Written Answers Nos. 357-377
357. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider undertaking a feasibility study into the establishment of a new secondary school in Cork for students with complex needs, who do not have an intellectual disability and would be academically capable of completing the Junior Certificate and the Leaving Certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31619/25]
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.?
It is important to remember that the majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream schools with their peers. For children with more complex educational needs special classes can be provided and for children with the most complex educational needs a special school place can be provided.
Building on the establishment of eleven new special schools over recent years and the establishment of five further new special schools in the coming school year, my department and the NCSE continue to forward plan to provide further new special schools and expand existing special schools where there is a need for additional capacity. All of the new special schools opened in recent years are supporting children with autism and complex educational needs and/or a moderate or severe and profound general learning disability.
There are a number of special schools for children and young people with mild general learning disabilities and these special schools were established prior to the significant increase in supports for children with special educational needs at mainstream and the growth in both primary and post-primary special classes. Many of these special schools have broadened their designation to support children with more complex educational needs.
I note your particularly focus on post-primary provision for children with special educational needs. The number of post-primary special classes continues to increase year on year and my department has asked all post-primary schools to plan and prepare to provide on average four special classes each over the coming years. This requirement was first communicated to all post-primary schools in 2022 and has been repeated in communications and circular letters since. In line with our obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and our desire to support children access the most inclusive school environment possible, it is important that we work to support more and more children with special educational needs to attend their local post-primary schools with their peers. Recent NCSE policy advice also recommends that we work to build a more inclusive education system based on children attending their local school. Increased numbers of special education teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) have been allocated to post-primary schools over recent years.
The new senior cycle level 1 and level 2 programmes now offer a new curriculum pathway for students with special educational needs in our post-primary schools also. We will continue to support our post-primary schools to support children and young people with special educational needs. The provision of increased training and supports for school leaders and school staff will be a key piece of this work also. My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.
358. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth the up-to-date position regarding a project (details supplied); the likely timeline for this project to proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31627/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra359. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the school transport review; in a case in which a student that attends an all girls primary school and wants to continue her secondary education in an all girls secondary school but there is no all girls school in her closest town will she be granted a bus ticket to travel to her nearest single sex school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31627/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the current terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
At Post Primary level, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest post primary school/education centre subject to limited exceptions. The scheme has regard to ethos and language in that exceptions to eligibility for the scheme are considered in the case of minority religions and the Irish language.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, and who have applied and paid or entered their medical card details, 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.
Eligible children who complete the application process and pay or enter their medical card details on time will get a seat on a school bus service, if a service is available.
Children who are not eligible for school transport but complete the application and pay or enter their medical card details on time will be considered for any spare seats available after eligible children have been accommodated. These spare seats are called concessionary seats.
There may be more demand than availability for concessionary seats. In such cases, Bus Éireann will use a selection process to allocate tickets for the spare seats.
Temporary alleviation measures (TAMs) will continue for the 2025/26 school year at post-primary level. This means that, if there are available services and enough capacity, transport will be provided for concessionary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school but are attending their second nearest school or post-primary centre. This is only if they apply on time and pay or enter medical card details on time.
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.
Payments or medical card details submitted after the deadline date will be deemed late. A late submission of payment or medical card details may mean that a seat is not available.
360. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the system of approving supports for children with additional needs will be amended to ensure more timely provision of such supports (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31648/25]
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 including the allocation of SNAs.
The NCSE is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. I have forwarded this issue to them for their attention and direct reply.
Deputies are also welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie.
361. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of a full review of the PME. [31649/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Professional Master of Education (PME) is a two-year, full-time Level 9 postgraduate professional teacher education programme designed to qualify graduates as primary and post-primary teachers.
Changes to the duration and content of initial teacher education (ITE) programmes were made in response to recommendations in the National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011-2020 and were incorporated into the Teaching Council’s accreditation standards. What was previously the ‘H-Dip’ of 18 months for primary and one-year for post-primary has now become the two-year PME for both. These standards were developed following extensive research and consultation to ensure the programme would effectively develop the skills, knowledge, understanding, and professional values expected of newly qualified teachers. These changes to the duration of the PME were introduced in 2014.
The reforms aimed to improve the quality of teaching and learning in schools, which is central to the educational outcomes of children. The extended duration allows for substantial periods of school placement and includes mandatory elements such as literacy, numeracy, and ICT in teaching and learning.
While there are currently no plans to carry out a full review of the PME programmes, the Department’s ongoing approach is to monitor all ITE programmes on an ongoing basis and to continue to develop further innovative measures to improve the availability of teachers.
362. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the cost of holding a citizens’ assembly on education. [31650/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCitizen’s Assemblies are organised and run by the Department of the Taoiseach, thus queries in relation to the cost of holding a Citizen’s Assembly should be directed to that department.
There is, however, a commitment in the Programme for Government to hold a convention bringing together all stakeholders in education. While my officials are continuing to plan for the hosting of the Convention, details on costs are not available at this point in time.
363. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a project will proceed to the next stage (details supplied) in view of the urgent need to provide additional accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31652/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred by the Deputy has been approved to enter the Department's pipeline for school building projects to provide one mainstream classroom and a three classroom SEN base under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme. This project has been devolved to the school authorities for delivery.
In May 2025 a Stage 3 (tender report) was received by my Department which is currently being reviewed. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the Public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, current market costs along with any additional costs will form part of this review process.
Due to the volume of projects and the review requirements that must be adhered to approve the project to the next stage, it is not possible to give a definitive timeline as to when this review will be complete.
My department will make every effort to review the report in a timely manner. Once this review is complete my department will be in touch with the school authority on how best to progress this important project.
364. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of a school’s (details supplied) application for improved toilet facilities under the emergency works scheme, as a formerly single-sex school that has transitioned to a co-educational environment, the current toilet provisions are inadequate and do not meet the needs of all students; whether serious consideration would be given for urgent approval of this application due to the circumstances of the school and the needs of the students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31683/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for toilet facilities
The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) 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.
The school's original application was refused as the application, upon review of the school building the number of toilets and wash hand basins was adequate to meet the schools current needs. However, the EWS team have been engaging with the school and advised to reconfigure one of the boys toilets into a female toilet block.
The option remains open to the school to appeal this decision. Appeals will only be considered if additional relevant information that was not provided as part of the original application is submitted to the Department. The EWS team is continuing to engage with the school on this matter.
365. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding allocated to safe routes to school in each of the years 2020 – 2025, by year. [31731/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra366. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding allocated to school transport school in each of the years 2020 – 2025, by year. [31733/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra367. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the cost of an additional 1000 school transport places. [31734/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is estimated that an additional 100,000 children, above the current pupil numbers on transport, could be accommodated on the mainstream scheme by 2030.
To achieve our ambition to expand and improve the scheme, i.e. that it carries 100,000 additional students, will require increasing costs over time to €672m in 2030.
If we do not implement the recommendations of the scheme, financial and economic modelling shows that the costs of the scheme will rise to €678 in 2030 in any case.
This is because the comprehensive set of recommendations if implemented will leverage four major factors:
• Creating opportunities for SEN children to travel on mainstream transport with the appropriate supports, should they so wish.
• Creating greater access to local provision for children with SEN so that they have to travel less distance to access appropriate educational provision for their needs.
• Decreasing demographics which will see spare capacity increase over time on the buses.
• Greater integration with public transport where appropriate.
The estimated cost to operate the scheme out to 2030 is set out in the attached table. It must be noted that there were certain assumptions and projections used in compiling these costs.
Building on data from the Department and Bus Éireann including profiles of the geographic distribution of School Transport Scheme users and projections for future trends in student numbers, as well as analysis of the likely impacts of different pricing policies, the projections in the attached table have been prepared.
In the Phase 3 report Indecon developed projections for the Review of the School Transport Scheme. All options project the total usage of mainstream service to peak in the short terms before slowly declining over the appraisal period.
At the time, the total costs to place a mainstream pupil on transport was approximately €1,100 per pupil with an annual increase of approx. 2.5% - 5%. Funding for future implementation of scheme amendments will be sought in the context of the annual budgetary process. All costs factored into the review costs were current costs.
With regard to the factors and outputs associated with the total review costs, a comprehensive cost benefit analysis was conducted as part of the final phase of the review. As part of this cost benefit analysis a number of options for the future operation of the scheme were considered and each option was fully costed. The cost to operate the scheme under the recommended option is set out in the published final report – School Transport 2030. There are certain assumptions and projections used in compiling these costs, as follows:
that the current years’ costs at that time were the base costs
costs will continue to grow at the current rate out to 2031
savings to be made on the SEN scheme are anticipated as a result of inclusivity on mainstream services, it was assumed in year 1 an uptake rate of 5%, increasing over the next four years to a 20% uptake rate in 4th year of implementation
it was assumed that costs associated with the reduction in parental fees and with additional services to cater for the increased demand brought about by the cost-of-living incentives, will be replaced by the review costs
Ukrainian costs will continue as required
With regard the estimated increase in the cost of transporting SEN pupils under the school transport scheme it was assumed that the cost would rise from €11,550 per pupil in 2024 to €20,250 per pupil in 2030, it should be noted that the cost per pupil for all pupils (SEN and mainstream) will increase over the period. With specific regard to the increase in the cost per pupil on SEN services, this is as a result of factors such as projected increased demand on the scheme resulting increased demand on contractor services, increased numbers of Bus Escorts and associated costs, Special Transport grants, increased contractor rates, and the move to more sustainable vehicles in line with climate action targets and the associated cost of same. It should be noted that the financial and economic analysis undertaken in the cost benefit analysis were completed in line with the guidance in the Public Spending Code, with all costs and assumptions based on information and data available to the external consultants at that point in time.
The funding allocated to school transport school in each of the years 2020 – 2025, by year are attached - note these are allocation figures.
The Safe Routes to Schools programme is coordinated by An Taisce, in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and local authorities. The programme is an initiative of the Department of Transport and the funding would not fall under the remit of my Department.
Allocations for the following years before supplementary requests are as follows:
2020 €224.6m
2021 €239m
2022 €269.7m
2023 €283m
2024 €380.6m
2025 €382m
368. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the SNA allocations will be released for the 2025/2026 school year. [31746/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NCSE, which has responsibility for the allocation of Special Needs Assistants to all schools, has 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.
369. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage in view of the urgent need to provide additional accommodation at this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31766/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred by the Deputy has been approved to enter the Department's pipeline for school building projects to provide for 2 Science labs and prep area, 1 Home Economics room, 1 Textiles room, 1 Music Room, a 2 Classroom SEN base and ancillary.
The Stage 1 Report was received by my Department in April 2025 and is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
Once this review has been completed the department will contact the school authorities with the outcome for the progression of this much needed project.
370. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the total estimated cost to the Exchequer associated with the recent renaming and rebranding of his Department including but not limited to cost categories (details supplied); the breakdown of the incurred or projected costs; and if a cost-benefit analysis or any assessment of public value was carried out prior to approving these changes. [31361/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the Government’s decision to reconfigure the functions of this Department, my Department was formally established as the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport on 2 June 2025. My Department has taken a number of steps to ensure that this transition is as efficient and cost-effective as possible.
Updated logos were issued to my Department by the Department of the Taoiseach’s Government Information Service (GIS) for use in electronic documents, templates, email signatures and relevant online platforms at no expense to this Department. The incorporation of these logos has been done in the normal course of business and has not entailed any additional operational or staffing cost.
Similarly, the updating of the Department’s email addresses to reflect its new title was carried out by the Department’s ICT Unit in the normal course of business in conjunction with its Microsoft support partner. The alteration of the Department’s website domain name was carried out by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO).
In relation to rebranded signage, while the Department has received estimated costs for new signage at its Killarney and Dublin offices, no expenditure has yet been incurred on this.
371. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the reason for the delays in the final allocation of a sports capital equipment grant for a club (details supplied). [31430/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Sports Facilities Fund, (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Fund), is the primary means of providing Government funding to sport and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The Programme aims to foster an integrated and planned approach to the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and assists the purchase of non- personal sports equipment.
The club referred to by the Deputy was provisionally allocated €8,045 from the 2023 round of the Community Sports Facilities Fund towards a boxing ring and equipment. The grant was formally approved on 4 February 2025 and an email was sent to the club outlining the steps required to draw down the grant. The club has not yet uploaded any of the documentation requested. The Department is available to assist the club if required and correspondence should be addressed to sportscapitalprogrammes@ccs.gov.ie.
372. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will provide an update on the Carhookeal running track in Mallow, County Cork, and the status of its LSSIF application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31611/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was established under the National Sports Policy, published on 25 July 2018, to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, typically those requiring investments greater than the maximum available under the Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme).
Grants totalling €173 million, benefiting 35 individual projects were allocated under the second round of the LSSIF in November 2024. With this announcement, the cumulative investment from the LSSIF since 2020 now reaches €297 million.
Cork County Council made an application for funding under LSSIF 2024 in order to develop an athletic running track at Carhookeal, Mallow that would meet IAAF standards. The works also include a car park, flood lighting and street lighting. They were successful in their application and were awarded €2 million in funding.
As the Deputy is aware, all new public investment proposals must comply with the Infrastructure Guidelines published by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. My officials are currently carrying out assessment work required by the Infrastructure Guidelines and will continue to engage with the project promoters.
Once the project has cleared all approval gates the Department will proceed to contract stage and the project can proceed.
373. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to report on his Department’s progress on publishing its new statement of strategy. [31686/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the formal transfer of functions from and to my Department which took effect on 1 June, my Department has now commenced the process of preparing a draft Statement of Strategy for the three-year period from 2025 to 2028. I look forward to considering the draft document in due course.
The new Statement of Strategy will reflect the objectives as set out by the Programme for Government as they relate to my Department, and is also particularly important in the context of the new departmental configuration.
A consultation process will be initiated shortly to allow stakeholders and members of the public an opportunity to submit their views in relation to strategic issues they believe should be considered as part of the new Statement of Strategy.
374. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding that has been allocated to implement the Nature Restoration Regulation (details supplied) broken down by year, in tabular form. [31621/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Nature Restoration Regulation entered into force on 18 August 2024. It sets out a framework for EU Member States to restore nature, with binding targets for a wide range of ecosystems including rivers, forests, oceans, urban and agricultural areas, as well as protected habitats and species throughout the State. Ireland has until 1 September 2026 to draft and submit a draft National Restoration Plan (NRP) to the EU Commission, setting out how Ireland intends to achieve its legally binding targets.
As the nature restoration plan is still under development, no funding has been allocated to the implementation of the regulation at this stage.
The way we implement the NRL is via the National Restoration Plan and the costing of the implementation of the NRL is part of the development of the plan. The NRP is currently being drafted; only when that work has been completed, the targets set and measures identified can we determine what funding is required for its implementation. The financial implications of the regulation, and the benefits and costs of implementing measures to reach the targets set down in the NRP are significant. An Interdepartmental Working Group considering the financial aspects of the plan and its implementation to 2030 and beyond has been established to examine the matter. This work will include inter alia a review of existing financial instruments such as The Climate and Nature Fund and exploratory work on potential financial mechanisms and appropriate instruments to fund the delivery of the NRP.
375. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to report on the work of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, particularly in regard to planning the response to future harsh weather conditions. [31777/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are designated as the lead agency responsible for coordinating a response to severe weather emergencies. Each local authority has a severe weather plan in place. Local authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams monitor Met Éireann’s weather advisories and warnings, activating the necessary coordination structures, when required.
My Department is designated as the Lead Government Department responsible for coordinating a 'whole-of-Government' response to high impact severe weather emergencies under the Strategic Emergency Management Framework (SEM), supporting the local authority response.
In this role, the National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM), a section of my Department, works closely with all local authorities in preparation for and response to severe weather emergencies.
Following from the response to Storm Éowyn, the NDFEM is undertaking a review of the National Emergency Coordination Group’s response to this event, as per its obligation under the SEM. Once completed, the findings and recommendations of this report will be presented to the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning.
In addition, the NDFEM will hold a pre-winter briefing in September with all principal response agencies, Government departments, agencies and utilities, in advance of the oncoming winter season, familiarising all relevant organisations with the processes involved in the activation of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group. The Department of Defence's Office of Emergency Planning plays a lead role in respect of Government's response to major emergency management generally, with severe weather events being just one of a range of emergencies included.
376. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of Waterways Ireland’s efforts to enhance biodiversity and habitat protection on the canal network in Kildare. [31351/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWaterways Ireland is a North South Implementation Body established under the British Irish Agreement of 10 April 1998. It is funded by my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
The detailed information requested in relation to Waterways Ireland's efforts to enhance biodiversity and habitat protection along the canal network in Co. Kildare is not held in my Department. However, arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost-effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for Waterways Ireland is oireachtas@waterwaysireland.org.
377. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total estimated cost to the Exchequer associated with the recent renaming and rebranding of his Department including but not limited to cost categories (details supplied); the breakdown of the incurred or projected costs; and if a cost-benefit analysis or any assessment of public value was carried out prior to approving these changes. [31369/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not undergone recent renaming or re branding.
