McEntee wants teachers trained to better cater for children with special education needs

Education Minister, Helen McEntee has written to the Teaching Council, on the need to ensure all teachers are highly trained to deliver high quality teaching to children of all abilities, including those with special educational needs.

"It is imperative that all teachers are equipped to deliver to all children the education to which they are entitled so they can reach their full potential," she said.

Minister McEntee is asking the Teaching Council to move towards a mandatory assessed placement period in a special education needs setting for all student teachers, supported by the appropriate modules.

As part of this, it is envisaged the Teaching Council, on behalf of the Department, will conduct a survey across all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) providers to gain a deeper understanding of the current landscape of school placement provision in special education settings.

This will support the consideration of the Teaching Council in the development and approval of a Guidance Note for Higher Education Institutions, to be issued next autumn around an assessed student placement period in a SEN setting, working with a view to supporting initial change in September 2026.

Minister McEntee is determined that every child be supported to achieve their full potential within our education system. She is committed to opening additional special classes and special schools, expanding the number of SNAs and special education teachers, and expanding the resources available to special schools. I have also committed to introducing a common application system for children applying for special education places, which has the potential to be a game changer for parents who need the information about their child’s place as early as possible in the year.

Minister McEntee is working with Minister of State Michael Moynihan to ensure there are enough places to meet their children's needs this September and ensuring that the NSCE is planning this year for the special places needed for the 2026/27 school year. Furthermore the Ministers will not hesitate to use the legislative provisions (introduced in 2022) which allow them to compel schools to open special classes if required.