Pa Daly
Question:234. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the breakdown of the number of early intervention class places available broken down, by county in each of the years 2020-2025. [56255/25]
View answerSpecial Educational Needs
Questions (234)
Written answers
Early intervention classes are available in mainstream and special school settings for children aged 3 -5 years old with a diagnosis of autism. There is also a small number dedicated to children who are deaf/hard of hearing. These classes are intended to provide early support to children before they start school and can aid their transition to junior infants.
The 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. 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. Generally, these classes are resourced at a 6:1 student/teacher ratio and two special needs assistants (SNAs) are allocated to each class.
Attached is a list of early intervention classes (autism and hearing impairment) broken down by county for the school years 2020/2021 - 2024/25.
In addition to early intervention classes is the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) under the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. It 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.
School Curriculum
Questions (235)
Robert O'Donoghue
Question:235. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will support an initiative to include CPR and defibrillator awareness training as part of the school curriculum to equip children with essential life-saving skills; if she will support a proposal for a non-uniform day on 13 February, through which schools will raise funds for local defibrillators, as part of an initiative being developed by an initiative (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56321/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum, which is currently mandatory for primary and Junior Cycle students, is focused on promoting the health and well-being of children. Teachers can include CPR/first-aid in their SPHE programme. Personal safety is currently addressed in a variety of ways in the primary and post primary curricula; for example, SPHE aims to develop student’s skills for keeping safe and to make students aware of appropriate responses to various threats to personal safety. This provides schools with opportunities to prioritise first aid and/or cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if they consider this appropriate for their students.
The Health Education strand of the updated Primary Wellbeing curriculum includes among its learning outcomes that pupils should be able to demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for basic safety rules and practices, to identify and mitigate unsafe or risky situations and behaviours, prioritising accident prevention and practising/adopting appropriate safety strategies
At Junior Cycle, the curriculum is made up of a combination of full subjects and short courses. Short courses are designed for 100 hours of engagement over the three years of Junior Cycle. Some short courses will be designed centrally by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and others by schools themselves or other bodies, using the template provided by the NCCA. It is open to a school or other body to develop a short course in first aid training, for use in schools.
There are also opportunities within Transition Year in which a flexible menu of learning modules can be provided by schools within the context of a framework for the programme set out by the Department.
Schools are encouraged to engage with community groups and a wide range of stakeholders to provide for extra-curricular learning opportunities such as first-aid training and/or CPR or to give talks to students.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (236)
Robert O'Donoghue
Question:236. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the progress on a building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56360/25]
View answerWritten answers
The school to which the Deputy refers is at Stage 2b Advanced Architectural Planning. The brief is a new 32 classroom school with 2 SEN classrooms, GP hall and all external ancillary accommodation and external works.
A tender report was received from the Design Team in 2023 and was reviewed by my Department, during the course of this review it was noted that the Planning Permission was due to expire in December 2023 and a new planning permission application would be required.
Given the passage of time since tenders were returned and the requirement for a new planning application, the Design Team were authorised in July 2024 to collapse the former tender procedure and proceed with the new planning application. This planning application will include decarbonisation measures in accordance with Technical Design Guidance. The Design Team have liaised with Fingal County Council accordingly.
The updated tender documents will include the updated Mechanical and Electrical requirements in accordance with decarbonisation measures, and compliance with any statutory requirements.
Since 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.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (237, 238)
Marie Sherlock
Question:237. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth the timeframe for when the contract for the completion of a project (details supplied) in Dublin 1 will go out to tender. [56389/25]
View answerMarie Sherlock
Question:238. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth when she expects a school building project (details supplied) in Dublin 1 to be complete. [56390/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 238 together.
The large scale capital project for the school to which the Deputy refers is included in my Department's construction programme which will be delivered under the National Development Plan (NDP) as part of Project Ireland 2040 Framework.
A number of issues arose on site from the outset, which is not unusual given the nature of a brownfield city centre site, but has led to delay. In response to these issues on site, my Department sanctioned the appointment of a Project Manager who engaged with the Design Team and Contractor to minimise delays and ensure clear lines of communication.
Good progress was initially made but the issues intensified. My Department had ongoing engagement with the Design Team and Contractor to resolve the issues.
A notice of termination was issued under the contract on 1 July 2025. As an interim measure, my Department is providing accommodation more suitable to the current needs of the school in nearby Cathal Brugha St. Some small scale refurbishment works will provide a good interim accommodation solution for the school and includes teaching and learning spaces for all of the classes, education support and sensory spaces, adequate meeting and office spaces, a staff room, a communal area and access to a safe outdoor space for the students. It is anticipated these works will complete in November 2025, following which the school will move into this premises.
Question No. 238 answered with Question No. 237.
Residential Institutions
Questions (239)
Sorca Clarke
Question:239. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has engaged with the industrial school survivors who are on hunger strike; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56394/25]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy that I, and officials from my department, have engaged with members of the group referred to by the Deputy. I met with the group personally on Monday 29 September.
They recounted to me their traumatic experiences as children in residential institutions and also outlined their concerns regarding the further supports to be provided to survivors under the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025, which completed its passage through the Oireachtas in July. While I acknowledged that the Act does not go as far as they would wish, as it has completed its passage through the Oireachtas, Government is not in a position to revisit the Act and that the focus is now on implementing the supports for which it provides.
However, there were a number of issues raised at the meeting, including memorialisation, records, exam certification and the removal of criminal records, which I have asked my officials to look into further.
At the meeting, I expressed my serious concern for their health and wellbeing and asked that they reconsider their action in the interest of their physical and mental health. I wrote to the group on Wednesday 1 October to outline the position with regard to the Act and to respectfully urge them to safeguard their health.
The Taoiseach met directly with members of the group on Friday 3 October and I wrote to the group again on both 4 and 13 October.
I would also note that officials from my Department have been in ongoing engagement with the group, as has the Special Advocate for Survivors, Ms Patricia Carey.
At all times, my primary concern has been that the group should safeguard their ongoing physical and mental health, and they have consistently and respectfully been urged to do so. In that regard, following my engagement with the HSE, I am also aware that the HSE and National Ambulance Service has been undertaking periodic checks on their health and welfare, in so far as this is possible given their setting.
In addition, and in the context of the severe weather warnings issued by Met Éireann for 3 and 4 October, my Department offered to source accommodation for the group to safeguard their wellbeing during that period, but this offer was turned down.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (240)
Carol Nolan
Question:240. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to address serious concerns around delays to a planning application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56397/25]
View answerWritten answers
The school referred to by the deputy was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme for a project providing 1 SET Room (prefab replacement), 1 SEN classroom and 1 Central Activities Space. The project is devolved to the school authority for delivery.
My Department has engaged actively with the school regarding its building project. The Stage 2b (post-planning) report has been submitted and is currently under review from both technical and cost perspectives, in line with the Public Spending Code. This is a key milestone before the project can progress further. All projects, including this one, are subjected to the required due diligence as specified in the Department's infrastructure guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
With regard to the condition of the existing prefab, particularly its use for a special class, if there are immediate health and safety risks, the school may apply for Emergency Works funding. The main purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme is to provide for unforeseen emergencies that impact on school buildings. An emergency is a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action and, in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening. The scheme 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 scheme also provides funding to facilitate inclusion and access for special needs pupils on receipt of an enrolment application from such a pupil and/or for staff members. Applications must meet the criteria outlined in Circular 0068/2020 and include all relevant supporting documentation.
Alternatively, the school may apply to the Additional Accommodation Needs unit for a modular unit. However, it must be noted that any modular provided may affect the scope of the school’s existing ASA brief.
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.
We will continue to support the school and will provide updates as the review advances.
EU Funding
Questions (241)
Pearse Doherty
Question:241. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth the EU funding opportunities that will be open for application for schemes under her Department and at agencies under her aegis in the next six months and in the next 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56447/25]
View answerWritten answers
There are no EU funding opportunities under the remit of my Department that will be open for application for schemes in the next six months and in the next 12 months.
Eu funding for education schemes is generally provided through the Erasmus programme, which is managed by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research and Innovation as the National Authority and its Erasmus Agencies, Léargas for schools and the Higher Education Authority for third level.
Information on any EU funding opportunities that may be available through Agencies of my Department is not held by my Department. Contact details are set out [here] should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.
However, I wish to make the Deputy aware that the EU-funded PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme delivered by Pobal on behalf of the Special EU Programme Body (SEUPB) is now open for applications available to community and voluntary groups and other organisations to deliver projects with a strong focus on improving cross-community relationships.
Hereunder are the calls that are currently open for application with a closing date of 10th December 2025 and other rolling calls open for application:
Investment Area 1.2: The Empowering Communities to Embed Peace Small Grants Programme – Call Document Funding of €20,001 to €60,000 (Call Closes 10th December 2025 at 5pm)
Investment Area 6.2: Maintaining & Forging Relationships Between Citizens – Call Document – Funding of €40,001 to €60,000 (Call Closes 10th December 2025 at 5pm)
Investment Area 1.2: The Empowering Communities to Embed Peace Small Grants Programme – Call Document Funding of €10,000 to €20,000 (Rolling Call)
Investment Area 6.2: Maintaining & Forging Relationships Between Citizens – Call Document – Funding of €10,000 to €40,000 (Rolling Call)
Further information on these calls can be found [here].
Departmental Staff
Questions (242)
Paul Donnelly
Question:242. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of WTE staff, by grade and gender working in the major events unit of his Department as of 7 October 2025, in tabular form. [56067/25]
View answerWritten answers
There are 6 WTE staff working in the Major Sports Events unit of this Department as of 7 October 2025. This unit reports to the Assistant Secretary for Sports Division. A breakdown by grade and gender is set out in tabular form as follows:
|
Grade |
Gender |
|
Principal Officer |
Male |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
Female |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
Male |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
Female |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
Male |
|
Executive Officer |
Female |
Budget 2026
Questions (243)
Conor Sheehan
Question:243. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport further to Budget 2026, if the player welfare grants available to inter-county players will be increased in line with inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56133/25]
View answerWritten answers
In respect of the Government's support for Intercounty Gaelic Games, the total fund for player grants in 2026 will be increased by €1.6 million, an increase of more than 28% on the funding level in 2025.
This support is provided by Government in recognition of the unique contribution these players make to our national games, and the commitment required to play the game at the highest level possible.
The total of €7.2 million of funding will be distributed by Sport Ireland and is payable to the GAA which, in collaboration with the LGFA, the Camogie Association and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA), is responsible for its distribution to teams and players along with its reporting and oversight.
Television Licence Fee
Questions (244, 245, 246)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:244. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of prosecutions initiated, convictions secured and cases struck out for non-payment of the television licence for each year from 2015 to 2025; and if there has been any changes in policy that has affected enforcement activity.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56391/25]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:245. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the contractual arrangements in place between his Department and An Post for the collection and enforcement of the television licence fee; the performance indicators and reporting obligations included in that contract; the details of any performance reviews or audits conducted since 2020; and if An Post has met or failed to meet its agreed enforcement targets in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56392/25]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:246. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the estimated annual level of television licence revenue foregone as a result of non-payment and reduced enforcement activity in each of the years 2019 to 2025; if his Department has undertaken or commissioned any review into the adequacy of the current enforcement model; his plans for reform, including administrative penalties or alternative collection methods, being considered by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56393/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 244, 245 and 246 together.
TV licence revenue comprises receipts from direct sales by An Post and an Exchequer contribution from the Department of Social Protection in respect of free licences awarded to recipients of the Household Benefits Package. TV licence revenues are distributed in accordance with the Broadcasting Act 2009, with 7% of net receipts allocated to the Broadcasting Fund, 93% of net receipts allocated to RTÉ, and a payment to An Post in respect of collection and compliance costs.
As part of the decision last July on the funding of RTÉ and public service media and content, the Government decided that the TV licence system would be retained, while being underpinned by measures designed to improve collection and compliance in order to maximise revenue generation. To this end, Government reconvened the interdepartmental Technical Working Group (TWG) on the Reform and Enhancement of the Television Licence to examine potential measures. The Group is due to report to me by the end of November, at which point I will consider their findings and decide the next steps.
In terms of estimating television licence revenue foregone, my Department is currently undertaking a review of the methodology used to determine the estimated evasion rate in respect of the television licence fee in the context of the work of the TWG. For that reason, the estimated evasion rate of 2024 is not available. The evasion rate, estimated using the current methodology, in respect of the period 2019 – 2023 and the associated estimated television licence revenue foregone is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Estimated Evasion Rate |
Revenue Foregone |
|
2019 |
12.6% |
€33.9m |
|
2020 |
15.2% |
€40.8m |
|
2021 |
13.7% |
€36.4m |
|
2022 |
12.1% |
€31.9m |
|
2023 |
16.8% |
€43.5m |
The relationship between my Department and An Post as issuing agent of the television licence fee is governed by Part 9 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. As statutory issuing agent, operational issues regarding collection and enforcement are primarily a matter for An Post, who make every effort to promote the purchasing of a TV licence and thereby ensure compliance. This includes issuing reminder notifications in accordance with section 149 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 and undertaking household visits in accordance with section 146 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 to confirm possession of a liable device and valid TV licence, or otherwise.
Section 145(5) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 empowers An Post to bring and prosecute summary proceedings in respect of the offence of possessing a television set without owning a television licence. Details regarding the number of prosecutions, convictions and decisions of the District Court are a matter for the Courts Service and the Department does not hold this data.
A service level agreement is in place between the Department and An Post in respect of their role as statutory issuing agent and contains commitments from both parties for their respective statutory roles regarding the TV licence system. Previously, the system was on a commission-based structure with payments to An Post dependent on the number of licences issued, subject to a sliding scale to incentivise TV licence sales. For 2025, this has moved to a structure whereby a fixed amount is paid to An Post with an incentive for licences issued above an agreed target.
Question No. 245 answered with Question No. 244.
Question No. 246 answered with Question No. 244.
EU Funding
Questions (247)
Pearse Doherty
Question:247. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport 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. [56445/25]
View answerWritten answers
The information sought by the Deputy in respect of the EU funding opportunities that will be open for application for schemes under my Department in the next six months and in the next 12 months is set out in the table below. Regarding bodies and agencies under my Department’s remit, these are operational matters for the agencies themselves.
|
EU Funding Scheme |
Next 6 months |
Next 12 months |
|
Creative Europe – Culture and Media funding calls (various)
A number of open calls for funding in arts, culture and media under the Creative Europe programme will be available in the next 6-12 months. The European Commission publish information on calls as they open which can be found at the following link: https://culture.ec.europa.eu/funding/calls
The Creative Europe Desk Ireland, based in Screen Ireland and the Arts Council, support Irish applicants to find and to apply for funding opportunities. Creative Europe Desk Ireland also provide up-to-date information on all open calls for funding. Further information in relation to the Creative Europe Desk Ireland can be found at the following link: creativeeuropeireland.eu
|
Current open calls with deadlines in next 6 months include:
Culture Moves Europe Deadlines on a rolling basis, with upcoming application deadlines in 2025.
European Slate Development 2025 call Deadline 3rd December 2025.
TV & Online Content 2026 call Deadline 3rd December 2025; 7th May 2026.
Innovative Tools and Business Models call Deadline 15th January 2026.
Markets and Networking call Deadline 20th January 2026
Video Games and Immersive Development call Deadline 11th February 2026.
European Co-Development call Deadline 25th February 2026.
*Additional open calls are expected to be published in the coming months. Full information will be published via Creative Europe Desks Ireland as information is available. |
Current open calls with deadlines in the next 12 months include:
Culture Moves Europe Rolling deadlines from 1st October 2025 to 30th April 2026.
Films on the Move Deadline 19th March 2026; 16th July 2026.
European VOD Networks and Operators Deadline 8th April 2026.
* Additional open calls are expected to be published in the coming months. Full information will be published via Creative Europe Desks Ireland as information is available. |
|
Digital Europe Programme
The Digital Europe Programme (DEP) is an EU funding programme focused on bringing digital technology to businesses, citizens and public administrations. The DEP has an EU wide budget of over €8.1 billion, across a Multiannual Financial Framework that runs from 2021-2027. The DEP Committee meets periodically to decide when new Calls for projects take place. Announcements for new Calls will not be made until after these Committee meetings. |
To be decided. |
To be decided. |
|
Connecting Europe Facility
Connecting Europe Facility - CEF Digital, is the digital part of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) which will support and catalyse both public and private investments in digital connectivity infrastructures between 2021 and 2027. The CEF Digital part of the programme is worth up to €2 billion across the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027. Similar to the DEP Committee, the CEF Committee decide when new Calls will be made. |
To be decided. |
To be decided |
Sports Funding
Questions (248)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:248. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when funding will be announced for the next round of the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund, as announced in Budget 2026; and if those applications which were unsuccessful in the last round will be prioritised. [56465/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was established under the National Sports Policy, published in 2018, to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, typically those requiring investments greater than the maximum available under the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF).
My current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF, 2018 and 2024, and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round. The allocation for LSSIF in 2026, to be confirmed in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV), will largely be drawn down by projects approved under the 2018 round of the Fund. No decisions have yet been made regarding the next round of LSSIF.
I am committed to ensuring sustained investment in sports facilities to meet our ambitious goals for sports participation nationwide. The Programme for Government commits to maintaining sports funding to get more people participating in all levels of sport, particularly targeting cohorts in society where there are lower than average participation levels.
The first allocations under LSSIF were announced in January 2020 with €86.4 million awarded to 33 different projects. Additional funding of €37.6 million was allocated to 27 of these projects in December 2023, bringing the total awarded under LSSIF 2018 to €124 million.
Grants totalling €173 million, benefiting 35 individual projects was allocated under the second round of the LSSIF in November 2024. With this announcement, the cumulative investment from the LSSIF now stands at €297 million.