Schools fall short on delivering adequate support for students with special needs
In the Republic of Ireland, the Daíil (parliament) recently voted to accept the report of the Committee on the Future Funding of Water Services, paving the way for water charge refunds to householders. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has identified the necessary funds from underspends in other departments for this refund, totalling €170 million [1]. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has assured that almost everyone who paid water charges will receive their refund by the end of the year [2].
Meanwhile, in the United States, the federal government's budget for special education shows a nominal increase in funding but remains insufficient to meet the growing needs of pupils with disabilities. For fiscal year 2026, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B Grants to States are proposed at $14.3 billion—a small increase from $14.2 billion in 2025—with some related grants maintained at prior year levels [1]. However, due to stagnant funding since 2023 and lack of adjustment for inflation or rising operational costs, the real value of this funding is effectively declining, causing inadequate services for pupils with special needs [1].
The administration's proposed $14.9 billion for IDEA Grants to States in 2026 may seem like an increase, but it averages about $1,944 per student for an estimated 7.6 million students nationwide [1]. Experts have noted that the federal government has never fully funded IDEA at levels required to support all students adequately [1]. Challenges such as teacher shortages mean schools must pay higher wages to attract qualified special education staff, further straining stagnant budgets [1].
Additionally, while other early learning programs related to young children with disabilities have seen small funding increases or level funding in FY 2026, overall growth is limited and does not fully address service gaps [2].
In Ireland, Minister for Employment and Social Protection Regina Doherty has identified speech and language and occupational therapies as necessary services for children. A pilot scheme is being introduced to allow some people in receipt of Fuel Allowance to receive their payments in two lump sums in October and January [3]. Furthermore, Minister Doherty plans to give back any savings her department makes this year to vulnerable groups such as lone parents and children [4].
Minister Doherty and Minister of State for Disability Finian McGrath are attending seminars where civil society groups are pitching their preferred options for measures in October's budget [5]. Doherty suggested that by increasing children's access to therapies, the need for Special Needs Assistants could be reduced [6]. A pilot scheme for this initiative is scheduled to begin in October and will run for the coming year [7].
However, the Government is alarmed by the sharp increase in its budget for special needs education [8]. The Government is accused of failing pupils with special needs due to insufficient services from therapists [9].
References: [1] https://www.edweek.org/policy-analysis/federal-report-card/2026/ideapartb.html [2] https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2021/0413/1235920-water-charges-refunds/ [3] https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/ide-report-calls-for-special-education-budget-to-be-increased-by-1-5bn-1.4541836 [4] https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/regina-doherty-says-she-will-give-back-any-savings-her-department-makes-this-year-to-vulnerable-groups-1.4548710 [5] https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/doherty-and-mcgrath-to-attend-budget-seminars-1.4548717 [6] https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/ide-report-calls-for-special-education-budget-to-be-increased-by-1-5bn-1.4541836 [7] https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/ide-report-calls-for-special-education-budget-to-be-increased-by-1-5bn-1.4541836 [8] https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/ide-report-calls-for-special-education-budget-to-be-increased-by-1-5bn-1.4541836 [9] https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/ide-report-calls-for-special-education-budget-to-be-increased-by-1-5bn-1.4541836
- Despite the nominal increase in the federal government's budget for special education in the United States, ongoing funding shortages and lack of inflation or operational cost adjustments have led to insufficient services and inadequate support for children with special needs, highlighting a need for more comprehensive funding policies in education-and-self-development.
- In stark contrast to the recent water charge refunds in the Republic of Ireland as a result of the Committee on the Future Funding of Water Services report [8], the government's budget for special needs education has seen a sharp increase, causing alarm and sparking concerns about the quality and accessibility of necessary education-and-self-development services for pupils with special needs, raising questions about the balance between politics and general-news reporting in addressing citizens' needs.
