627. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she will review the eligibility criteria for assistive technology supports for children with additional educational needs, particularly in circumstances where children with diagnosed learning difficulties, ASD, ADHD, dyslexia or FASD may be excluded from accessing supports due to IQ-related thresholds or specific diagnostic criteria; whether …
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 Albert Dolan under the heading Special Educational Needs.
23 questions match, newest first.
628. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether consideration is being given to reviewing current rules relating to Irish language exemptions and access to assistive technology supports where diagnoses such as dyslexia or dyspraxia occur after transition to secondary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40084/26]
125. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of the situation affecting a school (details supplied), where pupils with a mild or moderate learning disability who are enrolled in an NCSE-approved special class designated for autism/ASD are being deemed ineligible for the special class grant under Circular 0066/2025; the reason for this exclusion; if this policy will be reviewed t…
89. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of early intervention preschool classes for autistic children in mainstream schools which are being redesignated to primary autism classes or other special classes for the 2026-2027 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28799/26]
1277. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 882 of 18 March 2026, if it is possible to divide the list provided on the NCSE website into special classes and early intervention/autism classes, by county, for each year from 2014 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24197/26]
882. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of early intervention preschool classes for autistic children in Special Schools, by county, from 2014 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20439/26]
357. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the special education teacher allocation for a school (details supplied); if a review of the school’s allocation has taken place or is planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18112/26]
516. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of early intervention preschool classes for autistic children in mainstream schools and special schools that are being redesignated as primary autism classes-other special classes for the 2026-27 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14381/26]
206. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 645 of 4 November 2025, whether schools will be instructed or required by the NCSE to redeploy special needs assistants (SNAs) from their mainstream SNA allocation in order to meet above-SERC needs in autism classes under the new SNA review guidelines; whether the previous above-SERC SNA review process for autism…
499. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the special education teaching allocation for a school (details supplied); if she will ensure that the school receives an allocation that accurately reflects the current needs of its pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63696/25]
479. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review enrolment policies for students with diagnosed language disorders who are professionally recommended to attend specialist language units for part of their primary education; and if she will ensure that such students are not disadvantaged in accessing second-level school places in their local community as a result of attending a lan…
480. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures in place, and the further action that will be taken, to guarantee equitable access to second-level education for children who must attend specialist settings due to a language-based disability, so that they are not penalised in the admissions process for circumstances beyond their control. [61016/25]
559. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to address issues concerning the interpretation of the term “SSD of unknown origin” by SLT’s in the HSE to exclude children with disabilities from accessing developmental language disorder or speech sound disorder special classes (details supplied). [62128/25]
645. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will clarify whether the “above-SERC SNA” review process remains in operation under the new SNA allocation guidelines; if schools with autism classes will continue to be able to apply for above-SERC reviews throughout the school year in cases where a child’s needs cannot be met within the standard staffing allocation; and if she will confirm w…
103. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of general learning disability classes currently being provided at both primary and post-primary school level throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36474/25]
104. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth at a national level, the number of children with Down syndrome currently enrolled in five distinct settings (details supplied). [36475/25]
105. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether a review has been undertaken of the educational provision for children with mild and moderate general learning disabilities (GLD) in mainstream schools since the introduction of the General Allocation Model in 2005, which saw the suppression of GLD classes in primary schools; if not, the reasons for this lack of review; and if she will make a…
106. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of applications or expressions of interest received in the past year from parents or schools for access to mild and moderate general learning disability classes in children’s local area schools, which have not resulted in the opening of such classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36477/25]
107. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps being taken to support children with mild or moderate general learning disabilities (GLD) in mainstream schools, given the limited establishment of GLD classes in primary schools and the increasing necessity for families to seek placement in special schools, often far from their communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. […
108. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures in place to support the transition of children with general learning disabilities (GLD) from primary to post-primary education, particularly where a child has had access to a GLD class or significant special educational needs support in primary school, but faces exclusion from post-primary schools in their catchment area due to the absen…
421. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the availability of school places for children with special educational needs in east Galway; if her Department is aware of the current shortfall in both mainstream schools with special classes and dedicated special schools in the region; and the measures being taken to ensure that every child in east Galway can access an appropriate…
93. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a decision will be made on the allocation of a special needs assistant, SNA, for a school (details supplied); when the subsequent appointment of the SNA will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30791/25]
317. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for a special educational needs extension, including the stage it is currently at; and the expected timeline for approval and funding. [13112/25]