Written Answers Nos. 403-424
403. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the progress made over the past 12 months on each of his Department's Programme for Government commitments, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71636/25]
View answer410. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the progress made over the past 12 months on each of his Department’s Programme for Government commitments, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72195/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 403 and 410 together.
The Deputy has asked for details of the progress made over the past 12 months on each of my Department’s Programme for Government commitments. I am pleased to report that since January 2025, my Department has made substantial progress in delivering on the commitments set out in the Programme for Government with significant progress achieved across a wide range of areas. Our focus has been on supporting enterprise, fostering innovation, strengthening tourism, and ensuring high-quality employment opportunities across all regions of Ireland.
Employment continues to grow strongly, with 30,700 jobs created in the year to Q3 2025, bringing total employment to over 2.82 million. This represents an increase of 1.1% compared to Q3 2024, with regional employment outside Dublin rising by 23,700 (+1.2%).
Inward investment has remained robust. IDA Ireland supported 179 investments by global companies in the first half of 2025, a 37% increase on the same period last year, expected to deliver cutting-edge research and development and create over 10,000 jobs. IDA also launched its new five-year strategy, Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation 2025–2029, aligning with Programme for Government objectives.
Enterprise Ireland continues to drive export growth, with client companies achieving exports of €36.75 billion in 2024, up 7% on the previous year. Over 234,000 people are now employed in EI-supported companies.
Key policy initiatives have been advanced, including the publication of the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity in September, supported by €3.68 billion in allocations under the National Development Plan Review 2025.
We launched the Government’s Action Plan on Market Diversification and led trade missions to Japan, Canada, the UAE, and the United States. A Small Business Unit was established, fulfilling a key Programme for Government commitment, and we convened the first meeting of the Cost of Business Advisory Forum. Regulations were signed to implement the EU Directive on reducing administrative burdens and simplifying corporate sustainability reporting.
In line with the Programme for Government a key priority of mine is reducing red tape and simplifying processes for small businesses. Key highlights in this regard include:
• Grant simplification: The newly established Small Business Unit has reviewed all Local Enterprise Office (LEO) grant schemes, resulting in a reduction of application questions, down 47% for Business Expansion Grants, 30% for the Green for Business Grant and 28% for the Feasibility Grant with further reductions targeted.
• 'Once only' principle: Work is underway to merge application processes across different grants, ensuring businesses only need to provide their data once.
• Faster approvals: Enterprise Ireland has been tasked with achieving a 24-hour turnaround time for grant application approvals.
• EU regulatory relief: Ireland was among the first in Europe to sign regulations exempting 80% of small businesses from the scope of the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), with a two-year delay granted to others pending further EU negotiations.
• SME Test expansion: In 2024, 26 SME Tests were applied across 8 Government Departments, 10 of which were conducted by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. These tests assess the impact of new legislation on small businesses and propose mitigation measures. This figure is expected to increase with all departments mandated to apply SME Tests for new policies.
• Listening to businesses: My officials are actively engaging with stakeholders through the Enterprise and Retail Forums and the Cost of Business Advisory Forum to identify high-impact burdens and opportunities for reform
• Digital transformation: 95% of filings with the Companies Registration Office are now online and the Workplace Relations Commission has implemented Robotic Process Automation to streamline complaint handling.
• Business support access: The National Enterprise Hub has handled over 7,500 enquiries, simplifying access to over 250 supports from 29 departments and agencies.
• Regulatory modernisation: Updates to the Companies Act, the introduction of SCARP (Small Companies Administrative Rescue Process), and reforms to co-operative legislation are making compliance more flexible and accessible.
• EU engagement: The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment continues to shape EU policy through active participation in working groups, supporting simplification efforts such as the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy and the forthcoming Digital Simplification Package.
In line with the Programme for Government commitment, tourism policy has been strengthened with its functions transferring to my Department and with the launch of A New Era for Irish Tourism, Ireland’s new National Tourism Policy Statement, and the publication of the Tourism Sectoral Adaptation Plan 2025–2030, the first of its kind for the sector. These initiatives aim to ensure balanced regional development and resilience in the face of climate change.
Innovation remains central to our agenda. Under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, €159 million has been awarded to 27 projects addressing major societal and economic challenges. We launched Ireland’s first Semiconductor Strategy, positioning Ireland as a key player in Europe’s semiconductor future. Additional commitments have been advanced through convening of the Employment Law Review Group, the publication of the Action Plan to Promote Collective Bargaining 2026–2030. The Employment Permits function has had a very strong year, reducing the backlog to its lowest level since 2022 and achieving the fastest processing timelines to date. The permit system digitally transformed facilitating the more efficient and secure processing permits with critical skills processing times down to 10 days. This progress is critical given the service’s central role in enabling business growth and job creation, supporting Ireland’s economic development over recent years. New categories of permits issued including town planners, and a seasonal permits scheme.
In the Programme for Government, there is a firm commitment to support the central role played by the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court in industrial relations and employment matters. A new chair of the Labour Court was appointed in April and the WRC continues to play a critical role in ensuring that employment rights are upheld for all, recovering over €2 million in unpaid wages on foot of 5,156 inspections completed during 2024. The WRC plays a leading role in contributing to the harmonious industrial relations climate with data for conciliation services showing an 85% success rate.
I secured Government agreement to adopt a distributed model of implementation of the EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act. This approach will build on the deep knowledge and expertise of the established sectoral regulators. Following this in September 2025 a national single point of contact has also been established within the department to streamline coordination between Irish regulators, the European Commission, and stakeholders. The Single Point of Contact serves as the interface with the public, other Member States, and EU-level counterparts with its purpose to streamline communication and coordination for the implementation and enforcement of the AI Act.
Over the last 18 months my Department’s Officials have been putting in place the structures for a successful Presidency and have been working through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Interdepartmental Groups on Presidency Policy Priorities and Operation Planning on progressing Ireland’s policy priorities and operational planning for the Presidency. This work will continue right up to 1st July 2026 when Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. My Department’s Presidency Planning Team will continue to collaborate across government to ensure that all perspectives are heard and considered in a fair and inclusive manner.
In line with commitments in the Programme for Government my Department continued work to strengthen the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. the CCPC to strengthen its mandate through the addition to and enhancement of its senior leadership team. In addition, the recruitment of an additional CCPC Member is ongoing, and the CCPC has recently commenced the recruitment of two Senior Directors who will have a direct role in supporting the Members to ensure it can continue to deliver on its important brief. In parallel, the Department is reviewing the legislative framework governing consumer protection fines. Future penalties are expected to align with those applicable to competition law infringements, ensuring greater consistency and impact across the regulatory landscape.
Further progress includes commissioning research to inform the review of Personal Injuries Guidelines, launch of the new Action Plan for Insurance Reform which 11 actions for delivery by my Department and new mediation service from the Personal Injuries Resolution Board. I have also launched a public consultation on the new National Life Sciences Strategy, and announced €170 million investment in European Space Agency programmes to support innovation and technology commercialisation.
Supported by Ministers Dillon and Smyth good progress is being made across all relevant commitments beyond the main achievements highlighted above, in fulfilment of the Programme for Government. Full details of these achievements and ongoing initiatives will be published in the Department’s Annual Report for 2025.
404. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of WTE accounts executive and senior accounts executive staff that are employed by Enterprise Ireland as of 8 December 2025, in tabular form. [71693/25]
View answerEnterprise Ireland have 531 staff in client facing roles.
The grades are broken down as follows:
|
Grade |
No. of Employees |
|
CEO |
1 |
|
Grade 1/Divisional Manager |
8 |
|
Level F |
42 |
|
Level E |
242 |
|
Level D |
59 |
|
Level C |
9 |
|
Graduate |
52 |
|
Overseas Manager (Local Overseas) |
8 |
|
Senior Market Adviser (Local Overseas) |
68 |
|
Market Adviser (Local Overseas) |
32 |
|
Assistant Market Adviser (Local Overseas) |
8 |
405. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of WTE accounts executive and senior accounts executive staff that are employed by IDA Ireland as of 8 December 2025, in tabular form. [71694/25]
View answerI can confirm that, as at the 8th December 2025, IDA Ireland had 24.6 WTE Accounts Executives and Senior Accounts Executives within its Finance Team, set out by grade in the table below.
|
IDA Ireland Accounts Executives and Senior Executives (Grade) |
WTE |
|
Principal Officer (Level F) |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer (Level E) |
6 |
|
Higher Executive Officer (Level D) |
8.6 |
|
Executive Officer (Level C) |
7 |
|
Clerical Officer (Level B) |
2 |
|
Total |
24.6 |
406. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the amount his Department has spent on translation services from a company (details supplied) for the years 2020 to 2025 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72066/25]
View answerI can confirm that no payment for translation services has been made by my Department to Translink for the years in question.
407. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if a job (details supplied) is eligible for a critical skills employment permit under the categories of ICT software developers and engineers, or ICT professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72080/25]
View answerThe Employment Permits Unit of my Department informs me that it does not pre-assign individual SOC codes or pre-adjudicate job descriptions. Eligibility for a Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) is determined at the point of application, taking account of the role’s classification under the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 2010) system and the Critical Skills Occupations List (CSOL), as well as the proposed remuneration and the applicant’s qualifications and experience.
For ICT roles, the CSOL currently includes Information Technology and Telecommunications Directors (SOC 4 1136) under the broader ICT Professionals (SOC 3 113) category. Where an ICT role is not expressly listed on the CSOL, it may still qualify for a CSEP if the remuneration is over €64,000 and all other criteria are met; otherwise, employers may consider applying for a General Employment Permit subject to the usual requirements for this permit type.
Employers who wish to have eligibility assessed should submit a full application through the Employment Permits Online System (EPOS). Applications are assessed by the Department in line with published criteria.
A dedicated TD mailbox is available for Oireachtas members to raise queries -tdepqueries@enterprise.gov.ie
408. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on the work being carried out to promote market leading top of the line semiconductor manufacturing companies to begin manufacturing operations in Ireland; and the way in which the funding Ireland has or will receive under the EU Chips Act will be used to attract investment from these companies. [65954/25]
View answerWith a significant semiconductor design and fabrication history, Ireland has built an extensive and technology-rich semiconductor industry comprising over 130 Irish-Owned and FDI companies, employing over 20,000 people, and making up part of a 175,000-person strong broader ICT sector with overall exports of €13.5 billion worth of products annually.
In this context, and in line with commitments in the Programme for Government, I launched Silicon Island: Ireland’s National Semiconductor Strategy in May 2025, as a clear signal of Government support for such an economically and strategically vital sector for both Ireland and the EU. Such a clear message of tangible support for the sector, the Government believes, is important to international investors, particularly coming at a time of international uncertainty, as well as in the context of other challenges, but also the opportunities arising for the sector as the world rolls out various AI and other technological innovations.
As I highlighted at the launch of our Strategy, a KPMG study identified that by 2040, with the right backing, Ireland could support up to 34,500 new semiconductor roles, and I believe Silicon Island is the Strategy that will enable us meet that opportunity. Accordingly, the Strategy includes a suite of deliverables owned by my Department, the Enterprise Agencies – IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland – and Tyndall National Institute, among others.
To this end, we will work with our partners in IDA Ireland to secure the development of:
• One leading-edge fabrication facility (Integrated Design Manufacturer or Foundry) in a regional location;
• Two trailing-edge foundries; and
• One advanced packaging facility.
To fulfil these ambitions, the Government is acutely aware of the strategic imperative to position Ireland as a competitive location for semiconductor fabrication facilities, which are critical to global supply chains and national economic resilience. Semiconductor fabrication plants, or “fabs”, require large sites due to their significant land use and the need for expansion space. The establishment of such advanced manufacturing operations requires substantial capital investment across several key infrastructure domains. Accordingly, the Programme for Government outlines a policy aim of expanding the IDA Ireland land bank, including consideration of new advanced manufacturing facilities in strategic, regional locations, and developing Next Generation Sites (NGS) with all of the necessary utilities and services to secure and accommodate a major semiconductor investment.
The NGS approach will be plan-led, streamlining development and reducing planning risks, and provide pre-permitted, utility-intensive sites, enabling swift development and certainty for investors. Each site will be developed in stages over several years to facilitate incremental investment in the necessary infrastructure. Funding for land acquisition for the first two sites, planned for the west and east of the country, is coming from my Department's capital allocation under the revised National Development Plan. A third site is planned for the south in future years.
It is important too that we encourage multinational companies to partner with Irish enterprise to foster a strong, mutually supportive sector. This will be achieved through close collaboration between IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to strengthen linkages between the Agencies’ respective client bases within the semiconductor sector. This work will help local firms become embedded in the value chains of this strategic sector to develop a well-represented and self-sustaining ecosystem.
Enterprise Ireland is also leading on commercialisation support; access to finance; scaling of technology start-ups and spinouts; R&D and emerging technologies; enhanced R&D support for its clients in and associated with the sector. In this regard, Enterprise Ireland will also continue to ensure that its research and innovation programmes and supports are available and relevant to the semiconductor ecosystem, including in niche areas where Ireland and the EU can foster cross-sectoral opportunities including semiconductor technology as an enabling technology across sectors of strategic importance to Ireland and Europe such as quantum chips, advanced packaging (chiplets, heterogeneous packaging), neuromorphic chips, and sensors.
Enterprise Ireland is also focusing on activities to generate deep-tech spin-outs, leveraging its Commercialisation Fund, as well as the expertise of Tyndall National Institute’s Entrepreneurs in Residence programme. Over the past decade, Enterprise Ireland has funded a portfolio of Commercialisation Fund projects in Tyndall and will continue to support high-risk/high-reward spin-out projects with ongoing commercialisation support from assigned Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Specialists.
It should also be noted that Irish SMEs, such as Mbryonics and Pilot Photonics, have recently received funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) to allow for further scaling of their operations. Moreover, Ireland’s overall success in the Horizon Europe EIC programme, supported by Enterprise Ireland, highlights the innovation and capability of Irish semiconductor companies to compete on a global level. This funding provides the critical support required to enable these innovative semiconductor companies to develop and scale their businesses.
The Government is also working to harness the European Chips Act as a vehicle to further enhance the sector’s research, development, and innovation landscape and to increase Ireland’s capacity to produce semiconductor chips in support of the Act’s ambitions, building on Ireland’s existing strengths in the semiconductor sector and related ecosystem.
Utilising our fabrication and development bases built up over several decades through household names in the industry successfully operating from here, Ireland has already begun implementation of the European Chips Act.
Over €70 million in national and EU funding has been allocated for Tyndall’s participation in three EU Pilot Lines, strengthening links with leading semiconductor institutions like IMEC, Leti, and Fraunhofer. These pilot lines aim to bridge the gap between research and industrial deployment, as well as accelerating the development of advanced semiconductor technologies.
I-C3, the National Competence Centre for Semiconductors, has been established with Tyndall National Institute as co-ordinator and MIDAS Ireland, MCCI, UCD and NovaUCD as partners. I-C3 is one of 27 Chips Competence Centres across the EU being launched in 2025 as part of the European Chips Act. In that regard, I-C3 will provide SMEs, startups, and scale-ups with expertise and technological support to speed up innovation in the semiconductor sector.
Furthermore, Analog Devices is currently partnering with 14 EU Member States in the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) on Microelectronics and Communication Technologies.
My Department will continue to seek opportunities from instruments such as IPCEI, and others like Horizon Europe, and the Digital Europe Programme, combining national and EU funding to maximise impact for the semiconductor ecosystem in line with the aims of Silicon Island.
The Government also recognises the global nature of semiconductor supply chains, and we are seeking to building partnerships and creating stronger linkages within the global industry. In this regard, Ireland is currently working with our European partners through the European Semiconductor Board, and as part of the European Semiconductor Coalition, on the successor to the European Chips Act which is due in 2026.
409. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of WTE inspectors by grade working within the workplace relations commission in each of the years of 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [72172/25]
View answerThe Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body under the aegis of my Department, established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015. The WRC’s primary functions include the inspection of employment law compliance, the provision of information on employment law, mediation, adjudication, conciliation, facilitation, and advisory services. WRC inspectors carry out inspections of employer records with a view to determining compliance with employment rights legislation.
The table below sets out the number of WTE inspectors, by grade, working in the WRC in 2024 and to date in 2025. There is an ongoing recruitment campaign in place through Publicjobs to hire additional inspectors and we expect to make more assignments in early 2026:
|
|
2024 |
2025 |
|
Labour Inspector (Executive Officer) |
47 |
53 |
|
Inspector Team Manager (Higher Executive Officer |
7 |
6 |
411. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment he status of the current review of the critical skills occupation list and the ineligible occupations list; the extent to which submissions from the agri-food sector, including those relating to the role of dairy farm assistant, are being considered; and when the final recommendations from this review are expected to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72414/25]
View answer412. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the position regarding the quota of 1,100 general employment permits for dairy farm assistants which was exhausted in November 2025; if his Department intends to extend this quota or consider removing the role from the ineligible occupations list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72415/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together.
Ireland's employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills or labour shortages in the State in the short to medium term. This objective must be balanced by the need to ensure that there are no suitably qualified Irish or EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is genuine.
The role of dairy farm assistant has been provided with a quota of 1,100 General Employment Permits since eligibility was first introduced in 2018. This quota was exhausted in November 2025.
Where a sector wishes to have a quota extended, or a role fully removed from the ineligible occupations list (i.e. not subject to a quota), evidence should demonstrate a continuing need for access to employment permits for the role, supported by the department with lead responsibility for the sector.
My department has received a submission from the agri-food sector with regard to the role of dairy farm assistant to the current review which closed to receipt of submissions on Friday, 19th of September. Consideration of submissions and evidence supporting changes is in progress including where occupations that currently have assigned quotas are undergoing review. Final recommendations on foot of the review process are expected to be published at the beginning of 2026.
My Department is also engaging directly with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine at present in relation to the immediately pressing issue regarding the dairy farm assistant quota. A recommendation with regard to changes will be finalised and submitted to my office for consideration and approval shortly.
Should a new quota threshold be introduced through amending secondary legislation, new applications may be submitted for consideration to be processed by date of receipt.
413. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth the eligibility of pupils with autism to school transport, in particular, in a situation where a pupil’s school placement is unsuitable, and the pupil is required to change schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71313/25]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.
The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.
A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class or special school that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education and Youth criteria.
When a child is changing school, and still requires school transport under the above scheme, a new application must be completed by the family and the school principal, who will then forward to the SENO.
Once the SENO has completed their section of the form, they will forward it to the School Transport Section of the Department for consideration.
414. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth to detail each of the SEBD special schools across Ireland, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71314/25]
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.
Special schools support children and young people aged between 4 and 18 years of age with the most complex special educational needs and ensure positive links are established and fostered between the home, school and other agencies for these students.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) advise that there are seven schools with a designation of Schools for Emotionally Disturbed Children. However, it is important to remember that a number of special schools have diversified since they were established to enrol students from their local area with varying degrees of complex needs. This diversification allows children and young people to attend their local special school without the need to travel long distances so as to receive the supports they need. For further information on special schools please see my Department's website on www.gov.ie and the NCSE website.
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.
415. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a grant is available for a school (details supplied) to assist with wheelchair transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71322/25]
View answerThe 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.
In accordance with the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme, school transport services operate during the standard school year and facilitate a child's attendance during normal school opening and closing times. Transport to the facility as outlined by the Deputy would not come under the remit of the scheme.
The pupil to whom the Deputy refers to is eligible for school transport under the Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs and the family receive the Special Transport Grant in lieu of a school transport service.
416. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to review or strengthen its guidance on the use of children’s images on school websites and social media, in view of the evolving digital risk this may pose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71329/25]
View answer417. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Education and Youth when her Department last updated its guidance for schools on publishing photographs of pupils online; the changes have been made to previous versions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71330/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 416 and 417 together.
The Data Protection Commission recently published a "Data Protection Toolkit for Schools" to assist with specific concerns and challenges faced by schools and following consultation with a number of organisations in the education sector. The Toolkit is available on the DPC's website and includes specific guidance about photographs of pupils. The DPC has also published other guidance on this subject: Taking photos at school events.
The Data Protection Commission is the national independent authority responsible for upholding the fundamental right of individuals to have their personal data protected. It is the supervisory authority responsible for monitoring the application of the GDPR. The statutory powers, duties and functions of the DPC are as established under the Data Protection Act 2018.
The responsibility for compliance with data protection legislation rests with each school board of management. Schools/Education and Training Boards are separate data controllers from the department under data protection law and are responsible for their own compliance with the GDPR and Data Protection Act. Schools can consult with their management body and/or the DPC if they require further advice.
418. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Education and Youth the analysis, review and risk assessments carried out on the í Cineálta primary and secondary-schools programme, to ensure compliance with the principles and protections in the Children First Act 2015 and the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. [71340/25]
View answerCineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying was published on 1st December 2022. Cineáltas is my department’s whole-education approach to preventing and addressing bullying behaviour in schools.
Cineáltas is dedicated to the prevention and addressing of bullying behaviour including cyber bullying, racist bullying, gender identity bullying and sexual harassment, among other areas, in schools. It is centred on a child rights-based approach and provides a collective vision and clear roadmap for how the whole education community and society can work together to prevent and address bullying behaviour in our schools.
Cineáltas incorporates each of the nine components of UNESCO’s Whole Education Approach to prevent and address bullying behaviour. It is rooted in four key principles: prevention, support, oversight and community. Implementation of Cineáltas is well advanced. The first implementation report, which relates to 2023, was published on 02 July 2025. The second implementation report, which relates to 2024, is due to be published shortly.
One of the more significant actions under Cineáltas was to update the 2013 Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools. This action has been completed with the publication, on 19 June 2024, of Bí Cineálta: Procedures to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour for Primary and Post-Primary Schools. These updated procedures were developed in collaboration with the education partners, including the National Parents Council, and are heavily informed by the views of children and young people, parents, school staff, Board of Management members and the wider education community.
The Bí Cineálta procedures are centred on a child rights-based approach and support a partnership approach where all members of the school community work together to prevent and address bullying behaviour. The procedures have been updated to take account of gender identity bullying, cyberbullying, racist bullying, sexist bullying, and sexual harassment. They support schools to develop clear strategies to prevent and address these bullying behaviours. The Bí Cineálta procedures are being implemented in all schools since the beginning of the 2025/2026 school year.
Implementation of the procedures was supported by a suite of professional learning resources and information sessions for school staff, Board of Management members and parents.
One of the key objectives of the Children First Act 2015 is to ensure that organisations that provide services to children (referred to as “providers of a relevant service” in the Act) keep children safe from harm while they are availing of those organisations’ services. In that regard, the Act places certain statutory obligations on every such provider. These include obligations to ensure, as far as practicable, that children are safe from harm while availing of its services, to undertake an assessment of any potential for harm to a child while availing of the organisation’s services (referred to as a “risk”) and to produce a Child Safeguarding Statement in accordance with the Act. The Act requires that the Child Safeguarding Statement has due regard to Children First National Guidance 2017, any other child protection guidelines issued by the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality or any guidelines concerning child safeguarding statements that are issued by Tusla under section 11 (4) of the Children First Act 2015.
All recognised schools fall within the definition of a “provider” of a relevant service under the Children First Act 2015 and therefore have specific statutory obligations under the Act. The protection and welfare of children is of paramount importance for every school, and the obligations and responsibilities which arise from child protection procedures are taken very seriously by our schools.
A school’s Child Safeguarding Statement shall be reviewed each calendar year and the department has provided a qualitative review document that shall be used when schools are conducting the annual review of the Child Safeguarding Statement. As part of its annual review of the Child Safeguarding Statement, the board of management must seek feedback from parents and school personnel in relation to the school’s compliance with the child safeguarding requirements of the procedures and retain a record of the consultation. As part of the annual review, parents in the school should have an opportunity to have a voice and participate in the process.
My department takes child protection matters very seriously and considers the protection and welfare of children to be a fundamental responsibility of all involved in the care and education of children.
My department has robust oversight measures in place which provide direction and guidance to school authorities to deal with child protection concerns. These are set out in the updated Child Protection Procedures for Schools 2025 which were published in May. The obligations and responsibilities have been taken very seriously by our schools since their implementation and there is a very strong culture of child protection across the school sector.
During the period in question, 3,103 school evaluations included checks on schools’ compliance with anti-bullying requirements. From January 2024 to August 2025, these checks related to the 2013 Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools. Over this period, compliance levels were high, with 97.2% (n = 2,435) found to be compliant and 2.8% (n = 70) identified as non-compliant.
From the beginning of the current school year, in September 2025, the focus of these checks shifted to the implementation of the Bí Cineálta policy, which replaced the 2013 Procedures. Since September 2025, compliance has remained strong, with 96.3% (n = 576) of evaluations found to be compliant and 3.6% (n = 22) non-compliant.
These results indicate consistently high levels of compliance with safeguarding and anti-bullying obligations, both under the 2013 Anti-Bullying Procedures and, more recently, under the Bí Cineálta policy.
419. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the number of home school liaison officers and home completion officers that are based in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area, by location, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71342/25]
View answerThe Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) scheme and the School Completion Programme (SCP) are two key supports provided by my department as part of the overall Delivering Equality of Opportunity in School (DEIS) programme. Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) manage the HSCL scheme and the SCP on behalf of my department.
The HSCL scheme seeks to promote partnership between parents, teachers and community family support services, with a view to supporting improved attendance, participation and retention. SCP plays a critical role in supporting children and young people of school going age to stay in school and to tackle school absenteeism.
All DEIS urban primary schools and all DEIS post-primary schools are included in the HSCL scheme, which currently serves 687 DEIS schools, catering for approximately 207,000 children and young people. The scheme is delivered by 528 full-time HSCL coordinators assigned to HSCL duties either in individual schools or in clusters of schools. HSCL coordinators are released from teaching duties, for a maximum of five years, in order to work intensively with and support parents/guardians. The overarching goal of the HSCL coordinator is to improve educational outcomes for children through their work with the key adults in the child’s life.
In addition, a pilot project to support Traveller and Roma pupils, under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, is in operation in 4 locations with 1 HSCL coordinator assigned in each location. A further 10 HSCL coordinators support attendance, participation and retention among Traveller and Roma students, across 14 non-DEIS post-primary schools.
In the 2025/26 school year there are 14 HSCL coordinators employed across DEIS schools in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council area.
Local SCP projects operate under the management and direction of a Local Management Committee (LMC). The LMC is responsible for the oversight of the project delivery at local level, including the use of project resources, employment of staff, and accountability for public funds.
The SCP staffing levels in the four SCP projects operating in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council area, as sought by the Deputy are provided in the table below.
|
SCP Project |
Postcode |
Total No of SCP Staff per project |
|
Balally/Dundrum SCP |
D16 |
4 |
|
Ballinteer/Ballyboden SCP |
D16 |
2 |
|
Cabinteely Area SCP |
D16 |
5 |
|
Mounttown/Sallynoggin SCP |
Co. Dublin |
3 |
|
|
Totals |
14 |
420. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding options available for pre-Junior Certificate students who are looking for non-academic education or training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71343/25]
View answerIt is an objective of my Department that all students will have the same accessibility to all information on all pathways including non-academic education and training options and that Junior Cycle students will begin to receive age and stage-appropriate information on pathways and options, and that this information will not be limited to senior cycle students. This objective is embedded in a wide range of work being undertaken within my Department including but not limited to the following:
National Strategic Framework for Lifelong Guidance
A National Policy Group for Lifelong Guidance was convened in 2022 and is chaired by my department. This National Policy Group published a strategic framework and action plan for lifelong guidance in Ireland in December 2023. A number of actions within these publications relate to the matter of career information, inclusion and parity of esteem for all pathways. For example, action 6.2 commits all NPG Departments, including my own, to “Promote the uptake of diverse pathways to education, training and the world of work”. With this framework and action at the fore of policy development in this area, the active promotion of education and training options that are not traditionally academic, as framed in your question, and other pathways are a major theme in all activities undertaken by department.
Whole School Guidance
In order to meet the guidance-needs of students in our post-primary system, including in relation to education and training, a model of whole-school guidance (WSG) has been formally developed and promoted through Teacher Professional Learning over the past decade. This model is advantageous for students (and their parents) as students’ educational and career development is supported by all staff members including but not limited to the guidance counsellor. In relation to accessibility of information on education and training options as you have requested specifically, students can learn from all staff members. For example, a school may hold a parent engagement session to broaden awareness of alternative routes, a maths teacher may discuss vocational STEM career options and apprenticeships when teaching junior cycle students, and a Year Head may organise a group-trip to a careers fair where vocational and practical education and training opportunities are well represented. Each school has its own student-centred ‘Whole School Guidance Plan’ within which activities like this are described. As the guidance needs of each school community will vary, WSG programmes will vary from school to school. A WSG-plan will contain a WSG-programme which includes engagement with employers, experiential learning opportunities, and a focus on career-management skills which can further support informed choices and broaden students’ understanding of the diverse pathways open to them. This is a fundamental part of each WSG-plan.
Many WSG-plans are available to view via a school’s website.
Forthcoming Policy:
During 2025, my department has concluded a National Consultation on Post-Primary Guidance which will inform a number of policy actions in relation to Guidance. Draft guidelines for whole school guidance were published during this consultation. The draft guidelines contain a clear and detailed programme for guidance with learning objectives for all students nationally to ensure consistency and standards within WSG-provision. Early-intervention and access to information is highlighted within these guidelines and learning outcomes are identified for both junior- and senior cycle students. ‘Pathways’ is a clear theme within these guidelines and learning objectives focus on multiple pathways including non-academic vocational and practical options. The final guidelines, which will incorporate points made by stakeholders within the national consultation, will be published in due course.
421. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the number of people currently participating in the Alternative Learning Programme in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71344/25]
View answer422. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the number of people that have participated in the Alternative Learning Programme since its inception in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71345/25]
View answer423. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the number of spaces available in the Alternative Learning Programme per annum in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71346/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 421, 422 and 423 together.
The Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) Alternative Learning Programme (ALP) is designed to re-engage young people who are at risk of leaving education by providing an informal learning environment that promotes beneficial routines, positive social interactions, and personal responsibility. It fosters mutual respect, encouragement, and inclusiveness while supporting participants to explore options for returning to school, educational progression, training, and future careers.
Delivered by local youth workers in partnership with ETB tutors, ALP operates three days per week during the academic term and combines group work and varied activities to build supportive, trusting relationships between participants and staff. The programme relies on collaboration with the Education Welfare Service, school principals, and parents/guardians to ensure effective engagement.
Since its introduction in 2014, the ALP in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area has supported 138 young people. Nine young people are currently participating in the ALP in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area, with 10 young people engaged since September 2025. There is capacity within the programme to accommodate additional participants.
The ALP operates on an 8-week cycle, with provision for up to 16 young people per cycle (two groups of eight, morning and afternoon sessions). Numbers vary depending on individual progression and whether participants complete one or two cycles.
Since 2017, the programme has adopted a structured 8-week format to strengthen collaboration with schools and Education Welfare Officers, supporting young people to return to mainstream education. In some cases, participants complete two consecutive cycles before exiting the programme.
The programme continues to adapt to meet the needs of young people in the area, ensuring a supportive and effective pathway back into education.
The ALP continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people, offering them the confidence, skills, and support needed to re-engage with education and plan for their future. By fostering inclusion and building strong relationships, ALP provides a vital pathway for those most at risk, ensuring that every participant has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
In 2025, the department allocated approximately €360,000 to DDLETB in UBU Your Place Your Space funding to support the delivery of ALP in its five locations; Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Tallaght, Clondalkin, Balbriggan and Swords.
424. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of a community contribution refund due to a school (details supplied); the reason for the extremely lengthy delay in providing a lease in order to resolve the matter; the timeline for when a lease will be provided; the timeline for the refund to be issued following the provision of and signing of the lease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71384/25]
View answerThe Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO), acting on behalf of my department, is currently engaging with the school's patron in relation to the lease between the school patron and my department. Once the lease has been signed and registered, my department will be in a position to reimburse any funds due to the school.
