Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-16
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Simon Harris (FG), Wicklow

Absolutely. I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this issue and for raising the word "reform". If we are to have - as we are having - an honest discussion about special needs education, reform will have to be part of that. We cannot have a system that is designed around the system rather than around the child. We are constantly, quite rightly, opening more classes and more schools - we should, we must and we will. We are constantly increasing resources. We had the debate around SNAs and worked to fix that. We also have to make sure the model is right.
My understanding of these five inclusive special classes at post-primary that have been sanctioned is there was engagement between the schools and the Department. I thank the schools for that. This is an effort to try to address an acute and worrying situation. I heard Deirdre Matthews from the joint managerial board on the radio this morning. She was very positive about this model. There will be engagement more broadly with stakeholders, including disability stakeholders.
This is an honest effort to make a positive addition to the range of supports available. I do not wish to say these five schools have put up their hand. I am not sure that is correct but they have engaged constructively. I thank them for that. We should learn through this process and keep an open mind on it. It is a positive development. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Naughton, to come back to the Deputy with the specifics.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:49+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-16