284. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has examined international models of initial teacher education specifically designed for special education teaching; and whether any such models are being considered in Ireland. [66761/26]
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
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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
285. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether the current approach of requiring teachers to first qualify as mainstream primary or post-primary teachers before undertaking specialist SEN training has been evaluated in the context of teacher supply challenges in special schools and special classes. [66760/26]
286. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has undertaken a review of the pathways available to experienced special needs assistants and other education professionals seeking to qualify as teachers in special education settings. [66759/26]
287. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has considered the introduction of a dedicated initial teacher education pathway for individuals seeking to become special education teachers. [66758/26]
301. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school in County Kerry (details supplied) will be successful in their appeal for a much needed special needs assistant position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66984/26]
302. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth when school transport will be arranged for three children with additional needs, two of whom have been unable to attend a single day of the 2026/2027 school year due to the absence of transport arrangements, while the third is reliant on a taxi service that is not consistently available; the reasons transport arrangements were not put in place prio…
323. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will address the funding shortfall facing schools with sanctioned SEN classes, where the standard capital and start-up grants do not cover the full cost of equipping a dedicated sensory room; if her Department will increase the baseline sensory room grant or introduce a flexible top-up mechanism. [67197/26]
203. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school place could be provided for a child (details supplied). [66027/26]
204. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of the case of (details supplied); and if her officials will investigate the case. [66055/26]
503. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the special school place for a student (details supplied). [64524/26]
518. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department and the National Council for Special Education will grant a request from a school (details supplied) to open an additional special class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64644/26]
521. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to intervene to ensure a school (details supplied) can open a second ASD class as soon as possible; if the NCSE will carry out a school visit during this term; if the recent cut to SET hours is reversed; and if their DEIS status will reviewed. [64665/26]
526. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Youth If she will personally review the application made by a school (details supplied); if she is aware that in the last school year this school had a significant enrolment of children with higher needs and were not granted additional SNA support, resulting in 15 children who require SNA support left with no support; and if she is aware that Tusla Childr…
536. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the delayed opening of the new special school in Balbriggan; the reasons for the delay; the steps being taken by her Department to ensure that the school opens as soon as possible; the reason parents and families were not adequately or promptly informed of the delay; the reason alternative educational provision, including…
545. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will ensure that a child (details supplied) with additional needs secures an appropriate local school place to allow her to complete her leaving certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64845/26]
567. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on an additional education needs, AEN, appeal for a school (details supplied). [65089/26]
585. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of the limited availability of moderate ASD class places at post-primary level in County Carlow; whether her Department has assessed the future demand for such places in advance of September 2028; and if consideration will be given to establishing a moderate ASD special class in a school (details supplied) given the existing A…
621. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Youth If she will consider the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) relating to assistive technology supports for a primary school student. [65516/26]
1011. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of special needs preschools in Tipperary; and if her Department plans to open more preschools for children with special needs, specifically preschools for children with Down syndrome. [64200/26]
1013. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to explain the new update for the AIM Level 7 funding; the rationale for restricting a room to one maintenance of reduced ratio arrangement; if this will be reconsidered where a Service Needs Review demonstrates that this best meets the children’s needs; if transitional arrangements can be made for services that have already planned their…
1027. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality given the significant changes to AIM Level 7, the transitional arrangements in place immediately for families and providers who planned for the 2026-2027 year based on the previous rules; if any assessment has been done regarding the best interests of children in this circumstance; and if a review will be undertaken. [64746/26]
1041. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of concerns being raised by providers regarding the new system for AIM (details supplied); if an AIM worker is expected to be sent home when a child is absent; and if she will ensure greater clarification for on the ground in settings for providers. [65039/26]
1102. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the annual Exchequer cost of restoring the special education diploma allowance to all teachers who have completed the recognised special education diploma but who are not currently eligible for the allowance; whether this cost has been assessed in the context of the public service pay agreement or Local Bargaining Fund; whether the Government is …
1110. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding ongoing work in relation to putting in place support mechanisms for children classed as twice exceptional that also have an advanced learning need (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54797/26]
1111. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the research carried out (details supplied) into the supports required by children classed as twice exceptional that also have an advanced learning need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54798/26]