112. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will amend, without further delay, the threshold requirement for the establishment of special classes taking into account the needs of smaller schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70479/25]
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
-
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
117. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps her Department is taking to improve supports for students with special educational needs at post-primary level. [70429/25]
126. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Education and Youth the location, pupil numbers and maximum capacity by class for ASD units in each primary and post-primary school in County Clare, for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69532/25]
127. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will publish a list of schools that have been sanctioned to open special education classes for the 2025-2026 academic year but have not yet enrolled students; and the enforcement measures being taken to ensure these classes open without further delay. [70379/25]
129. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the special school in Carraig na bfhear. [69854/25]
130. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the threshold requirement for the establishment of special classes will be amended for the next school year taking into account the needs of smaller schools and particularly those schools under the patronage of smaller churches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70480/25]
137. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the actions she will take to address the shortage of SEN places in primary schools in Shankill, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68321/25]
141. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will sanction an ASD class in a school (details supplied) where this is an emerging need to allow autistic children in the area to learn alongside their siblings and neighbours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70470/25]
144. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the resources which are being provided to schools to support children with mild, moderate and severe diagnosis of dyslexia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70743/25]
147. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of sanctioned special classes that are delayed due to incomplete modular accommodation or refurbishment works; and the contingency plans in place to prevent children from being left without a school place in September. [70380/25]
148. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the SNA Workforce Plan; the date on which it will be published; if it will recognise the expanded role of SNAs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70747/25]
153. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will fulfil the commitment made by the previous Minister and meet with the principal of a school (details supplied) to discuss the urgent need for additional autism class provision within the school, and wider community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70629/25]
154. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to ensure that the expansion of autism spectrum disorder special classes at post-primary level keeps pace with provision at primary level, so that every child has access to a suitable school place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70325/25]
155. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review her Department’s policy of prioritising new special classes in larger population centres, given evidence that children in rural areas are being bussed long distances and denied local placements; and if she will commit to a rural inclusion strategy for special education. [70381/25]
158. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on her work on the Programme for Government commitment to “improve supports for students with special educational needs who are transitioning to new stages of school. [70471/25]
160. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to establish a special school in County Leitrim for children with severe disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70322/25]
164. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has responded to correspondence sent by the principal of a school (details supplied). [70820/25]
171. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps she will take to increase special education classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66532/25]
172. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Education and Youth the actions her Department will take to address demand for special classes and ensure sufficient placements and support for children with additional needs. [70814/25]
178. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans for the introduction of additional special classes and supplementary supports for children with special educational needs where existing services are not currently sufficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70589/25]
180. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to ensure that schools in County Galway have appropriate SET and SNA allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69832/25]
185. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the forward planning measures in place to address the shortage of ASD class places in both primary and secondary schools in Kildare north, given rising population and demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70776/25]
186. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she plans for the educational therapy service to be rolled out to all special schools and, in time, all mainstream schools; if she can provide a timeline for this rollout; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70225/25]
187. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will commit to publishing annual regional forecasts of demand for special class places, alongside timelines for sanctioning and opening, to ensure parents have clarity and to avoid last-minute crises in securing placements. [70382/25]
191. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education and Youth the engagement with her Department and other Departments to ensure that assessment of needs reports are not required for school placements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70259/25]