Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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40. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the special education teacher allocation in DEIS schools in Limerick, where there remains a shortfall of special education teachers in schools (details supplied) that, according to the Pobal index, serve the most disadvantage areas of Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59701/25]

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.

For the 2025/26 school year close to 15,000 special education teachers have been allocated to schools to support these children and young people.

The allocation model uses a variety of statistical data to complete allocations. This data includes, enrolment data, data on educational needs profiles (literacy and numeracy) and data on educational disadvantage. This data is sourced from within the education sector to ensure it is validated and assured. The only external data used is the Pobal HP Deprivation Index which is used by Irish government departments for identification of disadvantage.

The allocations of special education teaching posts for the 2025/26 year were published on 11 February and all schools received an email notification from the NCSE of their allocation.

However, unique circumstances may arise in schools that may be difficult to reflect in a standardised method. Therefore, any school who has any concerns on their allocation can engage with the NCSE. The NCSE will provide support to schools as required and will examine if the allocation is sufficient to meet the identified needs of all children and young people enrolled.

Where the NCSE identifies the need for additional resources, my department will immediately approve the identified increase so that it is available to the school ahead of the 2025/26 school year.

One of the two schools mentioned applied to the NCSE for a review of their allocation and the NCSE completed the review in the school and recommended that their allocation be increased. The NCSE advised the quantum of the increase required to support the needs in the school and this increase was allocated by my department.

NCSE advisor support is available to the schools to support them with the deployment of the allocated resources and the schools can request same via the schools portal.

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.