Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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136. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider introducing a seizure first aid programme into all schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8346/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department promotes the quality of teaching and learning through the provision of quality teacher training programmes and teacher professional learning and support for principals and teachers in a range of pedagogical, curricular and educational areas. This is done through initial teacher education programmes, education centres and support services for teachers at primary and post-primary level.

Under the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. The Board of Management of each school is responsible for the care and safety of all of the students in their school and care and safety should be at the centre of all policy and practices. Schools are required to take all reasonable precautions to provide training for teachers to ensure the safety and welfare of their pupils.

Risk Assessments are used by schools to reduce the risk of injury and illness and put appropriate provision in place to safeguard the school community. All risk assessments must be included in the school’s Safety Statement. The Safety Statement should also clearly outline how the school provides and maintains first aid equipment and supplies and how staff are trained in the use of these. Schools should ensure that first aid supplies and training for first aid is kept up to date.

The HSA in collaboration with the Department, published a number of resources specifically for schools to support them in managing health and safety in the school environment. The HSA also provides a number of online awareness-raising courses-specifically for the school sector on the Authority’s eLearning portal at

It is important that the school management authority requests parents to ensure that the school is made aware of any medical condition suffered by any student attending. Where the school is aware of potential difficulties that may arise as a consequence of a medical condition suffered by one or more students, it may be possible for the management authorities, working in conjunction with parents, teachers and children to put preventative measures in place to lessen the possibility of any difficulties arising or to ensure that, if a student suffers from an illness requiring, for example, the administration of medication, that appropriate treatment is available.

Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) make a valuable contribution to our school communities through the provision of adult support to enable students with significant care needs attend school.

The SNA Workforce Development Unit within the Special Education division in my department has commenced work on the first Special Needs Assistants Workforce Development Plan. The plan is being developed in consultation with stakeholders including SNAs, school management bodies, trade unions, schools, parents and children.

A steering group and working groups have been established comprising relevant stakeholders, and work is progressing towards the scheduled completion date for the plan of September 2025. The working group under Pillar 3 – Establishment of a SNA Learning and Development Programme will also consider opportunities for continuous learning and development in the SNA role.