Written Answers Nos. 567-569
567. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 571, 583 and 592 of 12 May 2026, to please give a clear and detailed timeline for the opening of the special school in Balbriggan. [37912/26]
View answerThe 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.
Four new special schools were recently announced by Ministers Naughton and Moynihan to be established in Balbriggan, CityWest, Bray and Monasterevin. Dedicated working groups including the Department, the NCSE and relevant patron body continue to meet to support the establishment of the new special schools. It is expected that details in relation to the admissions process and number of places will be confirmed shortly. The NCSE will continue to advise parents at local level on developments.
The NCSE remains available to provide advice and support to all families seeking specialist placement.
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.
568. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school transport route is being considered for students attending a school from surrounding areas (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37928/26]
View answerThe 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 School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and 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.
With regard to ethos, the Department of Education and Youth classifies schools as being one of the following - of religious denomination, interdenominational or multi-denominational.
At Post Primary level, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest post primary school/education centre subject to limited exceptions. The scheme has regard to ethos and language in that exceptions to eligibility for the scheme are considered in the case of minority religions and the Irish language.
The scheme at Post Primary level provides transport for children of minority religion for whom there is less choice of school given the dispersed nature of these schools and also facilitates the viability of those minority religion schools.
Bus Éireann has advised that pupils residing in the Tallaght, Saggart and Citywest areas are not eligible for transport to the school referred to as there are closer Post Primary Schools in the area.
Bus Éireann has also advised that there are currently no school transport services operating to this school.
In cases where families have applied to attend their nearest schools with regard to ethos and language, and have been advised by the school authorities that these schools are full, the Department will consider if the pupil is eligible to the next nearest school.
While the closest school(s) may be full to capacity at present, each family must supply the documents mentioned below, to School Transport Section of the Department of Education and Youth.
• an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the school(s), and
• a letter from each of the school authorities confirming that the school was full.
Contact details for school transport section can be found at:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/school-transport/#school-transport-customer-contact-form
569. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of an issue (details supplied) impeding teachers using digital resources in the classroom; if her Department has plans to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37941/26]
View answerIt is the responsibility of each individual school to select the digital resources, if any, that it will use to support its implementation of the curriculum. The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 does not mandate or prescribe the use of any particular devices or technologies in teaching and learning, rather it advocates for the deeper embedding of digital technologies in teaching and learning to develop digital literacy and competence, critical thinking and collaborative practice. It is not merely focused on using digital devices as an alternative to physical textbooks or resources.
Schools are required to comply with data protection and child wellbeing obligations, and to set out their approach to digital technology use in relevant policies, including the Acceptable Use Policy, in consultation with parents and pupils, as appropriate.
In relation to the specific query raised, issues around age appropriate content/advertisements on the platform, came to light late last year which risked inappropriate age specific material been displayed on the platform. The department took the immediate decision to apply strict content filtering to that platform in order to limit the risk of any such exposure. This has resulted in some difficulties for schools in accessing content on the platform. However, access is available to some of the listed content through alternative platforms or websites such as the Irish Film institute for example with Oide and Oide-tie having a range of educational content also available free of charge.
As the deputy is aware online safety and the safe and ethical use of digital technologies is a key component of the Digital Strategy and for my department. Under the strategy, Webwise, the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre, promotes the autonomous, effective and safe use of the internet through a sustained information and awareness strategy targeting school leaders, teachers, parents and children themselves. Webwise develops and disseminates resources that help teachers integrate digital citizenship and online safety into teaching and learning in their schools.
Webwise provides free information, advice and resources for schools, families and young people on online safety and digital citizenship. Webwiseis funded by the Department of Education and Youth and co-funded through the European Commission and is part of the Irish Safer Internet Centre. The Irish Safer Internet Centre is a partnership of four leading organisationsWebwise,Hotline.ie,ISPCCandNational Parents Council- with a mission to make the internet a better place for children and young people under the coordination of the Department of Justice.
