Special Educational Needs
Dail Éireann — 2026-05-28
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Michael Moynihan (FF), Cork North-West

I can confirm that we met the group some time ago, and we are committed to meeting it again. We are monitoring this across the country, and Youghal and east Cork are no different. We are watching the number of children who have applied through the portal for specialised education, whether in special schools or special classes, to ensure we are meeting the needs in those communities. The data from the portal allowed us to have a lens into how we were tackling specialised education. The aim across the education system is to reduce the travel time. The special school has opened in east Cork. I offer my thanks to Cork ETB for the work it has done in collaboration with the National Council for Special Education and the Department. It has opened a number of schools and taken on a hugely valued role that other patrons would have had heretofore.
I am committed to meeting the groups. I understand the challenges. Entry into primary school or secondary school is a flashpoint for families. We will engage further. I assure the Deputy that we are aware of the concerns and the campaigns that are ongoing. We are reflecting very carefully on all of that.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-05-28/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-21T01:01:08+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-28