Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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42. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what resources are allocated to ensure that teachers working in special schools are adequately trained; if there are professional learning seminars they can avail of or if the university courses at present offer this training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8188/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Providing inclusive education to children with special educational needs is a fundamental principle of the education system. This principle is observed through Department policies, Teaching Council requirements for initial teacher education, curriculum provision and the range of supports provided to schools by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and Oide.

Teachers undertake professional learning in a range of pedagogical, curricular and educational areas. Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) provided for teachers supports the inclusion of students with Special Education Needs (SEN) in mainstream classrooms

Inclusive education is a mandatory element of initial teacher education (ITE) programmes. Within further updated standards which the Teaching Council adopted in 2020, known as Céim Standards for Initial Teacher Education, inclusive education was further strengthened as one of seven core elements which must underpin all aspects of programmes of ITE.

Funded by the Department, Oide works with teachers and school leaders to provide ongoing support and professional development, which promotes inclusive practices.

Oide’s Leadership team are facilitating the Caidrimh Programme. This provides professional learning and support to guide Special Schools in effectively collaborating, sharing, and distributing their roles and responsibilities to create a school environment that is responsive and inclusive to diverse needs.

The Department provides funding for two distinct categories of post-graduate programmes for Special Education Teachers:

• Post-Graduate Diploma Programme of Teacher Professional Learning for Special Education Teachers.
• Graduate Certificate in Autism Education for teachers working with Autistic Pupils in Special Schools, Special Classes or as Special Education Teachers in mainstream Primary and Post-Primary Schools.