Jen Cummins
Ceist:466. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth how long the placement for student teachers is in an SEBD school; and the circular which covers that. [45411/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 16 June 2026
Ceisteanna (466)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future included a commitment to make modules and placement experiences relating to special education a universal component of Initial Teacher Education (ITE), subject to assessment.
This commitment was advanced through the March 2025 announcement of a mandatory two-week placement focused on special education for all ITE students. This placement may take place in a range of special education settings, including Special Schools, Special Classes, and SEBD (Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties) schools, depending on availability and suitability.
The duration of the placement in an SEBD school is therefore two weeks, in line with the overall mandatory special education placement requirement.
In preparation for the commencement of this placement, and to inform the development of a Guidance Note for ITE providers, the Teaching Council surveyed all ITE providers to establish a comprehensive insight into existing provision of school placement experiences relating to special education.
Informed by those survey findings, a data-mapping exercise, and consultation with ITE providers and education partners, a Guidance Note for HEIs has been developed and issued by the Teaching Council to support implementation of these placements for all student teachers from September 2026.
In addition, a Note to Schools was issued in April 2026 advising of the commencement of the mandatory special education placement and outlining the arrangements for hosting student teachers in special education settings, including SEBD schools.
There is no standalone circular specific to SEBD placement. The placement is governed by the Teaching Council’s Guidance Note on Special Education Placement, issued to ITE providers in 2026, and by the Department’s Note to Schools issued in April 2026.