91. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of general learning disability special classes in the school system; the plans to expand the number; and her views on whether the lack of sufficient general learning disability special classes is facilitating social exclusion of children. [40509/26]
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
-
129
-
115
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99
-
92
-
86
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80
-
68
Asked of
Debated under the same heading
Debates whose official heading is exactly these words.
The questions
98. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a child in County Kerry (details supplied) will receive an educational placement along with the level of consistent therapeutic and medical support that is urgently needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40670/26]
101. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if further funding will be made available to a school (details supplied) at the earliest opportunity for the provision of much needed SEN classrooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40708/26]
184. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a child in County Kerry (details supplied) will receive an educational placement along with the level of consistent therapeutic and medical support that is urgently needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40651/26]
524. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason approval was not granted for a modular build extension to accommodate special needs students on the waiting list for a school (details supplied) who have not been allocated a school place; and if she will expedite a positive response. [38703/26]
527. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the date a special school (details supplied) will open; if it will be open in September 2026; and the way in which wastewater will be connected on the site. [38722/26]
531. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the second autism class planned for a school (details supplied) will be opened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38780/26]
532. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the development of a new school site to accommodate a school (details supplied) when the new schools will be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38783/26]
544. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the opening of a special class (details supplied) sanctioned on 12 January 2026; whether funding has been provided to launch this class [38997/26]
545. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the projected number of new special classes to be established in 2026 under the revised estimates; the number of applications currently outstanding for special class places in her constituency; when all children with special educational needs will have access to appropriate placements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38999/26]
550. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes launched in Dublin 15 in 2025 at primary school level, broken down per school; the number of places made available to students already enrolled in the school; the number of places made available externally, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39013/26]
551. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes launched in Dublin 15 in 2025 at secondary school level, broken down per school; the number of places made available to students already enrolled in the school; the number of places made available externally, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39014/26]
552. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes launched in Dublin 15 in 2026 at primary school level, broken down per school; the number of places made available to students already enrolled in the school; the number of places made available externally, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39015/26]
553. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes launched in Dublin 15 in 2026 at secondary school level, broken down per school; the number of places made available to students already enrolled in the school; the number of places made available externally, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39016/26]
554. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes launched in Dublin 15 in 2024 at primary school level, broken down per school; the number of places made available to students already enrolled in the school; the number of places made available externally, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39017/26]
555. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes launched in Dublin 15 in 2024 at secondary school level, broken down per school; the number of places made available to students already enrolled in the school; the number of places made available externally, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39018/26]
562. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of a special class (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39427/26]
563. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the situation regarding the provision of spaces in school for children with Down syndrome; if they are included in the configuration for special classes or are they included in mainstream classes or can they go on an inclusive basis between the special class and the mainstream; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39428/26]
564. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the situation regarding the provision of spaces in school for children with visual impairment, if they are included in the configuration for special classes; if not, if they are included in mainstream classes or can they go on an inclusive basis between the special class and the mainstream; and if she will make a statement on the matter. […
568. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps being taken to ensure that summer provision is available to students with additional needs in schools where the programme has not operated in recent years; and the obligations that apply to schools in this regard. [39488/26]
570. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if guidance is available to schools where parents privately engage occupational therapists to support a child’s learning needs; and if schools can access HSE or NCSE supported OT input directly. [39490/26]
580. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39521/26]
586. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the planning and building unit's engagement with a school (details supplied) and the NCSE to deliver a special class sanctioned for September 2026 that requires modular accommodation; to provide a timeline on its completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39535/26]
608. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department intends to establish an interim national educational pathway for children on reduced timetables, limited home tuition, or awaiting suitable school placements who do not meet the current eligibility criteria for iScoil; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39737/26]
620. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will commit to fund the WALK PEER Supported Transitions programme beyond the end of 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39934/26]