61. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the list of schools sanctioned for special classes for 2026-2027 will be published; and the interim or alternative processes put in place for parents, given that applications have not been possible since 1 October 2025. [2623/26]
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
62. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth her position on proposals put forward by an organisation (details supplied) for 'Seizure Safe Schools'; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2625/26]
63. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Education and Youth when an urgently needed additional ASD class will be sanctioned for 2026-2027 in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2635/26]
65. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of personnel employed across all State agencies that support special education in post primary schools (details supplied); the total annual expenditure associated with these roles, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2711/26]
66. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Education and Youth when teachers and SNAs will be adequately trained on epilepsy awareness; if her Department will consider implementing the ‘Seizure Safe’ training by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2720/26]
68. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the number of reading classes in County Kerry that will be increased (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2816/26]
1034. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 383 of 9 December 2025, if she will provide the information requested in the question (details supplied) in the interest of transparency and forward planning for all stakeholders as previous response failed to provide the information requested, specifically the number of children nationwide who sought a letter…
1038. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education and Youth the engagement on the removal of the need for an AON for children with additional needs to receive an appropriate school place; the timeline for the full implementation of this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74022/25]
1049. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department was aware that a new special educational assessment would be required for children to access a special class, school or unit for academic year 2026-2027, prior to the announcement made by the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74299/25]
1050. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth when she was made aware of the decision to introduce a new special educational assessment that would be required for children to access a special class, school or unit for academic year 2026-2027; to provide official documentation between the Department of Education and Youth and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality outlining the deci…
1051. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth following the announcement of a new special educational assessment, if she has established this unit within her Department; when they began their work; the length of time it will take to establish the unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74301/25]
1052. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth following the announcement of a new special educational assessment, who will be carrying out these educational assessments; if they are to be assessment teams, who will be in these assessment teams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74302/25]
1053. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is confident that work to establish a new special educational assessment and assessment teams will be completed by October 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74303/25]
1054. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the engagement she has had with trade unions representing teachers since the announcement of a new special educational assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74304/25]
1055. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the engagement she has had with the National Council for Special Education since the announcement of a new special educational assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74305/25]
1056. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the engagement she has had with special educational needs organisers since the announcement of a new special educational assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74306/25]
1058. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth the proposed approach to eliminating pressure on assessment of need waiting lists; who will conduct educational assessments of children; the future status of special education designations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74318/25]
1059. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth if discretion can be applied in cases where families have missed the 1 October 2025 deadline to apply for special education classes due to a child’s assessment report issuing only after that date; whether such circumstances can be taken into consideration to ensure a letter of eligibility is issued to allow them to access the most appropriate school s…
1060. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of applications received for special education classes from 1 October to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74322/25]
1061. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth where in Circular 0039/2025 it states that the NCSE cannot provide a letter of eligibility after the 1 October deadline has passed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74323/25]
1085. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth in reference to the Government’s announced reforms to the assessment of need process, to specify the framework or criteria will replace professional diagnostic reports in determining eligibility for special classes and special schools; how this framework will safeguard children’s well-being and evidence-based educational planning; and if she will ma…
1086. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to the Government’s announced reforms to the assessment of need process, to clarify who will be tasked with conducting the proposed “educational assessments” for special education placement; to confirm whether classroom teachers, who are not diagnostically trained, will be expected to assume this responsibility; and if she will make a statem…
1087. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to the Government’s announced reforms to the assessment of need process, the supports, training, and resources that will be provided to ensure that any new assessment responsibilities do not exacerbate already unsustainable workload levels in schools, as highlighted in recent research on teacher burnout; and if she will make a statement on t…
1088. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to the Government’s announced reforms to the assessment of need process, the reason removal of diagnostic requirements was announced without consultation with teachers, unions, or parents; how her Department intends to restore trust and ensure transparency in future policymaking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74490/25]
1089. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to the Government’s announced reforms to the assessment of need process, if the designation of special classes and special schools is being altered or dismantled as part of this policy change; if not, the reason this was not made clear at the time of announcement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74491/25]