Special Educational Needs

96. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the actions she is taking to ensure safe staffing levels in all special schools and to ensure that all children attending special schools can access a full school timetable. [73911/26]

The Minister of State will know that the vast majority of parents approaching us with regard to special education have one simple question: when will their child receive an appropriate school place in a school that is appropriately staffed? Is í mo cheist don Aire Stáit inniu ná just that. What actions are the Minister of State and his Department taking to ensure safe staffing levels in all special schools and to ensure that every child has access to a full timetable?

As Minister of State with responsibility for special education and inclusion, I have met with special school communities across the country, including meeting directly with school principals, and I have heard at first hand the experiences of schools and their families. I am very much aware of the additional challenges our special schools face compared with their mainstream counterparts. In response to this, a number of new measures have been introduced to support special schools. The extension of the administrative deputy principal post to all special schools has been instrumental in assisting principals with leadership and management functions and in supporting learning and parental and community engagement. The allocation of 100 post-primary teaching posts is ensuring that a greater range of national curriculum subjects can be taught to improve student progression and transition. This has facilitated the roll-out of level 1 and level 2 learning programmes. In 2026, for the first time, we saw many students in special schools gaining a State examination certificate on the same day as peers who had completed other State examinations. Since 2023, the National Educational Psychological Service has expanded to all special schools. These schools now have an assigned psychologist. In addition, the education therapy service, ETS, is rolling out, across special schools at first. It is now supporting 64 special schools. The ETS is continuing to expand. Budget 2027 provided €24 million for the service for next year. In addition to these measures, my Department is also working with the NCSE to further support special schools in relation to a range of issues relating to administration, curriculum and training. Where schools raise concerns regarding staffing resources, this support may include a review of SNA allocations, where requested.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit ach ní hé seo an taithí atá ag teaghlaigh ar an talamh. Only a couple of weeks ago, families from Carrigaline Community Special School and Belmayne Community Special School were in the audiovisual room telling us about the shocking experiences they have endured. This is only the tip of the iceberg. Special schools around the State are operating with dangerously low staffing levels. We know for a fact that this is causing harm to the welfare and development of some of our most vulnerable children. These families deserve the employment of every tool at the Government's disposal to tackle this crisis. I am sure the Minister of State saw the shocking documentary on Virgin Media Television recently. We saw one particular school using storerooms and accessible bathrooms for one-on-one time with children. The conditions our children are being forced to learn in are unacceptable. The buck stops with the Minister of State and his Department. The measures he has outlined are either ineffective or are not being rolled out fast enough. What can the families expect to see from the Minister of State's Department?

I am acutely aware of this issue. Last spring and early summer, I met with the principals of all of the special schools in five locations across the country to hear at first hand what the challenges are. I am acutely aware of the challenges being faced. This year alone, we increased the budget for special education from €3 billion to €3.8 billion. We are investing a considerable amount of money in specialised education. We are going to continue to do that. I assure the Deputy that I have seen the documentaries and the various media pieces. I compliment the leadership of special schools, the teachers, the SNAs and the entire school community on the work they are doing across the country. I meet with and speak with them regularly. I understand the challenges but we are increasing the investment in teachers and SNAs on the one side and, on the other side, in the education therapy service, a new initiative that was in the programme for Government. People were reluctant but we have embraced it and are rolling it out.

Táim sásta go bhfuil an tAire Stáit tar éis bualadh leis an méid sin scoileanna sa Stát. I have met with an awful lot of them too. We all share serious concerns about how the new ETB community special schools are being opened with seemingly little planning or preparation. It looks like they are being opened in haste just to get to grips with numbers rather than to genuinely meet the needs of the students. Children are recommended special school places for a reason. It is because they need access to specialist support from occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists and behavioural specialists who will intervene with the students, their families and the school staff. Neither the special school in Carrigaline nor the one in Belmayne has a full-time functioning multidisciplinary team. This is needed immediately. The consequence of this failure for some of our most vulnerable children has been that they have been punished with suspensions. Carrigaline Community Special School has been reported to have had 18 official suspensions. This should not be happening. It would not be happening if the necessary supports were in place. Will the Minister of State ensure that the full complement of staff is in place going forward in community special schools? Will he ensure that the same is true for every other special school sa Stát?

We have made huge investments in special schools. We opened four special schools last year. One of these was under the auspices of one of the religious organisations so we are going one way or the other. Many patron bodies are coming forward and we are engaging. I take the Deputy's fundamental point. Many times, we and other states have been criticised in respect of our education and health systems. It has been said that the State is not providing or opening facilities. The ETBs are State bodies. We need to make sure that we open further special schools. We will have to because international commentary by academics in respect of inclusive education points to a need for more special schools within the country. We will continue to open them. We must also make sure the specialised resources are available at each level to each and every school. I am continuing to engage, as are the Department and the NCSE, as regards providing the specialised supports that are necessary right across the special school and special class community.