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 …
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
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]
640. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the rationale for the removal of a teacher from a school (details supplied) given the SEN needs and the number of students in the school. [40254/26]
641. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the rationale for the removal of a teacher from a school (details supplied) given the SEN needs and the number of students in the school. [40255/26]
644. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the date on which the decision was made to permit the issuing of NCSE eligibility letters in respect of applications received after the 1 October 2025 parents notify deadline for special school and special class placements for the 2026-2027 school year; when she and-or her Department first communicated this decision to the NCSE; the form in which t…
645. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Youth to expedite a decision on an application for a special educational needs refurbishment grant for a school in Limerick (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40307/26]
646. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will outline in detail the number of places that will be available in the special school in Balbriggan due to open in Castlemill in 2026; if she will provide information on the application and selection process for these places and details of the catchment area for this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40317/26]
1509. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the further education, training, life-skills and supported employment pathways that are available for young people with Down syndrome or additional needs after secondary school in County Roscommon and County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39491/26]
1510. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the programmes delivered through GRETB for young people with additional needs leaving post-primary education; the number of places available; and if demand exceeds capacity. [39492/26]
244. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to further fund the WALK PEER programme funding beyond 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38466/26]
245. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the amount spent on reading recovery in the past five years, in tabular form. [38450/26]
246. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the evidence-based interventions being used in schools for children with dyslexia. [38451/26]
247. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to provide the further support requested by a school (details supplied) to roll out the summer programme. [38464/26]
254. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school placement can be secured for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38621/26]
255. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a portal for inputting school tuition information will be reopened for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38678/26]
257. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the expansion of reading class provision for children with dyslexia in Galway city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38695/26]
263. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she plans to roll out the autism class application trial nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39361/26]
121. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the application for a second special class at a school (details supplied); if approval will be granted for same; if not, the reasons for the decision given the concerns raised locally regarding the availability of special class places in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37964/26]
124. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will identify pressure areas in South Kildare in terms of the demand for special class places; the number of children in the location have not been offered an appropriate place; if she anticipates children not being provided a place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38011/26]
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…
126. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current average processing time for assistive technology applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38037/26]
129. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide advice regarding options to a parent of a child with additional needs (details supplied) who is being expelled from their special school; when the educational welfare officer will be in contact with the parent following referral a number of weeks ago; the support being provided by the NCSE to the family, given they have been aware of the b…
130. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the application by a school (details supplied) for special school status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38051/26]
132. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth if consideration will be given to expanding the upper age limit and September age cut-off criteria within the admissions policy for the new special school in Balbriggan, in recognition of the fact that many children with additional needs commence school later than their peers due to developmental, medical or placement-related delays; and if she …
133. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth if flexibility will be introduced to ensure that children who may be over the stated age threshold, or who miss the September cut-off by a short period, are not excluded from accessing an appropriate special school placement where a clear educational need exists in the new special school in Balbriggan; and if she will make a statement on the mat…