Written Answers Nos. 1142-1162
1144. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the progress being made to resource a new UBU-funded youth service covering the areas of Citywest, Saggart and Rathcoole; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74818/25]
View answerThe Department is dedicated to enhancing the delivery and development of youth work services and opportunities for young people across the country, including in the Citywest, Saggart and Rathcoole area.
In Budget 2025, €1.2 million was secured to provide for the establishment of ten new UBU services across the country which will provide targeted youth worker-led support for up to 1,000 young people.
Each ETB was invited to make a submission for a new UBU service in their functional area utilising available demographic data. As part of this process Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB submitted a proposal for a new service in the Citywest, Saggart and Rathcoole area.
The ten new UBU services were selected based on a competitive assessment process. The successful education and training boards (ETBs) have now completed their call for service and have provided the Department with confirmation of the youth organisations selected to establish and deliver these new services in the selected areas. Whilst the need for UBU youth services was demonstrated in all submissions, funding was allocated based on the results of the assessment process.
Following this process, the ten ETBs awarded funding for a new UBU service are as follows:
Cavan and Monaghan ETB;
Donegal ETB;
Kerry ETB;
Kildare and Wicklow ETB;
Kilkenny and Carlow ETB;
Laois and Offaly ETB;
Longford and Westmeath ETB;
Louth and Meath ETB;
Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB; and
Tipperary ETB.
The Department is currently engaging with Dublin and Dún Laoghaire on how best to support the young people in the Citywest and Saggart area.
1145. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps that are being taken to ensure the provision of education to a child (details supplied) who has been without access to a school placement for a long period. [74820/25]
View answerTusla Education Support Service (TESS), which includes the statutory Educational Welfare Service (EWS), is under the remit of my Department and operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. The primary role of the EWS is to ensure that every child either attends school regularly or otherwise receives a certain minimum education to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education.
Educational welfare officers (EWOs) are based throughout the country to offer advice and guidance to parents who need support in ensuring that their child attends schools regularly. They work with children, young people and their families who are experiencing difficulty with school attendance; this is done through, home visits, educational welfare conferences and collaboratively working with different agencies. The main priority of the work is around the welfare of children and young people and to ensure that concerns around attendance are addressed before attendance becomes a crisis issue. EWOs also support parents and guardians who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school placement for their child.
All referrals received by the EWS are screened and assessed by a senior educational welfare officer and receive a response to indicate whether the case has been allocated to an EWO, the case is on a waiting list, or the referral has not met the criteria for intervention by an EWO and the reasons why.
Referrals to the EWS may be made throughout the school year. A referral for a child without a school place is prioritised by the EWS and an EWO is assigned immediately to support families who are in this situation. It will remain an open case until such time as a school place is offered and accepted.
TESS has confirmed that the child in question is an open and allocated case to the service. An EWO is following up to support the parent in securing a school place for their child.
1146. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of acting AP postholders not receiving remuneration since the beginning of the academic year 2025-2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74821/25]
View answerOfficers who are “acting up” to a higher grade are paid an additional allowance in respect of the higher duties. As standard, Higher Duty allowance is paid once 84 days of acting up have passed. The payment of allowances is managed on behalf of the Department by the National Shared Service Office (NSSO).
From 1st September 2025 to date, there have been fifteen officers at acting Assistant Principal (AP) grade. Two officers have since ceased higher duties. Ten officers have received the allowance associated with the higher duties, and five have not yet received the allowance. These five officers have not yet reached the 85-day threshold for payment.
1147. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education and Youth if an application by a school (details supplied) for the summer works climate action scheme 2026 was assessed. [74824/25]
View answerThe purpose of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis that, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The CASWS operates on a multi-annual basis across a number of categories of works.
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.
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. A preliminary assessment was performed on all applications, however 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: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/summer-works-scheme/
1148. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education and Youth to ensure a school’s (details supplied) application for emergency repair funding is processed quickly. [74825/25]
View answerThe school in question submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for roof works. The EWS operates on the basis of a minimal scope of works required to remedy an emergency situation and, on this basis, the school was advised to submit a revised scope of works with an accompanying itemised cost breakdown.
Once this has been received the EWS team will review the revised application and will engage further with the school as appropriate. The EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of the works required and will keep the school informed throughout the process.
1149. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans for the roll out of a national programme to provide stronger supports for children in the transition from primary to secondary school with a particular focus on addressing bullying and cyberbullying. [74850/25]
View answerI recognise that effective support for children transitioning from primary to post-primary education is essential, given the significance of this period for students’ educational progression, engagement and wellbeing.
My Department’s approach to supporting wellbeing and mental health is set out in its Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice which can be found at the following link Wellbeing in education (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/campaigns/wellbeing-in-education/) and informs my Department’s extensive and ongoing work in the area of student wellbeing.
A dedicated wellbeing portal has also been developed and is now available, bringing together all the wellbeing supports and resources that have been developed by my department and my Department’s support services, which are available to view: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/campaigns/wellbeing-in-education/
There are a number of guidance documents and resources available to support students transitioning from primary to post-primary school.
Links to these are available in the transitions section of the Catalogue of Resources at:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/catalogue-of-wellbeing-resources-for-primary-schools/#transitions
They include a NEPS guidance document with a NEPS transfer profile, a resource pack outlining how to prepare students with additional needs for the transition from primary to post primary school and a sample of transfer programmes and workbooks.
The new Neart programme has provided webinars at key times of the year and templates to use to support parent and teachers with these transitions. More information on resources available can be found at: jigsaw.ie/neart/
The National Parents Council (NPC) provides comprehensive support to parents to help them actively engage in their child’s education. My department provides funding to NPC to deliver training sessions and resources for parents transitioning children from primary to post-primary school, covering school choice, subject selection, policies, and home-school communication to assist. More information can be found at the link: www.npc.ie/training-and-resources/training-we-offer/transition-from-primary-to-post-primary
Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/cine%C3%A1ltas-action-plan-on-bullying/) is my department’s whole education approach to preventing and addressing bullying behaviour in schools. An implementation plan for Cineáltas was published on 10 April 2023 and commits to implementing 61 actions within a five-year period (2023-2027).
A key action in the plan is to update the Anti-Bullying Procedures for schools. The Bí Cineálta procedures to prevent and address bullying behaviour are being implemented , in schools, since the beginning of the current school year. The 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.
Bí Cineálta takes account of gender identity bullying, cyberbullying, racist bullying, sexist bullying, and sexual harassment. Implementation of these procedures has been supported by a suite of professional learning resources, and information sessions for school staff, board of management members and parents.
As part of Cineáltas, the FUSE anti-bullying programme has been expanded to include new modules for 3rd class (primary) and 3rd year (post-primary) from the beginning of the 2025/2026 school year. 624 Primary and 343 post-primary schools have accessed the FUSE programme during the current school year to date.
Online safety and the safe and ethical use of digital technologies is a key component of the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027, which sets out my Department’s approach to embed digital technology across the curriculum and in all aspects of teaching learning and assessment at school.
There is a wide range of training material and resources available through the Webwise Internet Safety Programme to support teachers, students and parents on online safety. Webwise is part of Oide, the Department of Education funded Integrated Teacher Education Support Service.
Webwise, which is funded by my Department and the EU Internet Safety Initiative, develops resources for teachers, such as cyberbullying course for teachers, as well as a range of curricular supports that they can use when teaching pupils and students about online safety including how to deal with cyberbullying and online harassment and the importance of respectful online communication.
1150. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding an ASA application by a school (details supplied) for a new modular classroom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74851/25]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that the school in question has submitted an application for capital funding, under my Department's Additional Schools' Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for a modular mainstream classroom.
The purpose of the ASA Scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation and at other schools in the area.
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 roll out 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 2026. 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.
It is within this context that the application from the school, to which the Deputy refers, will be considered. The school authority will be contacted directly as soon as a decision is made.
1151. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which her Department will assist teachers with the administration involved with AON reports; the way this will change with the new approach to the AON process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74857/25]
View answerThe Assessment of Need (AON) process is provided for under the Disability Act 2005 and is a process under the remit and responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
The Assessment of Need process seeks to identify the health and, if necessary, education needs of children and young people as set out in the Disability Act 2005. If a parent/guardian makes an application to the HSE for an AON, this application is reviewed by an Assessment Officer (AO), who is employed by the HSE and decides whether the child or young person is likely to have a disability.
Following on from a court ruling in October 2021 there is a legal obligation on the education system to assist the HSE as part of the HSE’s Assessment of Need Process (AON). In that regard, the NCSE nominates an appropriate person, a qualified teacher in the case of an AON pertaining to a school-going child, to assist the HSE by completing a Report of Education Need (RoEN) using information available or known to the teacher or school. This process was trialled and implemented in the 2024/2025 school year and was further refined in the 2025/2026 school year. The process is outlined in Circular 0069/2025 and will remain in place.
For clarity, there is no change to the AON process as it applies in schools.
Section 5 of circular 0069/2025 issued in October outlines the supports available to schools nominated to complete reports.
1152. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on school building works (details supplied); and when she or her Department was last in contact with the board of management of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74868/25]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question submitted an application under the Department's Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for an extension to their current building to facilitate prefab replacement of three mainstream classrooms.
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 shortly and the first tranche of projects to progress to construction will be published in January 2026. 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.
The application from the school, to which the Deputy refers, will be considered in the above context and the school authority will be notified of the decision directly.
1153. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which schools can apply for the pilot scheme for school transport; the number of schools that are part of the scheme; if it can be extended to particular schools; how such schools can apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74869/25]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
A phased implementation of the School Transport Review’s recommendations began at the start of the 2024/2025 school year where the Department began testing the feasibility of a number of approaches through a series of pilot programmes; these pilot programmes are held in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann.
A total of fourteen pilot projects took place in the 2024/2025 school year and will continue for the current school year.
Following the closing date for payment for the 2025/2026 school year the Department, in collaboration with Bus Éireann, assessed where dedicated school transport/pilots may be successfully delivered, and a further 11 pilots were approved. The Department has asked Bus Éireann to review where additional capacity may be available for concessionary pupils who paid on time and would become eligible if the revised school transport scheme criteria was rolled out in full. Some of these pilots are operational and the remainder are going through procurement.
Due to ongoing challenges in the wider transport sector, including availability of drivers and vehicles, any expansion of services must be carefully planned and phased. While pilot projects are being considered in select areas to test revised eligibility criteria, these pilots are limited in scope and capacity.
All pilots – including those which commenced in the 2024/2025 school year – are being monitored and a further evaluation will take place at the end of the 2025/2026 school year. Findings from these evaluations will guide the planning and implementation needed for a national rollout of a revised School Transport Scheme.
1154. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review an application submitted by a school (details supplied); if this application can be expedited due to the extended waiting time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74872/25]
View answerSince 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 - including a major project for the school referred to by the Deputy. 111 of these were large scale school projects all of which would have included extensive accommodation including outdoor play areas.
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. All Government Departments are expected to publish their sectoral NDP Implementation Plans shortly. My Department’s plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
I can confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application, under the Additional School Accommodation scheme, from the school referred to by the Deputy - the purpose of the Additional School Accommodation scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or by other schools in the area.
The provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for the Department. I can confirm this schools application is currently under review with the Department following receipt of an updated Viability Report from the appointed Project Manager.
A decision will be shared with the school following the review.
1155. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education and Youth the timeline for the building of an approved extension at a school (details supplied). [74873/25]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that the school referred to has been approved to enter my Department’s pipeline of school building projects for the provision of two special education tuition rooms and associated ancillary accommodation under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA).
The project has been devolved to the school authority for delivery.
A Stage 1 report outlining the proposed design and costings was submitted to Department officials. As the proposal fell outside the scope of the works originally approved, the school authority was requested to submit a revised report aligned with the approved scope of works. This revised report has since been received and is currently under review by Department officials. Upon completion of this review, the outcome will be communicated to the school authority.
Furthermore, as part of the National Development Plan (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 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 2026.
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. The NDP implementation plan will be considered as part of the ongoing review of this school building project.
1156. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education and Youth if Circular CL0072/2022, or any other Departmental circular relating to the scheduling of days, permits a school or ETB to direct a teacher to return to work prior to 1 September without restoring them to payroll from the date on which they are required to attend. [74876/25]
View answerThe standardised school year runs from 1st September to 31st August. Primary schools and special schools are required to be open for tuition for all pupils for a minimum of 182 school days. While post-primary schools must be open for tuition for all students for a minimum of 166 school days.
The expectation is that the school year will normally commence during the week in which the 1st September falls. However, a school year may commence in the week prior to that in which 1st September falls in circumstances where otherwise it would not be practicable for the school to meet the overall requirement of a minimum of 166 at post-primary level or 182 days at primary level. Teachers are not required to work anymore than their contracted days. A teacher is paid from the 1st September to 31st August following the standardised school year.
1157. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Youth the plans to fund the upgrade of the DCG devices which are used for post-primary schools (details supplied). [74885/25]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, I recently announced €35 million in grant funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) with this funding due to issue to all recognised primary and post-primary schools shortly. This will bring the total investment in ICT in schools under this current strategy to €170m.
Under the Education Act, the Boards of Management of Schools have responsibility for the day to day management of schools. Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is therefore a matter for the Board of Management of each school in the context of their digital learning planning. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents when planning for the introduction of digital technologies including devices with cost and other implications being fully considered by the Boards of Management before a decision is made.
Schools, in conjunction with parents, are responsible for decisions on the use of digital technology, including tablet devices, laptops, and learning platforms, and how best to manage their integration into classroom practice reflective of their own context and requirement. This includes the integration of Design and Computer Graphics (DCG) in their school.
The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and its associated Implementation Plan are underpinned by €200 million in ICT Infrastructure grant funding over the lifetime of the Strategy, as committed under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). In total €345m has been invested in schools across the country since the implementation of the first Digital Strategy for Schools commenced in 2015 to date.
Finally, to further assist schools, the OGP, HEAnet, as well as my Department, have established a number of frameworks of providers of digital devices including tablets, pcs and laptops, with appropriate specifications, agreed pricing, and levels of service, as well as providing framework management.
This includes specific higher specification hardware and dedicated software agreements for the Design and Computer Graphic subject. Schools are encouraged to avail of these frameworks which will enable them to comply with procurement requirements and achieve agreed, transparent, pricing.
1158. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of data breaches recorded by her Department in 2025; and the number that were reported to the Data Protection Commissioner. [74893/25]
View answerThe General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect on 25 May 2018 and any personal data breaches since its introduction are dealt with under the Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.
My Department is committed to the highest level of data protection for the personal data which it processes and takes compliance with data protection obligations very seriously. Mandatory GDPR training is issued to all staff, with additional training provided where a data breach has occurred. Staff are also reminded of their obligations through regular updates by email and newsletters. There are also resources available on the Department's intranet site including its data protection policy.
In 2025, 52 Data Breaches were recorded in my Department. 39 of these were reported to the Data Protection Commission, who closed each case without further action following informal investigation. The remainder were deemed to be of no risk due to their nature and therefore were not required to be reported to the DPC, in line with the provisions of the legislation.
1159. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of primary school places available in an area (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74910/25]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority of mine.
Since 2020, my Department has invested over €382 million in school infrastructure across County Kildare. The Department is continually planning for and investing in existing and new schools to ensure that every child in the State has access to a school place.
As the Deputy may be aware, 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.
The areas referred by the Deputy are located within the school planning areas of Newbridge and Prosperous_Clane.
The annual enrolment process for new Junior Infants at primary and new First Years at post-primary is a very large-scale operation that is transacted at close to 4,000 schools across the country, involving some 140,000 pupils. While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that enrolment pressures can be driven by duplications of applications, applications from outside an area, and school of choice factors. Notwithstanding the above, in some areas, demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places.
Primary school enrolments at national level have been in decline for a number of years and this downward demographic trend is also now apparent at first year post primary level. There are, however continued pressures in some areas where there is high demand with continued population growth and housing development driving the need for additional school places.
My Department’s main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
I want to assure the Deputy that my Department will keep the school place requirements in Newbridge and Prosperous_Clane school planning areas, as with others across the country, under review.
1160. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special school and special class places available in an area (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74911/25]
View answer1161. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth the location of the 148 special classes within County Kildare; the location of the 17 new special classes; the location of the six special schools within Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74917/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1160 and 1161 together.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.
Through the accelerated provision of additional special class and special school places over recent years, there are now over 30,000 students enrolled in special classes and special schools. 2,700 new places were created for the 2025/26 school year and these, together with the over 1,200 existing places due to students moving on from primary schools and post-primary schools, has meant that close to 4,000 specialist places were made available for the 2025/26 school year.
406 new special classes were sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 17 are in County Kildare, 14 at primary and 3 at post-primary level.
This brings to 148 the number of special classes currently in operation in the county. There are also 6 special schools in Kildare with approximately 359 students enrolled.
A list of all mainstream and special schools including those in Kildare is available on my Department's website on gov.ie. In addition, a list of schools with special classes; broken by location and class designation is available on the NCSE website: ncse.ie/special-classes
Attached is a list of the new special classes in County Kildare for the 2025/26 school year.
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.
1162. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans for a closed school (details supplied); if she will consider selling the school to the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74961/25]
View answerThe property the Deputy refers to is not owned by my Department. Any proposal about the future use of the property should be addressed to the current owner in the first instance.
