421. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the NCSE engaged in meaningful consultation with schools, SNAs, and parents before finalising the 2025-2026 SNA review process guidelines; if so, to provide details of that consultation; and if not, the reasons key stakeholders were excluded. [54716/25]
Parliamentary questions
Questions
TDs ask ministers questions to get answers on the record, most of them in writing. Here is every one asked in the 34th Dáil, by the department it went to and the subject heading it was filed under. How questions work
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Showing questions asked by Michael Cahill under the heading National Council for Special Education.
11 questions match, newest first.
422. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider extending or reopening the application window for school-led SNA reviews beyond the current period 15 September to 24 October; and if flexibility will be introduced to accommodate mid-year applications in cases of new or emerging needs. [54717/25]
423. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to clarify the definitions used in the NCSE's 2025-2026 guidelines for 'complex care needs' and 'level 3 care needs'; and if she will commit to co-developing the criteria with practitioners and parents to ensure fair and inclusive application. [54718/25]
424. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason the 2025-2026 SNA guidelines appear to exclude or deprioritise behavioural care needs; and if she will direct the NCSE to explicitly recognise behavioural and emotional needs as part of complex care needs requiring SNA support. [54719/25]
425. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of concerns that the unification of SNA allocations across mainstream and special classes may result in a net reduction in support for students in autism classes; and if she will ensure that these allocations reflect the higher and distinct needs in those settings. [54720/25]
426. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has considered the potential for internal conflict within schools arising from the redeployment of SNAs between autism classes and mainstream settings; and the safeguards in place to prevent the erosion of specialist supports. [54723/25]
427. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if schools and staff have been given adequate time and training to implement the 'Relate' document, which is now a required component of the SNA review process; and if she will delay enforcement of the requirements until proper capacity building has occurred. [54724/25]
428. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth the training or guidance which has been issued to schools and SNAs to assist them in navigating the new SNA review process; and if additional supports or professional development resources will be made available. [54725/25]
429. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth the appeals process for SNA review decisions under the 2025-2026 guidelines; and to confirm that the process will be transparent, timely, and accessible to schools and families. [54726/25]
430. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department is monitoring the impact of the revised SNA review process on school staffing levels, student wellbeing, and inclusion outcomes; and if she will publish impact assessment reports. [54727/25]
431. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to respond to concerns from the education sector that the new SNA guidelines appear focused more on rationing or gatekeeping resources than supporting students; and the steps she is taking to protect children's access to essential SNA supports. [54728/25]