Written Answers Nos. 290-303
290. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider the urgent allocation of additional management capacity to a school (details supplied), specifically the appointment of a second administrative Deputy Principal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48563/26]
View answerI am aware of the particular challenges being experienced by the school referenced by the Deputy. My officials met with representatives of this school earlier this school year, as part of initial scoping work in the area of leadership supports. The issues raised are being considered in the context of ongoing policy development. The allocation of staffing resources to schools is determined by the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and is primarily based on pupil enrolments as of 30 September of the preceding year. These arrangements operate in a clear and transparent manner and ensure that all schools of a similar type are treated equitably. The staffing arrangements for the 2026/27 school year are set out in Circular 0025/2026.
Circular 0027/2025 further sets out the allocation of posts of responsibility to schools, which are based on the number of authorised teaching posts in the school. The appointment of Administrative Principals and Deputy Principals is determined on an enrolment basis, with the relevant thresholds outlined in Appendix B of Circular 0025/2026.
As part of Budget 2026 measures, the enrolment threshold required for the appointment of an Administrative Deputy Principal has been reduced from 573 to 550 pupils for the 2026/27 school year, thereby enhancing leadership capacity in larger schools. However, there is currently no provision within the staffing arrangements for the allocation of a second administrative Deputy Principal post to any school.
Furthermore, recognising the vital role played by school leaders, my Department has commenced a review of school leadership and system governance to examine how best to support school leaders in responding to increasing organisational and operational demands. This work will inform a longer-term strategy for the school sector under the Our Schools, Our Future framework.
In addition, my Department is currently piloting an Action Research Project on Administrative Executives, in line with commitments in the Programme for Government to reduce the administrative burden on principals and boards of management. This project, which commenced in November last year, is trialling the placement of a new administrative post in six schools, three primary and three post-primary, for a period of three years.
The aim of the project is to reduce the administrative workload of school principals, allowing them to focus more on teaching and learning. Dublin City University (DCU) has been commissioned to carry out an independent evaluation of the trial. This evaluation will assess the impact and feasibility of the role, including its effect on school leadership teams, and will help inform future decisions regarding the provision of additional administrative supports.
291. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48569/26]
View answerAs previously advised, the school referred to by the Deputy has been approved for inclusion in the Department’s pipeline of school building projects under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme. A design team has been appointed to progress the project through the relevant stages, including design, statutory approvals, procurement, and construction.
A Stage 2b report was submitted to the Department in March 2026. Given the scale and complexity of the project, this submission is subject to a detailed review from both a technical and cost perspective, in accordance with the Department’s Infrastructure Guidelines.
The review process is ongoing and, as outlined previously, progression to the next stage is dependent on the outcome of this assessment and the project’s alignment with the prioritisation framework under the National Development Plan.
292. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which a school (details supplied) should proceed to seek funding for essential electrical works. [48573/26]
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, my 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.
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 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/.
293. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to grant island status to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48574/26]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy is accessible by bridge from the mainland.
In the current school year this school has an enrolment of 48 pupils and has 3 classroom teachers (including the Teaching Principal). The number of classroom teachers is not due to change for the 2026/27 school year.
There is no plan to change the designation of schools on an island that is accessible by a bridge/road from the mainland.
There is no plan to change the designation of schools on an island connected by a road to the mainland
294. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of complaints made by her Department to social media or online marketing companies about specific online posts or accounts for each year from 2020 to 2025, and to date in 2026. [48610/26]
View answerThe Department of Education and Youth has made no complaints to social media or online marketing companies about specific online posts or accounts for each year from 2020 to 2025, and to date in 2026.
295. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will intervene to assist in securing a school place for a child (details supplied) for the 2026-2027 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48628/26]
View answerParents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available for the relevant year, the student should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some students not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
In accordance with the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, schools are required to clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. It is an important feature of the act that schools can only make a decision on an application for admission that is based on the school’s admission policy.
Under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, the parent of the student, or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, may appeal a decision of this school to refuse admission. An appeal may be made under Section 29 (1)(c)(i) of the Education Act 1998 where the refusal to admit was due to the school being oversubscribed.
At this time, where parents have not secured a school place for the 26/27 school year, TESS advise the parents to make applications to both local schools and schools outside of their locality. If the parents have not secured a school place by August 2026, the parents may contact the local regional office directly and they can assist the parents in securing a school place for their child. The contact details for the Kildare area are 01 5252166 or by email tess.dml@tusla.ie .
296. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of the long-promised new school building (details supplied); the reason for the prolonged delay given that negotiations and planning for a new school have been ongoing for over a decade; the expected timeline for progression to tender, construction and completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48632/26]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers, has been devolved for delivery to Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB).
This project is currently at Stage 2B of the architectural design process. This stage allows for detailed design and planning, obtaining necessary statutory permissions and preparation of tender documents. A Stage 2B report been submitted to my department from LOETB. The report is undergoing a detailed technical and cost review in line with the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, are subject to the due diligence requirements of the Public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program. Once the review is complete, the outcome will be communicated to LOETB as the delivery body for this project who will continue to engage directly with the school authorities to keep them fully informed.
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.
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.
The current status of all projects continues to be 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.
297. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the progress of a new school building (details supplied); the up-to-date timeline; the provision her Department is making to ensure that the project is completed on schedule given the urgent need for the school building to be fully operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48641/26]
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.
298. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of primary schools in Dublin that submitted staffing appeals in each of the past seven school years; the outcome of those appeals in each year, by school area, in tabular form; whether her Department has identified any recurring factors contributing to staffing appeals by schools in Dublin; how this compares nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48642/26]
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 include a staffing appeals process, where schools may appeal their staffing allocation to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Schools may appeal under certain criteria-exceptional accommodation difficulties, enrolments in the previous October, enrolments after 30 September to satisfy projected enrolment requirements, small schools, and alleviating pressure on infant class sizes. It is a matter for the Board of Management of a school to assess their school's situation and apply under the most appropriate criteria.
299. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total amount spent by her Department, including expenditure on legal fees, counsel fees, solicitor costs and any related costs, in defending court proceedings taken by parents or guardians arising from a child not being offered a school place at a recognised primary or post-primary school, excluding cases primarily concerning special educational needs or additional educational supports, in each of the past five years and to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48650/26]
View answerFor the period from 23/6/2021 to date, there have been no costs incurred by the department with regard to legal fees, solicitors’ costs and any related costs in defending court proceeding taken by parents or guardians arising from a child not being offered a school place at a recognised primary or post-primary school, excluding cases primarily concerning special educational needs or additional educational supports. In 2022, the department defended two judicial review cases brought by parents as referenced in the deputy’s question, where the courts ruled in its favour and the department did not incur costs or fees.
300. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of an additional accommodation project application by a school (details supplied); when they can proceed to the next phase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48704/26]
View answerAs previously advised, the Stage 2a (Developed Design) addendum report, together with the subsequent response from the school authority, remains under review by my Department from both a technical and cost perspective, in line with the requirements of the Department’s Infrastructure Guidelines.
The review process is ongoing and, as outlined previously, progression to the next stage is dependent on the outcome of this assessment and the project’s alignment with the prioritisation framework under the National Development Plan.
301. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update for school placement for child (details supplied); if she will engage constructively with the parents of the child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48711/26]
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, 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.
I have also met with the family on this matter and also continue to engage with the NCSE to ensure the family are being supported.
302. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if any funding streams currently exists within his Department for the maintenance or energy efficiency upgrade of public swimming pools by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48417/26]
View answerWhile the provision of public swimming pools is ultimately a matter for the relevant local authorities, capital support for new swimming pools, and the refurbishment of existing pools, is provided by my Department through the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) which has allocated €44.65 million, from a cumulative investment of €297 million across 68 projects under two rounds, 2018 and 2024, to 12 swimming pool and aquatic infrastructure projects. Applications under LSSIF must be made by either a local authority or a National Governing Body of sport. It is a matter for those organisations to prioritise their capital development requirements. No decisions have yet been made regarding the next round of LSSIF.
Smaller infrastructure works of benefit to public swimming pools are supported via funding from the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF). Almost €4.3 million was allocated to 165 swimming projects in the last 10 years under the CSFF. The Department is currently collating feedback from sporting clubs and organisations, and this provides valuable input to our ongoing preparations for the next round. New guidelines will be published in advance of the opening of the next round which will include eligibility and likely assessment criteria for the next round. My aim is to encourage a broad range of applicants and to assist in this regard by simplifying the application process and guide and carrying out a wide-reaching communications and engagement campaign. I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026 which I expect to open soon.
303. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the new system portal for the upcoming Community Sports Facilities Fund round will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48418/26]
View answerI have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026 which I expect to open soon. All clubs and organisations registered with the Department's grant management system will be automatically notified when the next round of the CSFF is opened.
The grant management system is currently temporarily closed for registrations in order to facilitate migration to a new IT system. Organisations that are currently registered will automatically transfer to the new portal. The new system portal will be launched and open to new registrations in the coming weeks. Further details on this will be published and communicated broadly.
