Tuesday, 10 Feb 2026

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Questions (504, 505)

Shane Moynihan

Question:

504. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding streams open to scouting organisations. [10402/26]

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Shane Moynihan

Question:

505. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding supports currently available through her Department to support scout units and groups with dens; the way in which her Department is strengthening the local community presence and long-term viability of scouting organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8691/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 504 and 505 together.

The Department of Education and Youth provides funding under the Youth Services Grant Scheme to national youth organisations to help them deliver high-quality youth work across Ireland. National youth organisations funded under the Scheme include Scouting Ireland, the Irish Girl Guides, and the Catholic Guides of Ireland, who between them account for a substantial network of scouting and guiding groups and dens, led by thousands of dedicated volunteers. In their 2024 annual reports, the most recent year for which figures are currently available, these three organisations reported over 35,000 young people taking part in scouting and guiding activities:

Category	Scouting Ireland	Irish Girl Guides	Catholic Guides of Ireland	Total
Participants	26,337	6,198	2,503	35,038
Volunteers	7,648	1,321	519	9,488
Clubs	392	413	248	1,053

Details of the YSGS grant allocations to the three organisations in 2026, together with funding received under other relevant schemes can be seen in the table below:

Organisations	Youth Services Grant Scheme allocation 2026	Youth services capital fund 2025	Volunteer Activation Fund 2024-2025
Scouting Ireland	€1,549,441	€35,000	-
Irish Girl Guides	€536,437	€20,000	€150,000
Catholic Guides of Ireland	€363,353	€6,648.42	-

In addition, individual groups and clubs also avail of funding under the department's Local Youth Club Grant Scheme (LYCGS). Over 270 local clubs who were members of Scouting Ireland benefited from cumulative grants of over €660,000 under this scheme in 2024, the most recent year for which figures are currently available. Twenty-two Catholic Guides of Ireland local groups availed of LYCGS in 2024 receiving over €53,000 in total grants, while over ninety Irish Girl Guides local groups received €186,238.24 in LYCGS grants in 2024.

Question No. 505 answered with Question No. 504.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (506, 554, 611)

Micheál Carrigy

Question:

506. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of a special class that was pre-sanctioned by the National Council for Special Education in December 2025, in respect of a primary school (details supplied); to confirm whether her Department’s buildings unit has carried out, or is scheduled to carry out, a visit to assess any required building adaptations or modular accommodation; if the special class will be included in the next tranche of special class announcements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9122/26]

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Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

554. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the application by a school (details supplied) to open a second special educational needs class for the 2026-2027 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9268/26]

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Sean Fleming

Question:

611. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of an application for a special needs class (details supplied); if she will approve this class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10063/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 506, 554 and 611 together.

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 actively encourage expressions of interest from schools to open special classes, and I appreciate and commend the efforts taken by boards of management in expressing their interest.

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. The NCSE began sanctioning new special classes last month, which is several months earlier than last year. 301 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. The NCSE identify schools in the neighbouring vicinity with available special class vacancies or capacity and assess their capability with consideration to demographical and statistical data. 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.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (507)

John Paul O'Shea

Question:

507. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the capital project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9123/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

The school referred to by the Deputy will be delivered under my Departments Adapt 4 programme - Programme Innovate.

A joint major building project for Gaelscoil an Chaisleáin and Le Chéile Secondary School will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post primary school and accommodation, including 6 classrooms for pupils with special educational needs, and a new 8 classroom primary school and accommodation, including 2 classrooms for pupils with special educational needs on the Ballincollig site.

Programme Innovate will be delivered 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.

This project is currently at Stage 1 - architectural planning, where the Integrated Project Team carry out a site and current building assessment and initial design sketch schemes are created. My Department has received the Stage 1 report and the State 1 meeting took place in late January 2026 between my Department, the Integrated Project Team and school authorities. The meeting concluded with a request for the Design Team to submit a Stage 1 Addendum report addressing issues raised by the Department at the meeting. This Addendum will be considered when received by my Department.

It is not possible to provide a timeframe for the progression of this project until such time as the necessary statutory approvals have been secured.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (508)

Conor Sheehan

Question:

508. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if an application was received through Parents Notify before the 1 October 2025 deadline for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9124/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

Enabling students with special educational needs to receive an education that meets their needs is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

The vast majority of students with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where students with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided. This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which advocates that students will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.

The NCSE is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.

As your query refers to an individual placement, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

Deputies are also welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas email address

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.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (509, 555)

Conor Sheehan

Question:

509. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the Parents Notify portal will be reopened in advance of the 2026/2027 school year for parents who may have missed the 1 October 2025 deadline, are therefore unable to get a letter of eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9125/26]

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Darren O'Rourke

Question:

555. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when parents who were unable to notify the NCSE of their child’s recommendation for a special class before the 1 October deadline will receive a letter of eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9269/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 509 and 555 together.

I propose to take PQs 509 and 555 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.

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.

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 process and consequently report a significant level of engagement and contact from families before 1 October.

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.

Bus Éireann

Questions (510)

Mark Ward

Question:

510. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to allow people contracted by Bus Éireann to drive buses for children with additional needs to continue to do so after they reach 70 years-of-age; her views on the current policy; the engagement her Department has had with Bus Éireann on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9127/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

The School Transport Scheme is a substantial national operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.

The retirement age for school bus drivers has been set by Bus Éireann at 70 years of age, which also applies to all Bus Éireann road passenger services.

The policy and criteria also apply to drivers nominated by private operators who operate services as part of the School Transport Scheme, provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70.

Under the new Programme for Government, a commitment has been made to "Carry out an independent assessment on the feasibility of removing the exclusion of drivers aged over 70 from the School Transport Scheme".

There is ongoing engagement between the Department and Bus Éireann to advance this commitment as quickly as possible.

Bus Services

Questions (511)

Joe Neville

Question:

511. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department, alongside the Department of Transport, could ensure that capacity issues are addressed ahead of the next academic year to ensure there are enough bus providers for schools to ensure students that meet criteria get a bus place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9128/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. It is made up of the Mainstream scheme at Primary and Post Primary level, as well as the scheme for pupils with Special Educational Needs. It is operated by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.

The scheme has expanded significantly over the past six years. In that time, the numbers of children and young people using the service have grown from under 120,000 pupils in 2018 to over 181,000 pupils by the end of 2025, which equates to an increase of circa 50%.

Under the current terms of the mainstream scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2km from and are attending their nearest primary school, and reside not less than 4.8km from and are attending their nearest post primary centre, as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.

All eligible pupils have a service where one is available. Pupils who do not meet the eligibility criteria are considered concessionary pupils. Where concessionary pupils have applied and paid and time and there is a service available they will be accommodated. In the current school year there are approximately 100,000 eligible pupils and 50,000 concessionary pupils on mainstream services.

The Bus Éireann Family Portal will begin accepting applications for the 2026/27 school year in the coming weeks.

Following the closing date for payment or entering medical card details, the portal will close. This will give Bus Éireann time to assess all applications and plan for routes and services for the 2026/27 school year. Routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.

The scheme is a demand led scheme based on the number of eligible children who apply. It is operated using a mix of Bus Éireann owned vehicles and directly recruited drivers, and private contractors who recruit their own drivers to operate on the scheme.

As part of the operation of the scheme, Bus Éireann manages the procurement tender process and contract management arrangements to include services provided by private contractors under the School Transport Scheme.

Over 90% of school bus services are provided by private contractors; each contractor recruits school vehicle drivers directly.

As part of a national focus on driver requirements, the Department facilitated a working group between the Department of Education and Youth, Department of Transport, Bus Éireann, and Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) to increase the availability of drivers within both the school transport scheme and other public transport areas nationally, through existing and potential training schemes.

As a result of work undertaken by the working group, a taskforce was established which is chaired by the Department of Transport. The aim of the taskforce is to work collaboratively to identify contributing factors to the recruitment issues and put forward recommendations and measures to create a pipeline of workers to address these issues.

This taskforce is currently examining all challenges and opportunities to ensure a fully resourced transport workforce, such as drivers, mechanics, and craftworkers. All factors impacting issues such as recruitment, training and retention will be considered as a part of the taskforce’s work programme.

Bus Éireann has actively sought to recruit more contractors and drivers for the School Transport Scheme. A national and local media campaign was launched in 2025 to attract professional drivers. Further information can be found at: www.buseireann.ie/contractors.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (512)

John Paul O'Shea

Question:

512. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the capital project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9129/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my Department's pipeline for a project under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project will provide seven general classrooms, five special education tuition (SET) rooms, two art rooms and two project stores, one music room, one multimedia room, one textiles room and a two class special educational needs (SEN) base. The project was devolved to Cork Education and Training Board (ETB) for delivery.

This project is currently at Stage 1 (Preliminary Design). The original design team lead, appointed in September 2022, withdrew in May 2025. A new tender process was undertaken to appoint a replacement, and a new lead was appointed in September 2025. These changes have contributed to delays in preparing the revised Stage 1 report.

Cork ETB has advised that the revised Stage 1 report is now in development and is expected to be submitted to the Department in Quarter 2, 2026. Once submitted the report will be reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. 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 under the National Development Plan for the overall program.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (513)

John Paul O'Shea

Question:

513. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the capital project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9130/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

The school referred to by the Deputy, was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme for a project providing a four-classroom special educational needs (SEN) base, one Multimedia room, one construction studies room, one music room and alterations to existing rooms. This project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.

This project was granted approval to Stage 2b Planning in November 2024. Planning permission was granted by Cork County Council in October 2025. As part of the approval to Stage 2b, the design team were requested to submit an up-to-date cost plan which was recently submitted in November 2025. The updated cost plan is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. 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. A full Stage 2b detailed design report will also be required to be submitted outlining the full conditions of planning and statutory requirements.

As the Deputy will be aware, I have recently published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. This NDP Sectoral Plan involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. In this regard there will be a strong special education dimension to project rollout.

Of the total €7.55 billion investment it is envisaged that circa. €5 billion will be used for project rollout to support the delivery and modernisation of school buildings across the Large Scale, Additional Accommodation, Modular, and Annual September Accommodation Needs programmes. Over the course of 2026 and 2027 there will be construction work at circa. 10% of the school estate. These projects will, when completed, provide circa 57,000 additional and modernised school places with a strong SEN focus in all projects.

My department will continue to build on the progress made over recent years with the continued rollout of projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities. In this regard, I have also published a list of the 105 school building projects in the first tranche to proceed to construction or tender over 2026 and 2027.

The first tranche of 105 school building projects includes 80 large scale and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects. These projects were prioritised with a strong focus on maximising existing capacity and prioritising project rollout to meet the most urgent needs particularly to support special education needs provision.

Firstly, to facilitate the 45 projects that are currently already at tender stage (Stage 3) so that they can progress to construction as smoothly as possible over the course of 2026 and 2027. Secondly, to facilitate 35 projects that currently have planning permission and are at pre-tender stage (Stage 2b) and have been prioritised to meet urgent requirements from a special needs perspective or to provide additional capacity to cater for demographics or to address very significant condition issues at the schools.

I recognise that there are schools with important building projects that are not included in the first tranche of prioritised projects.

As part of planning ahead for the next tranche of projects to progress to tender, the department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects through the design pipeline having regard to the continual need to maximise existing capacity and determine the prioritised needs going forward. This process will involve engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools and will ultimately inform the next tranches of programme rollout to tender. The department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities.

Based on this ongoing prioritisation process some projects may be added to the list over the course of 2026 and 2027 having regard to their prioritisation and urgency of need and taking account also of the ongoing ability to progress them to tender and construction within the parameters of overall funding. Where appropriate, the department will also assess opportunities to undertake advance enabling works for the most urgent and complex projects to facilitate a smooth progression to construction in 2028 and beyond.

Any interim accommodation requirements will continue to be assessed and considered by the department on a case-by-case basis to determine the prioritised needs and approach for addressing same.

The accommodation needs at this school will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with the school’s patron and school authorities.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (514)

John Paul O'Shea

Question:

514. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the capital project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9131/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

The school referred to by the Deputy, was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme for a project providing a two classroom Special Education Needs (SEN) base. The project is devolved to the school authority for delivery.

A Stage 1/2a report was received by the Department in April 2024. Following a detailed review, the Department issued comments and observations requiring modifications to the proposed design. A revised Stage 1/2a report was subsequently submitted in November 2025 and is now under review. This report will be assessed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, are subject to the required due diligence specified in the Department's Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.