87. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the fact that the HSE has confirmed that it cannot provide a therapist allocation for the 12 new children who were due to start in (details supplied) and the existing 36 children do enjoy the services of allocated therapists, if she will consider asking either the NCSE or the proposed new national therapy service to intervene and provide equi…
Topics / Special Educational Needs
A subject heading for parliamentary questionsSpecial Educational Needs
2,921 questions from 146 TDs, between 22 January 2025 and 22 October 2026.
2,921
questions
2,881 written, 40 oral
146
TDs have asked
11
parties and groups
Independents counted together
5
departments asked
Questions per month
The record holds no questions for August, when the Dáil does not sit.
Jan 2025Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions |
|---|---|
| January 2025 | 31 |
| February 2025 | 124 |
| March 2025 | 114 |
| April 2025 | 160 |
| May 2025 | 134 |
| June 2025 | 183 |
| July 2025 | 215 |
| August 2025 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 113 |
| October 2025 | 76 |
| November 2025 | 191 |
| December 2025 | 122 |
| January 2026 | 163 |
| February 2026 | 283 |
| March 2026 | 270 |
| April 2026 | 167 |
| May 2026 | 181 |
| June 2026 | 171 |
| July 2026 | 101 |
| August 2026 | 0 |
| September 2026 | 44 |
| October 2026 | 78 |
Who asks, by party
The party each TD belonged to on the day, in alphabetical order. Parties differ a lot in size, and members of the Government answer questions rather than ask them, so this shows who raised it, not how much a party cares about it.
The TDs who asked most
Members of the Government answer questions rather than ask them. Each question counts once.
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139
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129
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115
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99
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92
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86
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80
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68
Asked of
Debated under the same heading
Debates whose official heading is exactly these words.
The questions
754. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education if she or her Department is aware of a proposal for a post-primary special class catering to 'SEN Betweeners' in Youghal; if she has been in touch with the parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18601/25]
757. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if a place in an ASD unit will be provided for a child (details supplied) as to date they have not been enrolled in any special school; the reason this vulnerable child is not receiving the level of care they urgently need; and if she will insist on the services engaging with the family. [18606/25]
758. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education for an update on the new special school proposed for Nenagh announced in December 2024; in particular, the location of same, the progress on staffing and the approval by the appropriate regularity authorities; when registration will commence for students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18632/25]
774. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Education if her Department will review policies regarding mandatory foreign language learning in schools, particularly in cases where students who have severe dyslexia and anxiety, are unable to engage in such learning due to their specific educational needs; and if she will ensure that schools accommodate these students by allowing them to work on alternative subjects…
775. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Education if she will investigate the implementation of inclusive practices in schools to ensure that students with special educational needs, such as severe dyslexia, are supported appropriately; and if she will issue guidance to schools on the provision of assistive technology to facilitate their learning. [18734/25]
776. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Education if her Department will address general concerns raised about insensitive remarks made by school staff regarding mental health challenges faced by students with special educational needs; and if she will ensure that schools receive training on how to sensitively handle such situations to avoid causing further distress to students or their families. [18735/25]
777. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Education if she will consider introducing a policy whereby students with Irish exemptions due to dyslexia or other learning difficulties are not required to take foreign languages as part of their curriculum; and if she will ensure that schools provide flexibility in such cases to support the mental health and academic progress of these students. [18736/25]
778. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Education if her Department will consider introducing measures to monitor school policies that may deter parents of children with special educational needs from enrolling their children; and if she will ensure that all schools foster an inclusive environment that supports diverse educational needs without discrimination. [18737/25]
786. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education the number of special classes for children with intellectual disabilities in each primary school in Kildare north; the number of available spaces for children with intellectual disabilities in primary schools in Kildare north; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18762/25]
789. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Education when the 5th autism class will open in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18788/25]
801. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Education her plans to increase the provision of classes for dyslexia in Clare, Limerick and north Tipperary; to outline waiting lists for classes for dyslexia in Clare, Limerick and north Tipperary, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18903/25]
802. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education if there are any plans for special needs bus escorts to receive a pay rise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18905/25]
824. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education what is being done to ensure the provision of appropriate numbers of primary school places for children with autism in the Coolock and Darndale area; if she can provide any guidance to assure that a child (details supplied) will have an appropriate place in a local school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18996/25]
826. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the lack of education provision in Donabate (details supplied) for children with ASD; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19021/25]
833. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education when the budgetary cap will be removed for SNA reviews; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19058/25]
834. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education her plans to increase the budget allocations for special needs assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19059/25]
837. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education the steps taken in Meath to ensure all children that require a school place have the possibility of securing a place in an ASD class or ASD unit in a school for the next academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19079/25]
844. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if there are plans for additional places in ASD classes in a school (details supplied) in Dublin mid-west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19193/25]
848. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education how an appeal can submitted against SNA hours allocated to a child in a mainstream school; to outline the appeal process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19210/25]
849. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education the criteria a child must meet to access SNA supports; if this is reflected in SNA allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19211/25]
850. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education if SNA supports are provided to children with behavioural issues; if this is reflected in SNA allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19212/25]
851. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education if a review of a school’s (details supplied) SNA allocation is valid given the timing of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19213/25]
852. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education if a special class or ASD unit can be opened in a school (details supplied); her department’s exceptions process for funding of modular buildings to allow mainstream schools to obtain space in order to open special classes and ASD units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19214/25]
856. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the steps her Department will take to ensure that a child (details supplied) can access a suitable educational setting for the 2025-26 academic year. [19235/25]