Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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54. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total funding provided for special education at primary and second level in 2025; the total financial provision for this sector in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59678/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that Budget 2026 provides an increase of €845 million in current funding to my Department's Vote, in addition to an overall €1.6 billion in capital funding that was previously secured through funding from the revised National Development Plan agreed earlier this year. This brings the overall allocation for my Department in 2026 to €13.1 billion, with over €3 billion being provided for Special Education which had a €2.9 billion provision in 2025.

The additional funding builds on the significant increases in recent budgets and further enhances the investment in Ireland’s education, Special education and youth sectors. The significant increased investment is the largest education budget in the history of the state and reflects the government’s commitment to a quality inclusive school system and improved learning outcomes for every student.

The 2026 Budget documentation published sets out funding for key measures and actions agreed for the coming year, the following measures would benefit Special Education

• Funding for 1,717 additional SNAs, bringing the total number of SNAs in schools to almost 24,900. This is the highest ever-number of SNAs allocated supporting the care needs of children in mainstream, special classes and special schools.
• Funding for 860 additional teachers for special education working in special classes and special schools, as well as special education teachers in mainstream settings, to support children with special educational needs. In total, there will be over 46,500 dedicated staff working in schools in 2026 to support children with special educational needs.
• The National Development Plan in 2026 will support progressing the delivery of over 300 school building projects currently at construction with the majority expected to be completed in 2026 and 2027. It is also envisaged that circa 80 school building projects will progress to construction across 2026 and 2027 as part of two-year rolling programme. There will be a strong special education dimension which will include facilitating the establishment of circa. 3,000 additional school places in special classes and special schools for the 2026/27 school year primarily through the repurposing of existing capacity.
• Over €69 million in additional funding for the School Transport Scheme to provide more places for children, including those with special educational needs, and to cover additional bus contractor costs.
• Provision includes funding for the roll out of a school therapy service within special schools and being the expansion into mainstream schools. This will help to ensure all children and young people have access to essential speech and language and occupational therapy in a timely manner.
• Increases in the dedicated special needs co-ordination available to provide resources towards the growing number of children with special educational needs transitioning to post primary schools.