Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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284. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update regarding the recent changes to the allocation model for special education. [23422/26]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Enabling students with special educational needs to receive an education that meets their needs 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 students with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where students with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided. This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which advocates that students will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.

Special education teachers provide additional teaching support to children attending mainstream classes with special educational needs using a wide variety of teaching approaches.

The Special Education Teaching (SET) Allocation Model is a standardised allocation model that provides schools with additional teaching hours to support the teaching needs of students in mainstream classes based on their profile of need.

There is no change to the SET allocation model for mainstream classes for the 2025/26 school year and there is none planned for 2026/27 school year.

The educational profile of each school is now updated annually and SET allocations are advised to schools as part of the staffing arrangements circular and each school is provided with additional detail on their allocation by email from the NCSE at the earliest possible date each year.

The allocations of special education teaching posts for 2026/27 school year are presently being finalised and will be issued to schools shortly.

Any school who has a concern about their allocation at that time will have the opportunity to request a review of their SET allocation. Details of the review process will be available on the NCSE website following publication of the 2026/27 allocations.

The NCSE can provide advisor support to schools at any time to support the deployment of its SET allocation.

It must be noted that the outcome of the SET Review Allocation Process is final and the department has no role in the review process.

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.