Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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214. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills regarding the publication of the NCSE report on post-school transitions of students with special educational needs (details provided); if she has a plan to implement the recommendations from the research report; if she will commit to collating and publishing STen outcomes for deaf and hard of hearing students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16332/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

I also want to thank the NCSE and the ESRI for this comprehensive research document. I welcome its publication as it relates to an area that is a priority for this government.

I note that it includes a number of recommendations and findings that are relevant to a number of different sections in my Department. These findings and recommendations will be considered and will inform policy development in this area as appropriate.

With regard to outcomes for students who are deaf/hard of hearing, the Department of Education has established a working group comprising NCSE, NEPS, Inspectorate, Central Policy Unit and the Special Education Unit of the Department. This group is considering the topic of educational outcomes across a range of areas including student engagement, attainment, attendance, happiness, independence and progress for all students.

The intended outcomes of the group include the development of a framework for schools that will enable them to monitor and record outcomes in these areas.

Recognising the critical importance of evidence informed policy making, it is also intended that the framework will be sufficiently flexible such that school level information and data will be available to the Department as a means of informing policy for students with special or additional needs.

In tandem with this, the NCSE Research and Evaluation team together with Visiting Teachers of children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) students or Blind/Vision Impaired (BVI) have undertaken a study of outcomes for students who have availed of the service.

The NCSE’s Research and Evaluation team will report on school leavers who are DHH or BVI who have left school in 22/23 or 23/24, to establish their post-school pathway. Initial findings from this analysis have been made available to the Department for consideration and these will inform the work of the working group on educational outcomes.

I have asked my officials to consider these findings and use them as appropriate to inform policy development in this area.