to schools.
The NCSE and the department are working closely to secure additional special class capacity for the 2026/2027 school year in the Dublin 15 area. The NCSE at local level continues to support families seeking specialist placements.
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.
