Cathy Bennett
Question:135. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has plans in place for a new community special school for County Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64058/25]
View answerSchools Building Projects
Questions (135)
Written answers
There continues to be an increasing need to provide additional special school places to support children with complex needs. To meet this need, sixteen new special schools have been established in recent years, and capacity has been expanded in a number of others. Five of these were established for the 2025/26 school year in counties, Cork, Dublin (2), Monaghan and Tipperary. It is intended to grow and develop these new special schools, including Monaghan Community Special School, over the coming years.
The new special schools established over recent years have focused on providing additional places in our largest urban areas – Dublin and Cork. The department and NCSE have already begun planning in relation to further expanding special school capacity for the 2026/27 school year. It is estimated that a further 300 new special school places may be required each year for the coming years.
When looking to provide additional capacity the department’s preferred option is to increase provision in existing special schools if possible. Where this is not possible in a region, the department and NCSE will consider the need to establish a new special school.
In planning for increased special school places, my department and the NCSE review all of the available data on the growing need for special school places across the country. This involves a detailed analysis of enrolment trends and the potential for existing special schools in a region to expand.
Part of the forward planning process as to where new classes, schools or expansion is required looks at how far students are travelling to access an education appropriate to their needs. This is an important factor which has been incorporated into the decision-making process. Consideration is also given to the information the NCSE hold at local level on the number of children seeking a special school place in a region.
The NCSE is currently collating the data and information received by 1 October 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. The location of where new special school provision will be located will follow shortly thereafter.
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 in County Monaghan and indeed nationwide as to where new special schools are required.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (136, 137)
Naoise Ó Cearúil
Question:136. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of additional special education places that will be allocated to schools in Kildare north further to Budget 2026, which provided for 3,000 additional special education places nationwide for the 2026/27 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64075/25]
View answerNaoise Ó Cearúil
Question:137. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the timeline for the sanctioning of special classes in mainstream schools in Kildare north under the 3,000 additional places announced in Budget 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64076/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 136 together.
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.
In order to support the NCSE and forward planning my department published Circular 0039/2025. This circular informs school management and patrons of measures introduced to support forward planning and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child. An earlier date of 1 October was set for parents to do so.
This notification process will provide the NCSE with valuable information as to which children will continue to require a special class as they progress to post-primary level and details on students who require a place for the first time.
Once the NCSE has fully collated and assessed this information, the NCSE will be in a position to engage with schools across the country to open new special classes. The NCSE will also have due regard to any vacant places in existing special classes in an area and any places that will become available through the normal movement of children leaving primary or post-primary school.
The earlier date will allow for earlier sanctioning of classes for the 2026/27 school year, and it is the aim of the NCSE to sanction the majority of new special classes by 31 December 2025.
I would like to stress that the NCSE will continue to support all children made known to them after the October deadline also, however, it is important for planning purposes that we set an earlier timeframe for which the NCSE has as much local knowledge and detail as possible in order to plan what new provision is required.
Question No. 137 answered with Question No. 136.
School Transport
Questions (138)
Mark Wall
Question:138. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth the duration of a criminal conviction, and the time since such a conviction, which is taken into account when assessing the suitability of a driver to drive a Bus Éireann school bus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64128/25]
View answerWritten answers
Bus Éireann administers the School Transport Scheme on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The vetting of an application is carried out by the National Vetting Bureau of An Garda Síochána with regard to an individual’s record of convictions in the Republic of Ireland or elsewhere, which includes all convictions and/or prosecutions, successful or not, pending or completed.
Where it is disclosed to Bus Éireann that an individual has a previous conviction/case pending, a thorough and objective risk assessment is carried out including one’s honesty when completing the form itself. Each case is treated individually giving due regard to the circumstances that pertained at the time. Factors considered include the responsibility of a service provider towards children and vulnerable adults and the duty to provide them with the highest standards of transport service, due care, and protection, while at the same time giving due consideration to the rights of the individual.
Every individual involved in vetting is afforded the opportunity to discuss the contents of his/her vetting form in confidence with Bus Éireann's Liaison Persons who deal exclusively with Garda vetting and have attended training with the National Vetting Bureau in this regard.
The safety, care and protection of school children travelling on their services is of paramount importance to Bus Éireann and ensuring that school bus drivers satisfy necessary standards is crucial to the successful and safe operation of the services provided under the School Transport Scheme. Bus Éireann reserves the right at its absolute discretion to object at any time to any person nominated or engaged by a Contractor as a driver of a School Transport service.
Residential Institutions
Questions (139, 140)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:139. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on how survivors of historical abuse can go about accessing supports which are included in the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025; the method by which this information will be publicised, so that survivors can access supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64134/25]
View answerMairéad Farrell
Question:140. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the family of a recently deceased survivor of an industrial school who had received compensation through the Residential Institutions Redress Act, 2002, would be eligible for funding to help cover the costs of the funeral; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64135/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, in June 2023, the Government approved the provision of a package of supports to survivors of abuse in residential institutions, such as industrial schools and reformatories, comprised of ongoing health, education and advocacy supports.
While the provision of health and supports required the passage of legislation, in November 2023 the Department entered a grant funding arrangement with Sage Advocacy, a specialist independent advocacy organisation, to provide advocacy supports to survivors wishing to engage with other relevant services.
Government approved the legislation required to roll out health and education supports in April 2024 and the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025 completed its passage through the legislative process in July 2025. Administrative arrangements for the delivery of these supports are being finalised and it is expected that they will be open for applications from survivors shortly.
Information on these supports will be published on the Department’s website and the Department will also promote the availability of these supports through Sage Advocacy, the Special Advocate for Survivors, survivors groups and other channels.
With regard to funeral grants, this falls within the remit of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and is one of a number of issues which the Taoiseach and I discussed with a group of survivors on Monday 10 November. A mediation process has been put in place to work through the detail of those issues and the aim is to conclude that process as soon as possible.
Question No. 140 answered with Question No. 139.
School Staff
Questions (141)
Robert Troy
Question:141. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64169/25]
View answerWritten answers
A teacher who is employed for less than 150 hours in a school year is deemed to be a casual part-time teacher. A casual part-time teacher will be paid at the casual rate of pay.
A teacher who is contracted for more than 150 hours but for less than a school year is deemed to be a non-casual part-time teacher. A non-casual part-time teacher will be paid at the appropriate personal rate of pay.
Teachers who are appointed to contracts for the whole school year are also paid at the appropriate personal rate of pay.
It is therefore only teachers who are classified as casual part-time teachers that are paid the casual rate of pay.
Where a casual part-time teacher who is employed for less than 150 hours in a school year, subsequently exceeds 150 hours, the additional hours will be paid at the non-casual rate of pay.
In general, teachers will have contracted class contact time of up-to 22 hours a week at post-primary level and up to 25 hours a week at primary level.
In recent years, at post-primary level, the Department has operated a temporary scheme, titled the Teaching Hours Extension scheme, which allows for post-primary teachers who have satisfied the 22 hours contract requirements, including teachers working in a substitute or casual part-time capacity, to provide additional substitute teaching hours up to a maximum of 35 hours per term.
Pay and workplace reform measures for public servants have been governed by a framework of public service pay agreements for a number of years with the new Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026 in place until June 2026.
The Government is committed to the delivery of quality public services and will continue to approach public service pay in a balanced way that is reasonable and fair to both public servants and to the taxpayer. With regards to arrangements in place in relation to the payment of substitute teachers, these arrangements are applied in line with agreements reached between the parties to the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for teachers and confirmed in Circular Letter 0028/2004.
Any further amendments to Teacher Terms and Conditions, including pay and allowances, can only be achieved through engagement and collective bargaining agreements between the Government and the public service unions or through the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) forum.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in the Department’s Circulars 10/2001, for primary teachers, and 29/2007 and 29/2010, for post-primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers were agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC).
These circulars provide for the award of incremental credit in respect of overseas teaching service, both within and outside the EU. Where a school satisfies the criteria set out in the circulars to have service at that school recognised for incremental credit, an award of incremental credit can be made. There is no contractual entitlement to incremental credit.
Where schools do not satisfy the required criteria, then service at that school cannot be considered towards incremental credit. Teachers must be on the Department of Education and Youth’s teacher payroll or teaching in an Education and Training Board school before an application can be processed.
At post-primary level, teachers may claim incremental credit for prior teaching service carried out in Ireland. Casual post-primary part-time teachers must reach a threshold of 300 hours in one year and must satisfy criteria set out in the relevant circular. Where they satisfy the relevant criteria, a post-primary casual part-time teacher will receive an increment for each 600 hours worked.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit for teachers are subject to review by way of an incremental credit committee, which is a sub-committee of the Teachers Conciliation Council, and which meets on an ongoing basis.
Residential Institutions
Questions (142)
Mattie McGrath
Question:142. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth the details of the agreement made with the industrial school hunger strikers in recognition of the State’s responsibility for their treatment in residential institutions; and to provide the full extent of supports that will be made available to those who seek redress from same. [64173/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Taoiseach and I met again with the group referred to by the Deputy on Monday 10 November. This followed on from previous meetings held and the mediation process that had been put in place. We further discussed the issues of concern to the survivors and noted progress that had been made in seeking a resolution. The group was provided with a letter from the Taoiseach which outlined the position.
Following this the group agreed to cease their hunger strike protest and to use the mediation process to work through the detail the various issues. The aim is to conclude that process as soon as possible.
School Textbooks
Questions (143)
Paul Murphy
Question:143. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); if the materials should have been covered under the free schoolbooks scheme. [64185/25]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Education and Youth, I want to ensure that all children and young people have the opportunity of access to education that empowers them to thrive and realise their full potential.
Earlier this year, I announced details of the final phase of the free schoolbooks scheme with the scheme now available to every pupil and student in the Free Education Scheme. With a total funding package of over €170 million available in 2025, the scheme will benefit almost one million children and young people, helping to ease the financial burden that families face at back-to-school time. My department published guidance for post-primary schools around the operation of the post-primary schoolbooks scheme, in continued engagement with all stakeholders. Further information is available at www.gov.ie/schoolbookschemes.
The board of management/ETB of each individual school is responsible for ensuring the effective administration of the scheme within their own context. Under the post-primary schoolbooks scheme, parents and guardians should not be asked to purchase schoolbooks and core classroom resources or to make a financial contribution to the school towards the cost of these items. The term ‘schoolbooks’ includes all relevant textbooks/eBooks and workbooks identified by schools as necessary for completion of the curriculum for each subject. It also includes necessary additional texts such as novels and plays for English and books of past examination papers for all subjects.
Schools should determine whether it is more cost effective to print/photocopy examination papers, which are available to download from the State Examination Commission’s website, or to purchase these.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (144)
Mark Ward
Question:144. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the application from a school to replace their 50-year-old prefabs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64214/25]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy, that my department is in receipt of an application for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question. The application seeks the replacement of some prefabricated accommodation at the school.
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. 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 education needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for large-scale projects and ASA scheme projects, the approach will be to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate so 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. It is planned that circa 80 school building projects will progress to construction across 2026 and 2027 as part of a 2 year rolling programme.
All Government departments are expected to publish their sectoral NDP Implementation Plans in November. My department's 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.
The application from the school in question will be considered in this context and the school authorities will be contacted directly with a decision in due course.
Irish Language
Questions (145)
Shane Moynihan
Question:145. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on progress in convening the taskforce on Irish-medium education. [64282/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Policy for Irish-medium Education Outside of the Gaeltacht was launched on 6 November 2025. A key action under this policy is the establishment of a Taskforce on Models of Provision of Irish-Medium Education to provide a platform for collaboration between my department and key stakeholders on this issue. The first meeting of the taskforce was held on 17 November 2025 and it is anticipated that the taskforce will meet monthly over the next twelve months.
The taskforce will make recommendations to my department, setting out:
• the models needed to provide Irish-medium education at primary and post-primary level, including a discussion of the need for changes to existing models if necessary
• definitions of all models of provision, including related language-based criteria
• how inclusive, high-quality Irish-medium education can be provided within each model along the continuum
• what supports schools may need to implement the models effectively
• how to effectively assess the demand for Irish-medium education
• criteria for establishing new Irish-medium education provision through the various models identified, including consideration of the need for changes to the patronage process
• procedures to support schools in the effective transition from an English-medium to an Irish-medium model
• procedures and criteria for how schools/educational settings can transition from one model to another on the continuum, in order to increase the provision of Irish-medium education, and the supports they may need to do so
• mechanisms to be put in place to facilitate expansion of provision of Irish-medium education.
A range of organisations and stakeholders whose input will be important in identifying recommendations in this area have nominated members to the taskforce. I am grateful to the members of the taskforce for their time and commitment in contributing to its body of work over the coming year.
I look forward to the outcome of this taskforce and I hope that stakeholders will seize the opportunities it will provide to maintain and strengthen the future of Irish-medium education provision.
Irish Language
Questions (146)
Shane Moynihan
Question:146. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the availability of Irish language assistive technologies for students who require them and are in Irish-medium education. [64283/25]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Assistive Technology Scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment required for educational purposes.
All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment. It must be clear that the existing ICT equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child’s needs. Where necessary, schools may also purchase new or additional equipment or software for students from normal school resources or funds.
The Assistive Technology Scheme operates as a grant scheme. It provides funding for equipment that is essential for a student to access the curriculum. If a piece of equipment is required, regardless of the language in which it operates, and it meets the criteria of the scheme, it will be sanctioned. The Department does not maintain a list of Assistive Technologies, including those available in Irish, as the type of technology required can vary and depends on an individual child's needs.
Departmental Data
Questions (147)
John Paul O'Shea
Question:147. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Youth for a breakdown of all primary school provision, per county, for the years 2020–2025, including patronage, co-education and Irish-medium provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64328/25]
View answerWritten answers
Please find attached requested information.
Data provided is for academic years 2020-21 to 2024-25, this being the latest final enrolment data available.
Patron data is provided for academic year 2023-2024 on, this being the first year this data was published.
The school patron is the person/body recognised as such by the Minister for Education in accordance with section 8 of the Education Act, 1998. For the purposes of Section 8 a trustee or Trust can also be a patron.
This is the preferred legal structure of some of the religious orders that up until recently were school patrons in their own right. The Trust conducts the legal and financial role that was previously performed by the individual congregations.
A school patron appoints the board of management to manage the operation of a school under its patronage. The patron determines the ethos and characteristic spirit of the school. Religious education or instruction may be provided at the school in line with its ethos. Patron responsibilities are set out in law under the 1998 Education Act.
Trusteeship can also relate to the ownership of the school property as opposed to the running of the school operating from the property. Most Diocesan school properties are either owned on behalf of the Dioceses in the name of the Dioceses Bishop or Archbishop or are in the ownership of a Diocesan Trust controlled by trustees appointed by the Catholic patron including the local Bishop.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (148)
Pearse Doherty
Question:148. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a special needs assistant national school redeployment application will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64329/25]
View answerWritten answers
Work to develop a Special Needs Assistants (SNA) Redeployment Scheme, is at an advanced stage. This important policy initiative will ensure that competent, knowledgeable and experienced SNAs are retained in our schools, building capacity in the workforce and enhancing the service to children with special educational needs.
The Scheme will be operated by the National Council for Education (NCSE), with the ongoing support of the SNA Workforce Development unit and relevant Department of Education and Youth units.
Operation of the SNA Redeployment Scheme will provide an opportunity for redeployment of eligible SNAs as the need arises at the start of the 2026/27 school year.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (149)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:149. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Youth if children applying to reading schools will continue to receive support from the National Council for Special Education after the 1 October parent notify process deadline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64330/25]
View answerWritten answers
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is currently collating the data and information received by 1 October 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.
While the NCSE report a very significant level of contact from parents of children and young people with autism seeking a special class or special school place for the 2026/2027 school year, there has been smaller numbers of children seeking a reading class or reading school place for September 2026 coming to the attention of the NCSE by the new 1 October timeline. These schools and classes are small in number and reflect that for children with reading difficulties generally, significant additional resources have been allocated over recent years to all schools so that they can continue to be supported in their local school which is important and reflects my commitment to inclusive education.
Although applications for these schools and classes were not received by the agreed and published timelines my Department and the NCSE will support those families and schools to enrol children for September 2026 who had not made themselves known to the NCSE by the 1 October timeline. NCSE will continue to monitor the level of need for these type of classes and special schools.
This is an interim measures, in circumstances where the numbers impacted are small, but it is important to note that all schools, including reading schools and classes are required to implement the new procedures in line with other special schools and schools with special classes for admission for September 2027.
NCSE will continue to support all children made known to them after the October deadline, however, it is important for planning purposes that we set an earlier timeframe for which the NCSE has as much local knowledge and detail as possible in order to plan what new provision is required.
At present, there are four special schools, and fourteen special classes attached to mainstream schools to support students with a specific learning disability such as severe dyslexia. I want to acknowledge the excellent work they do. It is important to note they were established at a time when there were much fewer additional supports in schools.
In working to develop a more inclusive education system, we want to support students to attend their local mainstream schools. This means that children can be educated with their peers and are not required to travel long distances to attend special schools or classes.?
My department provides over 15,000 special education teachers to support schools to achieve this objective. This means schools get a substantial additional teaching allocation to support children with special education needs in mainstream classes. These additional resources are provided to support students with the greatest level of need, including those with dyslexia or severe dyslexia.
To build the capacity of teachers in mainstream schools to meet the needs of all students my department funds 338 places annually for teachers to attend post-graduate special education needs programmes.
Separately the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) offers dedicated professional learning opportunities for teachers supporting students with additional needs.
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) has published guidance on Supporting Students with Literacy Difficulties/Dyslexia Using the Continuum of Support. NEPS also offers professional learning opportunities to all primary and post primary school teachers on supporting children and young people with literacy difficulties, including dyslexia.
Funding is also available to schools for the purchase of specialised equipment to assist children. Schools can apply to the NCSE, through their local special educational needs organiser (SENO) for such support.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (150)
Séamus McGrath
Question:150. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the proposed works for a primary school (details supplied) in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64343/25]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my department is in receipt of an application for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question.
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, repurposing and optimisation of existing accommodation capacity across the school estate has been a key enabler of timely, local provision of special class capacity in a way that supports best practice in inclusion and integration. Circa 80% of new special classes in 2025/26 are being facilitated in repurposed classroom accommodation.
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. It is planned that circa 80 school building projects will progress to construction across 2026 and 2027 as part of a 2-year rolling programme.
All Government departments are expected to publish their sectoral NDP Implementation Plans in November. My department’s 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.
The application from the school in question will be considered in this context. Once the application has been assessed, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.
Insurance Coverage
Questions (151)
Réada Cronin
Question:151. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether schools are licensed to 'shop around' for school insurance cover to ensure the cheapest option available to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64544/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Department advises that Boards of Management and ETBs should take a proactive approach when it comes to sourcing insurance in order to ensure best value is obtained.
It is important to note that schools, like other organisations that receive public sector funding, have obligations that stem from both EU and national public procurement rules when sourcing goods and services. Schools must follow public procurement guidelines.
The Department of Education funds the Schools Procurement Unit (SPU), a central support resource, to provide guidance to all primary and post-primary schools (except ETB schools) on any procurement-related issue.
School Uniforms
Questions (152)
Réada Cronin
Question:152. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if subsidies could be provided by her Department for schools with school uniforms to lower the cost for parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64545/25]
View answerWritten answers
I know that for many parents, the start of a new school year can be a financially stressful time - new uniforms, transport costs - all arriving at once. That is why this Government has made affordability a central focus of our education policy.
Since the publication of Circular 32/2017, my department has made it clear that schools must take steps to ensure uniforms are affordable and accessible to all families. These measures aim to make a real difference, but we recognise that more can be done.
I have committed in Education Plan 2025 to commence work in 2025 to review Circular 32/2017. I am pleased to confirm that work has commenced on updating this circular and the revised circular will put a greater emphasis on reducing costs for parents.
A working group, which includes representatives from the National Parents Council and the education partners, is currently reviewing Circular 32/2017 to strengthen and update it. The working group will engage directly with parents, children and young people to ensure that the voices of those most affected are heard.
We are also commencing work to promote uniform swap shops across primary schools, helping families save money while contributing to our wider sustainability goals. This is in line with our commitment in the Programme for Government.
A central tenet of our education policy is that schools need to always engage openly with parents and students – to listen as well as to inform them. That is the principle at the heart of the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill, which is currently progressing through the Oireachtas.
When enacted, this legislation will require every school to consult with parents and students on key policies and activities, including school uniforms. It will set clear expectations for communication, transparency and respect between schools, parents, and students. It will ensure that families are genuine partners in decisions about their children’s education, including how schools manage costs.
From the start of the 2025/26 school year, all children and young people enrolled in primary, post-primary and special schools in the Free Education Scheme will receive schoolbooks and core classroom resources at no cost – a significant step that will benefit almost one million students.
Schools also have flexibility in their use of digital devices but are advised to consult with parents and the wider school community when developing these policies.
In Budget 2025, it was announced that the Hot School Meals Scheme will be extended to all primary schools meaning that approximately 3,200 schools and 550,000 children will be eligible for hot school meals.
These measures are all part of my department’s ongoing commitment to reduce financial pressure on families and ensure every student is supported to achieve their full potential.
Sports Funding
Questions (153)
Naoise Ó Cearúil
Question:153. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of sports capital grants awarded to clubs in Kildare north in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64194/25]
View answerWritten answers
Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the most recent 2023 round of the Community Sort Facilities Fund, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland. A total of €8,812,989 was allocated to 102 sporting projects in County Kildare under the 2023 round.
Details of all allocation made to clubs are available on the Department's website: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/collections/sports-capital-programme-allocations/.
In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round is being undertaken. I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026.