Special Educational Needs

361. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to provide training for teachers working with children with visual impairment; if she will engage with charities with already-developed resources ready to be deployed for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29227/26]

362. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the specific training modules that deal with the question of visual impairment in the state-subsidised SNA upskilling programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29228/26]

374. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she will be announcing any additional special education classes for the upcoming school year; the consideration being given to applications from schools that are still outstanding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29350/26]

378. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to urgently examine an application for a special needs assistant in respect of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29409/26]

379. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to urgently examine an application for a special needs assistant in respect of a child in County Kerry, (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29411/26]

386. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to use Section 37A of the Education Act 1998 to progress new special education classes [29472/26]

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]

93. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the decision to have autism class hubs is intended as a pilot initiative; and if so, the timelines and evaluation criteria for SEN classes. [28822/26]

98. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to address the critical shortage of special class placements within the Dublin 10 area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28858/26]

105. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Youth the progress made on the provision of additional accommodation at a school (details supplied) for autism classes; when it is expected these classrooms will be ready for use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28989/26]

107. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to ensure education of sufficient special education spaces across Waterford at both primary and secondary level. [29014/26]

491. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the progress regarding a special school place for a child (details supplied); the engagement there has been with the NCSE to secure a place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28169/26]

492. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the progress regarding a special school place for a child (details supplied); the engagement there has been with the NCSE to secure a place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28170/26]

493. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the progress regarding a special school place for a child (details supplied); the engagement there has been with the NCSE to secure a place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28171/26]

494. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the progress regarding a special school place for a child (details supplied); the engagement there has been with the NCSE to secure a place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28172/26]

499. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the redesignation of an early intervention class for a school in County Kildare (details supplied). [28301/26]

508. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school (details supplied) could be granted an emergency special needs assistant to deal with a new primary care need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28443/26]

523. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason Eircodes are not included in announcements of new autism classes; if she will include them in future to make locations clearer for parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28569/26]

524. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of new autism classes expected to open in September 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28570/26]

526. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current shortfall in autism class places; the expected shortfall for September 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28572/26]

527. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department maintains a central list of autism classes, including their locations and capacity; if she will consider making this information publicly available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28573/26]

531. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied); and if she will instruct her Department to engage with the family on the matter. [28577/26]

540. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if consideration was given to designing the newly announced special education classes as broader SEN classes rather than restricting enrolment to autism only; if schools were consulted on this model; if so, whether they actively request these classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28717/26]

541. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if this intended as a pilot initiative, and if so, what are the timelines and evaluation criteria for SEN classes. [28718/26]

542. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which the apparent contradiction reconciled between the Minister stating that diagnosis will not be required for primary provision, while simultaneously introducing classes that appear to rely on an autism-specific threshold for access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28719/26]