Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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66. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if guidance can be provided to schools with regard to assignment of teachers to the coordination of special classes; if her Department can provide guidance to schools with regard to the minimum number of administration hours per class for these teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6826/26]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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By the end of the 2026 calendar year there will be over 21,000 special educational teachers in our mainstream classes, special classes and special schools. This will mean we will have almost 46,000 teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) working in our education system committed to supporting and nurturing students with special educational needs, enabling them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.

The deployment of teaching staff in a school is in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities while the Teaching Council is the regulator of the teaching profession in Ireland, promoting and regulating professional standards in teaching. Teaching allocations assigned to class groupings within a school is a matter for the school board of management and principal to consider and decide how best to allocate resources and organise class groupings within the school.

I understand that special education teachers dedicate a significant proportion of their day to information gathering and assessment, reviewing, monitoring and co­ordinating provision for students with special educational needs.

In 2026, over €3 billion will be spent supporting students 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 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.

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.