Written Answers Nos. 212-233
212. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the total amount of additional current spending above the ‘Revised Starting Point’ specified in the Budget 2026 expenditure report that is expenditure on ‘existing levels of services’ (demographics, carryover, public sector pay, etc); and the amount available for new measures. [56164/25]
View answer213. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide a breakdown of the ELS allocation by demographics, carryover, public sector pay, etc. [56182/25]
View answer214. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to clarify the make-up of ‘temporary and one-off spending items’ used to determine the ‘Revised Starting Point’ specified in the Budget 2026 expenditure report; to provide details of the items and if they will continue to be funded; the level to which they will be funded in Budget 2026; and if this is classified as new measure or contained in ELS. [56200/25]
View answer215. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide a breakdown of the allocation for new measures in Budget 2026, by heading (a,b,c etc). [56218/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 212, 213, 214 and 215 together.
Budget 2026 takes a whole of budget approach, considering the totality of expenditure, where this funding is being invested and what is being delivered for our growing population. This year a different approach to the Estimates process was undertaken which placed a greater emphasis on reform, efficiency and placing value for money at the centre of Government decision making.
Budget 2026 will increase the total gross voted expenditure ceiling to €117.8 billion. This represents an increase of €6.1 billion in current expenditure to cater for increased demand in service delivery for a growing population and to progress key policies in line with Government priorities across a range of sectors and €2 billion additional capital expenditure in line with NDP ceilings. The overall ceiling also has a €1 billion unallocated Contingency Reserve which will be used to fund once off costs relating to Ireland’s hosting of the EU Presidency in 2026 and an additional pay day in 2026 in the Revised Estimates. €0.3 billion of current funding remains to be allocated under the expenditure ceiling, separate to the €1bn reserve.
The starting point for Budget 2026 is based on inclusion of additional 2025 funding set out in the Summer Economic Statement, less temporary funding from the 2025 contingency reserve. This primarily relates to funding for supporting arrivals from Ukraine.
Detailed information on where the additional current funding is being allocated in 2026 is set out by Department in Part II of the Budget 2026 Expenditure Report. The vote chapters detail the overall level of resources available next year (including staff resources); the programmes and policy outputs to be delivered with this funding; and a list of reforms to be undertaken in order to enhance efficiency.
Each vote chapter includes a reconciliation table demonstrating the key components of the 2026 ceiling. The amounts reflected in the Vote Group reconciliation tables at the time of the Budget are collated in the aggregate Table 2 on page 12 of the Expenditure Report. This reflects:
• €1.1 billion is included for the 2026 cost of decisions taken in 2025 and carryover of Budget 2025 decisions. Some examples include the additional costs of running public transport services through the Public Service Obligation payments, costs associated with rollout of Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit and introduction of auto-enrolment, Bovine TB Action Plan, and costs of the 2025 childcare measures.
• €1.2 billion for public sector pay agreement costs arising in 2026 for all sectors, including the pension impact of this agreement.
• €0.9 billion for increased recipients of public services particularly in the area of social protection, housing and childcare and disability. This includes an additional c.30,000 recipients in pensions, illness, disability and carers schemes in 2026.
• €2.2 billion for key policy adjustments and expansion of services reflects expenditure for broadening the availability of supports, expansion of eligibility for schemes, extension of policies or introduction of new supports to deliver enhanced services for citizens, particularly through social protection, education & youth and further & higher education.
• The “Other” category reflects costs associated with the running of particular schemes and recruitment of additional staff, this includes the World Food Programme, Mother and Baby Institution Payment Scheme and additional funding in the justice sector.
Further detail in respect of each of the Vote Groups is contained in the relevant chapter in Part II of the Expenditure Report.
216. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the controls in place across all Departments for monitoring and approving exceptional or unplanned operational expenditures, such as the approximately €11 million incurred by the Revenue Commissioners in maintaining the seized vessel MV Matthew; the oversight role of his Department in these cases; and to confirm whether a cross-departmental review will be undertaken to prevent similar open-ended costs to the Exchequer. [56309/25]
View answerMy Department engages with other spending Departments and Offices in respect of the management of expenditure within the agreed overall fiscal parameters. This may include, where relevant and appropriate, exceptional or unplanned operational expenditure, particularly as they impact on the annual estimates. However, I would highlight that managing the delivery of public services, within budgetary allocations, is the responsibility of each Accounting Officer, who are required to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to facilitate financial control within budgetary targets as well as value for money.
As the Deputy is aware, part of my Department’s role is to support the appropriate use of public funds across government bodies by establishing the governance frameworks, or rules, setting out the principles and procedures for how money should be spent. The central key framework, Public Financial Procedures, requires that payment procedures must be initiated by Departments and Offices where a legally enforceable liability has been incurred and when payment is due which includes complex legal and regulatory costs associated with the seizure of vessels.
The aim of these rules set out by my Department is to support Accounting Officers in discharging their responsibility to ensure expenditure is managed in line with the Voted allocation but also that services, including the unavoidable costs of meeting the State’s legal and regulatory responsibilities pertaining to the seized MV Matthew, are delivered in an effective and efficient manner to support the achievement of value for money. Public Financial Procedures stipulates that Accounting Officers are responsible for the efficiency and economy of their Office in the use of its resources and that a review or analysis of the costs associated with exceptional or unplanned operational expenditure are a matter for the relevant Accounting Officer in the first instance.
217. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to release in full the details of the final submission made by the Government with regard to its Brexit Adjustment Reserve spend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56440/25]
View answerThe Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) was established by the European Union in 2021 to assist Member States in managing the adverse impacts of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU. Ireland, as the Member State most affected, received the largest allocation of funding. The total allocation available for Ireland is €802 million.
The BAR regulation provides that each Member State must submit to the Commission an application for a financial contribution from the Reserve in which the Member States will, inter alia, document their expenditure stemming from measures carried out with BAR support. Against this background, the Commission will only then assess and determine eligibility of BAR funds.
Ireland made its submission for funding from the Reserve in September 2024 as per the BAR regulation. The submission included a total of €876 million in expenditure. The review process is currently ongoing. This includes an audit and review of the submitted projects by the European Commission. It is anticipated that the review process will conclude early in 2026. At that stage, on completion of the review, the final details of Ireland’s allocation will be determined with those details and final allocation then being made available.
The table below provides a breakdown of the funding spent by Departments on projects mitigating Brexit impact that were included in Ireland’s submission.
Composition of BAR submission by Department
|
Department/Agency * |
Expenditure in submission (€m) |
|
Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
91 |
|
Agriculture, Food and the Marine |
363 |
|
Foreign Affairs |
12.7 |
|
Revenue Commissioners |
143.2 |
|
OPW |
176.4 |
|
Environment, Climate and Communications |
26.3 |
|
Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
6.8 |
|
Health |
31.8 |
|
Justice |
19.2 |
|
Taoiseach |
0.006 |
|
Transport |
2.3 |
|
OGCIO |
3.5 |
* Department structure at time of submission
218. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the actual and potential loss to the State from changes made to the EU Budget in February 2024 involving the reduction in the Brexit Adjustment Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56441/25]
View answerThe EU adopted a revision to its multiannual financial framework (MFF) in February 2024. This revision was undertaken in the context of the unprecedented and unexpected challenges, being faced by the EU, from the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine to an acceleration in inflation and interest rates and challenges related to migration. The revision provided for additional funds for new initiatives such as inter alia, the creation of a Ukraine Facility and the setting-up of the strategic technologies for Europe platform (STEP). In order to fund these new initiatives, the EU budget increased by €64.6 billion.
In order to reduce the impact on national budgets of additional contributions, some €10.6 billion was reallocated from existing EU budgets, including inter alia, the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR). In this context, Ireland’s BAR allocation was reduced from €1.015 bn to €802 million. Ireland’s allocation remains the largest of any Member State, and accounts for approximately 30% of the total Reserve. The next largest beneficiaries are the Netherlands (€486m) and Germany (€354m).
219. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the EU funding opportunities that will be open for application for schemes under his Department and at agencies under his aegis in the next six months and in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56455/25]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the PEACEPLUS programme 2021-27 is a north south programme for Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. PEACEPLUS Changemaker Grants are small grants that are geared towards smaller community organisations to support the delivery of people-to-people projects, with a total of €40 million available over the programming period. A rolling call is now open for grants between €10,000 and €20,000. Calls for grants of up to €100,000 will open on a phased basis over the duration of the programme period. Further details are available at www.seupb.eu.
My Department holds responsibility for the implementation and oversight of the management and control procedures and guidance for bodies implementing under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the 2021-2027 funding round. ERDF funding opportunities are not included in this reply as they are the responsibility of the relevant Departments as the Managing Authorities. My Department does not own the Schemes but rather manages the annual allocation and financial oversight.
There are no funding opportunities of the nature specified available from the bodies under the aegis of the Department.
220. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will provide a list of Florida headquartered companies with operations in Ireland, maintained by the IDA. [56074/25]
View answerCentral to IDA Ireland’s strategy, ‘Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation, 2025-29’ is an emphasis on partnering with the existing base of 1,800 clients from across the globe to identify opportunities to safeguard and strengthen their long-term investment in Ireland. IDA supports clients to increase the competitiveness of their Irish operations through investment in research, development & innovation, digitalisation, talent development and sustainability, positioning them to capture new growth opportunities.
The strategy also includes an ongoing focus on identifying new opportunities associated with FDI growth drivers of AI & digital, semiconductors, sustainability and health. These growth drivers are well aligned to the core sectors and territories in Ireland’s existing FDI base and will help shape IDA’s continued focus on attracting new investment to Ireland.
IDA Ireland enjoys strong partnerships with US investors. These partnerships have been built over many decades. In 2024, there were 157 investments from North American companies, accounting for over 9,500 new jobs, and including 33 first time investments from new name companies. Currently, there are 973 North American client companies (approx.) in IDA’s portfolio employing over 210,700 people directly in Ireland, including 28 companies from Florida. The list below includes 28 Florida-headquartered companies with operations in Ireland.
|
Company |
|
A-Lign |
|
Celsius Holdings, Inc. |
|
Cloud Software Group |
|
D&B Business Information Solutions |
|
FIS Global |
|
Flagship Management LLC |
|
Hertz Global Holdings Incorporated |
|
Interop Technologies |
|
It Works! Global |
|
Jabil Incorporated |
|
Kaseya |
|
Marriott Vacation Club International |
|
MTech Mobility |
|
Opko Health Incorporated |
|
ReliaQuest |
|
Reva Air Ambulance Services (Parent) |
|
Roper Technologies |
|
Shoes For Crews LLC |
|
Social Mobile |
|
STS Aviation Group |
|
Teamwork Commerce |
|
ThreatLocker |
|
Tritan Software |
|
UKG Inc. |
|
Vortex Aviation |
|
Willis Lease Finance Corporation |
|
Wyndham Destinations |
|
Wynshop (Mi9 Retail) Inc. USA |
221. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the EU funding opportunities that will be open for application for schemes under his Department and at agencies under his aegis in the next six months and in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56448/25]
View answerMy Department funds and promotes enterprises of all sizes in Ireland through a range of tailored programmes and supports delivered for the most part through Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.
The European Union allocates funding to a comprehensive array of projects and programmes spanning diverse sectors, including education, scientific research, employment, regional development, environmental sustainability, humanitarian assistance, agriculture, and maritime affairs, among others. Considerable financial support is extended to small and medium-sized enterprises, non-governmental and civil society organisations, youth, researchers, agricultural professionals, and public sector entities, among other eligible beneficiaries.
Enterprise Ireland will offer a range of EU funding opportunities under both the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). Under the ERDF, funding will continue to support regional enterprise development through schemes that enhance innovation, infrastructure, and SME services. These initiatives aim to strengthen regional competitiveness, foster collaboration, and stimulate job creation, with further calls expected during this period.
Through the NRRP, which will be open until June 2026, Enterprise Ireland will maintain supports for the green and digital transition of Irish businesses. Key schemes such as the Green Transition Fund and Digital Transition Fund will remain open for application, offering grants and advisory services to help companies decarbonise operations and adopt digital technologies. These supports are part of Ireland’s implementation of the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility.
The Digital Transition Fund is being made available from funds that have been allocated to my Department through the European Union’s NextGenerationEU funding instrument as part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The Digital Transition Fund aims to drive transformative digitalisation of enterprise in Ireland, particularly amongst SMEs. Currently administered through Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta, the fund offers a range of grant offers designed to increase the adoption of digital technologies across all stages of a company’s digitalisation journey.
Support ranges from helping companies establish an online presence, to digitising products and business processes, enabling export capabilities, and leveraging digital tools to explore new markets and develop innovative business models.
My Department also expects to launch a Call for Expressions of Interest in November 2025 under the EU Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) mechanism. The Call will target opportunities in the sectors of Advanced Semiconductor Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and Computing Infrastructure. I will be taking a Memo for Information to Government very shortly on these plans.
Applications will be assessed in line with the EU Commission’s IPCEI Communication and the highest quality projects may be selected for state aid co-funding. The majority of funding will come from the companies/organisations.
My Department will continue to monitor IPCEI developments at the EU level and seek to identify strategic investment opportunities to ensure Ireland is at the forefront of cutting-edge innovation which can enhance our industrial and economic competitiveness and resilience.
222. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the breakdown of the funding allocated to youth work in Budget 2026; the levels of funding that will be directed towards Balgaddy, Lucan, County Dublin for youth work; the way in which youth work organisations can apply for funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56130/25]
View answerI am pleased to announce that, arising from Budget 2026, an additional €8 million in current and capital funding has been allocated to support the sustainability and development of youth services. This investment strengthens the foundation for inclusive, high-quality provision — ensuring continuity, expanding reach, and enabling services to respond to the evolving needs of Ireland’s diverse youth population, including young people in Lucan, such as those engaged through Crosscare’s Lucan Youth Service which covers the area of Balgaddy.
My department remains committed to supporting youth work at both national and local levels. The increased funding will enable youth services to continue delivering tailored supports and safe, welcoming spaces for young people across the country.
The Budget documentation published sets out funding for key measures and actions agreed for the coming year. As the Deputy may be aware, in line with standard practice, the final allocation of funding for my Department for 2026 will be set out in the 2026 Revised Estimates Volume (REV), which is due to be published later this year. Further details on the 2026 allocations for my Department will be available after the 2026 REV process is complete.
223. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth the next steps for a person (details supplied) who cannot provide relevant information to register with the Teaching Council of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56058/25]
View answerThe Teaching Council is the professional standards body for the teaching profession, which promotes and regulates professional standards in teaching. The Teaching Council registers teachers under the [Teaching Council Act 2001-2015] and in line with the [Teaching Council Registration Regulations, 2016]. There are five routes of registration, the minimum registration requirements for each route are set out in the Schedule of the Regulations.
Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.
As set out in the legislation, in order to be entitled to be admitted to the register each applicant shall satisfy the Council that they meet the qualification requirements and that they are a fit and proper person. With regard to satisfying the Council in respect of being a fit and proper person, applicants are legally required to be vetted by the National Vetting Bureau, provide overseas police clearance, as required, and complete all required declarations as part of the registration process. The Teaching Council considers all of these requirements for the purposes of carrying out a fit and proper assessment for registration purposes.
The Teaching Council has informed me that the person that the Deputy is referring to in this query had been previously registered with the Teaching Council in 2013 and 2022. The individual referred to submitted a recent application for registration to the Teaching Council and sent an email querying overseas police clearance requirements. This teacher was advised that if they lived outside of Ireland for a cumulative period of more than 12 months, police clearance from the countries where they lived is needed. It was noted from this query that the individual had lived in Russia, therefore a link was also provided to the relevant authority from where the required clearance from Russia can be obtained [dublin.kdmid.ru/en/consular-functions/certificates-of-no-criminal-record/] The teacher has advised in further email correspondence that they are having difficulty in obtaining the clearance from Russia. In this regard, the Council have requested evidence of their interactions with this authority in order to advise further.
The Teaching Council has advised that it will contact this person directly to provide further assistance in relation to the requirements.
224. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if special needs assistants will be urgently provided to a special school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56059/25]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs, including the allocation of special needs assistants (SNAs).
The NCSE issues guidance each year to schools regarding SNA reviews and the guidance for 2025/26 school year issued on the 12 September 2025. The SNA allocation review window outlined in these guidelines, from 15 September 2025 to 24 October 2025, is now open and relates to schools who believe they do not have sufficient SNAs to support their care needs at present.
In addition, a school can apply to the NCSE at any time during the school year, as in previous years, for a review where emerging or new care needs arise. Detailed information on the NCSE's SNA review process is published on the NCSE's website. Each case is individually assessed and is based on the student profile of each school.
Following the outcome of the review, the NCSE can make a local special educational needs organiser (SENO) available to the school to discuss their deployment of SNA supports in the school and to put these supports to the best advantage of the students. The NCSE in-school support service is also available to schools to offer further guidance and support.
Following engagement from my department and NCSE the school has confirmed that it will now be fully open from Monday 13 October. The school undertook to inform the parents of this decision on Friday last.
The department and the NCSE will continue to engage with and support the school referred to by the Deputy to ensure that they can meet the needs of all the children in the school. The NCSE are on site visiting the school this week.
225. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider broadening SNA eligibility in order that children with neurodevelopmental conditions like dyspraxia and dyslexia can receive SNA support for organisation, sensory regulation, safe participation, and access to learning; if she can provide an update regarding the efforts to ensure such children are receiving appropriate and timely supports in educational settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56082/25]
View answerThis government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
I know the central role that our special needs assistants (SNAs) play in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs in schools to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
That is why the number of SNA posts available for allocation has continued to increase annually resulting in more SNAs than ever now being employed in our schools. Budget 2026 provides for an additional 1,700 SNA posts, the largest number ever allocated in a single year, meaning the total number of SNAs available in our schools next year will be close to 25,000.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocation of SNA posts to schools and in this capacity has reviewed and notified school allocations for the 2025/26 school year based on the care needs of the enrolled students.
If a school believes it has insufficient SNA support to meet the needs of its students an application can be submitted to the NCSE requesting a review of its allocation. Detailed information on the NCSE's SNA review process is published on the NCSE's website. The NCSE provides support through the local special educational needs organiser (SENO) who is available to discuss deployment of SNA support. The NCSE's in-school support service is also available to schools to offer further guidance and support. Further information is available on the NCSE website.
The purpose of the SNA service is defined in circular 0030/2014 and explains that SNA support is provided specifically to recognised primary, post-primary and special schools to support students with significant care needs in an educational context. The role and responsibilities of SNAs have not changed since the publication of this circular.
My department is currently developing a SNA workforce development plan which will bring further clarity and direction to the SNA service. The plan which is being developed in consultation and collaboration with education stakeholders including existing SNAs, school management bodies, parents and children is scheduled for delivery later in 2025.
226. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the progress of a development at a secondary school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56102/25]
View answerThe brief for the major building project referred to by the Deputy is for the delivery of a new 400 pupil post primary school with 3 classrooms for children with special education needs.
This project is planned to be delivered as part of Phase 2 of my Department's ADAPT 4 Programme which uses a professional external Programme Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Integrated Project Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning, to Tender and Construction.
This programme is being led by Integrated Project Teams consisting of highly skilled and experienced design professionals, architects, engineers, project managers, quantity surveyors and various other consultants to deliver the projects.
The Project Manager was appointed in Q3 2023 and is in the process of preparing documentation for the tender process for the appointment of IPTs for the Phase 2 bundle of projects.
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 my 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.
My Department is now preparing an NDP implementation plan which is due for publication later in the year. 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.
My Department will continue to keep the school and its patron body updated on progress and next steps.
227. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she can provide an itemised list of all ongoing school building projects, broken down by stage of development and amount of funding drawn down to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56119/25]
View answerSince 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects. In addition, over 200 SEN Repurposing projects have been delivered maximising the use of existing accommodation while creating opportunities for inclusion and integration.
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 my 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.
My 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.
Each year thousands of applications, covering a wide range of capital programmes, are submitted from across the school estate of more than 4,000 schools. Owing to the volume involved in this request, it is not possible to provide a list of all applications received.
The current status of all projects is set out under item number ten at the following link (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.
228. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total number of pupils enrolled in primary and post-primary schools, by county over the past ten years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56123/25]
View answerPlease find attached requested data.
Data is collated from the final primary and post-primary enrolment lists for years 2015 to 2024, 2024 being the latest year we have final enrolment data. The lists can be found at the link below.
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/collections/data-on-individual-schools/
Enrolments are tied to the census date 30th of September in each academic year for primary and post-primary enrolments.
229. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that a school (details supplied) in Cork has a critically low level of SNA support and has reduced the timetable of children in the school to three and four days a week, which will greatly upset their heavily relied upon routine; and the measures she will take to ensure there is adequate SNA support available for the school to run normally. [56139/25]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs, including the allocation of special needs assistants (SNAs).
The NCSE issues guidance each year to schools regarding SNA reviews and the guidance for 2025/26 school year issued on the 12 September 2025. The SNA allocation review window outlined in these guidelines, from 15 September 2025 to 24 October 2025, is now open and relates to schools who believe they do not have sufficient SNAs to support their care needs at present.
In addition, a school can apply to the NCSE at any time during the school year, as in previous years, for a review where emerging or new care needs arise. Detailed information on the NCSE's SNA review process is published on the NCSE's [website]. Each case is individually assessed and is based on the student profile of each school.
Following the outcome of the review, the NCSE can make a local special educational needs organiser (SENO) available to the school to discuss their deployment of SNA supports in the school and to put these supports to the best advantage of the students. The NCSE in-school support service is also available to schools to offer further guidance and support.
Following engagement from my department and NCSE the school has confirmed that it will now be fully open from Monday 13 October. The school undertook to inform the parents of this decision on Friday last.
The department and the NCSE will continue to engage with and support the school referred to by the Deputy to ensure that they can meet the needs of all the students in the school. The NCSE are on site visiting the school this week.
230. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the new build for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56140/25]
View answerThe major building project referred to by the Deputy will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post primary school with 6 classrooms for children with special education needs.
The school will be delivered as part of a shared educational campus which will provide 2 new 1,000 pupil post primary schools with 6 classrooms for children with special education needs, a new 8 classroom primary school with accommodation and 2 classrooms for children with special education needs and a new 20 classroom special school at the Swords Road campus in Whitehall. The project will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT 4 programme – Programme Innovate. This programme is being led by Integrated Project Teams consisting of highly skilled and experienced design professionals, architects, engineers, project managers, quantity surveyors and various other consultants to deliver the projects.
This project is currently at the initial stage of architectural planning – Pre-Stage 1 where the Integrated Project Team carry out a site and current building assessment and initial design sketch schemes are created.
It will not be possible to estimate the date of commencement of works until the project has secured all essential statutory approvals.
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 my 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.
My department is now preparing an NDP implementation plan which is due for publication later in the year. 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.
My Department will continue to keep the school and its patron body updated on progress and next steps.
231. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will address the case of a person and their daughter (details supplied); if she will intervene to assist in identifying a suitable school placement for this pupil in Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56143/25]
View answerMy department’s main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area.??Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available for the relevant year, the student should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some students not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
In accordance with the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, schools are required to clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. It is an important feature of the act that schools can only make a decision on an application for admission that is based on the school’s admission policy.??
Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) is the agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. Tess have advised that no referral has been received to date in relation to this child. At this time, TESS advises that the parent make applications to both local schools and schools outside of their immediate locality. The parent may contact TESS directly and they will assist the parent in securing a school place for the child referred to in this question Educational Welfare Services contact details are: tess.mw@tusla.ie or telephone: 091-385302.
232. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the number of special needs assistants in a school (details supplied); if a review can be carried out by her Department for the school to see if there is an adequate number of SNA staff in the school; if additional SNA staffing can be considered for the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56148/25]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs, including the allocation of special needs assistants (SNAs). I will arrange for your query to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
Deputies are also welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie.
The NCSE issues guidance each year to schools regarding SNA reviews and the guidance for 2025/26 school year issued on the 12 September 2025. The SNA allocation review window outlined in these guidelines, from 15 September 2025 to 24 October 2025, is now open and relates to schools who believe they do not have sufficient SNAs to support their care needs at present.
In addition, a school can apply to the NCSE at any time during the school year, as in previous years, for a review where emerging or new care needs arise. Detailed information on the NCSE's SNA review process is published on the NCSE's website. Each case is individually assessed and is based on the student profile of each school.
Following the outcome of the review, the NCSE can make a local special educational needs organiser (SENO) available to the school to discuss their deployment of SNA supports in the school and to put these supports to the best advantage of the students. The NCSE in-school support service is also available to schools to offer further guidance and support.
233. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to urgently review and allow an appeal by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56237/25]
View answerThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally.
The primary school staffing arrangements for the 2025/26 school year are set out in Circular 0011/2025. These arrangements contain an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an appeal to the October meeting of the Board. The appeal will be considered next week and the school will be notified of the decision. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
