Written Answers Nos. 633-641
633. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the staffing schedule at primary schools to ensure greater fairness and equity, especially for smaller schools, as no changes have been made to the existing staffing schedule in the primary school staffing allocations for the 2026-2027 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30954/26]
View answerPriority was given in recent Budgets to reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools which has brought the teacher allocation ratio to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the most favourable ratio ever seen at primary level. Teacher allocations for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools have also been improved and now stand at an average of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively. The Programme for Government commits to make further progress in this area.
In 2015, teachers were allocated to primary schools at a general average of 28 pupils for every one teacher. In the same 10 year period, average class sizes in primary schools have improved from 24.9 to 22.2 and the pupil : teacher ratio shows the ratio of pupils to teachers improve from 16:1 to 12.8:1.
In addition to the reductions in the teacher allocation ratio, a three-point reduction in the retention schedule, which was introduced in 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts.
In the case of small schools, the schedule provides particularly favourable retention thresholds. For example, a small school may retain it's second mainstream teaching post with as few as 11 pupils, it's third post at 45 pupils, and it's fourth post at 75 pupils.
634. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 430 of 24 June 2025, the way in which the person can access their retirement pension entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30955/26]
View answerIn response to the Deputy, I can confirm that where a teacher has left service and has not subsequently returned to any public service employment, having completed a minimum of two years’ qualifying service is entitled to preserved pension on the service accrued, this is payable on reaching the preserved pension age.
The preserved pension age is 60 years in the case of a person whose public service employment commenced prior to 1 April 2004, and 65 years in the case of a person who is a new entrant and 66 for members of the single pension scheme.
In the case referred to by the Deputy, the individual concerned is a member of two public service pension schemes. This arose due to a break in pensionable public service of more than six months, which resulted in the individual becoming a member of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme on re-entry to service.
He is classed as a new entrant on the legacy pension scheme, in which he is eligible to apply for payment of preserved pension benefits on reaching age 65, and as a member of the single scheme he is eligible to apply for payment of preserved pension benefits on reaching age 66.
I can further confirm that the teacher concerned also has pensionable service with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (ETB). This service may either be claimed separately from the relevant ETB when the appropriate pension age is reached, or, subject to the applicable scheme rules, may be transferred to the Department’s legacy pension scheme and aggregated with the teacher’s other pensionable service.
A Cost Neutral Early Retirement (CNER) may be an option however the member has to be currently in service and a member of a public service pension scheme and applied through their current employer.
A teacher who has left service is required to apply for payment of preserved benefits. Such an application should be made at least three months in advance of reaching the preserved pension age. Application forms and further guidance are available on the Department’s website. [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education]
635. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide detail on the application for a modular classroom to accommodate a mainstream class at a school in County Clare (details supplied) for the start of the 2026/2027 school year; the way in which she proposes to support and advance this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30957/26]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that an application under the department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme was received from the school in question.
The NDP Implementation Plan for the Education and Youth sector 2016-2030 involving €7.5 billion along with the first tranche of projects to progress to tender and/or construction during 2026 and 2027 was published in January 2026. This NDP Implementation Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
The accommodation needs at the school referred to by the Deputy will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with the school’s patron and school authorities. Any interim requirements will be considered by the department in the normal manner (e.g. Emergency Works Scheme).
This allows the department to keep a strong focus on the provision of additional capacity to cater for demographics, new housing developments and the rollout of additional special classes for children with additional needs. This approach reflects the department’s fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of a school place for every child.
636. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the emergency works application submitted by a school (details supplied) will be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30979/26]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for life safety system works.
The application in question is currently being reviewed by the technical area within the EWS. Once a technical recommendation has been received back from the technical team, the EWS team will engage further with the school as appropriate. The EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of the works required and will keep the school informed throughout the process.
637. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the phase two redevelopment of a school (details supplied); when will it be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30980/26]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my departments pipeline of school building projects under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to provide ten mainstream classrooms (prefab replacement), three Special Education Tuition (SET) rooms, two Special Education Needs (SEN) classrooms and ancillary works.
I can confirm that the Department approved this project to proceed to Stage 2b in October 2024, and the post-planning report is currently awaited. More recently, the Department was informed that planning permission has been secured, and we have since reverted to confirm that the relevant conditions must be complied with. Once the Stage 2b is received, it will be assessed from both a technical and cost perspective. All projects, including this one, are subject to the full due-diligence requirements set out in my Department’s Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
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. 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, my 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.
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.
638. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which a person (details supplied) with relevant expertise can express their interest in joining the AI in Schools External Advisory Taskforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30981/26]
View answerThe establishment of an AI in Schools External Advisory Taskforce was announced on 7 April. The AI in Schools External Advisory Taskforce will support the Department in developing a coherent national approach to the safe, responsible and effective use of AI across the school system. The aim of the AI in Schools External Advisory Taskforce is to provide a structured mechanism for engagement with key education stakeholders, along with the provision of additional expert input which will support the development of evidence-informed advice and practical outputs to inform Departmental policy, guidance and supports on the safe, responsible and effective use of AI in schools, while having regard to relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
The initial membership of this group has been determined with invitations issued to the relevant stakeholders. A list of the membership of the Taskforce will be available online in due course. It is intended that this taskforce will hold its first meeting on 14 May 2026.
It is intended that relevant external subject-matter experts, where appropriate, will be invited to contribute to the discussions of the Taskforce on specific issues. For consideration for this, the Taskforce Secretariat should be contacted directly at aitaskforce@education.gov.ie.
Given the high level of interest in the Taskforce, it will not be possible to facilitate all expressions of interest. To this end, involvement will be aligned with the specific requirements of the Taskforce’s work programme. Every effort will be made to ensure that individuals with the most relevant expertise and experience are afforded an opportunity to contribute to the Taskforce’s deliberations. There will also be an opportunity at a later stage to make written submissions to the Taskforce around specific topics and to inform the work of the Working Groups. Further correspondence will issue in relation to this at a later date.
639. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether a person (details supplied) will be considered to join the AI in Schools External Advisory Taskforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30982/26]
View answerExpressions of interest received will be reviewed by the AI in Schools External Advisory Taskforce Secretariat, having regard to the specific requirements of the Taskforce’s work programme.
The establishment of an AI in Schools External Advisory Taskforce was announced on 7 April. The AI in Schools External Advisory Taskforce will support the Department in developing a coherent national approach to the safe, responsible and effective use of AI across the school system. The aim of the AI in Schools External Advisory Taskforce is to provide a structured mechanism for engagement with key education stakeholders, along with the provision of additional expert input which will support the development of evidence-informed advice and practical outputs to inform Departmental policy, guidance and supports on the safe, responsible and effective use of AI in schools, while having regard to relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
The initial membership of this group has been determined with invitations issued to the relevant stakeholders. A list of the membership of the Taskforce will be available online in due course. It is intended that this taskforce will hold its first meeting on 14 May 2026.
It is intended that relevant external subject-matter experts, where appropriate, will be invited to contribute to the discussions of the Taskforce on specific issues. For consideration for this, the Taskforce Secretariat should be contacted directly at aitaskforce@education.gov.ie.
Given the high level of interest in the Taskforce, it will not be possible to facilitate all expressions of interest. To this end, involvement will be aligned with the specific requirements of the Taskforce’s work programme. Every effort will be made to ensure that individuals with the most relevant expertise and experience are afforded an opportunity to contribute to the Taskforce’s deliberations. There will also be an opportunity at a later stage to make written submissions to the Taskforce around specific topics and to inform the work of the Working Groups. Further correspondence will issue in relation to this at a later date.
640. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider increasing the ANA allocations for school (details supplied), and addressing the shortage of supports for both mainstream classes and autism units in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30991/26]
View answerEnabling 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, 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 achieve their full potential.
641. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a full breakdown of legal costs and court settlements in cases involving families seeking appropriate school places for children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31278/26]
View answerI wish to reassure the Deputy that my department never initiates legal action in relation to special school placements. My department’s aim is that no parent ever has the need to take a case against the State, and where this happens, we continue to work with parents to ensure that solutions are found as quickly as possible. The facts demonstrate that most cases are resolved or withdrawn, outside the legal process and that children are supported.
When a legal case is initiated, the State is legally required to respond, and we apply the Attorney General’s guidance to find solutions as early as possible.
I remain mindful of the impact that cases like these can have on everyone involved and are committed to progressing these matter’s respectfully and in line with guidance from the office of the Attorney General.
My department reiterates its unwavering commitment to working with parents, schools, the NCSE and all stakeholders to continue to improve access to appropriate special education places and supports.
My department may be advised to compromise proceedings, in order to minimise the cost to the exchequer and safeguard the Department's policy and resource parameters (based on Counsel/AGO advices). This may include the payment of total Legal Costs (or a contribution to same) and/or an ex-gratia (Court Settlement) contribution sum to the applicant/plaintiff.
These figures requested in respect of all litigation matters, from 2024 to date, are as follows (rounded):
|
2026 (to date) |
€165,000 |
|
2025 |
€251,000 |
|
2024 |
€660,000 |
