Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
531. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied); and if she will instruct her Department to engage with the family on the matter. [28577/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling students with special educational needs to receive an education that meets their needs is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
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. This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which promotes that students will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs. Parents and schools can contact the NCSE directly using the details available on the NCSE's https://ncse.ie/seno-contact-information Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) are available to offer advice, support and guidance as required to ensure students with special educational needs are supported to achieve their full potential
The Department of Education and Youth does not have a role in investigating or responding to parental complaints of this nature as it is not directly involved in the day-to-day management of schools.
The Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school and the department or the Inspectorate does not have the power to instruct schools to follow a particular course of direction with regard to individual complaints.
The department’s role in such circumstances is to clarify how complaints against a school or a member of its staff may be progressed.
As you may be aware the agreed procedures that should be used at school level is that the parent should direct the complaint to the school principal in the first instance and then to the Board of Management, if necessary.
If they remain dissatisfied after having brought your concern to the attention of the school’s board of management, they may write to the school patron/trustee.
Parents may also refer a complaint to The Office of the Ombudsman for Children who may independently investigate complaints about schools recognised by the Department of Education and Youth, provided the parent has firstly and fully followed the school's complaints procedures.
The key criterion for any intervention by the Ombudsman for Children is that the administrative actions or non-actions of a school has, or, may have, adversely affected the child. The Office of the Ombudsman for Children may be contacted at: Millennium House, 52-56 Great Strand Street, Dublin 1; tel. 1800 20 20 40 or (01) 865 6800 or email oco@oco.ie.
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.
