Written Answers Nos. 158-177
158. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the proposed introduction of additional time during State examinations for students with dyslexia and other learning difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55801/25]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the Programme for Government commits to developing an appropriate mechanism to allow additional time for students with specific needs and in certain circumstances, and also to ensure that those who use assistive technology can do so in State examinations.
The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has responsibility for the operation and delivery of the State examinations, and facilitates access to the examinations through its scheme of reasonable accommodations at the certificate examinations, otherwise known as the RACE scheme.
I welcome that the SEC is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the scheme in which it is giving consideration to these and all relevant issues.
I have asked the SEC to respond directly to the Deputy with further detail about the RACE scheme and the ongoing system wide review of the scheme.
159. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth the up-to-date position regarding the completion date for the construction of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55807/25]
View answerI wish to advise that approval has issued to the School Authority in question under the Additional School Accommodation scheme for the provision of 2 Mainstream Classrooms, 1 Special Education Tuition, 2 Special Educational Needs Classrooms, 1 Central Activities room, 1 Skills room and 1 Office under the Departments Modular Accommodation Framework.
The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. The use of the Department's Modular Accommodation Framework assists in ensuring lead in periods for procurement of modular accommodation are minimised to the greatest extent possible.
The contractor is currently on site and the foundations are currently been poured. The Department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of this project and is committed to working with the school authority to keep it updated on overall project delivery and timelines.
160. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures she is taking to sanction more early intervention classes in Kerry; the number that will be available in 2026; the number of places that will be available in total; the number that will be available for new students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55863/25]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an appropriate education is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
As you are aware the vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided. This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which promotes that children will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.
The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) under the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, enables the full inclusion and meaningful participation of children with disabilities/additional needs in the Early Childhood Care & Education Scheme (ECCE) programme. Its goal is to create a more inclusive environment in pre-schools, so all children availing of preschool, regardless of ability, can benefit from quality early learning and care. There has been a significant increase in resources and supports provided to children with additional needs accessing the AIM programme over recent years.
It is important to note that a diagnosis is not required in order to access AIM supports and that while some children require additional supports at preschool level, many will transition into mainstream classes thereafter. This trend has also been noted as students’ progress from primary level to post-primary.
Where the NCSE identifies need for an early intervention class, the class is sanctioned, and supports are provided by my department to ensure the school can accommodate the class.
The NCSE is currently collating the data and information received through the parents notify process and are engaging with schools regarding where specialist provision is best placed for the 2026/27 school year. It is envisioned that the majority of these special classes will be sanctioned by 31 December 2025.
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 as to where new specialist provision is required in County Kerry and indeed nationwide.
161. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to combat the shortage of substitute teachers available to cover leave. [55875/25]
View answerEnsuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified, engaged teachers available to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government.
As with other sectors, recruitment challenges exist in some schools. To address teacher supply issues, the Government has implemented several measures that have led to:
• An increase of 20% in Initial Teacher Education graduates (student teachers) between 2018 and 2023.
• The Teaching Council reported 94,928 teachers registered in the 2016/17 school year increasing to 122,743 teachers registered in 2023/24. Currently, the Teacher Council have reported that there are over 126,000 on the register representing a 33% increase in the number of teachers registered between 2017 and now.
• Recent data showed there were over 79,000 qualified teachers employed in Ireland with over 43,000 at primary level including special schools and over 36,000 in post-primary schools.
I am committed to addressing teacher supply and recently announced new measures including to help teachers gain permanent roles more quickly. The Teaching Council is to streamline the registration process for eligible teachers who qualified outside of Ireland, allowing them to apply for registration and complete their induction requirements within the country.
Additionally, Budget 2026 has seen an increase of 1,042 teacher posts, including 860 additional teachers working across various Special Educational Needs settings.
Substitutable leave absences may be filled by schools in several ways. A substitute teacher may be recruited locally by a school, and a claim for payment for the teacher may be submitted to my Department, via the Online Claims System. Alternatively, the absence may be covered by schools under a number of schemes, which are managed locally by schools.
The Supervision and Substitution Scheme allows for the supervision of students during breaks and before and after school and allows for substitution to cover certain categories of teacher absences. With effect from the beginning of the 2013/14 school year, participation in the Supervision and Substitution scheme is compulsory for teachers, save for those who had availed of the opt-out arrangements before this date. All schools therefore provide cover for a significant number of substitutable absences, arising over the school year, through the Supervision and Substitution scheme.
For primary schools, substitute teacher supply panels are also in place. For the 2025/26 school year, 587 substitute teacher supply posts have been allocated to 168 panels, covering 2,905 schools This scheme provides substitute cover for teachers employed in primary schools who are absent on short-term leave. Absences covered by the teacher supply panels are recorded locally by the schools and the schools are not required to claim for the substitutable leave to my Department.
For post-primary schools, the Teaching Hours Extension scheme provides an alternative means of sourcing appropriately qualified substitute teaching cover to support teaching and learning in schools. Teachers on full teaching contracts of 22 hours can provide additional substitution cover, of up to 35 additional hours, for each term designated under the scheme. Absences covered under this scheme are also recorded locally by the schools and the schools are not required to claim for the substitutable leaves covered by this scheme to my Department. This scheme has been extended to the current school year 2025/26.
My Department has also continued the suspension of the usual limits on career break and job-sharing schemes to the current school year 2025/26 to increase the pool of teachers available to undertake substitute work in primary and post-primary schools.
The teaching profession is highly attractive, with strong demand for teacher education programmes with 3,700 newly qualified teachers registered with the Teaching Council in 2024. Salaries are competitive, starting at €44,879 (primary) and €46,448 (post-primary) and rising to €85,000 under the current pay deal.
Around 6% of first-choice CAO applications from 2017–2024 were for teaching, showing steady demand. In 2025, first preferences rose by 9% for primary teaching and 5% for post-primary. 85% of newly appointed primary teachers in 2024/25 are on full-time, mostly fixed-term contracts. Over 75% of new post-primary teachers are employed full-time. 93% of teachers with 5+ years’ experience hold permanent full-time or pro-rata contracts.
My Department frequently consults and engages closely with stakeholders on teacher supply issues through industrial relations forums, sectoral meetings, and direct discussions. I am considering further measures to strengthen the teaching workforce and ensure that schools have the support needed to provide an excellent education for every student.
162. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth when students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other learning difficulties, will be allotted extra time when sitting State examinations; the plan for its implementation vis-à-vis the State Examinations Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55885/25]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the Programme for Government commits to developing an appropriate mechanism to allow additional time for students with specific needs and in certain circumstances, and also to ensure that those who use assistive technology can do so in State examinations.
The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has responsibility for the operation and delivery of the State examinations, and facilitates access to the examinations through its scheme of reasonable accommodations at the certificate examinations, otherwise known as the RACE scheme.
I welcome that the SEC is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the scheme in which it is giving consideration to these and all relevant issues.
I have asked the SEC to respond directly to the Deputy with further detail about the RACE scheme and the ongoing system wide review of the scheme.
163. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on an extension for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55909/25]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings under the Additional School Accommodation scheme to provide a 2 classroom SEN base and 1 mainstream classroom. The project is devolved to the School Authority for delivery.
I can confirm that my Department awaits a Stage 1 report for review. Once the Stage 1 submission is received it will be reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Infrastructure Guidelines. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
It is now within the remit of the school authority to progress this very important project.
164. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on an extension of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55910/25]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the Department's pipeline of school buildings for a project to provide 6 general classrooms, 1 technical graphics room, 1 woodwork room, 2 Science rooms including a shared preparation area, 1 home economics room and a 2 classroom SEN base.
This project was approved to proceed to Stage 3 (tender) in Q4 2024. My Department recently contacted the school authority for an update and is currently awaiting the Stage 3 Tender report. Once received, the project will be considered within the overall capital programme pipeline. Progression to the next stage is subject to the Government’s Infrastructure Guidelines and the required due diligence under the Public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
It is within the remit of the school authority to progress the project accordingly.
165. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a project (details supplied); the likely timeline for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55919/25]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the departments pipeline of school buildings for a project to provide a 3 classroom SEN Base.The project was devolved to the school for delivery.
Approval to proceed to Stage 2b (developed design) was granted in April 2024. In June 2025, the Design Team advised they were finalising design elements and preparing tender documentation. The Department is currently awaiting the Stage 2b pre-tender report.
Once received, the report will undergo a detailed technical and cost review in line with the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, are subject to the due diligence requirements of the Public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
Since 2020, the Department of Education and Youth has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,400 school building projects. Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities. Supplementary capital funding of €210 million approved by Government has brought the total capital allocation for 2025 for my department to €1.6 billion.
In July the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation the department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
The department is now preparing an NDP implementation plan which is due for publication later in the Autumn. This plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
Department officials have actively engaged with the Design Team throughout and will continue to engage with the school authority to provide practical advice and assistance on this very important project.
166. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a project (details supplied); the likely timeline for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55920/25]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the departments pipeline of school buildings to provide a 2 classroom SEN base and to replace displaced accommodation. The project was devolved to the school for delivery.
A Stage 3 Tender Report has been received and is under review in line with the Public Spending Code. Department officials are currently assessing options to ensure value for money and to keep the project within anticipated costs. Once this review is complete, my department will communicate the outcome to the school authority.
Since 2020, the Department of Education and Youth has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,400 school building projects. Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities. Supplementary capital funding of €210 million approved by Government has brought the total capital allocation for 2025 for my department to €1.6 billion.
In July, the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation the department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs. This will be the context for assessing all project rollout for the 2026 to 2030 period including in relation to this school.
167. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the proposed timebound provision to allow teachers that qualify outside the State to apply for registration and complete their induction requirement in this State; when this path to registration will become available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55921/25]
View answerThe Teaching Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and in line with the Teaching Council Registration Regulations, 2016. As set out in the Schedule of the Regulations, the Council registers teachers under five routes of registration: Route 1 - Primary, Route 2 - Post-primary, Route 3 - Further Education, Route 4 - Other and Route 5 - Student Teacher. The qualification requirements for each route are set down in the Schedule.
The qualifications of teachers who qualified outside of the Republic of Ireland are assessed on an individual and holistic basis for the purposes of registering as a teacher. Qualifications are assessed for comparability with graduates of initial teacher education programmes accredited by the Teaching Council. All applications from teachers who qualified abroad are processed in line with the EU Directive 2005/36/EC and are assessed in the same manner, regardless of whether they qualified within or outside the EU. The EU Directive provides for the assessment of qualifications for the purposes of recognition, and this recognition may be subject to conditions.
To assist further with teacher supply challenges, I announced last April that I would work with the Teaching Council to introduce a proposal to enable eligible teachers who have qualified outside of Ireland to apply for registration and complete their induction requirement here.
I see this as an important step in encouraging more teachers to work and start their careers here in Ireland and I am pleased to note that significant progress has been made towards realising this measure.
Under the Teaching Council Act, the Council makes regulations for the purposes of registration through statutory instrument, including to amend or replace existing regulations. A further Statutory Instrument (SI) was required to establish the proposed creation of this timebound provision. A new set of registration regulations were drafted which included the provision for induction in the state for teachers qualified outside of the state, and on that basis engagement with the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) was required. A proportionality impact assessment was carried out. There was also consultation with various stakeholders. Legal advice was sought to ensure that the new regulations are appropriate and proportionate, with no legal impediments, which requires more time than applies to an amending an SI.
It is expected that primary and post-primary teachers, who qualified outside of the Republic of Ireland and apply to complete their induction here under the new provision, will be subject to meeting eligibility and qualifications requirements to enable registration.
I am pleased to inform you that the final draft of the new Registration Regulations has been received from the Teaching Council and is progressing through the required procedures so that it can be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas to be implemented in the coming days.
Please refer to the Teaching Council website, www.teachingcouncil.ie, for updates regarding the making of the new Registration Regulations, and for information on accessing the timebound provision for overseas qualified applicants to register and complete their induction in the State.
168. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special education places available at second level in each of the counties of Offaly, Laois, Kildare, Tipperary, Galway, Roscommon, Meath and Westmeath for the upcoming school year of 2026/2027, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55922/25]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for children with special educational needs. The NCSE is currently collating the data and information received through the parents notify process and are engaging with schools regarding where specialist provision is best placed for the 2026/27 school year. It is envisioned that the majority of these special classes will be sanctioned by 31 December.
407 new special classes were sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. This means there are now over 3,740 special classes nationwide, 2,629 at primary level and 1,112 at post-primary level. A list of all mainstream schools with special classes; broken by location and class designation is available on the NCSE [website].
In addition, each county has a number of special schools educating students with the most complex of needs. These schools now offer a greater range of national curriculum subjects to include junior and senior cycle programmes for students of post-primary age.
In 2026, over €3 billion will be spent supporting children with special educational needs. It will ensure that specialist capacity continues to grow by providing 3,000 specialist places. The majority of these places will be available in special classes within mainstream schools and a substantial number will be allocated to schools at post-primary level.
I urge any parent still seeking placement for either this school year or the 2026/27 school year to make contact with the NCSE who will provide guidance and support with securing a placement.
169. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding that may be available to help a school (details supplied) to improve its outdoor play areas by adding colourful picnic benches, high quality sensory sound instruments and some new playground markings and games; if a parents association can apply for this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55953/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the purpose of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis and, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The CASWS operates on a multi-annual basis for categories of works such as external works which could include the upgrade of a play area.
The CASWS closed to new applications on the 30th of June 2025 and my department have confirmed that no application was submitted by the school in question.
Full details of the new CASWS, Circular (0029/2025) for the scheme and guidance documents for schools can be found at the below link:
[gov.ie - Summer Works Scheme]
It should be noted that funding approved under the CASWS programme may only be used to upgrade an external area and would not be approved to purchase playground equipment.
170. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding that may be available to help a school (details supplied) to provide school buses for school trips; if a parents association can apply for this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55954/25]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth
The scheme is made up of three separate schemes, the school transport scheme for primary, post primary and for children with special educational needs. Transport is also provided for children who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine and those residing in IPAS/EROC centres.
The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Based on the details supplied this does not come within the remit of the School Transport Schemes.
171. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding that may be available to help a school (details supplied) to provide toys for the classroom; if a parents association can apply for this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55955/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware my department supports schools through funding from the furniture & equipment scheme (F&E) to have sufficient appropriate furniture and equipment to meet the needs of the vast majority of children. New toys and/or their replacement does not fall under the Furniture and Equipment Scheme and should be funded by the school, it is open to the school to use their Minor works grants for this purpose.
172. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if patronage will feature as part of the national convention on education. [55967/25]
View answer173. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the terms of reference for the national convention on education will be published. [55968/25]
View answer175. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if reconfiguration will be part of the national convention on education. [55970/25]
View answer176. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth for a list of people and organisations that will be invited to the national convention on education. [55971/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 172, 173, 175 and 176 together.
Planning for the National Convention on Education is ongoing.
I am committed to ensuring that this Convention will reflect the Ireland of today, in all its diversity, and in particular the voices of children and young people, their parents and guardians, and education stakeholders. With this in mind, the Convention will launch the first ever National Conversation on education with school communities and national stakeholders.
The National conversation will inform what changes may be needed to the education landscape to help ensure responsiveness of the system to children and young people’s needs over the years and decades to come, to reflect on how best to provide for what is working well and to examine what needs to be changed.
Our goal with the Convention is to develop an ambitious vision and programme of work for education that will deliver both over the coming years and in the medium-term future as well. The findings from the National Conversation will shape the agenda for the Convention, which in turn will be agreed by Government.
174. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the parental survey on patronage will be published. [55969/25]
View answerMost primary schools are State-aided parish schools, with the local Bishop as school patron. It is recognised, including by the Catholic school patrons, that an educational landscape is needed which more accurately reflects the reality of our increasingly diverse society and meets the expectations parents have for their children.
The Programme for Government commits to seeking to increase choice for parents by ensuring that families can access both multi/non-denominational and faith-based education.
The opportunities for the establishment of new multi-denominational primary schools have declined. Demographic trends and projections at primary school level nationally have peaked.
In order to maximise the use of the existing school estate, my department has developed the schools reconfiguration process. The schools reconfiguration process aims to meet demand from local school communities and to accelerate the delivery of multi-denominational schools by transferring schools to multi-denominational patrons, where school communities support this.
When a school transfers from the patronage of one patron to another, the school remains open with the same roll number, operating from the same school property and with the same school staff and pupils.
My department has published a comprehensive Education Plan 2025 that outlines a significant body of work being undertaken this year to deliver for everyone in our school and youth services’ communities.
There are over 100 actions in this plan including a commitment to launch a survey of primary school parents and guardians and parents and guardians of children not yet in school on their preferences on important aspects of school provision and choice, such as the future patronage and ethos of their school.
I intend to launch the survey in the coming period. Further details will be announced in due course.
177. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason an official from her Department has not undertaken a site visit of a school (details supplied) following their request; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55984/25]
View answerThe project was approved to enter the department’s pipeline of school buildings to provide a four Classroom Special Educational Needs (SEN) base, a general-purpose room and Ancillary under the department ‘s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project is a joint project between the Boys & Girls National schools.
Approval to proceed to Stage 2b (developed design) was granted in March 2024, and planning permission was confirmed by the design team in July 2025. The Department now awaits the post-planning Stage 2b report, which will be reviewed from both technical and cost perspectives in line with the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the Public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program
In February 2025, the school was advised to apply to the Emergency Works Scheme for any health and safety concerns, as refurbishment of the existing building is outside the scope of the ASA project. The Department has also engaged with the design team regarding heating infrastructure, and a recent request concerning pipework is currently under technical review. The Department will respond to the school authority once this review is complete.
Since 2020, the Department of Education and Youth has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,400 school building projects. Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities. Supplementary capital funding of €210 million approved by Government has brought the total capital allocation for 2025 for my department to €1.6 billion.
In July, the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation the department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs. This will be the context for assessing all project rollout for the 2026 to 2030 period including in relation to this school.
