AADI Publishes Pre-Budget Submission on Student Wellbeing and Access to Learning
Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland has published its Pre-Budget Submission 2027, calling on Government to establish a dedicated School Support Dog Grant Scheme to support the placement of highly trained School Support Dogs in schools across Ireland.
The proposal seeks an initial annual allocation of €220,000 to support eight schools per year, including six mainstream schools and two dedicated special schools. The funding would cover a once-off €25,000 placement grant per school, paid to AADI, alongside an annual €2,500 maintenance stipend paid to participating schools for the working life of the dog.
AADI is proposing a blended funding model, with an enhanced capitation add-on for participating special schools and a targeted inclusion and wellbeing grant for approved mainstream schools.
The charity says the proposal offers Government a practical and accountable way to support student wellbeing, emotional regulation, inclusion, attendance and access to learning, while building evidence over time and controlling future cost commitments.
Nuala Geraghty, CEO of Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, said:
“Schools across Ireland are working incredibly hard to support students with increasingly complex wellbeing, regulation and inclusion needs. Our School Support Dog Programme offers a practical, structured and quality-assured support that complements the work already being led by teachers, SNAs, school leaders and existing school supports.
“This is not simply about placing a dog in a school. Each placement is backed by AADI’s full programme model, including careful breeding, specialist training, school assessment, matching, handler training, integration support, welfare monitoring and ongoing review. The impact of a School Support Dog happens because the right structures, training and safeguards are in place.
“Our Pre-Budget Submission sets out a modest and phased route for Government to support this work. For an initial investment of €220,000, Government could help establish a national pathway supporting eight schools per year, while gathering further evidence on impact across both mainstream and special school settings.”
Recent AADI research shows strong early outcomes from the School Support Dog Programme. Schools currently participating in the programme recorded an 83% overall impact score, with particularly strong results for wellbeing and emotional regulation at 89%, inclusion and social connection at 84%, and staff confidence at 85%.
Schools still waiting to join the programme reported an 88% need for additional regulation supports, highlighting both the value of the programme and the scale of unmet need across school communities.
AADI says the programme is helping students to feel calmer, safer and more connected, supporting smoother transitions, stronger participation and better access to the school day for children who may otherwise struggle to engage.
Nuala Geraghty added:
“The evidence gathered to date is clear. School Support Dogs are helping to strengthen the conditions that make learning possible: emotional regulation, safety, attendance, participation, classroom climate and access to the school day.
“We are not asking Government to fund a concept. We are seeking partnership to scale a proven, structured and quality-assured programme that is already helping schools meet some of the most pressing wellbeing, regulation and inclusion needs in the education system.”
The charity is seeking engagement with Government officials, the Department of Education and Youth, and the National Council for Special Education on how the proposed School Support Dog Grant Scheme could be implemented in a clear, measurable and sustainable way.
ENDS
Contacts: David McCarthy david@aadi.ie 083 012 9549
Notes to Editors
Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland is a national charity founded in 2010. AADI provides highly trained assistance and support dogs to autistic children, neurodivergent students and school communities across Ireland.
AADI receives no ongoing Government funding for its core services and provides its assistance dog services free of charge to families.
AADI’s School Support Dog Programme places highly trained dogs in schools to support wellbeing, emotional regulation, inclusion and access to learning.
The Pre-Budget Submission proposes a School Support Dog Grant Scheme supporting eight schools per year: six mainstream schools and two dedicated special schools.
The proposed Year 1 Budget 2027 allocation is €220,000. This includes eight once-off placement grants of €25,000 and eight annual maintenance stipends of €2,500.
You can download AADI’s pre-budget submission in full by clicking the link below:
