Thursday, 26 Feb 2026

Schools Building Projects

Questions (342, 345)

Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Question:

342. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of all school building projects in Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15937/26]

View answer

Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Question:

345. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason many schools in Carlow awaiting school buildings were not included on the priority list or supplementary priority list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15940/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 345 together.

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. This list includes 3 projects in County Carlow. Additionally, 5 schools are approved to undergo works as part of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme this summer.

These projects are in addition to €50.73 million in capital funding for County Carlow schools since 2020. Over that period, a total of 24 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. In addition, since 2020 a total of 32 special classes have opened in County Carlow, 5 of which are sanctioned for September 2026.

There are also currently 5 school projects in County Carlow under construction.

The criteria for identifying the first tranche of 105 prioritised projects to go to construction / tender in 2026 and 2027 included the condition of the school, projects in areas with capacity pressures, growing demographics and projects in the pipeline for a long time.

The 105 prioritised projects consist of 80 large-scale and ASA (additional school accommodation) projects along with 25 projects to be delivered under the Modular Accommodation Programme.

The 80 large-scale and ASA projects are estimated to cost just under €1.6bn.

Of the 80 projects,

• 45 projects that are already at tender stage (Stage 3)

• 35 projects that have planning permission and are at pre-tender stage (Stage 2b).

Regarding the 45 projects that are currently already at tender stage (Stage 3), these projects are being progressed on a rolling basis to ensure that the Department of Education continues to operate within NDP funding parameters. These projects include 19 new school buildings of which the majority are either special schools or primary/post-primary schools that are currently operating from interim accommodation and have an urgent need for permanent accommodation.

Regarding the 35 projects that currently have planning permission and are at pre-tender stage (Stage 2b), these 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. These projects include new school buildings for 12 schools – of which the majority of these schools are either special schools or primary/post-primary schools that currently are operating from interim accommodation and have an urgent need for permanent accommodation. It is envisaged that these projects will be progressed to tender over the course of 2026 and 2027 and within the context of NDP funding parameters.

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 including those in County Carlow. 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 current status of all projects 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.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (343, 346)

Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Question:

343. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of all school building projects in Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15938/26]

View answer

Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Question:

346. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason many schools in Kilkenny awaiting school buildings were not included on the priority list or supplementary priority list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15941/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 and 346 together.

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. This list includes 3 projects in County Kilkenny. Additionally, 5 schools are approved to undergo works as part of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme this summer.

These projects are in addition to €207.97 million in capital funding for County Kilkenny schools since 2020. Over that period, a total of 43 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. In addition, since 2020 a total of 45 special classes have opened in Kilkenny, 8 of which are sanctioned for September 2026.

There are also currently 5 school projects in County Kilkenny under construction.

The criteria for identifying the first tranche of 105 prioritised projects to go to construction / tender in 2026 and 2027 included the condition of the school, projects in areas with capacity pressures, growing demographics and projects in the pipeline for a long time.

The 105 prioritised projects consist of 80 large-scale and ASA (additional school accommodation) projects along with 25 projects to be delivered under the Modular Accommodation Programme.

The 80 large-scale and ASA projects are estimated to cost just under €1.6bn.

Of the 80 projects,

• 45 projects that are already at tender stage (Stage 3)

• 35 projects that have planning permission and are at pre-tender stage (Stage 2b).

Regarding the 45 projects that are currently already at tender stage (Stage 3), these projects are being progressed on a rolling basis to ensure that the Department of Education continues to operate within NDP funding parameters. These projects include 19 new school buildings of which the majority are either special schools or primary/post-primary schools that are currently operating from interim accommodation and have an urgent need for permanent accommodation.

Regarding the 35 projects that currently have planning permission and are at pre-tender stage (Stage 2b), these 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. These projects include new school buildings for 12 schools – of which the majority of these schools are either special schools or primary/post-primary schools that currently are operating from interim accommodation and have an urgent need for permanent accommodation. It is envisaged that these projects will be progressed to tender over the course of 2026 and 2027 and within the context of NDP funding parameters.

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 including those in County Kilkenny. 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 current status of all projects 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.

School Staff

Questions (344)

Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Question:

344. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline efforts underway within her Department to increase the supply of primary and secondary school teachers; the specific breakdown of the number who were employed nationally, by county for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15939/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

This Government is committed to ensuring that every child has a positive school experience, with access to qualified and engaged teachers who are dedicated to supporting their learning.

There are more qualified teachers than ever working in schools with over 97% of allocated teaching posts filled according to an analysis of the teacher payroll in March 2025. This analysis found that there were over 79,000 teachers employed nationwide in our schools with over 43,000 at primary level including special schools and 36,000 in post-primary schools.

Over 98% of allocated teaching posts in primary and post-primary schools were filled in November 2025. Teacher attrition remains low, with fewer than 3% resigning or retiring annually, one of the lowest rates in the OECD.

As with other sectors of the economy, recruitment challenges exist. To address these, several targeted measures have been implemented that have led to:

• an over 30% increase in the number of teachers registered with the Teaching Council between 2017 and 2025, and

• an increase in allocated teaching posts of 11,752 between 2018/19 and 2024/25.

During the period 2020-2024, the number of teachers employed has increased across all counties, and at a greater rate than increases in student enrolment. Figure 1 below provides the number of teachers employed in each of these years.

Figure 1 Number who were employed nationally, by county for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

County	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Carlow	887	886	916	925	942
Cavan	951	963	1004	1026	1047
Clare	1476	1507	1562	1652	1662
Cork	7289	7476	7722	7922	8025
Donegal	2021	2056	2134	2212	2238
Dublin	15893	16050	16486	16581	16889
Galway	3617	3677	3773	3859	3887
Kerry	1919	1965	2009	2097	2134
Kildare	2897	2931	3008	3025	3074
Kilkenny	1153	1162	1187	1217	1224
Laois	1166	1182	1235	1242	1278
Leitrim	370	379	394	399	423
Limerick	2515	2607	2707	2731	2795
Longford	626	640	673	704	703
Louth	1866	1931	2026	2096	2153
Mayo	1797	1817	1881	1968	1980
Meath	2298	2319	2424	2466	2540
Monaghan	764	772	794	798	818
Offaly	1042	1050	1113	1139	1182
Roscommon	839	847	896	923	948
Sligo	856	865	886	911	934
Tipperary	2132	2181	2258	2305	2334
Waterford	1579	1622	1678	1731	1768
Westmeath	1322	1356	1407	1434	1461
Wexford	2052	2089	2172	2238	2287
Wicklow	1710	1760	1816	1865	1911

Additionally, the number of unfilled allocated teaching posts has improved in the period 2024-2025. Figures 2, 3, and 4 below provide the percentage of unfilled allocated teaching posts by county, and ETB. Overall, in November 2024, 97.9% of allocated teaching posts were filled, while in November 2025, 98.3% of allocated teaching posts were filled. This improvement is a reflection of a number of factors, including measures implemented by this Government to address teacher supply challenges.

Figure 2 Percentage of Unused Allocations by County (Primary)

County	Nov-24	Nov-25
Carlow	1.54	2.51
Cavan	2.84	1.55
Clare	1.65	2.10
Cork	3.38	2.62
Donegal	2.18	1.60
Dublin	5.08	3.21
Galway	2.27	2.15
Kerry	1.19	1.15
Kildare	4.24	3.72
Kilkenny	3.46	1.80
Laois	2.17	2.34
Leitrim	0.18	0.92
Limerick	1.58	0.99
Longford	2.33	2.67
Louth	2.02	1.15
Mayo	2.07	1.54
Meath	3.05	2.74
Monaghan	3.00	3.84
Offaly	1.65	2.13
Roscommon	1.14	2.10
Sligo	2.39	2.76
Tipperary	1.51	2.13
Waterford	1.70	2.13
Westmeath	3.25	2.64
Wexford	2.36	1.73
Wicklow	3.03	3.28

Figure 3 Percentage of Unused Allocations by County (Post Primary)

County	Nov-24	Nov-25
Carlow	0.58	0.00
Cavan	2.06	1.94
Clare	1.37	1.79
Cork	1.70	1.40
Donegal	4.04	3.33
Dublin	2.21	1.87
Galway	1.59	1.35
Kerry	2.59	1.86
Kildare	1.84	1.19
Kilkenny	0.78	0.38
Laois	0.53	1.12
Leitrim	0.58	0.23
Limerick	0.00	0.69
Longford	1.30	1.54
Louth	1.26	1.55
Mayo	1.45	1.96
Meath	1.96	2.08
Monaghan	0.86	1.06
Offaly	0.47	1.87
Roscommon	2.39	1.39
Sligo	0.50	1.63
Tipperary	2.05	1.11
Waterford	1.93	2.14
Westmeath	1.14	1.59
Wexford	2.04	2.04
Wicklow	2.86	2.58

Figure 4 % Unused Allocations by ETB

Post Primary	Nov-24	Nov-25
Cavan And Monaghan ETB	0.00	0.00
City Of Dublin ETB	0.00	0.00
Cork ETB	3.08	2.12
Donegal ETB	3.65	2.16
Dublin And Dun Laoghaire ETB	0.00	0.00
Galway And Roscommon ETB	2.23	0.00
Kerry ETB	4.50	1.85
Kildare And Wicklow ETB	0.00	0.00
Kilkenny And Carlow ETB	0.00	0.00
Laois And Offaly ETB	4.20	4.81
Limerick And Clare ETB	1.32	0.30
Longford And Westmeath ETB	0.00	0.00
Louth And Meath ETB	0.00	0.19
Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB	3.61	2.83
Tipperary ETB	2.39	0.00
Waterford And Wexford ETB	0.00	0.00

I am committed to further addressing teacher supply issues; my Department recently approved regulations to allow teachers who qualified overseas to undertake their induction in the State. This will help to encourage teachers abroad to return to Ireland to take up teaching roles.This measure seeks to enhance the supply of NQTs available to schools and is particularly relevant for Irish teachers who have studied and qualified abroad and who may wish to return to the Irish education sector.

It was announced in 2025 that newly appointed teachers will be able to gain permanency more quickly. Additionally, my Department has introduced a STEM bursary and expanded post-primary teacher upskilling programmes which are in addition to more flexible substitution measures, extended to the current school year.

The Teaching Transforms campaign continues to promote the teaching profession and encourages students to follow a career in teaching. A campaign coinciding with the CAO closing date in February is currently under way. A comprehensive workforce plan for the education sector, a commitment under the Programme for Government, is in development. Additionally, a new project, supported by UNESCO and the EU Commission, will create a strategic plan for managing Ireland’s teaching workforce is part of the workforce planning activity currently underway. This two-year project will involve consultations with key stakeholders to develop recommendations with a report due in 2026.

Teaching is an attractive career choice with 3,600 newly qualified teachers registered with the Teaching Council in 2025, increases in CAO first preferences for both primary (9%) and post-primary (5%) teaching programmes. Salaries are competitive, starting at €44,879 (primary) and €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 9% in primary and 5% for post-primary teaching. 85% of newly appointed primary teachers in 2024/25 are on full-time, mostly fixed-term contracts. Over 75% of new post-primary teachers are employed full-time. 93% of teachers with 5+ years’ experience hold permanent full-time or pro-rata contracts.

My Department frequently consults and engages closely with stakeholders on issues such as teacher supply through industrial relations forums, sectoral meetings, and direct discussions with teacher unions. I am considering further measures to strengthen the teaching workforce and ensure that schools have the support needed to provide an excellent education for every student.

Question No. 345 answered with Question No. 342.

Question No. 346 answered with Question No. 343.

Departmental Circulars

Questions (347)

Roderic O'Gorman

Question:

347. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department can issue a national circular stating that electric scooters are not permitted on the grounds of primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15996/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

Under the provisions of the Education Act, 1998, the board of management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school and the principal is responsible for the day-to-day management of the school.

The Board has overall responsibility for school polices and the extent to which a board will need to consider any particular school policy will depend on the circumstances of the school concerned.

Schools, like any public amenity, are required to follow road safety measures set down by the department of transport and the road safety authority when it comes to e-scooters accessing their premises. Enforcement of road safety regulations, including in the case of e-scooters, is a matter for An Garda Siochana.

Employment Rights

Questions (348, 349, 350, 351)

Marie Sherlock

Question:

348. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth the categories of teachers providing substitution cover who do not have their hours of work set out in their pay slip from her Department; her views on whether this is a breach of the terms of the Payment of Wages Act 1991. [16005/26]

View answer

Marie Sherlock

Question:

349. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth the controls that exist within the payroll section of her Department to prevent against the late or irregular payment of wages to teachers providing regular substitution cover and to prevent against the payment of the wrong pay rate. [16006/26]

View answer

Marie Sherlock

Question:

350. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason teachers who have taken carers leave and are providing regular part-time substitution cover appear to be treated discriminately relative to all other category of teachers; and if she can clarify if this is a breach of the Carer’s Leave Act 2001. [16007/26]

View answer

Marie Sherlock

Question:

351. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a person (details supplied) has been paid late and irregularly between the period November 2024 and February 2026; the reason her Department has no controls in place to identify that they were paid the incorrect rate for six months; and if they will be paid on a regular basis, at the correct rate with immediate effect. [16008/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 348, 349, 350 and 351 together.

The school is the direct employer of teachers and the Payroll Division of my Department provides the payroll service to over 3,700 schools. The Department is not aware of what teacher is employed in the schools until such time as the claims for payment are submitted by schools. This is the situation regardless of whether a person is in full-time or casual/part-time employment.

In order to ensure prompt and efficient payment, the Payroll Division relies on the schools to submit information in a timely manner. The submission of information by schools are done in a couple of ways, firstly via an Online claims system (OLCS) portal and also by submitting information directly using a customer service form. Schools are regularly reminded in a number of ways to ensure that claims for payments should be submitted in a timely manner.

A teacher who is availing of carers leave is considered to be “in service” and should the teacher work in a casual/part-time capacity whilst on carers leave, the school is required to submit the details for payment using the customer service form. Payment is prompt regardless of the method of transferring information to the Department.

A full review was undertaken by my staff of the days paid and the rate of pay for the teacher referred to and the arrears due are being paid on Thursday 26th February. The teacher is on the correct rate of pay.

My department is currently upgrading its current payroll system and this will be rolled out on a phased basis to all four payrolls over the next two and a half years. A self-service module will be provided to teachers, and this will provide teachers with improved visibility regarding the schools submitting claims for payments and payments date.

Question No. 349 answered with Question No. 348.

Question No. 350 answered with Question No. 348.

Question No. 351 answered with Question No. 348.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (352)

John Connolly

Question:

352. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the breakdown of the new special classes announced to date for the 2026 Academic Year according to the NCSE categories of special class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16061/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth

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.

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 including class type are available on the NCSE website.

My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (353)

Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Question:

353. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on upgrades to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16072/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

The purpose of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis that, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The CASWS operates on a multi-annual basis across a number of categories of works.

It is envisaged that approvals in any given year will involve a spread of categories rather than the traditional single category at a time. This is aimed at managing market capacity and maximising value for money opportunities for school authorities.

In November 2025, my colleague the former Minister of Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD, announced the first tranche of approvals under the new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme. 297 projects were approved to proceed and involve primary, post primary and special schools, along with projects in all counties and across all categories of works.

My Department can confirm an application was received from the school in question however the school was not on the list of approvals in the first tranche. Given that funding is limited in any particular year it is necessary to prioritise applications. Under the new CASWS which operates on a multi annual basis, like previous summer works schemes, applications from schools that are not reached for funding or market prioritisation reasons in 2026 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of the funding available for climate action summer works in subsequent years.

It is anticipated that the next tranche of approvals will be in the latter half of 2026.

Full details of the of the announcement and the list of schools approved in the first tranche, the Circular (0029/2025) for the scheme and guidance documents for schools can be found at the below link:

[gov.ie Summer Works Scheme]

Special Educational Needs

Questions (354)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

354. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the opening hours for a school (details supplied); to confirm that all students attending the school are doing so on a full school day basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16076/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth

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, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. I will arrange for your query to be forwarded 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.

National Council for Special Education

Questions (355)

Gillian Toole

Question:

355. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Education and Youth the consultation and co-creation involved in the production of the SNA Toolkit 2024, produced by the National Council for Special Education, for the deployment of special needs assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16102/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth

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, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. I will arrange for your query to be forwarded 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.

Question No. 356 answered with Question No. 338.