Written Answers Nos. 524-543
524. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason approval was not granted for a modular build extension to accommodate special needs students on the waiting list for a school (details supplied) who have not been allocated a school place; and if she will expedite a positive response. [38703/26]
View answerMy department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places.
At present I can confirm that this school currently has one special education class open.
I also confirm that my department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) Scheme from the school in question.
As the Deputy will be aware, my department published the NDP (National Development Plan) Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sector in January last. 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.
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.
I note that the school in question situation is a very complex one and its accommodation needs including the provision of any additional special education needs will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with the school’s patron and school authorities.
525. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans regarding the potential acquisition of care centre building (details supplied) to support the future development and expansion of a school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38704/26]
View answerSince 2020, my department has invested over €6.9 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 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.
Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding has delivered real benefits for school communities.
The NDP Implementation Plan for the Education and Youth sector 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.
In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, my department has been in engaging with the school and have advised them to make an Additional School Accommodation (ASA) application and this is currently awaited.
526. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the distance limits for school transport will be reduced as stated in the school transport strategic review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38715/26]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth that 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 including over 24,000 pupils with Special Educational Needs in 2025 which equates to an increase of over 50%. Since 2018, investment in the scheme has more than doubled, from €200 million to €537 million.
The School Transport 2030 report was published in early 2024. The recommended changes to the schemes include expansion of the current eligibility criteria, addressing current operational challenges and moving towards better integration with public transport to ensure the best value for money to the Exchequer.
It was outlined at the time the Review was published that the proposed changes to the eligibility criteria would further increase demand for the scheme. Therefore, it was considered prudent to implement the changes on a phased basis.
As part of this phased rollout, 14 School Transport pilots commenced in the 2024/25 school year. A further 11 pilots were approved for the 2025/26 school year. For these pilots, the distance criteria for pupils are reduced to 2km for primary and post primary and the need for a pupil to be attending their nearest school is removed.
Due to ongoing challenges in the wider transport sector, including availability of drivers and vehicles, any expansion of services must be carefully planned and phased. While pilot projects are considered in select areas to test revised eligibility criteria, these pilots are limited in scope and capacity.
All pilots are being monitored, and a further evaluation will take place at the end of the current school year. Findings from these evaluations will guide the planning and implementation needed for a national rollout of a revised School Transport Scheme subject to the availability of resources.
Implementation of the recommendations of the review will continue to be planned subject to resources being available to meet the expected increased demand.
527. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the date a special school (details supplied) will open; if it will be open in September 2026; and the way in which wastewater will be connected on the site. [38722/26]
View answerThis 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.
It is my department’s intention that the school building referred to by the Deputy will be operational for the 2026/27 school year.
The design team are currently engaging directly with the planning department in the local authority to provide further requested information on the retention of planning permission and a formal response is due to issue shortly.
The project manager and their design team are also engaging with Irish Water and arrangements are in train to provide further requested information.
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.
528. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the teacher allocation for 2026-2027 for a school (details supplied) will be reviewed given concerns amongst parents regarding a split class proposal given there is already a split class in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38728/26]
View answerThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally.
The staffing arrangements for the 2026/27 school year are set out in Circular 0025/2026. That circular contains information and application forms on the staffing appeals process, where schools may appeal their staffing allocation to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. The Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant contextual factors into account (e.g. classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment etc.).
529. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to review a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38747/26]
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 with regard to policy and best practices as laid out by my department.
Departmental policy is that special education provision should be made in State funded recognised schools (free-scheme schools) in the first instance. It is only where there is insufficient capacity in free scheme schools that the NCSE will engage with fee charging schools in order to provide special classes. It is however recognised that in certain school planning areas, the NCSE may need to consider engaging with fee-charging schools in relation to the provision of special classes for the 2026/27 school year and beyond.
There are approximately 50 fee-charging post-primary schools nationwide. Of these, one school has two special classes. These were sanctioned for opening as it was considered that there was insufficient provision in free scheme schools to meet the special educational needs of students in the local area.
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 in January of this year, which is several months earlier than last year.
In addition, I recently announced inclusive special classes as part of a new approach to supporting students with additional needs. This is one of many ways my department is actively engaging to meet the increased demand.
546 new special classes have been sanctioned to date, including 47 inclusive special classes. 355 are being established in primary schools and 191 in post-primary schools. New special classes are being established in every county with 128 new special classes confirmed for Dublin so far. Further new special classes expect to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Details of the new special classes 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 achieve their full potential.
530. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of an finished building project at a school (details supplied); and when it is like to be sanctioned for completion. [38760/26]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers is currently at Stage 2b - Advanced Architectural Planning. The project is a completion project, which includes a Sports Hall that was to be completed as part of the original phased project.
The Design Team have prepared a Stage 2b submission which is under review within my Department.
The 105 projects prioritised to proceed to tender and/or construction across 2026 and 2027 represent a first tranche of large scale, extension and modular projects. However, further tranches will be prioritised to proceed at a later stage over what is a five year NDP plan with a total investment of €7.55 billion.
The projects selected for the initial tranche were already at Stage 3 (tender stage) and the most urgent projects at Stage 2b (detailed design) that had planning permission. Projects that were not already at this stage of readiness were not eligible for consideration for the initial tranche. The Stage 2b projects selected to progress were identified as meeting the most urgent requirements from a special education, demographics or building condition perspective.
As part of planning ahead for the next tranche of projects to progress to tender, a department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027. This will include engagement with key stakeholders, including meetings with patrons in June. 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. A next tranche of projects to proceed to tender is expected to be announced in Q4 2026/Q1 2027.
Engagement with individual schools will also continue and will include consideration of issues such as any interim accommodation requirements and, in some cases, advancing enabling works to facilitate smooth progress to construction at a later stage.
It is important to note that the 105 projects on the initial NDP priority list represent a subset of the overall school building programme. In total, there are 260-300 projects under construction at any one time. Over the course of 2026, some 1,000 school projects of varying scales will be under construction. In addition to large scale, extension and modular projects, this includes climate action projects, summer works and repurposing of rooms for special education classes.
Since 2020, the Department of Education has provided €1906.47 million in capital funding for Dublin schools. Over this period, a total of 261 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. 20 school projects to go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027 were included in the NDP Implementation Plan. There are currently 54 school projects in Dublin under construction.
This summer, 53 schools?are approved to?undergo works as part of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.
In addition, since 2020 a total of 515 special classes have been sanctioned in Dublin, of which 114 were sanctioned for September 2026.
531. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the second autism class planned for a school (details supplied) will be opened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38780/26]
View answerThis 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. The NCSE began sanctioning new special classes in January of this year, which is several months earlier than last year.
In addition, I recently announced inclusive special classes as part of a new approach to supporting students with additional needs. This is one of many ways my department is actively engaging to meet the increased demand.
546 new special classes have been sanctioned to date, including 47 inclusive special classes. More new special classes will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Details of the new special classes are available on the NCSE website.
The department and the NCSE continue to make a range of supports available for schools opening special classes which include the provision of teacher and special needs assistant (SNA) resources, enhanced capitation grants, assistive technology grants, the school transport scheme, dedicated training and guidance and resource documents. The earlier a school agrees to establish a new special class the more time that is available to access training, complete any refurbishment works, recruit new staff and complete admissions processes.
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.
532. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the development of a new school site to accommodate a school (details supplied) when the new schools will be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38783/26]
View answerThe schools referred to by the Deputy will be delivered under my Departments Adapt 4 programme - Programme Innovate.
This joint major building project for Le Chéile Secondary School and Gaelscoil an Chaisleáin 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 the initial stage of architectural planning – Stage 1 - where the Integrated Project Team carry out a site and current building assessment and initial design sketch schemes are created. My department received the Stage 1 report in December 2025, and the State 1 stakeholder meeting took place in late January 2026 with department officials, the Integrated Project Team and both school authorities in attendance.
The IPT were requested to submit a Stage 1 Addendum report to respond to department queries, and this was received in the department mid-April 2026 for review. On completion of the review, the IPT and school stakeholders will be advised regarding project progression.
It is not possible to provide a timeframe for the progression of this project to construction stage until such time as the necessary statutory approvals have been secured.
A total capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth has been confirmed for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP 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 needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
As part of the NDP Implementation Plan for the education and youth sector, a first tranche of projects to progress to tender and/or construction during 2026 and 2027 was published in January 2026. Prioritisation will continue to identify further tranches of projects to proceed to tender and construction over the NDP period, with stakeholder onsultation to commence in June 2026.
Our 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.
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.
533. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth if capital funding will be provided to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38784/26]
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.
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 in January of this year, which is several months earlier than last year.
In addition, I recently announced inclusive special classes as part of a new approach to supporting students with additional needs. This is one of many ways my department is actively engaging to meet the increased demand.
To date 546 new special classes have been sanctioned, including 47 inclusive special classes. Of these 355 are being established in primary schools and 191 in post-primary schools. New special classes are being established in every county with 63 new special classes confirmed for Cork so far. Further new special classes are expected to 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.
Where an additional special class or classes are to be established at a school and the school does not have accommodation for that class(es) it is open to the school to apply for capital funding under my department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme.?
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.
534. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth the necessary funding can be made available in respect of a school in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38787/26]
View answerThe 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, the Department 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.
The 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 climate action summer works scheme 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:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/summer-works-scheme/.
535. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a school (details supplied) will receive final confirmation regarding the operation and allocation of places for the 2026 summer programme; the reason for the delays in issuing confirmation to the school and families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38802/26]
View answerDetails of the 2026 Summer Programme were communicated to all schools on the 6th May 2026. All schools have been offered the opportunity to run a school-based programme for children with the most complex special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.
As communicated to all schools, it is intended that schools will be engaged with on an individual basis in the week commencing the 25th May. During that period, schools will receive a follow-up email confirming the number of pupils approved to participate in this year’s programme, along with their school’s assigned staffing allocation. This approach ensures that each school receives clear, tailored information to assist with effective planning. As post primary schools are approaching the end of term, these schools will be prioritised and engaged with in the first instance.
In the case of the school referred to by the Deputy, Department officials have confirmed that they have applied to run the school-based Programme. and they will be contacted in due course.
536. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth The mechanisms in place in her Department to ensure delivery on the commitments in the programme for Government; the civil servant specifically responsible for overseeing such delivery; the measures that are used to assess progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38810/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future contains over 90 commitments relating to my department to be delivered over the course of this Government's term of office.
Responsibility for delivering on individual commitments is shared across my department's senior management and the Central Policy Unit within the department has responsibility for coordinating updates on progress towards delivery.
537. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the proportion of primary schools that are currently running a deficit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38824/26]
View answerThe Government is committed to increasing funding to support schools and the Programme for Government commits to increasing capitation funding to schools of all types to ensure that schools can meet the elevated day-to-day running costs.
This builds on the progress made in recent years. The Department has secured €39 million in Budget 2026 towards increased capitation funding for primary, post-primary and special schools to provide additional financial support towards their running costs. This will see an increase in the standard capitation rates paid to schools of €50 per pupil for primary schools from €224 to €274 and of €20 per student for post-primary schools from €386 to €406.
This will also allow for an increase of €20 in capitation rates for Urban Band One DEIS primary schools, increasing the mainstream pupil rate in these schools to €294. The increased capitation rates will also see special schools now receive the same rates of capitation, for young people aged 12 and over, as for their peers in mainstream post-primary schools. This funding will benefit schools around the country in managing their day-to-day running costs.
The increases announced in Budget 2026 are in addition to the 12% increases as part of Budget 2025. The last three Budgets have resulted in an increase in the level of capitation grant rates of 49.7% (€91) paid to primary schools and 28.5% (€90) paid to post-primary schools.
The Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day-to-day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep, and the ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities, except for the employment of relevant secretaries as per Circular 0036/2022.
The current standard rate of capitation grant is €224 per pupil in primary schools and €386 per student in post-primary schools. Primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils are paid the capitation and the ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils. Enhanced rates are also paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils.
OGP frameworks are available to schools for a number of categories including facilities management, managed services, professional services, and utilities. Schools should ensure that they are availing of these available OGP procurement frameworks in order to get the best value for money for all school expenditure. The benefits arising from these frameworks include cash savings, administrative savings from reduced duplication of tendering, greater purchasing expertise, improved consistency, enhanced service levels and legal certainty. Schools Procurement Unit (SPU), funded by the Department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on procurement matters- www.spu.ie
While not wishing to pre-empt the outcomes of any future Budget negotiations or fiscal parameters agreed by Government, the Department of Education and Youth will continue to seek additional funding in order to assist schools to meet ongoing running costs.
The Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU), funded by the department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on financial matters.
Schools in financial difficulty are encouraged to contact my department for advice and support. The department is committed to offering all available and appropriate supports to schools, which may include an advance in capitation grant funding or other measures.
In the 2025/2026 academic year to date there have been 47 schools referred to the FSSU by the Department of which 45 are primary.
538. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools that require parent contributions to meet day-to-day running costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38825/26]
View answerThe Government is committed to increasing funding to support schools and the Programme for Government commits to increasing capitation funding to schools of all types to ensure that schools can meet the elevated day-to-day running costs.
This builds on the progress made in recent years. The Department has secured €39 million in Budget 2026 towards increased capitation funding for primary, post-primary and special schools to provide additional financial support towards their running costs. This will see an increase in the standard capitation rates paid to schools of €50 per pupil for primary schools from €224 to €274 and of €20 per student for post-primary schools from €386 to €406.
This will also allow for an increase of €20 in capitation rates for Urban Band One DEIS primary schools, increasing the mainstream pupil rate in these schools to €294. The increased capitation rates will also see special schools now receive the same rates of capitation, for young people aged 12 and over, as for their peers in mainstream post-primary schools. This funding will benefit schools around the country in managing their day-to-day running costs.
The increases announced in Budget 2026 are in addition to the 12% increases as part of Budget 2025. The last three Budgets have resulted in an increase in the level of capitation grant rates of 49.7% (€91) paid to primary schools and 28.5% (€90) paid to post-primary schools.
The Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day-to-day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep, and the ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities, except for the employment of relevant secretaries as per Circular 0036/2022.
The current standard rate of capitation grant is €224 per pupil in primary schools and €386 per student in post-primary schools. Primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils are paid the capitation and the ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils. Enhanced rates are also paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils.
OGP frameworks are available to schools for a number of categories including facilities management, managed services, professional services, and utilities. Schools should ensure that they are availing of these available OGP procurement frameworks in order to get the best value for money for all school expenditure. The benefits arising from these frameworks include cash savings, administrative savings from reduced duplication of tendering, greater purchasing expertise, improved consistency, enhanced service levels and legal certainty. Schools Procurement Unit (SPU), funded by the Department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on procurement matters- www.spu.ie
Voluntary contributions can be requested by schools; however, it must be made absolutely clear to parents that there is no requirement to pay, and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own choice, and there is no compulsion to pay.
No charge may be made, in respect of instruction in any subject of the school curriculum or for recreation or other activities where all pupils are expected to take part. However, certain charges may be legitimately requested such as payments in respect of extra-curricular activities, provided such activities are not obligatory and individual pupils can choose whether or not to participate. The charge must reflect the true cost involved.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 is an important piece of legislation which has introduced a more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school admissions policy operates for the almost 4,000 primary and post-primary schools. Section 64 of the act prohibits the charging of fees or seeking payment or contributions for an application for admission to or for continued enrolment in a school.
While not wishing to pre-empt the outcomes of any future Budget negotiations or fiscal parameters agreed by Government, the Department of Education and Youth will continue to seek additional funding in order to assist schools to meet ongoing running costs.
The Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU), funded by the department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on financial matters.
Schools in financial difficulty are encouraged to contact my department for advice and support. The department is committed to offering all available and appropriate supports to schools, which may include an advance in capitation grant funding or other measures.
539. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the extent of running deficits in primary schools compared to voluntary secondary schools that is, this specific branch of secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38826/26]
View answerThe Government is committed to increasing funding to support schools and the Programme for Government commits to increasing capitation funding to schools of all types to ensure that schools can meet the elevated day-to-day running costs.
This commitment builds on the progress made in recent years. The Department of Education and Youth has secured €39 million in Budget 2026 towards increased capitation funding for primary, post-primary and special schools to provide additional financial support towards their running costs. This will see an increase in the standard capitation rates paid to schools of €50 per pupil for primary schools from €224 to €274 and of €20 per student for post-primary schools from €386 to €406.
This will also allow for an increase of €20 in capitation rates for Urban Band One DEIS primary schools, increasing the mainstream pupil rate in these schools to €294. The increased capitation rates will also see special schools now receive the same rates of mainstream capitation, for young people aged 12 and over, as for their peers in mainstream post-primary schools. These increases will take effect from September 2026. This funding will benefit schools around the country in managing their day-to-day running costs.
The increases announced in Budget 2026 are in addition to the 12% increases as part of Budget 2025. The last three budgets have resulted in an increase in the level of capitation grant rates of 49.7% (€91) paid to primary schools and 28.5% (€90) paid to post-primary schools.
The department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day-to-day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep, and the ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities, except for the employment of relevant secretaries as per Circular 0036/2022.
The current standard rate of capitation grant is €224 per pupil in primary schools and €386 per student in post-primary schools. Primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils are paid the capitation and the ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils. Enhanced rates are also paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils.
OGP frameworks are available to schools for a number of categories including facilities management, managed services, professional services, and utilities. Schools are encouraged to avail of the available OGP procurement frameworks in order to get the best value for money for all school expenditure, in accordance with Circular 0060/2013. The benefits arising from these frameworks include cash savings, administrative savings from reduced duplication of tendering, greater purchasing expertise, improved consistency, enhanced service levels and legal certainty. Schools Procurement Unit (SPU), funded by the department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on procurement matters- www.spu.ie
While not wishing to pre-empt the outcomes of any future Budget negotiations or fiscal parameters agreed by Government, the Department of Education and Youth will continue to seek additional funding in order to assist schools to meet ongoing running costs.
The Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU), funded by the department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on financial matters.
Schools in financial difficulty are encouraged to contact my department for advice and support. The department is committed to offering all available and appropriate supports to schools, which may include an advance in capitation grant funding or other measures.
In the 2025/2026 school year, to date, there have been 47 schools referred to the FSSU by the department, of which 45 are primary and 2 are post-primary.
540. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide confirmation that the summer programme will be going ahead this year at a school (details supplied); the number of places the school can offer for the summer programme; if there is an outcome of the school's SNA review conducted earlier this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38851/26]
View answerDetails of the 2026 Summer Programme were communicated to all schools on the 6th May 2026. All schools have been offered the opportunity to run a school-based programme for children with the most complex special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.
As communicated to all schools, it is intended that schools will be engaged with on an individual basis in the week commencing the 25th May. During that period, schools will receive a follow-up email confirming the number of pupils approved to participate in this year’s programme, along with their school’s assigned staffing allocation. This approach ensures that each school receives clear, tailored information to assist with effective planning. As post primary schools are approaching the end of term, these schools will be prioritised and engaged with in the first instance.
In the case of the school referred to by the Deputy, Department officials have confirmed that they have applied to run the school-based Programme and they will be contacted in due course.
In relation to the outcome of the school's SNA review, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision and care support for children and young people with special educational needs in our schools, including the allocation of special needs assistant (SNA) support to schools. The NCSE will communicate with the school the outcome of the review when the process is complete.
541. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if tenders have been returned for the new school building project (details supplied); if the project will commence construction in Q3 of 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38860/26]
View answerThe large scale capital project for the school referred to by the Deputy is for the provision of a new 600 pupil school building including all associated ancillary accommodation, with the inclusion of additional classrooms for children with Special Educational Needs configured within the existing layout.
The invitation to tender issued in late Q4 2025. Tenders have recently been returned and are been evaluated in accordance with procurement guidelines. It is envisaged construction could commence in late Quarter 3 of 2026.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6.9 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 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 investment has delivered real benefits for school communities.
A total capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth has been confirmed for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP 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 needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
As part of the NDP Implementation Plan for the education and youth sector, a first tranche of projects to progress to tender and/or construction during 2026 and 2027 was published in January 2026. Gaelcholáiste Reachrann was included in this tranche. Prioritisation will continue to identify further tranches of projects to proceed to tender and construction over the NDP period, with stakeholder consultation to commence in June 2026.
Our 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.
I would like to advise the Deputy, over this period, my Department has provided €1,906.47 million in capital funding for Dublin schools. A total of 261 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. 20 school projects were included in the NDP Implementation Plan to go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027 including Gaelcholáiste Reachrann.
There are currently 54 school projects in Dublin under construction. This summer, 53 schools?are approved to?undergo works as part of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.
In addition, since 2020 a total of 529 special classes have been sanctioned in Dublin, of which 128 were sanctioned for September 2026.
542. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the outcomes of the Special Needs Assistant, SNA, reviews conducted earlier this year will be communicated to schools; the reason for the continued delay despite schools being advised that decisions would issue before Easter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38859/26]
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 promotes 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. The NCSE are responsible for the process and will communicate outcomes directly to schools.
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.
543. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total expenditure on English language supports for non-Irish national pupils in primary and post-primary schools in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38971/26]
View answerThere is no single fixed figure for the number of EAL (English as an Additional Language) supports in Irish schools.
The Department has adapted to the dynamic landscape of student enrolment and has prioritised enhancing English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, recognising the critical role of language.
EAL provision in Ireland is not just delivered through a separate stand-alone EAL teacher workforce. Instead, EAL support can be provided through the Special Education Teaching (SET) allocation model, which includes an EAL component and allows schools to deploy teachers flexibly based on pupils’ needs. As a result, many teachers provide EAL support alongside other learning-support or special education duties, rather than being counted solely as “EAL teachers”. All schools are advised in the first instance to review whether the needs of newly enrolled pupils can be met from within existing allocations.
The Department's policies enable flexible resource allocation to ensure that the resources follow pupils in the event of them changing schools. These supports to schools, based on an application process, are provided for new-entrant pupils (i.e., pupils arrived in the country in the last 2 years with an EAL requirement). EAL supports are also provided for schools with a high concentration of pupils that are not classified as new-entrant pupils but who have an EAL need i.e., those pupils with less than 3 years EAL support and register less than B1 in an English proficiency test. In addition, further additional temporary EAL support is also provided through the Staffing Appeals Boards at both primary and post-primary level. There are close to 1,500 specific EAL teachers allocated to our schools in the current year in respect of EAL provision.
The Department’s Inspectorate report available on the Department website “Meeting Additional Language Needs: Whole-school and Classroom Approaches for Inclusive Language Learning” outlines the best practice approaches in the teaching and learning of EAL involving mainstream teachers. The report underscores the importance of English language provision for educational equity and wellbeing and applauds schools for promoting diversity and belonging. The Department will use its recommendations to enhance learning experiences across all schools.
