Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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726. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views regarding the appointment of special education coordinators in every school; her views that it be included in a post of responsibility where there are education facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58479/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.

By the end of the 2026 calendar year there will be over 21,600 special educational teachers in our mainstream classes, special classes and special schools. This will mean we will have over 46,500 teachers and special needs assistants (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.

I understand that special education teachers particularly at post-primary level dedicate a significant proportion of their day to information gathering and assessment, reviewing, monitoring and co­ordinating provision for children with special educational needs. This would include transition planning for the identified students.

In 2026, over €3 billion will be spent supporting children with special educational needs. Part of this funding will allow for the introduction of extra special education teaching (SET) hours for post-primary schools to support coordination and transition efforts.

At primary level 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.

While in special schools in acknowledgement of the particular challenges these schools face, 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.

My department has provided these posts to support schools that provide special educational provision to ensure that these schools have an appropriate level of resources available to provide an appropriate education to students with special educational needs.