Written Answers Nos. 161-180
161. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the plans, if any, her Department has to increase the capacity nationwide of school transport currently available organised under her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30867/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport 2030 report was published in early 2024 following a comprehensive analysis and review of the scheme as it currently operates. The recommended changes to the future operation of 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 is proposed to expand access to the scheme so that an additional 100,000 pupils can be carried by 2030.
A phased implementation of the review’s recommendations began at the start of the 2024/2025 school year where the Department began testing the feasibility of a number of approaches through a series of pilot programmes; these pilot programmes are held in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann.
A total of 14 pilot projects are underway in the current school year. These pilots are being evaluated to provide valuable insights into the impact of increased demand on the scheme, the potential for integrating public transport with school transport services, and opportunities to promote more sustainable modes of transport.
It is intended to continue current pilots for the upcoming school year. They will be monitored during the year and a further evaluation will take place at the end of the 2025/2026 school year. The findings from these evaluations will guide the planning and implementation needed for a national rollout of a revised School Transport Scheme.
Work is also underway to identify where further pilot programmes may be conducted. A number of approaches are being examined including the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) to identify how many additional children would become eligible and where they are located. A digital mapping project of all existing school bus routes has been developed and there is ongoing collaboration with the Department of Transport, Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority in regard to planned expansion of public transport routes to explore where integration may be possible.
Implementation of the recommendations of the review will continue to be planned subject to resources being available to meet the increased demand.
162. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will outline any plans her Department has to deliver a new secondary school in Dublin 2,4 or 6; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31305/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my department has a robust forward planning process. The requirement for school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a geographical information system, using data from a range of sources, including CSO census data, child benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from local authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth. In respect of post primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students and must be co-educational. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (aonad) in an English-medium school.
New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.
The planned establishment of a new post-primary school in 2021 to serve the Dublin2_Dublin4 school planning area was announced in 2018 as a result of a countrywide demographic exercise. Further analysis has since been conducted on the necessity for the establishment of planned new school taking into account a number of factors including the pace of delivery of the expected additional residential development in the school planning areas, associated enrolments and the capacity in existing schools in the areas.
My department is satisfied that the existing demand can be accommodated at present by the existing and growing schools in the school planning areas. As a result, the establishment of the planned new school has been deferred
My department will continue to liaise with Dublin City Council in respect of their county development plan and any associated local area plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas.
163. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the roll-out of additional supports for students with additional needs ahead of the 2025 academic year; for a further update on the provision of special education teachers and SNAs across primary and post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30702/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive a befitting education 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 children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
Allocations of special education teaching (SET) posts for the next school year were advised to all schools in early Feb 2025 to allow them to plan for the upcoming new school year.
The NCSE have advised my department that all schools were informed last week (6th June 2025) of any change to their SNA allocations for the 2025/26 school year.
By the end of the year there will be over 20,800 special educational teachers and over 23,000 special needs assistants (SNAs) in our mainstream classes, special classes and special schools. This will mean we will have over 44,000 teachers and SNAs working in our education system committed to supporting and nurturing children with special educational needs, enabling them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
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 reach their full potential.
164. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of additional special classes that will be opened in County Monaghan in 2025. [31316/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.
Of the 400 new special classes places provided for in Budget 2025, 399 of these classes have already been sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 6 are in County Monaghan, 4 at primary and 2 at post primary level.
This will add to the 54 special classes currently in operation in the county. One of the five new special schools for the 2025/26 school year will open in Castleblaney. A former Education and Training Board (ETB) school property will be re-purposed to facilitate the opening of the new special school.
My department has requested the NCSE to work closely with schools and families to ensure that children can access these places as quickly as possible. My department has also written to all schools opening new special classes asking them to commence their admission processes as soon as possible.
Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise parents and can provide details on schools with available special educational places. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details 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 reach their full potential.
165. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps she will take to ensure every child will have access to an appropriate school place in their local community this September. [30980/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that it is an absolute priority that every child in the State has access to a school place and the Department of Education and Youth are continually planning for and investing in existing and new schools to ensure that this is the case.
Since 2020, my Department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 1,375 school building projects. Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities. A recent Government decision has approved €210m supplementary capital funding for my department to support the provision of special education accommodation and meet school place needs. This brings the total capital allocation for 2025 for my department to €1.6 billion.
At a national level, Ireland has been experiencing growth in overall post primary enrolments and this is projected to continue in many parts of the country for the next number of years before beginning to decline. However, first year mainstream enrolments nationally are expected to have peaked and are beginning to decline from next year. At primary level, there is generally good capacity across the country, although there are some areas under continuing demographic pressures. Nonetheless, I am aware that there can be pressures where there is high demand in an area or for a particular school. In that context my Department has put in place a number of measures to support post-primary schools in managing and effectively coordinating their admissions processes including enhancements to the IT systems for registering enrolments and continuing the data-sharing arrangements with schools in areas of enrolment pressure. The sharing of this data has been very effective in the identification of school place requirements. In the majority of areas, through the work of schools, patrons, management bodies and the Department, there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children in the area. The Department is working with schools to ensure there are sufficient places for all pupils who require a place for 2025.
My Department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) engage on a weekly basis in relation to the forward planning of special class and special school provision to meet the present, and future need, of children with special educational needs. It is expected that a similar number of special class and special school places may need to be provided over each of the next few years, that was provided in recent years. As more and more special classes open in primary schools and as the overall level of enrolments at primary level reduce, it is expected that over time the normal annual progression of students from primary special classes to post-primary will provide a significant number of places each year for younger children seeking a special class placement. At post-primary level, my Department has already written to all schools asking them to plan for an average of four special classes each. In order to support the NCSE, my Department recently published Circular 0039/2025. This circular informs school management and patrons of new measures introduced to support forward planning and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child. An earlier date of 1 October has been set in which parents must do so. This notification will provide the NCSE with valuable insights as to which children will continue to require a special class as they progress to post primary level and details on students who require a place for the first time. The earlier date will also allow for earlier sanctioning of classes for the 2026/27 school year and it is the aim of the NCSE to sanction the majority of new special classes by 31 December 2025.
While some applicants may not yet have received an offer of a school place for 2025/2026, families can be assured that all children who require a school place will be provided with one.
166. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on schools’ SNA allocations for the 2025-26 school year; to outline the process involved in making allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30984/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs. The NCSE are responsible for the allocation of SNAs to schools, my department does not have a role in the allocation process.
The NCSE have advised my department that all schools were informed last week (6th June 2025) of any change to their SNA allocations for the 2025/26 school year.
As outlined the NCSE are responsible for SNA allocations to schools and as the matter raised is in relation to a NCSE process, I have forwarded your query to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
Deputies are also welcome to raise such matters with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie.
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 reach their full potential.
167. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the plans for DEIS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30554/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTackling educational disadvantage and supporting students to achieve their full potential in life is a key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth, and for the Government. The DEIS programme is a key policy of Government to tackle concentrated educational disadvantage at school level. It provides a targeted range of supports and is additional to the universal supports provided to all schools, such as the introduction of free schoolbooks and free hot school meals. My department invests over €180 million annually to provide additional supports to almost 1,200 schools in the DEIS programme which supports approximately 260,000 students.
As Minister, I am determined to close the performance gap between DEIS and non-DEIS schools and introduce more innovative solutions to tackle disadvantage. That is why I am committed to publishing a new DEIS Plan in 2025. This plan will focus on improving the opportunities and achievement levels of children at risk of educational disadvantage and developing more innovative approaches to tackling educational disadvantage. Building on the expansion of the DEIS programme in 2022, the new DEIS plan will work towards a more flexible system of supports to ensure that a school can receive the right support at the right time.
My department is intensifying its engagement with other government departments and agencies, the education partners, and stakeholders across the education sector to develop a plan that will provide maximum possible impact for students most at risk of educational disadvantage through ensuring that resources reach students that have the greatest level of need. Any future expansion of the programme, and overall allocation of resources to schools to tackle educational disadvantage, will be considered within the context of the DEIS plan and availability of resources.
168. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will sanction the provision of a minibus to provide transport under the school transport scheme, to convey primary students from the Portlaoise area to where there is a shortage of transport to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31318/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. Bus Éireann has advised that pupils from the area referred to by the Deputy are generally not eligible for school transport to the school in question. Bus Éireann has further advised that they have not received any applications for school transport from the area referred to by the Deputy to the school in question. There is no service in the area operating to this school.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the current terms of the scheme, pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible. Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
Where the number of applications for transport on a concessionary basis exceeds the number of seats available, Bus Éireann will determine the allocation of the tickets using a selection process.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
The Bus Éireann family portal has now closed for applications and payments. Bus Éireann will now assess all applications and payments received and plan for routes and services for the 2025/26 school year. Routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year .
Once routes have been finalised, Bus Éireann will assign tickets for each school transport service. Tickets will begin to issue in mid-July and will continue to issue throughout July and August. Families who are unsuccessful in obtaining a seat will be notified via email and a refund will issue.
Parents may still apply for school transport following this date, but as their application is late they may not secure a seat on a service and will not be considered for a remote area grant.
169. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has given consideration to the request of a school (details supplied) to undertake a full rebuild of the school, as the current building dates from the 1970s and is over 50 years old; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30077/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my department is in receipt of an application for additional school accommodation (ASA) from the school in question.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school's existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan (NDP), involving the completion of over 1,375 school building projects. Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities. A recent Government decision has approved €210m supplementary capital funding for my department to support the provision of special education accommodation and meet school place needs. This brings the total capital allocation for 2025 for my department to €1.6bn.
As part of the NDP Review process, all departments, including my department, are currently engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform with respect to NDP allocations for the period 2026-2030. It is expected that there will be clarity on these allocations over the course of the summer period, and this will allow my department to plan its capital investment programme for the 2026 to 2030 period in line with prioritised needs and reflecting, as appropriate, wider Government priorities. Maximising existing capacity in schools to meet needs is very important. The progression of prioritised individual projects to meet the most urgent needs in the 2026 to 2030 period that cannot be met through existing capacity across schools in the local area will be considered on a rolling basis from Autumn onwards after the NDP allocations are finalised.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the school's application is being considered by my officials and they have been in contact with the school authority in relation to this application. My officials remain available to work with the school authorities throughout this process. I can assure the Deputy that the application will be assessed as soon as possible and an official decision will issue to the school authorities directly.
170. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if, in light of the critical shortage of speech and language therapists, SLTs, across Ireland, her Department will engage with CORU and other relevant bodies to fast-track the recognition of qualified professionals from abroad; and if she will address the current two-year delay for foreign-trained SLTs to receive approval to work in Ireland, which is leaving children without vital supports. [31284/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and the National Council for Special Education (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 reach their full potential.
My Department alongside the Department of Health, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the HSE are working together to ensure an increased supply of clinicians in key clinical disciplines including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists as a matter of priority.
CORU’s provides a vital role in the protection of the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professionals, including SLT’s. CORU has reported the implementation a new Registrant Management System which allows greater visibility of the applicant journey and removes duplicate steps across the processes.
CORU has also engaged with the HSE in collaborative webinars to provide guidance and support to anyone considering working as a Health and Social Care Professional in the Irish Public Health Service.
CORU have reported a 33% reduction in timelines for recognition of international qualifications in 2024, with a plan to build on this in 2025.
As I understand CORU is committed to the continued quality improvement of their process and developing a robust customer service resource in 2025.
171. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm the number of additional special school places delivered for Cork for the 2025-26 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31234/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.
Of the 400 new special classes places provided for in Budget 2025, 399 of these classes have already been sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 53 are in County Cork, 35 at primary and 18 at post primary level. This will add to the 563 special classes currently in operation in the county. The vast majority of these classes are autism classes with a capacity for up to six students each.
There are also 16 special schools in Cork with approximately 1,060 students enrolled. One of the five new special schools for the 2025/26 school year will open in the North City area of Cork City also. This school will initially enrol 24 students. The permanent location for the new special school will be in Carrignavar using the vacant former primary school building. The admissions process for this new special school is expected to open this week.
My Department and the NCSE have also engaged intensely with Cork ETB who are providing an additional 42 new special school places in East Cork Community Special School (24) and Rochestown Community Special School (18). These new places have been offered over recent weeks.
In addition some small number of additional places are being provided across a number of other special schools.
Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise parents and can provide details on schools with available special educational places. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE website.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.
172. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the provision of modular accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31249/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the deputy refers has been granted capital funding under my Department’s SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme for the provision of two mainstream classrooms, two special education classrooms and roof repairs.
This programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects.
Kerrigan Sheanon Newman Project Management (KSN) has been appointed, from my Department’s Framework, to design and tender the project and oversee all elements of construction. The first tranche of funding (45%) was released to the school authority in April 2025, the project is currently at pre-construction stage which involves development of site surveys and detailed design. The tentative start on-site date for the modular element of this project is mid-June 2025.
My Department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of this accommodation and will be working closely with the project managers and the school authority to keep it updated on overall project delivery and timelines .
173. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will guarantee that every child will have access to an appropriate school place in their local community this September. [30979/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy it is an absolute priority that every child in the State has access to a school place and the Department of Education and Youth are continually planning for and investing in existing and new schools to ensure that this is the case.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 1,375 school building projects. Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in the coming months, investments by the Department are adding over 610,000 square metres of new and modernised capacity to our school estate.
At a national level, Ireland has been experiencing growth in overall post primary enrolments and this is projected to continue in many parts of the country for the next number of years before beginning to decline. However, first year enrolments nationally are expected to have peaked in the 2023/24 school year and are beginning to decline from next year. At primary level, there is generally good capacity across the country, although there are some areas under continuing demographic pressures.
Nonetheless, I am aware that there can be pressures where there is high demand in an area or for a particular school. In that context my Department has put in place a number of measures to support post-primary schools in managing and effectively coordinating their admissions processes including enhancements to the IT systems for registering enrolments and continuing the data-sharing arrangements with schools in areas of enrolment pressure.
The sharing of this data has been very effective in the identification of school place requirements. In the majority of areas, through the work of schools, patrons, management bodies and the department, there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children in the area. The Department is working with schools to ensure there are sufficient places for all who require a place for 2025. Further additional provision will be made where a need is identified.
My department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) engage on a weekly basis in relation to the forward planning of special class and special school provision to meet the present, and future need, of children with special educational needs.
It is expected that a similar number of special class and special school places may need to be provided over each of the next few years, that was provided in recent years. As more and more special classes open in primary schools and as the overall level of enrolments at primary level reduce, it is expected that over time the normal annual progression of students from primary special classes to post-primary will provide a significant number of places each year for younger children seeking a special class placement. At post-primary level, my department has already written to all schools asking them to prepare to provide on average four special classes each.
In order to support the NCSE and forward planning my department recently published Circular 0039/2025. This circular informs school management and patrons of new measures introduced to support forward planning going forward and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child. An earlier date of 1 October has been set in which parents must do so. This notification will provide the NCSE with valuable insights as to which children will continue to require a special class as they progress to post primary level and details on students who require a place for the first time. The earlier date will also allow for earlier sanctioning of classes for the 2026/27 school year and it is the aim of the NCSE to sanction the majority of new special by 31 December 2025.
While some applicants may not yet have received an offer of a school place for 2025/2026, families can be assured that all children who require a school place will be provided with one.
175. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children with special educational needs without a place in a school, by county, in tabular form; the measures being taken to provide places for these children who do not have a school place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31300/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you are aware the vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has advised that just under 3,300 valid notifications were received by mid-February via their new parent notify service. Some of these notifications were children already known to the NCSE however, many others were new. Also, while parents were asked to notify the NCSE by mid-February the NCSE continues to receive notifications and continues to review reports and recommendations for specialist placement as appropriate.
Through the provision of 2,700 new special class and special school places and through 1,200 places being available through the normal movement of students from primary to post-primary and completing post-primary the NCSE is satisfied that there is sufficient capacity to meet the level of need known to them. The NCSE continue to support parents access the new and available places sanctioned.
It is not possible to give detailed county breakdowns as there are some children with dual recommendations for both special class and special schools, and we know that in some areas close to county boundaries children will in fact take up a place in a school outside their own county.
In order to support the NCSE and forward planning my department recently published Circular 0039/2025. This circular informs school management and patrons of new measures introduced to support forward planning going forward and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child. An earlier date of 1 October has been set in which parents must do so. This notification will provide the NCSE with valuable insights as to which children will continue to require a special class as they progress to post primary level and details on students who require a place for the first time. The earlier date will also allow for earlier sanctioning of classes for the 2026/27 school year, and it is the aim of the NCSE to sanction the majority of new special by 31 December 2025.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.
176. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of her Department's review of outdoor play areas in schools; the supports available to schools to enhance sports facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30790/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvestment and expenditure on sports facilities in primary and post-primary schools is an element of the overall expenditure and investment in the School Building Programme. The provision of outdoor play areas form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings or where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school.
Practically all schools have outdoor play areas, and many schools use adjacent local facilities, including community halls, public parks, playing fields and swimming pools. Learning experiences relating to the curriculum such as Athletics, Invasion Games and Adventure Activities can take place outdoors on tarmac.
The current design guidance for new primary and post primary schools includes the provision of external play areas. This includes hard-surfaced play areas for both recreation and physical education activities. The guidance also includes for the provision of landscaped areas on school sites providing a variety of external informal and social areas to suit the learning development and cultural needs of pupils/students during breaks and before and after school, and for a range of more formal curriculum needs.
In addition, the design guidance for accommodation for pupils with special educational needs includes for the provision of external play areas with soft-surfacing and sensory gardens. The Planning & Building Unit are currently reviewing the design guidance for post primary schools to potentially include all-weather surfaced external multi-use physical education learning areas. As part of this review, a pilot project with an external all-weather surfaced area is being constructed in a new post primary school.
Funding is also provided for the development of playgrounds in existing schools by my Department under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS). The purpose of the SWS is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis and, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The SWS operates on a multi-annual basis for a number of categories and is currently open for schools to apply.
Schools can also use their minor works grant to upgrade outdoor play areas including basketball courts.
The Emergency Works Scheme is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation. An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action, and in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.
177. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will reconsider the issuing of Circular 0039/2025 regarding the forward planning for special education provision since many teachers who work in special schools fear that the circular appears to assume that students with mild general learning disabilities can simply be accommodated within mainstream settings, provided minimal additional support; if she will redefine 'complex needs'; if she will consult with stakeholders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31132/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to the provision of additional special school places for children with more complex educational needs. Over 300 new special school places are being provided for the coming 2025/2026 school year. 5 new special schools are being established in addition to the 11 new special schools opened over the last few years. Special school capacity is also being expanded across a number of special schools.
It is important to note that it is not the intention to exclude children who require a special school place from accessing certain special school settings, but rather allow children with complex educational needs apply to their local special school. Currently, there are instances whereby children with complex needs cannot apply for admission to their local special school simply because they don’t meet the narrow designation of that special school. In that regard, along with providing additional special school capacity, my Department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) also consider that it is necessary to look at the profile of our existing special schools.
The NCSE report that over half of these Mild General Learning Disability (MGLD) special schools have diversified to allow children with more complex needs in their communities who require a special school setting enrol in their local special school. I wish to thank schools who have worked with us to broaden their designation and my department will continue to support schools in this endeavour so that more special schools can better support children with complex needs in their local community.
There are approx. 30 of our 129 special schools that were originally designated as schools for children with a MGLD. The establishment of these special schools predated the significant expansion in the range of supports offered in mainstream schools through additional special education teaching and Special Needs Assistant resources and through the rapid expansion in special class provision.
It is noted that many of the children enrolling in MGLD special school do so around the transition point from primary to post-primary. The new Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 programme offers a new curriculum pathway for students with special educational needs at post-primary level now also.
178. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will review the current provisions for teacher allocation to schools to avoid or minimise instances where the loss of a teacher necessitates the introduction of multigrade classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31131/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. At primary level, teachers are allocated to schools at an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils, the lowest level ever seen at primary level. DEIS Urban Band 1 schools receive an average allocation of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively.
Combined classes are a feature of the majority of primary schools in the country. Circular 0011/2025 sets out the staffing arrangements at primary level for the school year 2025/26. It requests schools to ensure 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.). The circular also advises that school authorities should, where possible, use their autonomy under the staffing schedule to implement smaller class sizes for junior classes.
179. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the current one-size-fits-all system whereby a minimum of six pupils are needed to establish a special education class and acknowledge that this disproportionately affects rural communities; and if they will explore implementing more flexible options. [30701/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive a befitting education 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 children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided. These classes are resourced in line with the Special Education Review Committee's recommendations. This ensures that these classes continue to meet the needs of students who are enrolled and the class is as inclusive as possible in that as many children as possible are accommodated.
A large number of special classes have been opened in schools in rural areas and this continues to be the case for the coming school year. Where a small school has 1 or 2 children with more complex special educational needs and wish to remain in their local school, the NCSE are happy to support the school and review the needs of the school to support the children. This would be a normal part of ongoing NCSE work with schools at local level.
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 reach their full potential.
180. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Education and Youth when works on the LMETB headquarters will be completed in Drogheda town, given the building work commenced in 2017 with the contractors on site but was halted (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30154/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project referred to by the Deputy has been devolved for delivery to Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB).
The project is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural planning process. This stage involves obtaining all statutory approvals, preparing a set of fully detailed Tender documents, and preparing an accurate pre-tender cost plan.
My Department manages the progression of the existing pipeline of projects within available budgets and in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines. As for all capital projects of this nature, this project is subject to the due diligence required under the Public Infrastructure Guidelines.
Once approved, the project will progress onwards to tender stage and to construction in due course.
At this juncture, it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project however my Department will continue to engage with LMETB to progress this important project.
