Special Educational Needs
An official questions-paper heading. 2,799 questions (33 oral, 2,766 written), first 2025-01-22, latest 2026-07-28.
Questions under this heading, per month
Jan 2025Jul 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions |
|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | 31 |
| Feb 2025 | 124 |
| Mar 2025 | 114 |
| Apr 2025 | 160 |
| May 2025 | 134 |
| Jun 2025 | 183 |
| Jul 2025 | 215 |
| Sep 2025 | 113 |
| Oct 2025 | 76 |
| Nov 2025 | 191 |
| Dec 2025 | 122 |
| Jan 2026 | 163 |
| Feb 2026 | 283 |
| Mar 2026 | 270 |
| Apr 2026 | 167 |
| May 2026 | 181 |
| Jun 2026 | 171 |
| Jul 2026 | 101 |
Addressed to
| Department | Questions |
|---|---|
| Education | 2,737 |
| Children | 37 |
| Health | 17 |
| Further and Higher Education | 5 |
| Social | 3 |
Debates under the same heading
Dáil debate sections whose official heading is exactly these words.
The questions
Cathy Bennett
written
2025-04-30 · to Education
80. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Education the number of spaces for children with additional needs in Monaghan; the plans to increase such; the timeframe to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21590/25]
Peadar Tóibín
written
2025-04-30 · to Education
82. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the financial supports that will be available to special needs assistants as part of the redeployment scheme for special needs assistants should their redeployment take place a distance away from their previous post. [21625/25]
Roderic O'Gorman
written
2025-04-30 · to Education
86. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education for an update on the programme for Government commitment to create a national therapy service; this be located in the National Council for Special Education or in her Department; when it will start to hire staff; it will start to provide therapy services to children in special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [216…
Roderic O'Gorman
written
2025-04-30 · to Education
87. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the fact that the HSE has confirmed that it cannot provide a therapist allocation for the 12 new children who were due to start in (details supplied) and the existing 36 children do enjoy the services of allocated therapists, if she will consider asking either the NCSE or the proposed new national therapy service to interv…
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
754. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education if she or her Department is aware of a proposal for a post-primary special class catering to 'SEN Betweeners' in Youghal; if she has been in touch with the parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18601/25]
John McGuinness
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
757. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if a place in an ASD unit will be provided for a child (details supplied) as to date they have not been enrolled in any special school; the reason this vulnerable child is not receiving the level of care they urgently need; and if she will insist on the services engaging with the family. [18606/25]
Michael Murphy
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
758. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education for an update on the new special school proposed for Nenagh announced in December 2024; in particular, the location of same, the progress on staffing and the approval by the appropriate regularity authorities; when registration will commence for students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18632/25]
Shay Brennan
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
774. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Education if her Department will review policies regarding mandatory foreign language learning in schools, particularly in cases where students who have severe dyslexia and anxiety, are unable to engage in such learning due to their specific educational needs; and if she will ensure that schools accommodate these students by allowing them to work on …
Shay Brennan
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
775. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Education if she will investigate the implementation of inclusive practices in schools to ensure that students with special educational needs, such as severe dyslexia, are supported appropriately; and if she will issue guidance to schools on the provision of assistive technology to facilitate their learning. [18734/25]
Shay Brennan
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
776. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Education if her Department will address general concerns raised about insensitive remarks made by school staff regarding mental health challenges faced by students with special educational needs; and if she will ensure that schools receive training on how to sensitively handle such situations to avoid causing further distress to students or their fa…
Shay Brennan
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
777. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Education if she will consider introducing a policy whereby students with Irish exemptions due to dyslexia or other learning difficulties are not required to take foreign languages as part of their curriculum; and if she will ensure that schools provide flexibility in such cases to support the mental health and academic progress of these students. [1…
Shay Brennan
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
778. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Education if her Department will consider introducing measures to monitor school policies that may deter parents of children with special educational needs from enrolling their children; and if she will ensure that all schools foster an inclusive environment that supports diverse educational needs without discrimination. [18737/25]
Naoise Ó Cearúil
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
786. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education the number of special classes for children with intellectual disabilities in each primary school in Kildare north; the number of available spaces for children with intellectual disabilities in primary schools in Kildare north; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18762/25]
Ann Graves
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
789. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Education when the 5th autism class will open in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18788/25]
Joe Cooney
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
801. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Education her plans to increase the provision of classes for dyslexia in Clare, Limerick and north Tipperary; to outline waiting lists for classes for dyslexia in Clare, Limerick and north Tipperary, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18903/25]
John Lahart
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
802. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education if there are any plans for special needs bus escorts to receive a pay rise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18905/25]
Denise Mitchell
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
824. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education what is being done to ensure the provision of appropriate numbers of primary school places for children with autism in the Coolock and Darndale area; if she can provide any guidance to assure that a child (details supplied) will have an appropriate place in a local school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18996/25]
Duncan Smith
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
826. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the lack of education provision in Donabate (details supplied) for children with ASD; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19021/25]
Paul McAuliffe
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
833. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education when the budgetary cap will be removed for SNA reviews; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19058/25]
Paul McAuliffe
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
834. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education her plans to increase the budget allocations for special needs assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19059/25]
Johnny Guirke
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
837. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education the steps taken in Meath to ensure all children that require a school place have the possibility of securing a place in an ASD class or ASD unit in a school for the next academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19079/25]
Mark Ward
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
844. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if there are plans for additional places in ASD classes in a school (details supplied) in Dublin mid-west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19193/25]
Louis O'Hara
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
848. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education how an appeal can submitted against SNA hours allocated to a child in a mainstream school; to outline the appeal process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19210/25]
Louis O'Hara
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
849. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education the criteria a child must meet to access SNA supports; if this is reflected in SNA allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19211/25]
Louis O'Hara
written
2025-04-29 · to Education
850. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education if SNA supports are provided to children with behavioural issues; if this is reflected in SNA allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19212/25]