Written Answers Nos. 418-437
418. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she intends to introduce job-sharing arrangements for secondary school principals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32136/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Job Sharing Scheme for teachers is contained in Chapter 8 of my Department’s Circular Letter 0054/2019 titled ‘Leave Schemes for Registered Teachers Employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools’. The purpose of the scheme is assist teachers in combining work and personal responsibilities/choices. Under the terms of the Circular, Job Sharing is not available to the following:
i. Primary: Principal, Home School Liaison Co-ordinator, teacher on secondment
ii. Post Primary: Principal, Deputy Principal, Home School Liaison Co-ordinator, teacher on secondment
As is the case with all non-statutory leave, each scheme is tailored to the needs of each individual sector following detailed consultation with the relevant stakeholders.
The Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) forms part of the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for Teachers, the purpose of which is to provide a forum for claims and proposals relating to the salary, and other terms & conditions of service for teachers.
The Council is comprised of representatives from the Teacher Unions, the School Management Bodies, the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, and the Department of Education and Youth. The TCC is independently chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission. The terms and conditions of teachers employed in State funded teaching posts are formulated at TCC. The current eligibility criteria of the Job Sharing Scheme, as detailed in the Department's Circular Letter 0054/2019, exists by virtue of a collective agreement at TCC.
It is not currently planned to make any amendments to the terms of the Job Sharing Scheme for teachers as set out in Circular 0054/2019.
419. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she plans to review the use of the supplementary panel used in primary school teacher recruitment in Catholic schools; if open recruitment would not be a fairer and more efficient way to recruit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32137/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe core function of the redeployment arrangements is to facilitate the redeployment of all surplus permanent/CID holding teachers, to other schools that have vacancies.
At primary level, schools are required under the panel arrangements to fill their vacancies from the Main Redeployment Panel. Once all teachers on the Main Panel have been redeployed, permanent vacancies are offered to teachers on the Supplementary Redeployment Panel, comprised of eligible fixed-term (temporary/substitute) and part-time teachers. At that point, fixed-term vacancies may be advertised through open competition.
Once a redeployment panel has been exhausted in an area, schools with permanent vacancies in that area may proceed to open competition to fill these vacancies. It is open to any teacher to apply for these vacancies as they arise.
The redeployment arrangements are reviewed each year, in consultation with the Education Partners, including the Teacher Union). Arrangements for next year’s redeployment will be reviewed towards the end of the year.
420. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school (details supplied) which is not classified as a DEIS school can avail of European Structural and Investment Funds; the funding that can be provided for sustainable, trauma-informed support structures if they cannot; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32179/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to supporting the emotional wellbeing of all children including those who may have experienced trauma.
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) has engaged in extensive national training of school staff in the area of trauma-informed practice and have developed a eLearning course for school staff - ‘Introducing a Trauma Informed Approach: The Stress Factor - Getting the Balance Right’ which looks at the sources and impact of stress on children and young people including trauma and adverse experiences. It demonstrates how to create environments to reduce stress and focuses on developing skills that all children and young people need to better manage in school. NEPS psychologists are available to support schools implement trauma informed approaches in school following participation on the training. As a follow up to the elearning, NEPS will deliver a new live training called Understanding Trauma- Using a Trauma Informed Approach in Schools. This training builds on the learnings from e-Learning course by: further exploring the relationship between stress and trauma; looking at some contributary factors to trauma; Looking at how neuroscience theory and research has informed understanding of the impact of trauma; guiding schools to establish a trauma informed approach, providing practical school-based trauma-informed approaches to promote safety and connection in schools. A new standalone Trauma Informed Practice resource for schools will also be available in the autumn for schools to use. Training is provided as part of the NEPS service with no cost to schools.
A dedicated wellbeing portal can be accessed via ‘Wellbeing in Education’ on Gov.ie, bringing together all the wellbeing and mental health supports and resources that have been developed by the Department and the Department’s support services.
Any school can avail of EU funding and there is information, training, advice and helpdesk support available through www.accesseurope.ie or www.eufunds.ie
421. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the availability of school places for children with special educational needs in east Galway; if her Department is aware of the current shortfall in both mainstream schools with special classes and dedicated special schools in the region; and the measures being taken to ensure that every child in east Galway can access an appropriate school place for the 2025-2026 academic year. [32184/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 class and special school places are provided.
This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which promotes that children will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.
The National Council for Special Education has sanctioned 399 of the 400 new special classes for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 13 are in County Galway, 9 at primary and 4 at post primary level. This will add to the 169 special classes currently in operation in the county. There are also 7 special schools in Galway with approximately 350 students enrolled.
The NCSE is confident that this new provision when added to the existing provision will meet the known demand for the 2025/26 school year. I implore any parent who has not contacted the NCSE and is seeking a special educational placement to contact the NCSE 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 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.
My department and the NCSE have begun preparatory work in relation to planning for the provision of further new special class and special school places for the 2026/27 school year and?are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.
422. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of SNAs employed in mainstream primary schools as of 30 September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32219/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.
By the end of the year there will be close to 21,000 special educational teachers and 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.
The NCSE advice that they have now allocated all 1,600 SNA posts for the next school year this will bring the total number of SNAs to 23,179. The NCSE has recently advised schools of their allocations for the 2025/26 school year. The decision on whether to employ a full time SNA to fill a full-time post or to employ an equivalent number of part time SNAs remains a decision of the school as the employer.
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.
423. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students completing their second level education Leaving Certificate examination in Gael Choláistí this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32223/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe expect to publish final enrolments for academic year 2024-2025 shortly.
This data will include the number of pupils taking the final year of a leaving certificate programme and we will revert to the Deputy with the requested information as soon as it is available.
424. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if an application for an additional special education resource will be approved for a school (details supplied). [32234/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council For Special Education actively encourage expressions of interest from schools to open special classes, and I appreciate and commend the efforts taken by boards of management in expressing their interest. However, it is not always possible to open a special class in every school that expresses an interest.
When assessing the needs in the local area, the NCSE identify schools in the neighbouring vicinity with available special class vacancies or capacity and assess their capability with consideration to demographical and statistical data.
Schools not sanctioned this year, such as the school referred to by the Deputy will remain as a potential option for future classes. Local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs.
My department and the NCSE have begun preparatory work in relation to planning for the provision of further new special class and special school places for the 2026/27 school year and are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.
425. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update of the transfer of a plot of land in a school (details supplied) from her Department and the Dublin Education and Training Board to the HSE that is required to progress the delivery of a primary care centre in north Clondalkin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32236/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAgreement has been reached in principle regarding disposal of Department land to the HSE near a school (details supplied) for a proposed Primary Care Centre.
The transaction is currently on hold while the HSE evaluates current service needs and estate planning in the area with the newly delivered Clondalkin Primary Care Centre and the operational Rowlagh Health Centre.
426. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of plans for renovations at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32254/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter the department’s pipeline for a project under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project will provide for 3 Mainstream classrooms and 2 SET rooms. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.
The school has requested a change that falls outside the scope of the current ASA project and, as such, cannot be progressed as part of this existing project. The school has been advised of this. Any requests for works outside the approved brief should be directed to the relevant area within my Department, such as the Additional Needs Assessment (ANA) team.
I can confirm the existing project is currently at Stage 2B (pre-tender stage) and the school has submitted a report for this stage. The project 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 ASA program.
My Department will be in contact with the school once this Stage 2b review has been completed.
427. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of an ASD class in a supplementary request under ASA in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32255/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department's Planning and Building Unit advise that the school has a building project in train which will add three mainstream classrooms and two special education tuition rooms. The school sought the addition of a special education classroom however at this time there is not sufficient demand in the local area for the National Council For Special Education to sanction an extra special class in the area.
The NCSE actively encourage expressions of interest from schools to open special classes, and I appreciate and commend the efforts taken by boards of management in expressing their interest. However, it is not always possible to open a special class in every school that expresses an interest.
When assessing the needs in the local area, the NCSE identify schools in the neighbouring vicinity with available special class vacancies or capacity and assess their capability with consideration to demographical and statistical data.
The NCSE acknowledge that circumstances may change, and these schools will remain as potential options for future classes. Local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs.
Schools not sanctioned this year, such as the school referred to by the Deputy will remain as a potential option for future classes. Local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has sanctioned 399 of the 400 new special classes for the 2025/26 school year. The NCSE is confident that this new provision when added to the existing available provision will meet the known demand for the 2025/26 school year. I implore any parent who has not contacted the NCSE and is seeking a special educational placement to contact the NCSE 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 have begun preparatory work in relation to planning for the provision of further new special class and special school places for the 2026/27 school year and are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs.
428. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of the planning for a new school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32256/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter the department’s pipeline for a project under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project will provide for 3 Mainstream classrooms and 2 SET rooms. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.
I can confirm the project is currently at Stage 2B (pre-tender stage) and the school has submitted a report for this stage. The project 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 ASA program.
The Department will be in contact with the school once this review has been completed.
429. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a case can be examined (details supplied) where a child does not have an appropriate school place for September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32303/25]
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 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.
The NCSE has a dedicated email address parentnotify@ncse.ie with which parents can make initial contact, submit reports and provide consent forms directly. This ensures SENOs have complete and up-to-date information when assisting with placements. See www.ncse.ie/notify-ncse-special-class-special-school for more information.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
430. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will consider correspondence (details supplied) around the school transport scheme grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32325/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
Under the terms of my Department’s School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms at primary and 4.8kms at post-primary and are attending their nearest School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are eligible for school transport but for whom no service is available may be offered the Remote Area Grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements. The Remote Area Grant is also payable for eligible children who may have to travel 3.2kms or more to or from a designated pick up/set down point.
The closing date for receipt of applications for the 2025/26 school year was Friday 25 April 2025.
As the application for the pupil referred to by the Deputy was received on 27 April 2025, they cannot be considered for a grant for the 2025/26 school year. The pupil would be eligible for the grant in the 2026/27 school year if there is still no service available from where they reside.
Decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Department of Education and Youth regarding the provision of school transport services and/or grant-aid under the terms of the School Transport Schemes may be appealed to the School Transport Appeals Board.
Parents or guardians of children, or children who have reached the age of 18 years, may make an appeal. Appeals can be made on-line at www.schooltransportappeals.ie
431. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the amount of capital and current funding her Department provided to a school (details supplied) in 2023, 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [32333/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe amount of capital and current funding provided by my Department to the school referred to by the Deputy from 2023 to 13 June is as follows:
|
2023 |
496,891.21 |
|
2024 |
503,458.92 |
|
2025 (to date) |
438,222.48 |
The financial information provided is based on data from my Department's financial management system that has been coded as being made to the school in question.
This does not include payroll costs of staff employed by the school that are paid directly by my Department to the individuals concerned.
432. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school's (details supplied) SNA allocation will be reviewed in light of the fact that an increased allocation was recommended by the SENO; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32360/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs. The NCSE has advised my department that all schools have been informed of their SNA allocations for the 2025/26 school year.
The NCSE are responsible for the allocation of SNAs to schools, my department does not have a role in the allocation process. I have therefore forwarded the school's details to them 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.
433. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will ensure that the long-promised new autism unit at a school (details supplied) will open as planned at the beginning of the 2025/2026 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32364/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.
The school referred to has building works ongoing which is due to be completed in time for September. I believe this new building will provide accommodation for two special classes. The school already has one class in operation, the another special class has not been sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year.
The NCSE has advised that at this time there remains sufficient capacity locally to meet known demand, therefore the second class will not progress for the upcoming school year. The school will however, remain as an option into the future as required by known local demand.
It is important that classes are sanctioned in schools where there is known local demand. This ensures children requiring placement can be accommodated in their local school and do not have to travel long distances in order to access an appropriate education.
The NCSE continue to monitor the situation at a local level and will sanction additional classes as demand requires. My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.
435. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of an application for emergency funding (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32415/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for toilet facility works.
The application in question is currently being reviewed by the technical area within the EWS. Once a technical recommendation has been received the EWS team will engage further with the school as appropriate. The EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of the works required and will keep the school informed throughout the process.
436. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the funding available to schools for resources such as art therapy; if she will consider increasing supports for initiatives like this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32419/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe policy of the Department of Education is to allocate supports to recognised schools to cater for the needs of pupils with special educational needs in an educational context.
While the provision of clinical therapy supports to children is the responsibility of the HSE, it is this government’s ambition, and as outlined in the Programme for Government, to extend therapy supports, Occupational and Speech and Language therapy, within the education system, over time.
In general, schools supporting pupils with special educational needs can draw on a range of interventions, and it is a matter for schools to determine the approach or mix of approaches which they will use in each individual case.
The approach towards each child's education would be based on the individual educational needs of the child and would have regard to the child's individual education plan and supporting professional reports.
My department will continue to support schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
437. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the date on which SNA allocations will happen for the 2025/2026 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32485/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.
Budget 2025 provided for an additional 1,600 special needs assistants (SNAs), the largest number ever allocated in a single year, meaning the total number of SNAs available in our schools in September will be 23,179. This is more than double the number of SNAs that were in our schools 10 years ago.
The NCSE has advised my department that all schools were informed last week, 6 June 2025, of their SNA allocation for the 2025/26 school year.
