Written Answers Nos. 58-77
58. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of proposals to provide school secretaries and caretakers with pension parity and improved leave entitlements; the progress made in discussions with representative bodies; the outstanding issues preventing agreement; the timeline for implementation; what her Department are putting forward as a solution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53887/26]
View answerSchool secretaries and caretakers are at the heart of the school and are the key interface between students, parents, school leaders, and other staff. Without them, our schools would be unsustainable. In supporting these vital school staff members, we also support the school community as a whole.
My Department has been engaging with Fórsa and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation over the past number of months under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission in relation to a number of claims, including a claim for a comparable pension entitlement.
Hearings in the Labour Court took place on Friday 3rd and Tuesday 7th July 2026, following a hearing on 12th January 2026. Both parties now await the recommendation of the Labour Court.
The parties remain in process and all discussions between parties remain confidential, therefore it is not appropriate to make any further comment until such time as this process concludes.
60. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 17 June 2026, the progress made to date of her Department’s assessment of the scope of works necessary for ensuring access to a green area for schools (details supplied); the more cost-effective solutions are currently being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51362/26]
View answerThe major building project to deliver 3 schools as an educational campus in Carrigtwohill, (Carrigtwohill Community College, Scoil Mhuire Naofa Carrigtwohill, and Scoil Cliodhna Community National School), was delivered as part of my Department's Design & Build programme in Q4 2023.
As the deputy is aware, given the nature of the site a flooding specialist was procured as part of the planning process for this campus project, and a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA), Maintenance Plan and Flood Response Plan were provided. These essential flood maintenance and response measures have been included as part of the overall campus delivery.
Planning permission was granted by Cork County Council for an entrance and access way to the adjacent bunded green area/attenuation basin for use by the schools as an occasional recreational green area.
While a scope of work and the associated costs had previously been received in my department for the proposed works to provide access to the green area, on initial review, it is the department’s recommendation that a more cost-effective solution be considered and resubmitted for further consideration. This is currently underway.
Once the scope of works and cost to provide the access and entrance are received, reviewed and agreed by the department, procurement of a contractor to complete the works can be undertaken. Until this scope of works is agreed it is not possible to give a timeline for completion.
At present, my department cannot guarantee that the green area at the campus will be available to the schools for use for the start of the 2026/2027 academic year.
On completion of the works, my department intend that the lands be handed over to Cork Education & Training Board to manage and maintain.
My department continues to have positive and productive engagement with the three schools and their patrons throughout all stages of this project and will continue to support the schools on the new school campus.
61. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the work of the Taskforce on Models of Provision for Irish-Medium Education; the number of meetings held to date; the key issues under consideration; the expected outputs of the taskforce; the timeline for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53964/26]
View answerThe Policy for Irish-Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht was launched in November 2025. The establishment of the Taskforce on Models of Provision for Irish-Medium Education was a key action under the policy. It enables collaboration between my department and key stakeholders to identify and co-design approaches to increase the provision of Irish-medium education.
The taskforce has met eight times to date. Its work is due to be completed towards the end of 2026. I expect to receive recommendations from the taskforce regarding the establishment, development and sustainability of models for the provision of Irish-medium education.
The key issues being considered by the taskforce include:
• the models needed to provide Irish-medium education at primary and post-primary level, including a discussion of the need for changes to existing models if necessary
• definitions of all models of provision, including related language-based criteria
• how inclusive, high-quality Irish-medium education can be provided within each model along the continuum
• what supports schools may need to implement the models effectively
• how to effectively assess the demand for Irish-medium education
• criteria for establishing new Irish-medium education provision through the various models identified, including consideration of the need for changes to the patronage process
• procedures to support schools in the effective transition from an English-medium to an Irish-medium model
• procedures and criteria for how schools/educational settings can transition from one model to another on the continuum, in order to increase the provision of Irish-medium education, and the supports they may need to do so
• mechanisms to be put in place to facilitate expansion of provision of Irish-medium education.
A range of organisations and stakeholders, whose input will be important in reaching recommendations in this area, have nominated members to the taskforce. I am grateful to the members of the taskforce for their time and commitment in contributing to this body of work.
62. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on the loss of a teacher at a school (details supplied) due to being a single student short of the enrolment target and the subsequent amalgamation of four classes into three; to report on any proposed changes to the 30 September cutoff for enrolment figures and teacher allocation; her views on whether this rigid system is outdated now that children are more transient than in the past given the housing crisis and the transfer of Ukrainian refugees in and out of school catchment areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53955/26]
View answerTeaching allocations are determined by the enrolment of the school on the previous 30 September. This process enables the Department to have in place the necessary measures to assess the accuracy of returns and thereby strengthen the integrity of the resource allocation process and the equitable treatment of schools, whilst ensuring that publicly funded resources are properly allocated.
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, including one for schools that had additional enrolments in October. 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.).
63. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will outline the final stages for the three-school campus in Celbridge to move the project from stage 2a to stage 2b; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54122/26]
View answerThe Celbridge Campus project referred to by the Deputy encompassing St Patrick's Primary School, St Raphael’s Special School and Celbridge Community School has been devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) as part of a bundled school building programme (Project Shannon).
The project is currently at Stage 2a of the architectural design process. Stage 2a (the developed design stage) involves the Design Team developing the designs, fully cost planning the campus project and preparing the necessary documentation to facilitate the lodging for statutory approval to Kildare County Council as part of the Stage 2b process.
The Stage 2a meeting recently took place in April 2026 during which the department's professional and technical team provided technical feedback. The project design team was requested to submit an addendum report to the department for consideration addressing these comments. The addendum was received at the end of May and is currently under review from both a technical and cost perspective. Once the department is satisfied that all technical comments have been addressed, the campus project for all three schools will be considered for progression to Stage 2b, which is the detailed design stage that includes statutory approvals.
The NDFA will continue to engage directly with the respective school authorities to keep them fully informed of progress.
64. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the building project for a school (details supplied). [53967/26]
View answerAs previously advised the Stage 2b (Detailed Design) report has been submitted to the Department and is currently under review. In line with the Department's Infrastructure Guidelines, all school projects, including this one, are subject to the necessary technical and cost assessment as part of this process. Given the complexity of the evaluation and the need to ensure full cost compliance and alignment with the National Development Plan, this review is necessarily thorough.
Priority projects at earlier stages of the pipeline continue to be advanced, with particular emphasis on special schools, schools operating entirely in interim accommodation, projects providing significant special education capacity, additional accommodation to meet demographic growth, and schools with the most pressing building condition issues.
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. Once this review is complete, the outcome will be communicated to the school authority.
65. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status the application by a school (details supplied) under the additional accommodation scheme; the stage the project is currently at; when permission will be given to move to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54073/26]
View answerPhase 1 of the reconfiguration works St Patrick’s College Gardiner’s Hill was completed in May 2025 and this resulted in new accommodation for the school including a new Technology/Graphics room, modern toilet block, disabled access toilet, a deputy principal's office and improved access to the permanent building of the school.
My department has had a number of discussions previously with the school authorities in relation to the proposed phase 2 element of the project and is currently exploring a number of options. This review is ongoing and the department has clarified this to the school recently. The department will be in further contact with the school authorities/patron directly on this matter when this review is completed.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €7 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,500 school building projects along with circa 4,300 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.
66. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the 4.8km eligibility criterion for school transport, as it fails to reflect the reality of modern rural life where many parents are commuting to work early each morning and cannot provide school transport; and the steps she will take to ensure students who live just inside the distance threshold are not unfairly excluded from a service that supports working families and contributes to climate objectives by reducing car journeys. [54159/26]
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 an evaluation of the 2025/2026 school year will be undertaken. The findings from the evaluation will guide the planning and implementation needed for a national rollout of a revised School Transport Scheme.
Implementation of the recommendations of the review will continue to be planned subject to resources being available to meet the expected increased demand.
67. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the breakdown of the €4 million youth capital allocation for youth services as part of the National Development Plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54156/26]
View answerThe Department of Education and Youth is committed to supporting the delivery of high-quality youth work and non-formal developmental opportunities to young people.
In this regard, there has been a significant increase in dedicated capital funding for the youth sector which will be aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP) framework. Youth capital funding of €4.0 million will be available annually to support the youth sector from 2026 to 2030. This annual capital allocation represents a significant increase of €3.5 million on the 2025 allocation and an enhancement on the annual youth capital allocations of recent years.
Work is currently underway within the department to finalise the details of the 2026 youth capital funding scheme. The €4.0 million funding available in 2026 will be utilised to support the purchase of essential equipment, upgrades to youth facilities and digital infrastructure for youth organisations and youth services.
When the 2026 youth capital funding scheme has been finalised and approved in the coming weeks, applicant organisations will be notified of the specific details of the capital scheme for 2026 including the capital funding breakdown and requirements in relation to expenditure of approved capital funding. Clear guidance documentation on the operation of the scheme and application documentation will also be provided.
In parallel with the finalisation of the 2026 youth capital funding scheme, 2026 will serve as an important scoping and preparation year for the wider youth capital programme under the NDP to 2030, including building relationships with key external stakeholders.
Youth participation will also be a key element of this planning process. Engagement with the youth sector more broadly will ensure that investment is targeted at areas of greatest need.
68. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Oideachais agus Óige cén dul chun cinn atá á dhéanamh ag a Roinn maidir leis an bhfoirgneamh nua a thógáil ag scoil (sonraí thíos); cén teagmháil a bhí aici le húdaráis na scoile i mbliana maidir leis an tionscadal seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [54032/26]
View answerTá freagracht as seachadadh an tionscadail foirgníochta scoile ag Coláiste Ghobnatan curtha ar Bhord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Chorcaí (CETB).
Le sainchúram an tionscadail, foráiltear do Rollú Réamh-Mheasta Fadtéarmach de 300 dalta iar-bhunscoile.
Tá an tionscadal ag Céim 2b den phróiseas dearaidh ailtireachta faoi láthair. Áirítear sa chéim seo dearadh agus pleanáil mhionsonraithe, na ceadanna reachtúla riachtanacha a fháil, agus cáipéisí tairisceana a ullmhú. Tá cead pleanála faighte. Chuir CETB tuarascáil maidir le Céim 2b faoi bhráid na Roinne i mí Eanáir 2026; agus déanfar athbhreithniú mionsonraithe teicniúil agus costais uirthi i gcomhréir leis an gCód Caiteachais Phoiblí.
Chuaigh oifigigh Roinne i dteagmháil leis an scoil go luath i mí an Mheithimh, lena chur in iúl di go bhfuil a tionscadal fós faoi athbhreithniú i gcomhthéacs pharaiméadair an PFN agus thosaíocht fhoriomlán na hinfheistíochta caipitiúla. Agus é ina chomhlacht seachadta cineachta, leanfaidh CETB de bheith i dteagmháil go díreach le húdarás na scoile chun iad a choinneáil ar an eolas go hiomlán faoin dul chun cinn atá á dhéanamh.
Tá sé léirithe arís agus arís eile ag mo Roinn maidir le clár tógála na scoileanna a chur i gcrích, agus breis agus €7 billiún infheistithe ann ó 2020 i leith. Mar thoradh air sin, tá thart ar 1,400 tionscadal foirgníochta scoile curtha i gcrích, chomh maith le breis agus 4,000 tionscadal feabhsúcháin ar scála níos lú. Tá breis agus €818.82 milliún de mhaoiniú caipitil infheistithe i scoileanna i gContae Chorcaí ó 2020 i leith. Le linn na tréimhse sin, rinneadh uasghrádú ar 171 scoil i gContae Chorcaí san iomlán, trí fhoirgneamh scoile nua a sholáthar, trí shíneadh mórscála a dhéanamh nó trí chóiríocht mhodúlach a sholáthar. Tá 17 dtionscadal scoile á dtógáil i gContae Chorcaí faoi láthair chomh maith.
Deimhníodh leithdháileadh caipitil iomlán de €7.55 billiún don Roinn Oideachais agus Óige don tréimhse 2026-2030 faoin bPlean Forbartha Náisiúnta. Mar chuid de leithdháileadh an PFN seo leagfaidh mo Roinn béim láidir ar sholáthar do leanaí a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta oideachais acu, agus díreofar go háirithe ar fhreastal ar an ngá bliantúil le háiteanna scoile. Maidir le tionscadail ar mhórscála agus tionscadail Scéime Cóiríochta Scoile Breise a chur i bhfeidhm, is é an cur chuige a bheidh ann ná leanúint d’acmhainn an eastáit scoile reatha a uasmhéadú a oiread agus is féidir ar an gcéad dul síos agus an acmhainn bhreise riachtanach a sholáthar trí thionscadail spriocdhírithe agus tosaíochta a chur i bhfeidhm thar an tréimhse 2026 go 2030 chun freastal ar na riachtanais is práinní agus in ord tosaíochta.
Mar chuid den phróiseas tosaíochta atá á stiúradh ag an Roinn do na blianta 2026 agus 2027, cuireadh tús leis an gcomhairliúchán le pátrúin scoile an mhí seo. Tá sé beartaithe sraith eile de thionscadail tosaíochta a fhoilsiú in 2027, bunaithe ar anailís na Roinne, ar rannpháirtíocht le pátrúin agus le scoileanna, ar pharaiméadair mhaoinithe, agus—i gcásanna ábhartha—ar fhardal fuinnimh agus reachta de chuid na Roinne maidir le stoc na scoileanna, atá le cur i gcrích faoi dheireadh na bliana.
Tá cur chuige níos straitéisí agus níos mó bunaithe ar shonraí á chur i bhfeidhm ag an Roinn freisin maidir le measúnú agus tosaíocht a thabhairt do thionscadail. Áirítear leis seo forbairt na Tuarascála ar Phróifíl na Scoile, foirmiú creat soiléir chun tosaíocht a chinneadh, agus úsáid a bhaint as sonraí déimeagrafacha agus sonraí maidir le hacmhainn, fuinneamh agus riocht chun cinntí a threorú. Cinnteoidh na hathchóirithe sin go rachaidh tionscadail ar aghaidh ar bhealach trédhearcach, comhsheasmhach agus fianaisebhunaithe.
Tá stádas reatha gach tionscadail fós leagtha amach faoi mhír uimhir a deich ag an nasc seo a leanas: www.gov.ie. Déantar é seo a nuashonrú ar bhonn rialta chun dul chun cinn an tionscadail a léiriú trí na céimeanna éagsúla de mheastóireacht chaipitil, fáil láithreáin, dearadh, tairiscint agus tógáil.
69. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on an application for additional school accommodation by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52953/26]
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 application relates to the provision of additional accommodation for a Special education classroom and a Special education tuition room.
My officials have been in touch with the school authorities in relation to the option of progressing a modular project to replace the current rental which is in use by the school and is too small in size to accommodate a special education class. I can confirm that my officials are actively engaging with the patron of the school to assess options for both the immediate and longer-term requirements and this will be worked through as soon as possible. My officials remain available to provide any support and assistance required in relation to this matter.
The deputy may be aware that my department has established a Modular Framework of suppliers with new design guidance which provides high-quality school accommodation and increased sustainability to improve the energy performance of school accommodation, resulting in improved comfort, lower energy bills and reduced carbon emissions. Framework suppliers use factory-controlled precision through digitalisation and strict quality control processes to create consistent quality construction. This new modular framework with new design guidance requires the building system to have a design life of 60 years. The factory precision of MMC contributes to the ability of this form of construction to deliver consistently robust buildings which are easy to manage and maintain, providing high-quality learning spaces for the students of today and the future.
I can assure the Deputy that my officials will continue to engage with the school authorities to progress accommodation at the school in question under my department’s Modular Framework.
70. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the progress in undertaking a rebuild of three schools in Dublin 7 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54203/26]
View answerThe joint major building project for the schools referred to by the Deputy is currently at Stage 2(a) of Architectural Planning - Developed Design - which is a crucial element of the architectural planning process as it is at this stage that the design is developed to a stage where it can be fully cost planned and prepared to lodge for statutory approvals.
The Addendum Stage 2a report is under review by department officials and upon completion of that review a date for the Stage 2a stakeholders meeting will be scheduled.
As part of the Stage 2a process and Addendum report review decant solutions must be considered.
Department officials visited the schools on Friday 27th March 2026 and discussed potential options for a decant solution with the school authorities.
Further discussions were held on 18th June during a meeting with department officials, the school authorities and design team lead.
Department officials will continue to engage and update the school authorities of progress on the decant solution.
Since 2020, the Department of Education has provided €1.988 billion in capital funding for Dublin schools.
Over this period, a total of 273 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 43 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 541 special classes have been sanctioned in Dublin, of which 140 were sanctioned for September 2026.
71. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding any research carried out by her Department into the demand for new Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52704/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland’s Future, includes a commitment to establish Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí where there is demand and support parents choosing Irish-medium education for their children.
By way of general information, the Policy for Irish-Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht was launched in November 2025. The policy sets out my department's vision that high-quality Irish-medium education will be available to all, in inclusive and multicultural educational settings.
The Taskforce on Models of Provision for Irish-Medium Education, which was established under the Policy for Irish-Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht, is providing a platform for collaboration between my department and key stakeholders to identify a pathway to increase the provision of Irish-medium education. A range of organisations and stakeholders whose input will be important in agreeing recommendations in this area have nominated members to the taskforce. I look forward to the outcome of this taskforce to help strengthen and expand the provision of Irish-medium education.
My department’s Primary School Survey ran from 4 November to 16 December 2025. The survey, which is the largest of its kind ever undertaken in Ireland, was school specific and aimed to assess parental demand and preferences for different types of primary school provision.
Parental preferences from the primary school survey have now been published and this provides a comprehensive evidence base to underpin decision-making on the level of demand for Irish medium provision. Primary schools have been given an opportunity to reflect on the outcome of the survey and indicate to the Department by 31 October if, following local consultations, they are interested in change - including in relation to moving to Irish medium provision. This can provide a cost-effective mechanism for increasing Irish medium provision.
The findings of the primary school survey, particularly parents’ expressed preferences for Irish-medium education, will play a significant role in shaping any future decisions in this area with regards to both primary and post-primary provision.
72. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the plans that will be advanced for a new school on a site offered free of charge to the State, within the town boundaries of Milford (details supplied). [53318/26]
View answerMy department received an application for large scale capital funding from the school referred to by the Deputy. My department has corresponded extensively with the school following this application and has met the Patron and other school representatives. I also took the opportunity to visit this school when I was in Donegal recently.
While my department is aware of the offer of a site for a new school that it is indicated is free of charge, it is important to acknowledge that such a scenario would require very significant capital investment by my department to build a new school building on it.
My department’s general approach is to support schools at their existing location as best as possible which may involve modernisation of existing facilities and provision of additional capacity where necessary. In this regard, my department provided additional capacity at the school through a significant modular accommodation project that was completed in November 2024. In terms of managing remaining capacity pressures at the school, the department understands that circa. 20% of the school’s current enrolment consists of pupils for whom it is not their nearest school. My department has therefore asked the patron to review enrolment patterns in the area including the sustainability of a significant cohort of the school's current enrolment coming from areas served by other schools with existing capacity.
My department’s NDP rollout places a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and the prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. All applications from schools for major capital works, including the school referred to by the Deputy, must be considered in this context. My department will continue to liaise with the patron and school authority within this context.
73. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on planned investment into additional school buildings in Louth at primary and secondary level. [53705/26]
View answerMy department is delivering significant projects in County Louth and continues to progress further important projects.
There are currently five school projects in County Louth under construction, these include a new school building for Ardee ETNS.
A further five projects are at tender stage, including include a new school building for St. Ita’s Special School, Drogheda, St. Mary’s Special School, Drumcar and Sn Ard Mhuire C in Drogheda.
In addition to those in construction, fifteen large-scale and additional accommodation projects are progressing through the design pipeline: nine at Preliminary Design (Stage 1), four at Developed Design (Stage 2a), and two at Detailed Design (Stage 2b).
Of these school projects five have been included in a priority tranche of projects due to move to tender or construction during 2026 and 2027 under the Department's National Development Plan implementation programme.
There are also a further six projects underway through the Modular Programme and the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.
The Department is targeting 2027 for the publication of the next tranche of priority projects to proceed to tender. To be considered, projects will have to be at an appropriate stage of readiness. Prioritisation will be informed by departmental analysis, engagement with patrons and schools, available funding, and, where relevant, findings from the Department's school estate energy and condition survey, which is due to be completed by the end of this year.
Since 2020, the Department of Education has provided over €124 million in capital funding for Louth schools.
Over this period, a total of 28 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation.
The status of all projects is set out at (www.gov.ie). This is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
School Building Projects to proceed to tender/construction in 2026/2027 in Co. Louth
|
- |
Roll Number
|
School Name
|
Townland
|
School Level
|
Project Type
|
Current Stage
|
|
|
18936K
|
St. Ita's Special School
|
Drogheda
|
Special Education
|
New School Building
|
Stage 3
|
|
|
19214A
|
St. Mary's Special School
|
Drumcar
|
Special Education
|
New School Building
|
Stage 3
|
|
|
19215C
|
Sn Ard Mhuire C
|
Drogheda
|
Primary
|
New School Building
|
Stage 3
|
|
|
63891T
|
De La Salle College
|
Dundalk
|
Post Primary
|
Extension
|
Stage 3
|
|
|
63900R
|
St. Vincent's Secondary School
|
Dundalk
|
Post Primary
|
Extension
|
Stage 2b
|
School Building Projects in construction in Co. Louth
|
|
Roll Number |
School Name |
Townland |
School Level |
Project Type |
|
|
71761C
|
St. Oliver's Community College |
Drogheda |
Post Primary |
Modular Project
|
|
|
20171P
|
Ardee ETNS
|
Ardee
|
Primary
|
New School Building
|
|
|
01434O
|
SN Columcille
|
Togher
|
Primary
|
Extension
|
|
|
17965M
|
SN Bhride
|
Omeath
|
Primary
|
Extension
|
|
|
18019U
|
SN Chaoimhin Naofa
|
Philipstown
|
Primary
|
Refurbishment
|
74. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the staffing allocation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54076/26]
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 school referred to by the Deputy has a current mainstream staffing of Principal and 7 classroom teachers. There is no change to the school’s staffing for the 2026/27 school year.
The staffing arrangements include a projected enrolment process, whereby schools experiencing significant increase in enrolment may apply for additional mainstream staffing. An additional classroom teacher is allocated on a provisional basis, pending confirmation that the school reaches the required enrolment on the 30 September.
The staffing arrangements also include an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain published criteria. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board meets three times per year. The Board met in May and June and will meet again in October. Should the school wish to appeal their staffing allocation to the Appeals Board, information and application forms are available in Circular 0025/2026.
75. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on an application for additional school accommodation by a school (details supplied); the timeline for same; if it will be prioritised given the current conditions in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52954/26]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that in March 2026 the department received an application from the school in question under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for a mainstream classroom and a special education tuition room. The application from the school is currently under assessment.
Given the general downward direction of overall enrolments in the area the department's focus for the assessment of such additional accommodation applications will be as follows:
• Analyse the extent to which enrolments at this school and neighbouring schools are serving the local area in the first instance. This will identify if some of the pressures on local capacity are arising from the enrolment of pupils from outside the local area where there may be other school provision opportunities available to them.
• In assessing accommodation capacity at this school and neighbouring schools, an assessment will need to be made on how best to utilise existing capacity in the context of both mainstream and SEN requirements in the local area.
The above sets the parameters for the department’s decision-making processes and this will, where necessary, involve engagement with school patrons and relevant individual schools as appropriate.
My department will continue to build on the progress made over recent years with the continued rollout of projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities with a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs.
The accommodation needs at the school in question will be considered in the above context and a decision will issue to the school authority directly.
76. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider island status for a school (details supplied) in recognition of the unique circumstances of Valentia Island; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53902/26]
View answerAs advised, there is no plan to change the designation of schools on an island that is accessible by a bridge/road from the mainland.
77. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps she will take to progress school divestment in response to the national survey findings that the majority of parents of preschool children would prefer multi-denominational education for their children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54196/26]
View answerOn 4 November 2025, my department published a 'Framework and action plan for delivery of increased choice for parents on education provision at primary level'. The main focus of this framework and action plan was an online, school-specific survey. The survey ran from 4 November to 16 December 2025.
Through the survey, my department has obtained clear information on the preferences of parents and guardians about the primary schools which their children currently attend, or will attend in coming years, on a number of important areas of primary school provision, including co-education or single-sex school provision, patronage/ethos and language (education through Irish or through English).
In early June, my department issued primary schools with their school-specific results and explanatory information, marking the next stage in the process of engaging school communities on the future direction of their schools.
All school-level reports have now been published on the gov.ie webpages by my department, alongside a national summary report including a county breakdown of the results.
Where the survey results show demand for change, Boards of Management have the opportunity to consider being included in the first group of schools to action the survey results, following a period of engagement and consultation with their school community (including their parents and Parent’s Association, Student Council, school staff and local community, including parents with children not yet in school). Schools have been asked to inform my department and their patron by 31 October 2026 if the school requests to be included in the first group of schools to action the survey results.
The survey results are intended to support meaningful local engagement and informed decision-making at school level. My department will continue to support and engage with schools as they consider their individual results and next steps.
The first changes arising from this process are expected to be seen in schools from September 2027.
