Budget 2027 - Special Education

Our Message

It was Fianna Fáil that developed a new approach to special education, creating the first classes in mainstream schools, dedicated classes for higher needs and the creation of a new type of role with the hiring of Special Needs Assistants.
This is largest ever budget for special education and highlights our ongoing and sustained commitment to special education.
In total, there will be over 52,000 dedicated staff to support children with special educational needs in our schools. This is the highest-ever level of resourcing for special education.
Fianna Fáil’s priority is to ensure that these resources are targeted to ensure every student gets the right support in the right setting, so that every child can access a high-quality, inclusive education.

To the greatest extent possible, students with special educational needs are supported in mainstream education settings with additional supports such as special education teachers and SNAs provided. Where mainstream enrolment is not possible, students can be educated in special classes or in special schools.
Budget 2027 secured an overall €3.8 billion to further strengthen supports for children and young people with additional needs. Measures funded include:
An additional 1,353 special education teachers and 2,339 SNAs. This means in 2027 we will have over 24,000 special education teachers (SETs) and 28,000 special needs assistants (SNAs) in our education system.
The continued roll-out of the Education Therapy Service (ETS), already in 64 schools, ensuring all special schools have access to occupational therapists and speech and language therapist in 2027.
In 2026, for the first time, students undertaking Initial Teacher Education are required to complete a special education component as part of their training. In recognition of the importance of supporting and developing teachers already in our schools, funding is being provided in Budget 2027 to commence the rollout of a new accredited course in inclusive education across all schools.
Over 46,000 pupils within specialised transport educational needs and medical cards holders will continue to have free school transport services.