Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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434. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will introduce new special educational needs coordinators as outlined in the Programme for Government in Budget 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51269/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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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.

It is expected principals will allow time, from within this allocation for the special education teacher(s) for information gathering and assessment, reviewing, monitoring and co­ordinating provision for children with special educational needs. This would include transition planning for the identified students. Children with special educational needs require targeted support with transitions, tailored to their needs identified in Student Support Plans.

The Programme for Government commits to recruitment of additional special education teachers and SNAs to provide greater support to students and schools.

Where primary schools open a number of special classes administrative principal and deputy principal posts are provided. There has also been a significant increase in the number of posts of responsibility allocated to primary schools in recent years.

In acknowledgement of the particular challenges facing special schools, my department has provided for an administrative deputy principal in all special schools from the beginning of the last school year and additional post-primary teaching hours to reflect the growing number of post-primary aged students in our special schools.

The Government is also committed to considering what additional supports and resources are required in the area of special education in the upcoming budget. We will continue to engage through the estimates process to ensure that no matter where a child is enrolled they are actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.