Aidan Farrelly
Question:477. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of establishing an initial panel of 90 speech and language therapists for schools as a shared resource. [29377/25]
View answerSpecial Educational Needs
Questions (477)
Written answers
My Department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
The Education Therapy Support Service was established in June 2024 within the NCSE and comprises of 39 therapists and the associated salary scale of these therapists align with the consolidated salary scales of the HSE.
As there are number of variables to considered when calculating the cost of establishing a panel of 90 therapists such as therapist grade, length of service I have attached a summary table for the various grades extracted from the HSE consolidated salary scales of the 1st March 2025 for your information.
|
Grade Description HSE |
Date effective |
Points scale |
Salary scale € |
|
Manager I |
01/03/2025 |
7 |
76,281 79,027 80,528 83,253 86,027 88,804 91,575 |
|
SLT/OT Senior |
01/03/2025 |
9 |
63,279 64,629 66,021 67,399 68,779 70,231 71,760 73,285 74,509 |
|
OT / SLT Staff GradeTherapist |
01/03/2025 |
14 |
44,122 46,471 48,404 49,810 51,000 52,265 53,528 54,857 56,191 57,534 58,951 60,454 61,953 63,154 LSI |
School Staff
Questions (478)
Holly Cairns
Question:478. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education and Youth to detail any grants or schemes available to primary schools to support the employment of disabled staff members (details supplied). [28933/25]
View answerWritten answers
While there is no scheme available specifically to primary school to support the employment of disabled staff members my Department does provide support to schools to facilitate building works aimed at making the school more accessible via the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS). As the Deputy may be aware, the purpose of the EWS is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies, or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for pupils/staff members with special needs. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
The option is open to the school in question to submit an EWS application for universal accessibility works to the school, which can be made under category 4 of the EWS. To make an application schools must complete the online Emergency Works Application Form available through the Esinet system.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (479, 480)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:479. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special schools in Ireland, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28945/25]
View answerJennifer Whitmore
Question:480. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students each special school has, broken down by school and by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28946/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 479 and 480 together.
Please find attached requested data for academic years 2023-2024, it being the latest year we have published final enrolment data.
https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2025-06-10_pq479-10-06-2025_en.xlsx">data for academic years 2023-2024
We expect to publish final data for academic year 2024-2025 shortly and we will revert to the deputy with the data for 2024-2025 when it has been published.
Enrolment data is taken from the Primary Online Database as per the annual published school lists which can be found at the link below. All enrolments are as per the census date, 30th September 2023.
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/collections/primary-schools-enrolment-figures/.
There continues to be an increasing need to provide additional special school places to support children with complex needs. To meet this need, eleven new special schools have been established in recent years and capacity has been expanded in a number of others. Five more special schools will be established for the 2025/26 school year in counties, Cork, Dublin (2), Monaghan and Tipperary.
The new special schools established over recent years have focused on providing additional places in our largest urban areas – Dublin and Cork. The department and NCSE have already begun planning in relation to further expanding special school capacity for the 2026/27 school year. It is estimated that a further 300 new special school places may be required each year for the coming years.
When looking to provide additional capacity the department’s preferred option is to increase provision in existing special schools if possible. Where this is not possible in a region, the department and NCSE will consider the need to establish a new special school.
In planning for increased special school places, the department and NCSE review all of the available data on the growing need for special school places across the country. This involves a detailed analysis of enrolment trends and the potential for existing special schools in a region to expand.
Part of the forward planning process as to where new classes, schools or expansion is required looks at how far students are travelling to access an education appropriate to their needs. This is an important factor which has been incorporated into the decision-making process. Consideration is also given to the information the NCSE hold at local level on the number of children seeking a special school place in a region.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs and will continue to review and monitor the situation nationwide as to where new special schools are required.
Question No. 480 answered with Question No. 479.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (481)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:481. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special schools across Ireland have outdoor play equipment, broken down by school and by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28947/25]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to new special schools being constructed and the associated external play areas, these areas will be agreed when the overall building design and optimum site layouts have been evaluated with input from the design team and agreed with the Department at the pre-stage 1 architectural planning meeting.
A multi-purpose games area, a junior play area with soft play surface, sensory garden and external break-out areas from classrooms where feasible should be included. For example with a new 20-classroom special school, the Department would look to include the following:
• 1 Multi-purpose games area 585sqm
• 1 Junior play area 200sqm
• 1 sensory garden 200sqm
• 20 external soft play areas (50sqm each) -external secure spaces directly accessible from classrooms where feasible.
My department does not have any specific information with regard to the level of playground equipment available to each existing special school. The department is not prescriptive in terms of what equipment should be provided in playgrounds in special schools. Special Schools will develop and furnish their playgrounds based on each individual school's needs.
It is open to special schools to use their minor works grant to fund the provision of playground equipment for their school.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (482)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:482. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Youth if funds are available for special schools that wish to install an outdoor play area for sensory play; if so, to detail these funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28948/25]
View answerWritten answers
The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies, or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for pupils with special needs. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
The option is open to submit an EWS application for funding for a sensory garden under the universal access category. Once received, the application will be assessed and the EWS team will engage with the school as appropriate.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (483)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:483. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Youth the Government policy for outdoor play facilities for special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28949/25]
View answerWritten answers
The provision of General Purpose (GP) rooms and PE Halls, at primary and post primary level respectively, as well as outdoor hard play areas form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings or where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school. My Department provides different size PE Halls and GP rooms depending on the size of the post-primary or primary school.
At primary level, a 195m2 GP room is provided as standard as part of new 8 to 16 classroom school buildings, with larger primary schools, with 24 or more mainstream classes, being provided with twice this size. At post primary level, smaller new post primary school buildings are provided with a 406m2 PE Hall, with schools designed for 450 or more students provided with a larger, 594m2 Hall.
The GP rooms and PE Halls form part of a suite of ancillary facilities provided as part of new school buildings. At primary level, new school buildings additionally include a Library, Multi-purpose room, Special Education Tuition rooms, and offices. The accommodation provided for new primary schools to support children with special educational needs also includes a Central Activities Space, Multi-Activity Room, Daily Living Skills facility and Quiet Spaces.
At post primary level, new school buildings include a GP room as well as a PE Hall, Social Areas, Pastoral Offices, Special Education Tuition rooms and a Fitness Suite. As at primary level, accommodation provided in new post primary school buildings for students with special educational needs also includes significant ancillary facilities.
In addition, my Department’s Design Guidelines for all new schools provides for outdoor multi-use games areas (or hard play areas) and the level of play space provided varies with the size of school. For example, a new 24 classroom primary school with Special Education Needs classes is provided with 3 ball courts, 2 junior play areas, as well as a Secure hard and soft play area and a Sensory Garden.
In respect of new post-primary schools, a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school will be provided with 6 ball courts and a secure hard and soft special education play area.
The accommodation and facilities provided as part of new school building projects have been designed to meet the curricular and operational needs of schools, including the delivery of the Physical Education curriculum. At primary level, the General Purpose room can be utilised to support the provision of PE, but it is important to note that the PE curriculum permits schools flexibility in its implementation, and supports a broad and balanced approach, taking account of the varying indoor and outdoor facilities available.
With regard to new special schools being constructed and the associated external play areas, these areas will be agreed when the overall building design and optimum site layouts have been evaluated with input from the design team and agreed with the Department at the pre-stage 1 architectural planning meeting.
A multi-purpose games area, a junior play area with soft play surface, sensory garden and external break-out areas from classrooms where feasible should be included. For example with a new 20-classroom special school, the Department would look to include the following:
• 1 Multi-purpose games area 585sqm
• 1 Junior play area 200sqm
• 1 sensory garden 200sqm
• 20 external soft play areas (50sqm each) -external secure spaces directly accessible from classrooms where feasible.
School Transport
Questions (484)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:484. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which she plans to address the anomaly whereby a student does not qualify for school transport from Bus Éireann due to the fact that they must travel to a second level school further to the nearest second level school due to a lack of available school places in the nearest second level school; her views on whether this is penalising such students and families through no fault of their own due to a lack of school places; if a timeline is in place to address this issue with Bus Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28951/25]
View answerWritten answers
Under the current terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Eligible children who complete the application process and pay or enter their medical card details on time will get a seat on a school bus service, if a service is available.
Children who are not eligible for school transport but complete the application and pay or enter their medical card details on time will be considered for any spare seats available after eligible children have been accommodated. These spare seats are called concessionary seats.
There may be more demand than availability for concessionary seats. In such cases, Bus Éireann will use a selection process to allocate tickets for the spare seats.
Temporary alleviation measures (TAMs) will continue for the 2025/26 school year at post-primary level. This means that, if there are available services and enough capacity, transport will be provided for concessionary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school but are attending their second nearest school or post-primary centre. This is only if they apply on time and pay or enter medical card details on time.
The Bus Éireann family portal is now open for new applications for school transport services for the 2025/26 school year. The closing date for new applications was Friday 25 April 2025. Any new applications made after the closing date are considered late applications. A late application may mean that a seat is not available.
The Bus Éireann family portal is now also accepting payments or medical card details until 6 June 2025. Payments or medical card details submitted after the deadline date will be deemed late. A late submission of payment or medical card details may mean that a seat is not available.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.
Following the closing date for payment or entering medical card details, the Bus Éireann family portal will close. This will give Bus Éireann time to assess all applications and plan for routes and services for the 2025/26 school year. Routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
Once routes have been finalised, Bus Éireann will assign tickets for each school transport service. Tickets will begin to issue in mid-July and will continue to issue throughout July and August. Families who are unsuccessful in obtaining a seat will be notified via email and a refund will issue.
In cases where families have applied to attend their nearest schools with regard to ethos and language, and have been advised by the school authorities that these schools are full, the Department will consider if the pupil(s) is eligible to the next nearest school.
While the closest school(s) may be full to capacity at present, each family must supply the documents mentioned below, to School Transport Section of the Department of Education.
• an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the school(s), and
• a letter from each of the school authorities confirming that the school(s) are full.
This information should be submitted for consideration to School Transport Section of my Department through the Case Management System which can be accessed by following this link; https://cs.education.gov.ie.
School Transport
Questions (485)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:485. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school transport service is unavailable for a school located in Newcastle, County Dublin (details supplied); if there are plans to instate a transport service when the premises opens; if not, the options for transport available to students living 3.2 km or more from this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28953/25]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The school referred to by the Deputy is currently located in interim accommodation on a school campus site in Citywest, Dublin. Bus transport has been provided for the school to this location. This is a private arrangement and is not within the remit of my Department's School Transport Scheme.
It is intended that the school will move to modular accommodation on an interim site in Newcastle for September 2025. The Planning and Building Unit of my department has advised the school and patron body that private transport arrangements will not be provided from September 2025 to the Newcastle site which is located within the school planning area.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school and patron body in relation to their interim accommodation requirements pending delivery of the school’s permanent school building project in Rathcoole.
National Educational Psychological Service
Questions (486)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:486. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated full year costs to recruit 30 additional educational psychologist for the National Educational Psychologist Service. [28966/25]
View answerWritten answers
My Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary schools. This involves direct support in the event of a critical incident, access to national and regional support and development work to build school capacity to support students, access to a NEPS psychologist for responses to queries arising, and access to individual pupil casework where there is need via a NEPS psychologist.
The estimated average full year salary costs to recruit 30 additional psychologists for the National Educational Psychologist Service is €2,995,852. This figures include employer PRSI costs. This figure does not include non-pay costs associated with the employment of an educational psychologist.
Schools Refurbishment
Questions (487)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:487. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will move to construction phase. [28967/25]
View answerWritten answers
I refer to your recent correspondence in relation to the building project for Portmarnock Community School.
The major building project for the school referred to is currently at Stage 3, Tender Action & Award.
The Department has issued the tender for this project in order to set up a framework of contractors with returns initially due on the 18th of April. Following this, a tender assessment report is expected on the 20th June.
The framework is due to be established by Q3 of 2025 pending no issues arise and subject to relevant due diligence by my Department at each stage in the process, within the context of overall programme and budgetary parameters. It is expected this project will progress to construction stage in late 2025.
The large-scale capital project remains a priority for delivery and Department officials will keep the school authorities updated on progress and next steps.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (488)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:488. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide a schedule of all active new school construction projects and expansion projects in Cavan and Monaghan; the stage each project is at; and the target delivery date of each, in tabular form. [28968/25]
View answerWritten answers
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan (NDP), involving the completion of over 1,375 school building projects. Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities.
Between 2020 and the end of April 2025, the total capital invested in Co. Cavan and Co. Monaghan schools is over €79m and €83m respectively.
From 2020 to date, 28 school building projects have been completed in Co. Cavan and 26 have been completed in Co. Monaghan. These projects were delivered under the Large Scale and Additional Accommodation schemes and the Modular programme.
Currently there are 3 school building projects under construction in Co. Cavan and 5 school building projects under construction in Co. Monaghan.
There are 21 school building projects in Co. Cavan moving through the various stages of design. There are 27 school building projects in Co. Monaghan moving through the various stages of design, of which 3 are new school building projects.
School Building Projects: Cavan
|
- |
Early stages of planning and design |
Advanced stages of planning and design |
In construction |
|
Primary |
8 |
5 |
2 |
|
Post Primary |
4 |
4 |
1 |
School Building Projects: Monaghan
|
- |
Early stages of planning and design |
Advanced stages of planning and design |
In construction |
|
Primary |
11 |
6 |
5 |
|
Post Primary |
4 |
6 |
0 |
Individual project timelines are determined by their complexity and their current stage in the pipeline. The position of individual projects evolves as they advance through various design, planning and delivery stages. The status of all projects is set out at (www.gov.ie). This is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
Schools Refurbishment
Questions (489)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:489. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [28969/25]
View answerWritten answers
The school project to which the Deputy refers, has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects.
The brief for this project is to provide a new build 24-classroom primary school with a 2-class SEN base.
The project commenced on site in October 2023. Phase 2b of the works reached substantial completion in March 2025. This saw the completion of 20 classrooms in the main school building.
Phase 2c of the works will see the delivery of the remaining classrooms plus GP Hall, external works and removal of all temporary accommodation.
The project has a current expected completion date of Q1 2026.
The NDFA are engaging directly with the school authority to keep it fully informed of all progress.
The current status of all projects is listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and this is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
Schools Refurbishment
Questions (490)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:490. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will move to construction phase of works. [28971/25]
View answerWritten answers
The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered as part of the Department's ADAPT Programme. The Adapt Programme uses a professional external Programme Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning to Tender and Construction.
The brief for this project is to provide a new permanent school for the Curragh Community College, and this project is designed to be delivered in 2 phases; Phase 1 will deliver accommodation for 425 students and Phase 2 will deliver the remaining accommodation to provide for a Long Term Projected Enrolment of 1000 students, at the former Magee Barracks site in Kildare.
The Design Team lodged their initial application for planning permission for the preferred design option with the Local Authority in October 2023. The Design Team subsequently received a substantial Request for Further Information (RFI) from the Local Authority in respect of the planning application. Following the Design Teams RFI response to the Local Authority, the Design Team received the Local Authority’s initial decision to grant planning permission, with conditions, on 09 October 2024.
The initial grant of planning decision has since been appealed to An Bord Pleanala and the Design Team received An Bord Pleanala’s decision to grant planning permission in early February 2025.
The project is currently at Architectural Planning Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award and is a priority project for delivery by the Department.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (491)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:491. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide a schedule of all active new school construction projects and expansion projects in Meath; the stage of each project is at; and the target delivery date of each, in tabular form. [28974/25]
View answerWritten answers
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan (NDP), involving the completion of over 1,375 school building projects. Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities.
Between 2020 and the end of April 2025, the total capital invested in Co. Meath schools is over €370m.
From 2020 to date, 64 school building projects have been completed in Co. Meath. These projects were delivered under the Large Scale and Additional Accommodation schemes and the Modular programme.
Currently there are 16 school building projects under construction in Co. Meath of which 4 are new school building projects.
There are 55 school building projects in Co. Meath moving through the various stages of design, of which 9 are new school building projects.
School Building Projects: Meath
|
- |
Early stages of planning and design |
Advanced stages of planning and design |
In construction |
|
Primary |
19 |
17 |
10 |
|
Post Primary |
8 |
11 |
6 |
Individual project timelines are determined by their complexity and their current stage in the pipeline. the position of individual projects evolves as they advance through various design, planning and delivery stages. The status of all projects is set out at (www.gov.ie). This is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
School Staff
Questions (492)
Carol Nolan
Question:492. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on whether is a connection between the huge increases in absenteeism at primary and secondary schools and the increase in working from home in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28996/25]
View answerWritten answers
Over 224 million students worldwide were impacted by school closures during the pandemic (UNESCO, 2022). As a result, absenteeism post covid continues to rise, with rates of chronic absenteeism remaining high in primary and post primary schools across Ireland compared to pre-pandemic levels. I have made clear that this is not acceptable and will take a number of actions to tackle this worrying trend.
In 2019, a meta-analysis on school absenteeism (Gubbels et al., 2019) identified illness, poor mental health, substance abuse, risky behaviour, problems with school, school environment, parenting and family problems, certain peer group characteristics and social status as risk factors for school absenteeism. There is a concern that the pandemic has impacted these drivers (OECD, 2024). Illness, for example, has become a significant driver of absenteeism since the pandemic with PISA (2022) recording illness as the most common causal factors for students who were absent from school for more than three consecutive months (OECD 2023). Further research suggests these findings also coincide with an upward trend in anxiety and emotional difficulties in non-attenders (Lester & Mitchelson, 2024). According to the OECD (2024) report on ‘Combating Absenteeism Post Covid’, there is also some initial evidence that points to a shift in parental attitudes that is negatively impacting children’s attendance.
Parents also have a legal duty to ensure that their child, who is attending a recognised school, is at school on every day that the school is open, unless there is a genuine reason for him or her not to attend.
Tackling school absences is a key part of my plan to ensure that every child can achieve their full potential. Regular attendance in school is essential not just for academic achievement, but for wellbeing, social development and long-term life outcomes. As I said in my first Dáil speech as Minister for Education and Youth, I am determined to tackle this issue.
Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) is under the remit of my department. It operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention. TESS has three strands including the statutory Educational Welfare Service (EWS). The EWS deal with children and families who have difficulties in relation to school attendance, participation, retention and its primary role is to ensure that every child either attends school regularly or otherwise receives a certain minimum education; to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education.
In May I announced a range of new measures to tackle school absenteeism. These measures will be both targeted and universal to improve school attendance. With this suite of measures, I am taking decisive action to address the serious issue of school absenteeism. These measures are rooted in evidence and collaboration and are designed to ensure that every child is supported to attend, engage and succeed in school, to enhance their lifelong opportunities.
The measures include;
• a revision of the Education (Welfare) Act to strengthen statutory supports for children, including bringing children under six attending primary school within its scope to ensure earlier intervention.
• the rollout of a new initiative, Anseo, a Multi-Dimensional Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MD-MTSS) approach to addressing School Attendance Problems, to be rolled out initially in 60 schools. This is an evidence-based model that enables TESS staff to support schools to analyse their data in a tiered and systematic way which allows schools to shape their response to their absence trends.
• Continued investment in the Home School Community Liaison Scheme and in the School Completion Programme so that the range of young people’s needs during school days, school holidays and weekends can be best planned for and met.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (493)
Aidan Farrelly
Question:493. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of SNA allocations that were recommended to the NCSE by SENOs versus the actual number that were allocated; and to provide a breakdown of where the recommendation by a SENO has not been filled or sanctioned, In tabular form. [29008/25]
View answerWritten answers
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.
We have been steadily building on the number of SNAs in our education system. At the end of the 2024 school year there was over 22,000 SNAs in schools. Budget 2025 provides for an additional 1,600 SNA posts nationwide. This is the highest ever annual increase.
The NCSE has prioritised the full allocation of the additional 1,600 SNA posts provided in Budget 2025 to support the 400 new special classes and 300 new special school places which will be available for this September from within the overall allocation budget. Ensuring that all of the additional SNAs provided for by this government are allocated to ensure that those children with the highest level of need get the highest level of support.
Each year schools are advised of their SNA supports, which indicates that the NCSE will undertake reviews to ensure that SNAs are allocated to the children with the greatest level of need.
Such reviews can see an increased or reduced level of support or no change in allocation. This has always been part of the work of the NCSE and is necessary to ensure that resources are allocated in line with the level of need.
Education Schemes
Questions (494, 495)
Ged Nash
Question:494. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education and Youth the amount in funding in total that has been secured from REPowerEU to fund an expanded school pathfinder decarbonisation and retrofit programme in 2025; if she will provide the names of the 40 schools that have been selected for initial assessment based on their building profile for the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29026/25]
View answerGed Nash
Question:495. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria used by her Department to allow a school to qualify for inclusion for initial assessment under the pathfinder decarbonisation and retrofit programme for 2025; if all schools that have been selected for initial assessment have been confirmed and have been contacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29027/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 494 and 495 together.
My Department was successful in 2024 securing circa €86m to fund a pathfinder decarbonisation and retrofit programme for delivery in 2025.
The schools which will benefit from the retrofitting funding were selected using data obtained from the pilot phase of the Schools Energy Inventory project. This project covered schools in Kildare, Meath, Offaly, Wicklow and Wexford. It was completed with support from the European Investment Bank. The REPowerEU programme is also facilitating the nationwide expansion of the energy inventory surveys, which are currently underway across the remaining 21 counties.
As part of a risk management approach to ensure the achievement of Value for Money and the full utilisation of the EU funding within the tight timelines, a total of 40 schools participated in the planning and design stages of the programme on the agreed basis that not all projects would proceed to construction. This provided flexibility in managing risks such as planning delays, ESB Networks infrastructure requirements, and challenges in tendering or project delivery. The list of 40 schools are included at Appendix 1 attached.
The programme targeted schools of a scale and size that would typically ensure compatibility to completing the works over a single school term/summer holiday period. Compatible with this approach was typically 8 to 10 classroom primary schools and Post Primary schools with similar floor area
Each school underwent a detailed, staged assessment process with final decisions based on key criteria including technical feasibility, value for money, alignment with programme timelines and compatibility with the overall funding envelope.
Eight multi-disciplinary design teams and twelve contractors have entered into contract under the Department’s REPowerEU programme marking a significant step forward in its rapid delivery.
The full list of schools that will proceed to retrofit this summer are listed in the press release that issued on 9th June 2025 - https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/press-releases/minister-mcentee-confirms-28-schools-to-undergo-major-energy-and-decarbonisation-retrofit-works-this-summer-under-the-repowereu-programme
Question No. 495 answered with Question No. 494.
School Funding
Questions (496)
Ged Nash
Question:496. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm the allocated budget in her Department for a climate-focused summer works programme for 2025; if significant roof replacement works can be considered in terms of applications from schools that also have strategic plans developed by recognised consultants to decarbonise their energy sources and make their schools more energy efficient as part of overall multi-annual decarbonisation and energy efficiency strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29028/25]
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As the Deputy may be aware, I recently announced details in respect of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) 2026 onwards. The purpose of the CASWS is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works which, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The CASWS will operate on a multi-annual basis for a number of categories, including roof works which could include the replacement of roofs.
The scheme now includes a strong climate action dimension, which for roof works can include if required associated airtightness works, attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, and bike rack provision. The option is available to the school when making their application for roof works to apply for one, some or all of the above climate action elements.
The new CASWS opened for applications on the 1st May 2025 and will remain open for applications until 5.30pm on the 30th of June 2025 when the applications window will close. The CASWS will operate on a multi-annual basis with the first tranche of projects being announced in Q4 2025 for commencement in summer 2026. Under this scheme, approved applications from schools that are not reached for funding or market prioritisation reasons (as above) in 2026 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of the funding available for climate action summer works in subsequent years.
Full details of the new CASWS, Circular (0029/2025) for the scheme and guidance documents for schools can be found at the below link: www.gov.ie/en/service/3230e1-summer-works-scheme/.