John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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528. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to recognise school assistance dogs within the National Human Rights Strategy For Disabled People’s implementation framework; and to support the expansion of this evidence-based pilot to more schools nationwide. [48421/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an appropriate education is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my Department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided. This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which promotes that children will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.

In 2025 over €2.9 billion will be spent supporting children with special educational needs. This figure builds on previous years and represents over a quarter of the education budget. It has provided for, amongst other things, 400 new special classes and 300 new special school places. It has also increased our special educational posts by 768 special education teacher and 1,600 special needs assistant (SNA) posts nationwide.

By the end of this year there will be close to 21,000 special educational teachers and over 23,000 special needs assistants (SNAs) in our mainstream classes, special classes and special schools. This will mean we will have over 44,000 teachers and SNAs working in our education system committed to supporting and nurturing children with special educational needs, enabling them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for children with special educational needs.

Matters in relation to the provision of health-related services to children with special educational needs should be generally directed to the Health Service Executive (HSE) or to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.

My Department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.