Special Educational Needs

689. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department monitors the way in which schools support children with ADHD who are awaiting HSE psychological services; the interim educational supports that are available to such children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18836/26]

690. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the guidance that is issued to schools regarding classroom strategies for children with ADHD, including movement breaks, sensory supports, and differentiated instruction; whether this guidance is mandatory; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18837/26]

691. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether additional special educational teaching hours can be allocated to a child with a confirmed ADHD diagnosis who is experiencing significant emotional dysregulation and academic difficulty, pending access to psychological services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18838/26]

692. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will detail the process by which schools can apply for additional special needs assistant support where a child with ADHD presents with emotional regulation difficulties and potential risk factors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18839/26]

693. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has assessed the impact of long waiting lists for HSE occupational therapy and psychology services on children’s educational outcomes; the findings of that assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18840/26]

694. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the oversight that exists to ensure that children diagnosed through private providers following referral under the HSE’s assessment of need process receive timely recognition and educational supports within the school system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18841/26]

695. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she will consider introducing mandatory ADHD awareness modules for all primary school staff, including training on executive functioning difficulties, sensory regulation, and trauma-informed approaches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18842/26]

696. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the mechanisms in place to address situations where a child with ADHD is repeatedly disciplined for behaviours arising from their disability; whether her Department monitors exclusion or suspension rates for neurodivergent pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18843/26]

697. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether schools are provided with sufficient funding for classroom supports such as sensory tools, fidget aids, and environmental adaptations; if she will consider ring-fenced funding for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18844/26]

699. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she is concerned about the proposed move of a special school (details supplied); to outline where the school will be relocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18851/26]

702. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth regarding the work ongoing within her Department that seeks to increase the provision of special education teachers to ensure the best possible outcome for students that require additional support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18861/26]

709. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a child with mixed abilities who accepts a placement in a mainstream primary school and is granted access to a special needs assistant automatically forfeits their place on a special school waiting list; if she will clarify the policy position in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18883/26]

711. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of mixed-abilities special education classes that will be required from September 2026 in the constituency of Fingal West; the number of children currently identified as requiring a place in such classes in September 2026; the measures being taken by her Department to ensure that sufficient places are provided to m…

716. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth when additional reading classes will be made available in schools, particularly in North Kerry, for children with severe dyslexia and literacy challenges; the number of reading classes currently in operation in the area; whether her Department is aware of children waiting for places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [189…

724. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools in Wicklow have applied for additional special school classes or places; the total number requested by school; whether these applications have been successful or unsuccessful, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19039/26]

725. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth for a full breakdown by county, of the number of special school places that currently exist for the 2026/27 school year; the number of these places currently available for the 2026/27 school year; the way in which this compares to the number of applications for places by county; if every applicant will secure a place, in tabular for…

733. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Education and Youth if funding will be approved for an ASD class for a school (details supplied); and the reasons this school has not been approved to date. [19061/26]

739. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education and Youth to consider establishing a special secondary school in a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19095/26]

740. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if an application has been received by a school (details supplied) for a new autism special class; when a decision will be made in respect of this application; if she can ensure that this class is in place for the 2026/27 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19111/26]

741. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the second sanctioned ASD class for a school (details supplied), including a timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19117/26]

763. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the status of funding for an autism class for a school (details supplied), when it is expected that this autism class will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19275/26]

770. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to an issue presenting for a school (details supplied); the reason for delay in attending to the issue identified a number of months ago; if works will be carried out as a matter of urgency to ensure the space attached to the ASD class can be used safely by children and adults; and if she will make …

771. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps being taken to ensure that children with complex disabilities can access specialised early-years placements where no appropriate service exists within their immediate CDNT catchment area; whether flexibility is permitted across CHO boundaries in such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19351/26]

777. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of the acute lack of ASD unit places for children attending schools in County Wexford and in the south east generally; the steps she will take to ensure that a suitable place is found for a child (details supplied), who has been unable to find a placement for the next school year; and if she will make a statement …

778. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the provision of new appropriate special classes at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19410/26]