Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:464. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Youth the timeline for the delivery of a new building for a school (details supplied). [71848/25]
View answerSchools Building Projects
Questions (464)
Written answers
The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter the department’s pipeline for a project under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project will provide one Multi-Media room, one Textiles room, one Graphics room, one Construction room, one Technology prep room, one Science lab & prep area and one Project store. The inclusion of a PE Hall or GP/Dining Hall depends on site feasibility, constraints, and input from the Local Authority and Heritage Officer. The project was devolved for delivery to the Cork Education & Training Board.
The Stage 1 report has been submitted and is currently under review. Once this review is complete, my Department will be in a position to provide clarity on the accommodation to be progressed. Given the complexities of this project, the evaluation will require a comprehensive review from both technical and cost perspectives to ensure full compliance with cost requirements, procedural standards, and the defined project scope. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
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.
Government departments are currently in the process of publishing their sectoral NDP Implementation Plans. The sectoral plan for the Education and Youth sector will be published next week and the first tranche of projects to progress to construction will be published in January. This NDP Implementation 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.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (465)
Naoise Ó Muirí
Question:465. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71930/25]
View answerWritten answers
Work by my department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to plan for the provision of further new special class and special school places for the 2026/27 school year and beyond is progressing.
As you are aware parents were asked to notify the NCSE of their requirement for a special educational placement for the 2026/27 school year by 1 October 2025. The NCSE is undertaking analysis of information provided through the Parents Notify process to plot demand for special class places for the 2026/27 school year. The NCSE will also consider vacant places in existing special classes and places that will become available through the regular transition of children from primary to post-primary schools. Once this analysis is completed the NCSE will be equipped to engage with schools to open new special classes in relevant areas. It is expected that these special classes will be sanctioned in the coming weeks.
The NCSE will assess what additional provision is required in local areas and what schools have capacity to accommodate required provision. In order to ensure new special classes can open as quickly as possible the NCSE prioritise working with medium and larger primary schools who do not already have a special class and have available accommodation to accommodate new special class. This approach maximises the use of existing space which can be reconfigured efficiently while also ensuring that new provision continues to be established. It also increases number of schools with special classes providing parents with greater choice and reducing the distances that some children are travelling to access a special class place.
However, as in other years where schools have no available accommodation, particularly at post-primary level and there is known demand in a local area, my department will continue to provide additional classroom accommodation to provide necessary places.
The NCSE will also have due regard to any vacant places in existing special classes in an area and any places that will be become available through the normal movement of children leaving primary or post-primary school.
The school referred to by the Deputy already has 3 special classes and any school willing to open further new special classes is to be commended. I can confirm that a request to meet with this school has been received by my office and remains under consideration.
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 assess the requirement for new specialist provision.
School Staff
Questions (466)
Barry Ward
Question:466. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the engagement her Department is having with unions representing school caretakers and secretaries in relation to pension parity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71935/25]
View answerWritten answers
School secretaries and caretakers are at the heart of the school and are the key interface between students, parents, school leaders and other staff. Without them, our schools would be unsustainable. In supporting these vital school staff members, we also support the school community as a whole.
My Department has been engaging with Fórsa and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Development over the past number of weeks under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission in relation to a number of claims including a claim for a comparable pension entitlement.
The matter has now been referred to the Labour Court, and a hearing will take place on 12th January 2026. The parties remain in process, and my department remains committed and ready to engage with Fórsa to reach a resolution on this important matter.
As with any industrial relations process, where engagement is sensitive and complex, the matters under discussion are confidential until this process concludes.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (467)
Michael Collins
Question:467. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the proposed start date for a new school project (details supplied) in Kinsale, County Cork. [71944/25]
View answerWritten answers
The project to which the Deputy refers is devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) as part of a programme of school building projects.
The project brief provides for the development of a New 12 Classroom Primary School with a 2 class Special Education Needs (SEN) base.
The project is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural process (post planning permission), which allows for detailed design/planning, obtaining the necessary statutory permissions and the preparation of tender documents.
The length of time a project takes to go through each stage varies and depends on a number of factors, including scale and complexity. At this early stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of this project.
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.
Government Departments are currently in the process of publishing their sectoral NDP Implementation Plans. The sectoral plan for the Education and Youth sector will be published next week and the first tranche of projects to progress to construction will be published in January. This NDP Implementation 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.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (468)
Emer Currie
Question:468. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth to clarify a matter from the NCSE (details supplied) regarding applications to a reading school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71945/25]
View answerWritten answers
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 working to develop a more inclusive education system, 15,000 special education teachers have been provided to schools to support students to attend their local mainstream schools. In practical terms this means schools get a substantial additional teaching allocation to support students with special education needs such as dyslexia who are in mainstream classes.
Circular 0039/2025 informs school management and patrons of measures introduced to support forward planning and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE through the Parent Notify process that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child.
This notification process will provide the NCSE with critical information on children who continue to need a special class as they progress to post-primary level as well as details on students who require a place for the first time. This year to facilitate earlier sanctioning of classes for the 2026/27 school year and provide certainty for families an earlier date of 1 October was set for parents to complete the process.
The NCSE is undertaking analysis of information including that provided through the Parents Notify process to plot demand for special class places for the 2026/27 school year. Once this analysis is completed the NCSE will be equipped to engage with schools to open new special classes in relevant areas. It is expected that these special classes will be sanctioned in the coming weeks.
This new timeline was publicised widely and communicated to schools and special education advocacy groups and parent representative bodies. The NCSE also undertook a lot of work at local level to ensure that families were aware of the timeline and process and consequently report a significant level of engagement and contact from families ahead of the 1 October closing date.
The NCSE advise that the majority of children and young people coming to them through the Parent’s Notify process are already enrolled in school supported by existing special education teachers and special needs assistants.
As with other applications for support, it is important that those who come forward after the closing date are assured that they are not forgotten or excluded from the system. The NCSE remains available to provide advice and support to all families seeking specialist placement and will continue to examine where provision is required for the 2026/27 school year.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs and the need for new specialist provision is subject to ongoing review.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (469)
Barry Heneghan
Question:469. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of parents who have submitted a notification to the NCSE by the 1 October deadline requesting a special school place for the 2026-2027 school year in Dublin, by postcode, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71947/25]
View answerWritten answers
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.
This notification process will provide the NCSE with critical information on children who continue to need a special class as they progress to post-primary level as well as details on students who require a place for the first time.
The NCSE is undertaking analysis of information provided through the Parents Notify process which closed on 1 October to plot demand for special class places for the 2026/27 school year. The NCSE will also consider vacant places in existing special classes and places that will become available through the regular transition of children from primary to post-primary schools. Once this analysis is completed the NCSE will be equipped to engage with schools to open new special classes in relevant areas.
The new timeline was publicised widely and communicated with schools and special education advocacy groups and parent representative bodies. The NCSE also undertook a lot of work at local level to ensure that families were aware of the process and timeline, and consequently report a significant level of engagement from families before 1 October.
I would like to stress that the NCSE will continue to support all children and young people made known to them after 1 October in their existing placement with appropriate resources. However, it is critical that the NCSE has as much local information as possible, as early as possible, to effectively plan what new provision.
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 where new specialist provision is required.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (470)
Marie Sherlock
Question:470. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the school building project for a school (details supplied); the expected timeline for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71965/25]
View answerWritten answers
The project referred to by the Deputy has been devolved for delivery to Le Chéile.
The brief for this project is to provide the development of a new 500 pupil post primary school with a four class Special Education Needs (SEN) base.
The project is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural process which allows for detailed design and planning, obtaining the necessary statutory permissions and the preparation of tender documents. Le Chéile will continue to engage directly with the school authorities to keep them fully informed of progress on this important project.
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.
Government departments are currently in the process of publishing their sectoral NDP Implementation Plans. The sectoral plan for the Education and Youth sector will be published shortly and the first tranche of projects to progress to construction will be published in January. This NDP Implementation Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (471)
Marie Sherlock
Question:471. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the masterplan for the Whitehall campus on the Swords Road, Dublin 9, the status of a school building project (details supplied); the expected timeline for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71966/25]
View answerWritten answers
The major building project referred to by the Deputy will be delivered as part a shared educational campus which will provide 2 new 1,000 pupil post primary schools each with 6 classrooms for children with special education needs, a new 8 classroom primary school with accommodation and 2 classrooms for children with special education needs and a new 20 classroom special school at the Swords Road campus in Whitehall.
The project is being delivered under my Department's ADAPT 4 Programme – Programme Innovate. This programme is led by Integrated Project Teams consisting of highly skilled and experienced design professionals, architects, engineers, project managers, quantity surveyors and various other consultants to deliver the projects.
The project is currently at the initial stage of architectural planning – Stage 1, where a site and current building assessment is carried out, and initial design sketch schemes are created. The IPT currently estimate submission of their Stage 1 report to my Department late in Q4 2025, and upon review, the Stage 1 stakeholders meeting to be arranged during Q1 2026.
Until all statutory approvals have been secured, it will not be possible to estimate the timeline for this project to construction and completion.
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.
Government departments are currently in the process of publishing their sectoral NDP Implementation Plans. The sectoral plan for the Education and Youth sector will be published next week and the first tranche of projects to progress to construction will be published in January. This NDP Implementation Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (472)
Marie Sherlock
Question:472. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the current temporary location for a school (details supplied), will remain until the new school building is completed in the Whitehall Educational campus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71967/25]
View answerWritten answers
The school referred to by the Deputy is located in an OPW-owned property at St. Mobhí Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 pending delivery of the school's permanent accommodation.
To meet the school's accommodation needs, two additional classrooms were refurbished for September 2025. My Department will continue to engage with the school and its patron body regarding their accommodation needs for September 2026.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (473)
Marie Sherlock
Question:473. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the school building project for a school (details supplied); the expected timeline for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71968/25]
View answerWritten answers
The project brief is for the construction of a 16-classroom primary school, on a brownfield site, purchased from Dublin City Council.
The site is in an area of archaeological interest and abuts a Protected Structure. A number of issues arose on site early in the project, which is not unusual given the nature of a brownfield city centre site, but this led to a delay. While all parties actively engaged to discuss and resolve the issues and to reduce any risk to the programme, these unforeseen matters did lead to a delay.
In response to issues on the site the Department sanctioned the appointment of a Project Manager on the project, who has engaged with both the Design Team and Contractor to minimise project delays on the programme and ensure clear lines of communication were in operation.
Good progress was initially made following the Project Manager’s intervention in the summer of 2024 up to year end with significant visible progress being made on the structure. Since Christmas however, the project issues have intensified. The Department has had ongoing engagement with the contractor and the Design Team to resolve these issues.
As a result, the Department entered a Conciliation hearing to try reach agreement on a solution to ensure the earliest possible delivery of the school while respecting its statutory obligations.
In accordance with standard practice and contractual requirements, the conciliation process is of a confidential nature. A temporary pause on works, under the suspension of works provisions of the contract, provided an opportunity to consider outcomes from the conciliation process. A notice of suspension of works was communicated to the contractor on 23 May 2025 in accordance with the provisions of the contract.
During the suspension, the Department carefully considered the best way to deliver a school building while also respecting its statutory obligations. A notice of termination was issued under the contract on 1 July 2025 following careful consideration of the need to ensure compliance with those statutory obligations.
Department officials are in regular contact with the School Authorities, meeting approximately every 6 weeks, or more frequently when required and are committed to continuing this support for the school.
As an interim measure, the department is providing accommodation more suitable to the current needs of the school nearby in Cathal Brugha St.
The department is assessing all options open to it to expedite the delivery of a new school building, and as set out above, is in very regular contact with the school authorities.
The department will provide a further update when we have clarity surrounding the timeline for completion of the project.
School Facilities
Questions (474)
Colm Burke
Question:474. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if consideration will be given to an appeal under the emergency works scheme for an application for a school's repairs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72002/25]
View answerWritten answers
The school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for works to the school yard.
The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action, and in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.
The EWS operates on the basis of the minimal scope of works required to remedy an emergency situation. The EWS usually provides an interim solution until such time as a comprehensive solution can be provided under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS).
The school's EWS application was refused on the basis that works being sought did not qualify for funding under the EWS and were more appropriate to an SWS project. An appeals mechanism exists for the EWS, appeals will only be considered if they are submitted through the Esinet system and should contain additional relevant information that was not provided as part of the original application. The school in question recently appealed this decision and the EWS team will engage with the school shortly with an update.
School Facilities
Questions (475)
Colm Burke
Question:475. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school (details supplied) was not approved under the climate action summer works scheme; the reason they were not informed that they were not successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72003/25]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
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. In November 2025, my colleague the former Minister of Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD, announced the first tranche of approvals under the new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme. 297 projects were approved to proceed and involve primary, post primary and special schools, along with projects in all counties and across all categories of works.
My Department can confirm an application was received from the school in question however the school was not on the list of approvals in the first tranche. Given that funding is limited in any particular year it is necessary to prioritise applications. Under the new climate action summer works scheme which operates on a multi annual basis, like previous summer works schemes, applications from schools that are not reached for funding or market prioritisation reasons in 2026 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of the funding available for climate action summer works in subsequent years.
It is anticipated that the next tranche of approvals will be in the latter half of 2026.
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;
gov.ie Summer Works Scheme
Departmental Policies
Questions (476)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:476. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the work of the inter-Departmental group considering the recommendation for a redress scheme arising from the scoping inquiry into historical sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72034/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Government takes revelations of historical sexual abuse in schools with the utmost seriousness and has established a Commission of Investigation chaired by Mr. Justice Michael MacGrath to investigate the handling of complaints and allegations of historical sexual abuse in schools. The Commission was the principal recommendation of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools Run by Religious Orders.
In addition, the Scoping Inquiry’s report recognised the significance of the issue of redress for survivors and their expressed wish that those running schools where child sexual abuse occurred should be held accountable financially and it recommended that consideration be given by the Government to establishing a redress scheme for survivors.
The high-level Inter Departmental Group (IDG) established to advise Government on the recommendations of the Scoping Inquiry recognised redress as an important element of accountability for survivors. The IDG recognises that consideration of a redress scheme may have far-reaching implications and has advised that further work needs to be undertaken to ensure that the Government is fully informed in any decision it may take. The IDG has commenced this work and aims to report within 18 months.
The work of the IDG on this issue will not impede the progress of the Commission of Investigation, which will begin its work in parallel. The Commission does not have a role in relation to redress.
The purpose of this further work of the IDG is to ensure that Government is fully informed before making a decision on redress and that, if it decides that a redress scheme should be established, those responsible for schools where historical sexual abuse happened meet their obligations to survivors.
Education Policy
Questions (477)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:477. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the process for establishing a new secondary school in an area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72057/25]
View answerWritten answers
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a geographical information system, using data from a range of sources, including CSO census data, child benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from local authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
In addition to ongoing demographic analyses, my department continues to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of potential longer-term requirements for educational provision. My department engages further on such matters with the Council through the review of the County Development Plan, preparation of Local Area Plans and other relevant statutory planning processes.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth. In respect of post primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students and must be co-educational. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (aonad) in an English-medium school.
New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.
The pace of delivery of additional residential developments, along with updated enrolment data and demographic data will be kept under review and this will inform the timing of further school requirements across school planning areas.
Education Policy
Questions (478)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:478. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she plans to establish a new secondary school in Duleek, County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72058/25]
View answerWritten answers
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a geographical information system, using data from a range of sources, including CSO census data, child benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, the department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from local authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth. In respect of post primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students and must be co-educational. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (aonad) in an English-medium school.
New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.
Duleek is located in the Drogheda school planning area. Based on analysis undertaken, it is deemed that there is not a sufficient unmet demand in the Drogheda SPA to establish a new post primary school.
There are currently less than 500 post primary school children living in the Duleek area. Primary school enrolment data indicates that the demand for post primary school places in this area is projected to reduces in the coming years. Capacity has been provided for these pupils in existing post primary schools.
The pace of delivery of additional residential developments, along with updated enrolment data and demographic data will be kept under review and this will inform the timing of further school requirements across school planning areas.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (479)
Eoghan Kenny
Question:479. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the amount her Department has spent on translation services from a company (details supplied) for the years 2020 to 2025 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72065/25]
View answerWritten answers
Dear Deputy Kenny,
My department did not engage Translink for translation services between 2020 and 2025.
Departmental Data
Questions (480)
Thomas Gould
Question:480. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current number of teachers on the substitute supply panel in Cork; and the number in 2020. [72123/25]
View answerWritten answers
Currently, there are 66 teaching positions allocated across 19 supply clusters in Co. Cork. This is an increase on 2020, when there were 29 positions across 11 clusters.
|
Cork |
2020 |
2025 |
|
Total Supply Panel Teacher Allocation |
29 |
66 |
Departmental Data
Questions (481)
Thomas Gould
Question:481. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of home-school liaison support workers in Cork in 2020, 2024 and the number in 2025. [72124/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) scheme is one of the key supports provided by my department as part of the overall DEIS programme. Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) manage the HSCL scheme on behalf of my department. The scheme seeks to promote partnership between parents, teachers and community family support services, with a view to supporting improved attendance, participation and retention.
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 to the above, a pilot project to support Traveller and Roma pupils, under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, is in operation in four locations with one HSCL coordinator assigned in each location. A further ten HSCL coordinators support attendance, participation and retention among Traveller and Roma students, across fourteen non-DEIS post-primary schools.
In the 2020/21 school year there were 40 HSCL coordinators employed across schools in Cork city and county.
In the 2024/25 and 2025/26 school years there are 47 HSCL coordinators employed across schools in Cork city and county.
School Facilities
Questions (482)
Thomas Gould
Question:482. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of emergency works grant applications received for Cork schools in 2025; and the number refused, and the number drawn down. [72125/25]
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The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies, or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for pupils with special needs. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action, and in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.
The EWS operates on the basis of a minimal scope works to address the emergency situation. The EWS is intended to remedy an emergency situation and usually provides only an interim measure until a permanent solution can be delivered under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) which deals with upgrade works to the school.
Regarding applications received for Cork schools in 2025; there were a total of 187 applications received, 43 of which were rejected and 12 of which have requested a draw down of funds, the remaining 132 applications are in varying stages of assessment and officials continue to engage with the schools where required.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (483)
Frankie Feighan
Question:483. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a school in County Leitrim (details supplied) will receive sanction for an autism class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72162/25]
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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 through the Parent Notify process that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child.
This notification process will provide the NCSE with critical information on children who continue to need a special class as they progress to post-primary level as well as details on students who require a place for the first time. This year to facilitate earlier sanctioning of classes for the 2026/27 school year, an earlier date of 1 October was set for parents to complete the process.
The NCSE is undertaking analysis of information provided through the Parents Notify process to plot demand for special class places for the 2026/27 school year. The NCSE will also consider vacant places in existing special classes and places that will become available through the regular transition of children from primary to post-primary schools. Once this analysis is completed the NCSE will be equipped to engage with schools to open new special classes in relevant areas. It is expected that these special classes will be sanctioned in the coming weeks.
This new timeline was publicised widely and communicated with schools and special education advocacy groups and parent representative bodies. The NCSE also undertook a lot of work at local level to ensure that families were aware of the timeline and process and consequently report a significant level of engagement and contact from families ahead of the 1 October closing date.
The NCSE advise that the majority of children and young people coming to them through the Parent’s Notify process are already enrolled in school and are being supported by existing special education teachers and special needs assistants.
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 as to where new specialist provision is required.