Ciarán Ahern
Question:469. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Youth to examine a policy issue (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5520/26]
View answerSpecial Educational Needs
Questions (469)
Written answers
This government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.
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.
An earlier date of 1 October was set for parents to complete the Parents Notify process this year. I understand this earlier date may not suit every family. However, it was introduced to ensure the NCSE can provide clarity for families earlier than in previous years. It will also support forward planning and equip the NCSE with timely information as to what students would be leaving school, transitioning to post-primary specialist places or those seeking specialist placement and entering the education system for the first time.
This information is critical when examining where provision needs to be placed to meet demand. This earlier date in October coincides with when schools begin enrolment processes so affords parents the opportunity to enrol in existing classes. Many mainstream schools, particularly at post-primary level commence admissions processes for the following school year on 1 October annually.
The new timeline will afford greater lead in times for schools that require repurposing or major building works to get works complete and allow schools to recruit staff and undertake the training needed so that children are fully supported in these placements.
I would like to stress that the NCSE will continue to support all children and young people made known to them after 1 October. However, it is critical that the NCSE has as much local information as possible, as early as possible, to effectively plan what new provision is required.
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 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.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (470)
Alan Kelly
Question:470. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the amount her Department has spent on legal fees for each of the years 2020-2025, in tabular form. [5534/26]
View answerWritten answers
The expenditure incurred by my Department in respect of legal fees during the years in question is as follows:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2020 |
€2,836,000 |
|
2021 |
€7,632,000 |
|
2022 |
€8,303,000 |
|
2023 |
€6,678,000 |
|
2024 |
€4,044,000 |
Legal fees set out in the table above include:
• the Department's own legal costs in defending claims taken against it;
• Payments made by the Department in respect of damages ordered by a court, or sums agreed as part of a settlement upon legal advice;
• Amounts paid by the Department to cover the legal costs of the other party where ordered by a court, or agreed as part of a settlement upon legal advice; and
• Ancillary costs related to the legal action e.g. medical reports, swearing of affidavits etc.
Please note the 2025 figure is not yet available as it is being compiled as part of the process of doing the 2025 Appropriation Account for the Department.
Oideachas Gaeltachta
Questions (471)
John Connolly
Question:471. D'fhiafraigh Deputy John Connolly den Aire Oideachais agus Óige cén uair a fhógrófar an conraitheoir tógála le dul i mbun obair thógála ar Choláiste Cholmcille, Indreabhán (sonraí leis seo); cén fáth a bhfuil moill leis an bhfógairt sin cé go bhfuil an próiseas tairisceana críochnaithe agus conraitheoir roghnaithe aitheanta le fada, agus go bhfuil géarghá leis an obair thógála sin chun deiseanna oideachais breise a chur ar fáil d’ógánaigh Chois Fharraige; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [5587/26]
View answerWritten answers
Tá an tionscadal i gColáiste Cholmcille curtha faoi chúram Bhord Oideachais agus Oiliúna na Gaillimhe agus Ros Comáin (BOOGRC) lena chur i gcrích. Forálann raon feidhme na n-oibreacha síneadh agus athchóiriú ar fhoirgneamh na scoile atá ann cheana féin.
Tá an tionscadal ag céim na dTairisceana faoi láthair. Cuireadh an Tuarascáil Tairisceana isteach i Ráithe 3 de 2025 agus tá sí faoi athbhreithniú ag an Roinn faoi láthair.
Leanfaidh BOOGRC de bheith i dteagmháil dhíreach le húdaráis na scoile agus leis an Roinn lena chinntiú go gcoimeádfar na geallsealbhóirí uile ar an eolas faoin dul chun cinn.
Ó 2020 i leith, tá breis is €6 billiún infheistithe ag mo roinn inár scoileanna ar fud na tíre faoin bPlean Forbartha Náisiúnta, rud a chuimsigh críochnú breis is 1,300 tionscadal tógála scoile. Ina theannta sin, is príomhfhachtóir í athchuspóiriú agus uasmhéadú na hacmhainne cóiríochta atá ann cheana féin ar fud eastát na scoile maidir le soláthar tráthúil, áitiúil d’acmhainn ranganna speisialta ar bhealach a thacaíonn le dea-chleachtas maidir le cuimsiú agus comhtháthú. Tá thart ar 80% de na ranganna speisialta nua in 2025/26 á n-éascú i seomraí ranga athchuspóireacha.
Tá tacaíocht an rialtais don infheistíocht seo, lena n-áirítear trí mhaoiniú caipitil forlíontach, tar éis fíorbhuntáistí a bhaint amach do phobail scoile. A bhuí le maoiniú caipitil forlíontach de €210 milliún arna cheadú ag an Rialtas, tá an leithdháileadh caipitil iomlán do 2025 do mo roinn anois suas le €1.6 billiún.
I mí Iúil d’fhógair an Rialtas leithdháileadh caipitil de €7.55 billiún don Roinn Oideachais agus Óige don tréimhse 2026-2030 faoin bPlean Forbartha Náisiúnta. Mar chuid den leithdháileadh seo faoin PFN, cuirfidh mo roinn béim láidir ar sholáthar do leanaí a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta oideachais acu, agus béim ar leith ar riachtanais bhliantúla áiteanna scoile a chomhlíonadh. Maidir le cur i bhfeidhm tionscadal do thionscadail mhórscála agus do thionscadail scéime Cóiríochta Scoile Breise, is é an cur chuige ná leanúint de bheith ag uasmhéadú acmhainn an eastáit scoile atá ann cheana a oiread agus is féidir ar an gcéad dul síos agus an acmhainn bhreise riachtanach a sholáthar trí chur i bhfeidhm tionscadal spriocdhírithe agus tosaíochta thar an tréimhse 2026 go 2030 chun freastal ar na riachtanais is práinní agus a bhfuil an tosaíocht is mó acu.
Foilseofar an plean earnála don earnáil Oideachais agus Óige go luath. Foilseofar an chéad tráinse tionscadal a bheidh ag dul ar aghaidh go dtí an leibhéal tógála níos déanaí an mhí seo. Leis an bPlean Cur Chun Feidhme PFN seo, déanfar na haschuir ó leithdháiltí an PFN a bharrfheabhsú, agus béim láidir á leagan ar an acmhainn scoile atá ann cheana a uasmhéadú, tionscadail a bhfuil tosaíocht acu a chur chun cinn i gcás nach bhfuil dóthain acmhainne áitiúla ar fud scoileanna sa cheantar, agus seachadadh inacmhainne a chinntiú, luach ar airgead a thairiscint, agus a chomhlíonann riachtanais fheidhmiúla. Breithneofar gach tionscadal tógála scoile atá ann cheana féin agus iarratas ar chóiríocht sa chomhthéacs seo, agus béim ar leith ar a chinntiú go mbainfear an leas is fearr as an acmhainn atá ann cheana féin.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (472)
Gary Gannon
Question:472. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps being taken to ensure a child (details supplied) can access an appropriate school placement without further delay; if her Department will sanction an additional special class place in this case; the timeline for any such decision; the reasons for the repeated delays in the delivery of modular accommodation linked to the alternative placement offered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5593/26]
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 students with special educational needs.
My Department and the NCSE continue to work closely with school patron bodies, school management bodies and schools to confirm new special classes for the next school year 2026/2027. NCSE have begun sanctioning new special classes this month, which is several months ahead of last year. 263 have been sanctioned to date and many more new special classes will be confirmed in the coming weeks. The earlier sanctioning of new classes provides clarity for parents and allows schools more time for the planning and establishment of new special classes.
The vast majority of new special classes being announced are being provided in available school accommodation which is being reconfigured as a special class. Each special class at primary level is allocated 1 teacher and 2 Special needs assistants (SNAs) and at post-primary level, schools receive 1.5 teachers and 2 SNAs. Details of the new special classes are available on the NCSE website.
Schools seeking to establish new special classes should continue to engage with the NCSE at local level. In sanctioning new special classes, the NCSE have due regard to the level of need in an area and the existing provision, including how many places are expected to be available through the normal movement of students from primary to post-primary or finishing school. Budget 2026 provides funding for over 400 new special classes.
As your query refers to an individual placement, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
The school to which the Deputy refers has been granted capital funding for the provision of two Special Educational Needs Classrooms (SEN), under my department’s SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme.
This programme involves the use of project management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects.
KSN have been appointed, from my Department’s Framework, to design and tender this schools project. This is a collaborative process between the project manager, school authority and the department. The project is currently at planning stage and the school authorities will be updated in this regard. My department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of this accommodation and will be working closely with the project managers and school authority to keep it updated on overall project delivery.
School Transport
Questions (473)
Emer Currie
Question:473. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a special transport route (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5603/26]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The pupil referred to has been deemed eligible for school transport under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs and the family have been availing of the special transport grant. However, in May 2025 they requested to change from the grant to a special educational needs service.
Unfortunately, Bus Éireann has reported difficulties in specific locations with a small number of contracted services, where it has not yet been possible to provide vehicles and/or drivers. The pupil referred to by the Deputy is assigned to one of these routes.
These difficulties have arisen in some cases due to lack of driver or contractor availability, or where either zero bids were received for a service, despite repeated efforts to procure one. The Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible.
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Bus Éireann are required to tender services in line with procurement guidelines and are responsible for the allocating and Garda vetting clearance of a contractor to operate this service.
Once a contractor has been sourced, the family will be contacted with regards to a start date.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (474)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:474. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children which have been notified to the NCSE after the 1 October 2025 deadline, looking for a special class placement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5612/26]
View answerWritten answers
This government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs. 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.
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.
An earlier date of 1 October was set for parents to complete the Parents Notify process this year. I understand this earlier date may not suit every family. However, it was introduced to ensure the NCSE can provide clarity for families earlier than in previous years. It will also support forward planning and equip the NCSE with timely information as to what students would be leaving school, transitioning to post-primary specialist places or those seeking specialist placement and entering the education system for the first time.
This information is critical when examining where provision needs to be placed to meet demand. This earlier date in October coincides with when schools begin enrolment processes so affords parents the opportunity to enrol in existing classes. Many mainstream schools, particularly at post-primary level commence admissions processes for the following school year on 1 October annually.
The new timeline will afford greater lead in times for schools that require repurposing or major building works to get works complete and allow schools to recruit staff and undertake the training needed so that children are fully supported in these placements.
I would like to stress that the NCSE will continue to support all children and young people made known to them after 1 October. However, it is critical that the NCSE has as much local information as possible, as early as possible, to effectively plan what new provision is required.
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 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.
School Staff
Questions (475)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:475. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the SNA redeployment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5613/26]
View answerWritten answers
Work to develop a SNA redeployment scheme is at an advanced stage. This important policy initiative will ensure that competent, knowledgeable, and experienced SNAs are retained in our schools, building capacity in the workforce and enhancing the service to children with special educational needs.
Undertaken in conjunction with work on the first SNA Workforce Development Plan, the SNA Redeployment scheme will be operated by the National Council for Education (NCSE). For the first time, it will allow SNAs in posts which may no longer be required for reasons such as falling enrolments, reduced care needs or changing demographics, to be redeployed to a school which has a vacant post.
The scheme is being implemented for the 2025/26 school year, providing an opportunity for redeployment of SNAs as the need arises for the start of the 2026/27 school year. The NCSE will be supported by the SNA Workforce Development Unit and relevant units within my department.
It is important to note that SNAs in surplus posts identified through the NCSE’s SNA Review process will remain in the relevant school for the rest of the academic year. Assuming no change to SNA allocations in the meantime, eligible SNAs in standard posts (both full time and part-time) who opt for redeployment may be redeployed to a new post in September 2026.
The NCSE will provide support to schools and SNAs through webinars to provide further information on the operation of the SNA Redeployment Scheme. Schools and SNAs are encouraged to raise any issues/queries with their staff representatives and management bodies so that my department and the NCSE can address these together during regular consultations, both in the lead up to the Scheme’s launch and throughout its implementation during the 2025/26 school year.
Updates and final details of the SNA Redeployment Scheme, including a comprehensive circular and guidelines, will be published on the NCSE website and the SNA Information Hub on www.gov.ie as work progresses.
School Enrolments
Questions (476)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:476. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children which attend primary school in Duleek, County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5614/26]
View answerWritten answers
Please find attached requested data. Data provided is preliminary enrolment data for academic year 2025-26, we expect to publish final data for 2025-26, which will replace the preliminary data, in June 2026 at the link below;
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/collections/primary-schools-enrolment-figures/
|
Academic Year (Enrolment) |
Roll Number |
Official Name |
Address (Line 1) |
Address (Line 2) |
Address (Line 3) |
Eircode |
County Description |
Enrolment per Return |
|
2025 |
17839H |
S N BHEINN NAOFA B |
Duleek |
Co. Meath |
|
A92C903 |
Meath |
339 |
|
2025 |
17840P |
S N BHEININ NAOFA C |
Duleek |
Co. Meath |
|
A92W722 |
Meath |
343 |
|
2025 |
18500T |
S N NAOMH COLMCILLE |
Mount Hanover |
Duleek |
Co Meath |
A92TC99 |
Meath |
109 |
School Transport
Questions (477)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:477. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children who live in Duleek, County Meath and avail of the school transport scheme to attend post-primary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5615/26]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
Under the current terms of the mainstream school transport scheme, children are eligible for transport at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Families are required to register their details on the Bus Éireann Family Portal to have their eligibility for transport assessed and to make applications under the scheme.
Where a child is eligible for transport and the application and payment process is completed on time, they will get a seat on a school bus service, where there is capacity and where a service is available.
Where a child is not eligible for school transport, but the application and payment process is completed for them on time, they will be considered for any spare seats available after eligible children have been accommodated. These seats are called concessionary seats.
It is not possible to provide the details required in the manner requested, however, over 4,300 children and young people travel to and from post primary schools in County Meath.
School Transport
Questions (478)
Aisling Dempsey
Question:478. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she plans to ensure that school bus escorts are employed all year round; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5636/26]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
There is a facility within the Special Educational Needs Transport Scheme for the appointment of a school transport escort where a child’s care and safety needs while on school transport are such as to require the support of a School Transport Escort.
The Board of Management/ETB are responsible for the employment of the school transport escort. The Department of Education and Youth provides grant funding directly to the school for the employment of the school transport escort and sets the rate of pay.
It is recognised that school bus escorts play a vital role in supporting children with special educational needs in their journey to and from school.
The commitment to review pay rates for school bus escorts was completed. Since then, the rate of pay for escorts was increased to €15.20 per hour from 01 October 2024. It was further increased to €15.50 per hour effective from 01 March 2025. The most recent pay rate effective from 01 August 2025 is €15.66.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (479)
Gary Gannon
Question:479. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a breakdown of expenditure by her Department and bodies, agencies or organisations under her remit on paid verification services on a platform (details supplied) or any other verified account products, for each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of verified accounts held under each category; the annual cost per account; the total annual cost incurred; the procurement basis under which these services were purchased, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5642/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Education and Youth has not paid for any verification services on the X platform in 2023, 2024, 2025 or to date in 2026.
The department does not hold the information requested in relation to agencies under its remit.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (480)
Louis O'Hara
Question:480. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there will be a new special class established at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5645/26]
View answerWritten answers
This government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.
My Department and the NCSE continue to work closely with school patron bodies, school management bodies and schools to confirm new special classes for the next school year 2026/2027. NCSE have begun sanctioning new special classes this month, which is several months ahead of last year. 263 have been sanctioned to date and many more new special classes will be confirmed in the coming weeks. The earlier sanctioning of new classes provides clarity for parents and allows schools more time for the planning and establishment of new special classes. The vast majority of new special classes being announced are being provided in available school accommodation which is being reconfigured as a special class. Each special class at primary level is allocated 1 teacher and 2 SNAs and at post-primary level, schools receive 1.5 teachers and 2 SNAs. Details of the new special classes are available on the NCSE website.
Schools seeking to establish new special classes should continue to engage with the NCSE at local level. In sanctioning new special classes, the NCSE have due regard to the level of need in an area and the existing provision, including how many places are expected to be available through the normal movement of students from primary to post-primary or finishing school. Budget 2026 provides funding for over 400 new special classes.
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.
Public Sector Staff
Questions (481)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:481. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth if surrogacy leave legislation applying fully to the education sector will be implemented at any point (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5650/26]
View answerWritten answers
Leave entitlements for public servants are determined by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. Under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998, the Minister for Education and Youth, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, is authorised to determine the terms and conditions of employment for teachers employed in approved teaching posts funded by monies provided by the Oireachtas.
Currently, there is no legislative entitlement to surrogacy leave in Ireland. The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation has confirmed that there is no overarching civil service or public sector policy pertaining to leave entitlements for surrogate parents. Therefore, civil servants or public servants who are surrogate parents, currently do not have statutory surrogacy leave entitlements.
Educational Disadvantage
Questions (482)
Roderic O'Gorman
Question:482. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth the rationale for the current exclusion of schools designated as DEIS after 2022 from the Junior Certificate School Programme digital library service; her plans to end the exclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5659/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP) is a national programme sponsored by the Department of Education and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. Introduced in 1996, it is a social inclusion programme that is aimed at students who are identified as being at risk of being socially or academically isolated or at risk of early school leaving before the (then) Junior Certificate has been achieved. Since its introduction, JCSP has expanded from 32 schools in 1996 to 240 schools in 2010. The programme expanded on a phased basis, to almost all post-primary schools participating in the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) in 2010. The JCSP is also offered in Special Schools, Children Detention Schools, and Youth Encounter Projects (YEP). Of the current 220 schools within JCSP, 172 are designated DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) and 48 are non-DEIS schools. There are 8 Gaelscoileanna, 2 High Support Units, 17 Special Schools and 4 YEP.
One of the initiatives under the JCSP is the JCSP Demonstration Library Project. School librarians work as part of a network of librarians in the JCSP Demonstration Library Project. Within the Demonstration Library Project, there are 32 professional librarians employed by the CDETB who are based in 30 schools that operate the library facility. They are managed by the Senior Librarian.
Librarians are responsible, together with key school staff, for drawing up and implementing library strategies to tackle the literacy difficulties experienced by many JCSP students. An important element of the JCSP is the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy 2024 to 2033 which promotes a school approach, and which incorporates the Library Demonstration Project. Each year, each library receives a grant from JCSP. The grant funds literacy and numeracy initiatives, book buying and resources for the library.
As part of the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle (2015), it was agreed to carry out a review of the JCSP and consider the extent to which the needs of students undertaking the JCSP are met through the Junior Cycle. This review is currently ongoing, with the programme closed to new applicants but current provision continuing for the present.
It should be noted that the public libraries provide access to a wide range of resources, facilities and activities that aim to support schools in developing children's literacy, numeracy, creativity, and communication skills. The development of existing partnerships between schools and libraries provides many benefits for both the schools and for public libraries.
A partner library branch has been identified for every school based on catchment area. In the case of certain schools, some of the services will be provided by the mobile library, school library van or through the library headquarters, to be determined at local discretion. Under the collaborative approach, each library service will make contact with the school principal over the year to provide information in relation to the library services and resources available to each school.
In this regard, my Department continues to work in partnership with the national library service and is exploring ways to strengthening this partnership through the library service five-year strategy published in July 2023, and the Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024 to 2033. This strategy was launched in May 2024 and developed between the Department of Education and Youth and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. The strategy is set across all stages of the learner's journey from early learning and care to post-primary school. It aims to promote the development of essential literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills, knowledge, and dispositions with a particular focus on learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The DEIS programme is a key policy initiative of Government to address concentrated educational disadvantage at school level. Currently, the DEIS programme supports almost 1,200 primary and post-primary schools, reaching approximately 260,000 students, with an annual investment of over €180 million. Budget 2026 allocates an additional €16.5 million in 2026, rising to €48 million in 2027, to support the implementation of the new DEIS Strategy and introduce the DEIS Plus scheme, which will commence in 2026.
A new DEIS Strategy, which will include a DEIS Plus scheme, will be published in Q1 2026. The DEIS Plus scheme will provide additional support to schools with the highest levels of need, in line with the Government’s commitment. It will target a cohort of schools with the very highest concentrations of children and young people experiencing intergenerational disadvantage where there is a significant gap in outcomes and where there are barriers to those children and young people achieving their potential.
The details of the DEIS Plus scheme are currently being finalised within an overall programme of work to tackle educational disadvantage and will be outlined in the new DEIS Strategy. Future allocation of overall resources will be considered within the context of the new DEIS Strategy and the availability of resources.
School Staff
Questions (483)
Martin Daly
Question:483. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of unfilled post-primary teaching posts in 2025, by subject, as reported in the Teacher Supply Action Plan monitoring returns. [5682/26]
View answerWritten answers
Ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified, engaged teachers available to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government.
There are more qualified teachers than ever working in schools with an analysis of payroll data as of March 2025, shows there are 79,225 teachers employed in our schools across the country including 36,004 in post-primary schools. This analysis found that over 97% of allocated teaching posts were filled nationwide. Teacher attrition remains low, with fewer than 3% resigning or retiring annually, one of the lowest rates in the OECD.
Payroll data from March 2025 shows 1.8% of allocations (621 posts) in post-primary were unutilised. This relatively low vacancy rates suggests that the vast majority of schools are well-staffed and able to meet the needs of their students.
While the Department does not have the data for the number of unfilled post-primary teaching posts in 2025, by subject, data published by the Department for the vacancies by subject for the 2023/2024 school year is available through the Survey of Teacher Unmet Demand in Post Primary Schools 2023/24 report, at this link <https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/f30264cc/Survey_of_Unmet_Demand_School_year_2023_24.pdf>. An excerpt of this report is provided in the table below.
Table: Vacant posts by subject for the 23/24 school year
|
Subject |
Vacant posts |
|
Gaeilge |
55.7 |
|
Mathematics |
52.77 |
|
Career Guidance |
32.26 |
|
Home Economics |
31.5 |
|
English |
19.2 |
|
Construction Studies |
16 |
|
Science (JC) |
13 |
|
Technology |
12 |
|
Engineering |
10.5 |
|
Spanish |
9.88 |
|
Physical Education |
8.5 |
|
French |
8.2 |
|
Religious Education |
8 |
|
Design and Communication Graphics |
6.5 |
|
History |
6.1 |
|
Physics |
6 |
|
Geography |
5.6 |
|
Business |
4.2 |
|
Music |
3.7 |
|
Miscellaneous |
3.5 |
|
German |
3 |
|
Biology |
3 |
|
Accounting |
2.2 |
|
Digital Media Literacy |
2 |
|
Agricultural Science |
2 |
|
Art |
1.5 |
|
Politics and Society |
1 |
|
Applied Technology |
1 |
|
SPHE |
0.5 |
|
Computer Science |
0.5 |
|
Chemistry |
0.5 |
|
LCA and LCVP Co-ordinators |
0.5 |
|
Applied Mathematics |
0.09
|
As with other sectors, recruitment challenges exist in some schools. To address teacher supply issues, including the recruitment of substitutes, the Government has implemented several measures that have led to:
- an increase of 20% in initial teacher education graduates (student teachers) between 2018 and 2023, and
- over 30% increase in the number of teachers registered with the Teaching Council since 2017.
My Department has continued the suspension of the usual limits on career break and job-sharing schemes and extended the Teaching Hours Extension Scheme for post-primary teachers to the current school year 2025/26 to increase the pool of teachers available to undertake substitute work in schools.
A range of other measures have been introduced to address teacher supply. In 2025, a measure was announced to enable teachers gain permanent roles more quickly and more recently regulations were approved to allow teachers who qualified overseas to undertake their induction in the State.
Budget 2025 introduced a €2,000 bursary for student teachers in STEM fields, to increase the number of qualified STEM teachers in post-primary schools. Upskilling programmes have been expanded: registered post-primary teachers, regardless of employment status, can avail of free upskilling programmes, including in Irish, foreign languages and STEM subjects. These flexible programmes boost teachers’ employment opportunities while addressing subject-specific teacher shortages. New programmes in Irish, French, politics & society, and computer science commenced in 2025, with over 160 teachers registered on these programmes and complement existing programmes in maths, physics, and Spanish.
A comprehensive workforce plan for the education sector, a commitment under the Programme for Government, is in development. Additionally,a project focused on strategic workforce planning for teachers in Ireland, led by UNESCO and supported by the EU Commission, is in the process of developing recommendations for addressing the main factors affecting teacher supply in Ireland. This two-year project has involved extensive consultations with key stakeholders to develop recommendations, with a report due in 2026. The recommendations put forward in the context of the project will form the basis for the development by my Department of a strategic workforce plan for the teaching workforce in Ireland.
Preparations are being made to host an education convention, a Programme for Government commitment, that will bring together all stakeholders to share their experiences, expectations, and hopes for the future of our education system.
The teaching profession is attractive, with strong demand for teacher education programmes, with 3,600 newly qualified teachers, including 1,800 post-primary teachers registered with the Teaching Council in 2025. Salaries are competitive, starting at €46,448 (post-primary) and rising to €85,000 under the current pay deal.
Around 6% of first-choice CAO applications from 2017–2024 were for teaching, showing steady demand. In 2025, first preferences rose by 5% for post-primary teaching. Over 75% of new post-primary teachers are employed full-time.
My Department frequently consults and engages closely with stakeholders on teacher supply issues through industrial relations forums, sectoral meetings, and direct discussions. Further measures to strengthen the teaching workforce will be considered to ensure that schools have the support needed to provide an excellent education for every student.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (484)
Martin Daly
Question:484. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children awaiting a special class or special school placement as of September 2025; and the measures under the National Council for Special Education plan to address this. [5683/26]
View answerWritten answers
This 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.
For the 2025/26 school year the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) sanctioned 406 new special classes bringing to 3,741 the number of special classes in our schools. Close to 4,000 specialist places were made available for the 2025/26 school year. This was made up of 2,700 new places and 1,200 places through the natural movement of students from primary to post-primary or out of education.
The information held on the department's Geographical Information System (GIS), particularly in relation to student demographics, is a key component when forecasting the need for additional special class and special school places. My department and the NCSE have undertaken analysis of the trends in special class and special school provision over recent years by county and local school planning area. In total there are 314 local school planning areas.
My department and the NCSE identify the need for special educational provision with consideration to demographical and statistical data and in regard to an areas existing school provision and future capability. In addition, part of the forward planning process as to where new classes, schools or expansion is required looks at how far students are travelling to access an education that meets their needs. This is an important factor which has been incorporated into the decision-making process. Consideration is also given to the information the NCSE hold at local level on the number of children and young people seeking a special school place in a region.
For the 2025/26 school year the NCSE advise that a small number of special class places remain in many counties in the country for those still seeking placement. While these places may not be in a preferred school, vacancies do exist.
The NCSE is currently collating the data and information received by 1 October through the Parents Notify process and are engaging with schools regarding where specialist provision is best placed for the 2026/27 school year. 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 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.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (485)
Martin Daly
Question:485. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of school building projects delayed beyond original completion dates in 2025, as reported in her Department's capital programme. [5684/26]
View answerWritten answers
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of almost 1,400 school building projects along with over 4,000 small-scale improvement works to meet priority maintenance needs and advance energy efficiency and climate goal. 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. This significant investment has delivered real benefits for school communities.
Due to the substantial volume of projects involved, it is not feasible to provide a detailed list at this level in this response. However, the table below sets out expenditure and major project completions since 2020, at county level. If the Deputy requires further information on a specific project, we can assist further. Additionally, the current status of all projects, including completions, is set out under item number ten at the following link (www.gov.ie). This is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
In July 2025, 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. Building on this 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 requirements.
In delivering Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance, and to provide additional capacity through a targeted and prioritised rollout of projects over the 2026–2030 period to meet the most urgent needs.
My department’s 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 an area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional requirements.
DEY Expenditure, SBP –Completed & in Construction, SWS incl. Climate Action Stats End December 2025
|
County |
Total DEY Capital Expenditure 2020-31/12/2025 (€m) |
LS/ASA/Modular Completions 2020-2025 |
School Building Projects in Construction (LS/ASA/Modular) |
Newly approved SWS incl. Climate Action for delivery in 2026 |
Smaller Scale Maintenance & Improvement projects under the Summer Works & Emergecy Works Schemes delivered 2020-2025 |
|
Carlow |
50.19 |
24 |
5 |
5 |
38 |
|
Cavan |
92.61 |
24 |
4 |
8 |
94 |
|
Clare |
155.25 |
28 |
7 |
9 |
126 |
|
Cork |
767.72 |
157 |
20 |
35 |
480 |
|
Donegal |
220.78 |
66 |
14 |
26 |
190 |
|
Dublin |
1794.95 |
244 |
64 |
53 |
787 |
|
Galway |
251.39 |
88 |
17 |
20 |
336 |
|
Kerry |
145.15 |
66 |
9 |
20 |
155 |
|
Kildare |
397.08 |
48 |
9 |
5 |
110 |
|
Kilkenny |
207.11 |
43 |
5 |
5 |
99 |
|
Laois |
144.77 |
29 |
9 |
5 |
54 |
|
Leitrim |
27.82 |
7 |
2 |
2 |
41 |
|
Limerick |
293.2 |
54 |
6 |
10 |
161 |
|
Longford |
43.36 |
15 |
2 |
3 |
56 |
|
Louth |
118.56 |
27 |
5 |
4 |
60 |
|
Mayo |
159.04 |
61 |
16 |
16 |
215 |
|
Meath |
459.49 |
61 |
14 |
10 |
88 |
|
Monaghan |
104.41 |
24 |
4 |
3 |
74 |
|
Offaly |
105.88 |
30 |
4 |
5 |
60 |
|
Roscommon |
67.84 |
28 |
8 |
8 |
93 |
|
Sligo |
71.61 |
24 |
6 |
7 |
72 |
|
Tipperary |
176.12 |
67 |
8 |
14 |
194 |
|
Waterford |
142.68 |
32 |
7 |
7 |
116 |
|
Westmeath |
174.15 |
31 |
10 |
3 |
70 |
|
Wexford |
174.6 |
58 |
7 |
8 |
138 |
|
Wicklow |
254.93 |
42 |
8 |
6 |
111 |
|
Total |
€6.6bn |
1378 |
270 |
297 |
4018 |
Educational Disadvantage
Questions (486)
Martin Daly
Question:486. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the proportion of DEIS schools without high-speed broadband as identified in the digital strategy for schools progress report. [5686/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department operates the Schools Broadband Programme at an annual cost of some €15m, providing connectivity to all recognised primary, special and post-primary schools through a range of technologies at the best level of connectivity available based on local infrastructure. The Department is obliged to adhere to procurement regulations and must engage with the selected providers on the DEY framework of providers of broadband services through a tender process to award services. This is the basis on which all state-funding is utilised to ensure transparency and equal treatment for all schools and providers, and adherence to regulatory requirements.
The delivery of high quality internet connectivity for all schools is a key objective of my Department. It is accepted that good connectivity is essential to ensure that schools are facilitated to progress the embedding of digital technologies in teaching and learning and for the implementation of new and revised curriculum.
Under its Schools Broadband Access Programme at least 99% of all recognized primary, special schools and post-primary schools are included in the programme. While the Schools Broadband Access Programme is offered free of charge to schools, schools have autonomy on joining the programme.
All Primary, post-primary and Special schools on the programme have high speed connectivity, with all now on speeds of 100Mbp/s plus up to 1Gbp/s. Additionally all Education Centres are also provided with high speed connectivity through the post-primary programme.
As Part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan supported by the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility the department secured funding for a Broadband Enhancement Project for Primary schools through the Department’s Schools Broadband Programme. Over 990 schools which were included in this project and who were in areas where commercial provision did not provide sufficient infrastructure for high-speed connectivity and were not comprehended in the National Broadband Plan Intervention area, have now been connected to high speed broadband.
Under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) programme, and implementation by National Broadband Ireland (NBI), managed by Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, contained a further 672 primary schools. Priority was given under the NBP in conjunction with the Department of Education and Youth to accelerate the rollout of high-speed broadband to the 672 schools across the State.
In addition, OIDE-TiE manages the Schools Broadband Service Desk on the Department’s behalf, which provides first line technical support to schools regarding their broadband connection.