Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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296. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider and resolve problems raised in correspondence (details supplied) concerning funding and supports for special education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68127/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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As previously advised the Walk programme is a pilot initiative provided through the Dormant Accounts Fund to test best practice in supporting students transitioning from school to adult life. Walk is currently engaging with and delivering its existing Peer Ability programme in 11 schools.

Over the past three years, total funding of €1.5m has been provided to support the Walk pilot. An additional €400,000 has been allocated for 2026.

The pilot has been subject to an external evaluation with the final report expected shortly.

I also with to advise the Deputy that my Department is a co-chair of the recently established inter departmental steering group to develop a National Transitions Policy. A key objective of that group will be to scope the extent of existing measures in place to support effective transitions across the country. It is at that stage that the Walk Peer Ability model and other similar programmes will be considered in the context of the development of a national policy on transitions.

My officials are currently engaging with Walk in relation to its funding gap for 2026.