Special Educational Needs

683. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58156/25]

697. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a response will issue to matters raised in correspondence regarding the SNA review process for 2025-2026 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58250/25]

720. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a child with autism (details supplied) will not be given an SNA this year, nor will three other children in the same class with additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58429/25]

726. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views regarding the appointment of special education coordinators in every school; her views that it be included in a post of responsibility where there are education facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58479/25]

737. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether at least one of the suppressed posts at a school (details supplied) will be reconsidered to help alleviate unsustainable strain; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58539/25]

738. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the work being undertaken by her Department to review accessibility in LCA assessment for the deaf and hard of hearing students; if she will consider the introduction of other forms of assessments that do not rely solely on audio components; if she will consult with deaf students, parents, teachers, and the representativ…

739. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of pupils in County Kildare receiving additional supports under the Special Education Teaching allocation for each year from 2022 to 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58606/25]

748. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the rationale behind the recent changes introduced by the National Council for Special Education to the role and allocation criteria for special needs assistants; if she will provide details of the consultation carried out with SNA representatives or school management prior to its implementation; and if she will make a statement…

749. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has assessed the potential impact of the revised NCSE guidelines for special needs assistants on pupils who do not meet the new criteria of ‘primary care needs’ but who continue to require daily classroom support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58688/25]

750. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures in place to ensure that changes to the SNA allocation model do not result in a reduction of supports for pupils with moderate or non-medical additional needs, including those requiring sensory breaks or behavioural assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58689/25]

751. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the communication strategy used by her Department and the National Council for Special Education to inform special needs assistants, principals, and boards of management of recent changes to SNA responsibilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58690/25]

752. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of new SNA posts announced for the 2025-2026 school year; if she will confirm whether any concurrent reductions or reallocations of existing SNA positions will occur as a result of the new NCSE guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58691/25]

753. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps which are being taken to ensure job security and professional recognition for special needs assistants, in view of concerns that the NCSE may redefine their role and responsibilities without consultation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58693/25]

788. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) for a school seeking to expedite approval for an ASD class.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58811/25]

801. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if additional supports will be provided for students with special educational needs in Cork city schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59029/25]

803. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the provision of special education classes in Mallow schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59031/25]

809. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of the difficulties that have arisen for parents as a result of the introduction of the requirement for a letter of eligibility when applying for a place in a special class or special school; the process which is currently available to parents who did not apply before the NCSE portal closed on 1 October 2025; …

813. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will outline the progress made establishing special school and special class places in County Meath, and whether further expansions are planned for 2026. [59116/25]

828. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth if additional supports will be provided to special schools to assist with the day-to-day running costs, similar to supports provided in Budget 2024 and Budget 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59342/25]

829. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of changing the criteria of the capitation grant for special schools to consider all school staff or the square meter area of the school premises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59343/25]

830. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth to consider providing all special schools with an additional AP1 post; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59344/25]

841. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth her Department's policy in relation to supplementing above SERC SNA allocation with hours from mainstream SNA's; her views on whether it is acceptable to undermine mainstream provision to fill gaps in above SERC allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59461/25]

842. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth her Department's policy in relation to above SERC SNA allocations; and to provide copies of any circulars and policy documents relating to this. [59462/25]

844. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth the plans for increasing supports for special schools; if she will meet with a school (details supplied) regarding resourcing needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59466/25]

848. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will meet with the principal of a school (details supplied) to discuss the urgent need for an additional autism class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59562/25]