Written Answers Nos. 374-393
374. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has considered the implications of the recent Medical Emergency Response (MER) report, which shows that only 43.2% of schools have a defibrillator on site, particularly in the context of school sports where cardiac events can occur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65394/25]
View answer375. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures in place to ensure that schools hosting sports activities, training sessions, and matches are adequately equipped to respond to sudden medical emergencies, including the availability of defibrillators and staff trained in their use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65395/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 375 together.
Under the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school.
The decision to install a defibrillator is made at local school level and is a matter for the board of management of each individual school.
The wider question of the need for defibrillators to be made available in public places is primarily a public health matter and would therefore be a matter for the Department of Health.
376. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth to consider and respond to correspondence from the parents and caregivers association of a school (details supplied) regarding school transport issues. [65428/25]
View answerUnder the terms of the Primary School Transport scheme, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
In cases where families have applied to attend their nearest schools with regard to ethos and language, and have been advised by the school authorities that these schools are full, the Department will consider if the pupil is eligible to the next nearest school.
While the closest school(s) may be full to capacity at present, each family must supply the documents mentioned below, to School Transport Section of the Department of Education and Youth.
• an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the school(s), and
• a letter from each of the school authorities confirming that the school was full.
Contact details for school transport section can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/school-transport/#school-transport-customer-contact-form.
The School Transport Section has been liaising with Bus Éireann in relation to the school transport applications of pupils for whom Rathcoole ETNS is their closest school but for whom applications were submitted after the deadline date and a service has been approved. Bus Éireann have advised that all services to this school are operating to capacity.
377. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the new school for a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65445/25]
View answerThe State owned property in Castleblaney has been repurposed to a high standard and this has facilitated the establishment of Monaghan Community Special School for the 2025/26 school year. The property provides a good location for developing the school.
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.
My Department and the NCSE monitors the need for additional special class and special school capacity very closely and will continue to monitor the situation in County Monaghan and engage with the school patron, Cavan and Monaghan ETB in this regard.
378. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children from Newbridge primary schools who secured places in Newbridge secondary schools for the 2024/2025 academic year, by gender, in tabular form. [65463/25]
View answer379. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children from Newbridge primary schools who did not secure a place locally and are now travelling to other areas, by gender, in tabular form. [65464/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 378 and 379 together.
The Deputy will appreciate that there can often be significant overlap across areas and schools, and the nature of the admissions processes is quite complex. As a result, there can be multiple applications, where applicants may accept a place but subsequently be offered and accept a place at a second school, freeing up capacity at the first school accepted.
The information sought on pupils from Newbridge that are travelling to school in other areas is not collated.
The information for the Newbridge School Planning Area as requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table:
|
2024-25 |
MALE |
FEMALE |
TOTAL |
|
Newbridge |
219 |
181 |
400 |
|
Other |
46 |
59 |
105 |
|
Total |
265 |
240 |
505 |
It is important to note that my department uses PPSN and other personal data to link pupils.
380. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students receiving school transport in Newbridge; the number refused school transport; and the reason for refusal, in tabular form. [65465/25]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The scheme is made up of three separate schemes, the school transport scheme for primary, post primary and for children with special educational needs.
Transport is also provided for children who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine and those residing in IPAS/EROC centres.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Parents of children wishing to avail of school transport services are required to apply on-line to Bus Éireann’s website at buseireann.ie/schooltransport
Families may still apply for school transport after the closing date, but if the application or payment is late they may not secure a seat on a service and will not be considered for a remote area grant.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMS) at post primary level are continuing for the current school year. Under these measures, transport will be provided where there is a route in operation and where capacity exists for concessionary post primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school, are attending their second nearest school and who applied and paid on time.
Bus Éireann have advised that 449 pupils are travelling on mainstream services and 283 pupils are travelling on dedicated school transport services for children with special educational needs to schools in Newbridge. In addition, 5 mainstream pupils did not receive tickets for schools in Newbridge, due to late payments or the pupil not being eligible for school transport.
381. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if children with no offers of a secondary school place in Newbridge will be prioritised in the next round of offers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65466/25]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority of mine.
The annual enrolment process for new Junior Infants at primary and new First Years at post-primary is a very large-scale operation that is transacted at close to 4,000 schools across the country, involving some 140,000 pupils. While my department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that enrolment pressures can be driven by duplications of applications, applications from outside an area, and school of choice factors. Notwithstanding the above, in some areas, demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places.
Furthermore, the data sharing arrangements that were in place for the 2025/26 admissions process have been put in place again for the 2026/27 admissions process in school planning areas that are experiencing enrolment pressures, including Newbridge. The admissions data provided by schools will allow the department to analyse duplicate applications as there can be significant overlap in areas.
The Deputy will appreciate that there can often be significant overlap across areas and schools, and the nature of the admissions processes is quite complex. As a result, there can be multiple iterations, where applicants may accept a place but subsequently be offered and accept a place at a second school, freeing up capacity at the first school accepted. In that context, it may take some time for my department to fully review the availability of post-primary school places in Newbridge while the admissions process continues to progress.
My 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. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may 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 pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
I can assure the Deputy that my department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Newbridge school planning area, as with other areas across the country, under review.
382. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of any secondary schools in Newbridge seeking deposits from parents to secure places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65467/25]
View answerSection 64 of the admissions act specifically prohibits the charging of fees or seeking payment or contributions for an application for admission to a school or at the time of accepting the offer for the enrolment of a student in a school.
Therefore, no charge can be requested or implied as a condition of admission for a school placement. This section applies to all recognised primary and post primary schools with exceptions only for fee charging secondary schools, boarding schools and schools that provide post-leaving courses or courses in further education in respect of these courses.
The Department has not been made aware of any school in the Newbridge area seeking deposits from parents. In instances where the Department is made aware of schools charging fees that are prohibited by section 64, the Department will follow up with the school(s) concerned.
383. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has engaged with Newbridge secondary schools on projected enrolments for 2026; her plans for temporary accommodation in Newbridge schools; and when these details will be confirmed. [65468/25]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority of mine.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €382 million in school infrastructure across County Kildare. The department is continually planning for and investing in existing and new schools to ensure that every child in the State has access to a school place.
Furthermore, the data sharing arrangements that were in place for the 2025/26 admissions process have been put in place again for the 2026/27 admissions process in school planning areas that are experiencing enrolment pressures, including Newbridge. The admissions data provided by schools will allow the department to analyse duplicate applications as there can be significant overlap in areas.
The Deputy will appreciate that there can often be significant overlap across areas and schools, and the nature of the admissions processes is quite complex. As a result, there can be multiple iterations, where applicants may accept a place but subsequently be offered and accept a place at a second school, freeing up capacity at the first school accepted. In that context, it may take some time for my department to fully review the availability of post-primary school places in Newbridge while the admissions process continues to progress.
There are a number of active projects at post-primary level that will increase capacity in Newbridge, including a new school building project for Patrician Secondary School which will provide for LTPE of 1,000 and six special education classrooms, this project is currently at Stage 3. In addition, there are extension projects for St Conleth's Community College and Holy Family Secondary School, both projects are at Stage 1.
My 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. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may 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 pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
I can assure the Deputy that my department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Newbridge school planning area, as with other areas across the country, under review.
384. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on a school (details supplied) being the only secondary school in Newbridge without a local selection criteria. [65469/25]
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. Educational Welfare Services (EWS) contact details are: tessinfo@tusla.ie or telephone: 01 7718815.
385. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there are plans to allow people who are contracted by Bus Éireann to drive buses for children with additional needs to continue to do so after they reach 70 years-of-age; her views on the current policy; the engagement her Department has had with Bus Éireann on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65491/25]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a substantial national operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The retirement age for school bus drivers has been set by Bus Éireann at 70 years of age, which also applies to all Bus Éireann road passenger services.
The policy and criteria also apply to drivers nominated by private operators who operate services as part of the School Transport Scheme, provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70.
Under the new Programme for Government, a commitment has been made to "Carry out an independent assessment on the feasibility of removing the exclusion of drivers aged over 70 from the School Transport Scheme".
There is ongoing engagement between the Department and Bus Éireann to advance this commitment as quickly as possible, while also being cognisant of available evidence regarding any safety risks in the context of any change in policy.
386. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the process in which a student being home schooled can complete the Leaving Certificate. [65514/25]
View answer387. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the provisions in place to ensure that students who are home schooled can complete subjects with course work components given the new SEC coursework rules and procedures 2025-2026, page 16/ 7. [65515/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 387 together.
The State Examination Commission (the SEC) has statutory responsibility for the administration of the State certificate examinations. This includes setting out the requirements for the authentication of coursework components, in line with overall examinations and assessment policy.
In view of this, I have asked the SEC to respond directly to you with the information you have requested.
388. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students currently being home schooled. [65516/25]
View answerTusla’s Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) is under the remit of my Department.
In line with the provisions of Section 14 (1) of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, parents or guardians wishing to educate their children in a place other than a recognised school are required to make an application to AEARS to have their child’s name placed on the Section 14 Statutory Register. In line with these statutory provisions, the function of the AEARS is to make assessment of the educational provision for children against ministerial guidance, in order to determine if a child can be placed on the statutory register. This is to ensure that children receive a certain minimum education, as set out in legislation and guidelines. This process involves the completion of an assessment by AEARS, conducted in consultation with the parents or guardians of the child.
As of October 2025, the total number of children on the home education register is 2,620. The latest published data is available at the following link: data.tusla.ie/.
389. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth to respond to correspondence regarding an application for additional accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65551/25]
View answerI can confirm that the school in question submitted an application under the department’s Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA) in 2024 as outlined by the Deputy.
In February 2025 my department approved the provision of modular accommodation of 2 Special Educational Needs (SEN) classrooms for this school. A project manager has been appointed from the Department’s Framework to design and tender the project. The works have commenced on site in October 2025 and there is a target completion date for quarter 1 of 2026.
The Department's 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. A strong focus will be 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 provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my department.
A decision will be made in relation to the school's application for additional accommodation shortly in the context of overall programme management. This decision will take account of overall school place needs, including for children with special education needs, and in cognisance of demographic projections, capacity across schools in the area, and the extent to which schools are prioritising local school place needs.
390. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if additional support will be provided to a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65553/25]
View answerThis government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs. Parents and schools can contact the NCSE directly using the details available on the NCSE's website: ncse.ie/seno-contact-information. Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) are available to offer advice, support and guidance as required to ensure students with special educational needs are supported to achieve their full potential.
A range of supports designed to support students with special educational needs are available.
The assistive technology scheme supplements the overall approach to providing funding to schools for digital technology and equipment to support children for education purposes. All equipment provided under this scheme supports children who require essential specialist equipment in order to access the school curriculum.
I can confirm to the deputy that my department is currently finalising a review of this scheme to ensure it is effectively supporting the children it is intended to serve, and that resources are being allocated as efficiently as possible.
There has been widespread consultation in relation to the scheme and the consensus from stakeholders was that the application system needs to be quicker and easier and that all of the children who need assistive technology to access the curriculum should receive it.
I can confirm the scheme will be moving from a diagnosis-based approach to a needs-based approach. This will grant schools greater autonomy in determining whether a child requires assistive technology to access the curriculum.
In addition, the application process is being streamlined so that children can get the equipment in the shortest time possible. This will be a simpler process for schools by way of a new portal for schools to submit applications. This portal is currently under development and is intended to be rolled out as soon as possible.
I expect the review to be finalised before the end of this year, and in advance of this I'm pleased to say that I have secured additional funding for this scheme in Budget 2026 to recognise the growing need for assistive technology in our schools.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
391. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if individual schools have any discretion under the tendering and procurement process when selecting the provider of their school meals, taking into consideration local factors, price, menu selection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65555/25]
View answerAs agreed by the School Meals Interdepartmental working group (chaired by The Department of Social Protection) all schools must use the Procurement template documentation available on the School Procurement Units website for the School Meals Programme. The criteria the deputy is querying are set out in Call for Tender (CFT)template document.
The price for school meals is decided and fixed by DSP and the menus must meet the nutritional standards for the School Meals Programme both of which are detailed in the CFT template procurement documentation.
The tender evaluation team set up by the school is responsible for the tender evaluations. The evaluation is based on tender response documents which relies on the criteria set out in the CFT.
392. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools in Waterford that applied for funding under the 2025 Summer Works Programme. [65607/25]
View answerThe purpose of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis that, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The CASWS operates on a multi-annual basis across a number of categories of works.
I can confirm my department has received applications under the CASWS for 49 schools across the county of Waterford for a number of different categories of work.
It is envisaged that approvals in any given year will involve a spread of categories rather than the traditional single category at a time. This is aimed at managing market capacity and maximising value for money opportunities for school authorities.
The CASWS will operate on a multi-annual basis, the first tranche of projects for 2026 were announced on the 18th November 2025. Under this scheme, approved applications from schools that are not reached for funding or market prioritisation reasons (as above) in 2026 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of the funding available for climate action summer works in subsequent years.
Full details of the of the announcement and the list of schools approved in the first tranche, the Circular (0029/2025) for the scheme and guidance documents for schools can be found at the below link; www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/summer-works-scheme/.
393. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of additional special needs assistants employed over the years 2020 to 2025, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65609/25]
View answerOver 23,000 special needs assistant (SNA) posts are currently allocated to mainstream classes, special classes and special schools. Budget 2026 has provided for an additional 1,717 posts for allocating for the 2026/27 school year.
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. It is currently examining where new provision is required for the 2026/27 school year and will allocate SNAs to schools providing this new provision. It will also review existing allocations and redistribute SNA posts to schools based on the care needs of the students enrolled.
For the 2026/27 school year the NCSE is working on releasing SNA allocations for the 2026/27 school year in line with annual staffing schedule which normally occurs in early February each year. This will allow schools to better plan for the teaching and care needs of their students in a timelier manner. It will also provide certainty and assurances to affected staff of their future school placements by allowing the SNA redeployment processes to conclude as appropriate. The NCSE will, as it has done in previous years, publish SNA allocations on their website: www.ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations.
As the NCSE is responsible for the allocation of SNA posts to schools 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.
