Written Answers Nos. 216-235
217. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if the development of cruise tourism in Dublin will form part of the forthcoming Marine Tourism Strategy; and if opportunities will be provided for interested parties to make submissions to this process. [49490/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra218. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the specific plans being considered by his Department to support the development of cruise tourism in Dublin; and whether consultation with port authorities, local businesses and tourism stakeholders is being or will be facilitated. [49491/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra219. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which cruise tourism potential in Dublin will be evaluated within the new Tourism Policy Statement and associated Marine Tourism Strategy. [49492/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra220. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when the Marine Tourism Strategy, as committed to in the Programme for Government, will be published; and if he will commit to publishing same before the 2026 summer season to allow the sector to plan accordingly. [49493/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 217, 218, 219 and 220 together.
Earlier this year I met with cruise tourism stakeholders to discuss how the marine sector could be considered in the context of our overall tourism policy objectives.
In this regard, a Tourism Policy Framework for the period to 2030 was approved by the last Government in November 2024. I’ve asked officials to consider how commitments in the new Programme for Government (PFG), including the development of a Marine Tourism Strategy, align with the Policy Framework and to prioritise the finalisation of a new Tourism Policy Statement which reflects the PFG and other Government priorities. It will also reflect tourism’s new positioning in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
In relation to the tourism agencies, both Fáilte Ireland (the National Tourism Development Authority) and Tourism Ireland (responsible for the overseas promotion of the Island of Ireland as a tourist destination) must be fully cognisant of the policy objectives in the Statement when preparing their own Business Plans. The new Policy Statement will also detail oversight arrangements to ensure delivery of the policy objectives and how implementation will be monitored. Drafting of the new Policy Statement is at an advanced stage and I expect it to be finalised shortly. It will ensure a strong, resilient tourism sector which benefits every area of Ireland including all coastal communities.
221. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment further to Denmark's estimate that pending EU regulations could impose €124.2billion in annual compliance costs EU-wide, to set out the Department's assessment of the projected annual regulatory compliance costs for Irish SMEs from files currently in the EU pipeline in 2025 to 2027; the methodology used; and the timeframe to publish sectoral regulatory costings and a national red tape reduction target. [49494/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a particular focus on simplification and burden reduction at EU level with a view to improving EU competitiveness and ensuring there aren’t disproportionate burdens on business, particularly SMEs. The European Commission’s current work programme places a strong focus on simplification and proposes a series of so-called “omnibus proposals” which are intended to reduce unnecessary burdens on business arising from existing legislation. In addition, there is a focus on ensuring that future legislation is fit for purpose and does not result in disproportionate burdens on business.
The Commission conducts impact assessments on their published legislative proposals, which include expected compliance costs on businesses within scope. However, these assessments are specific to the individual proposals and cumulative costs would be difficult to assess as different businesses will be impacted to different extents.
At domestic level, my Department has led on the development of an Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity, which was published earlier this month. A key focus is improving Ireland’s regulatory environment under the theme “Regulating for Growth and Controlling Costs” and measures include:
- the introduction of a ‘Red Tape Challenge’ across Government to significantly reduce regulation for SMEs - reflecting the European Commission’s commitment to simplifying and reducing administrative burden for SMEs by 2029. This would include a review by each Government Department to identify regulations to be removed or reduced without impacting on policy objectives and a public consultation to identify areas of high burden or where burden reduction could be launched;
- all Government Departments to apply the SME Test to all measures, in particular to policy initiatives where it is proposed to increase costs on small business.
The Action Plan reflets a whole-of-Government approach to enhancing domestic competitiveness and sets out clear, actionable recommendations with timelines and Departmental ownership to ensure accountability.
222. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the specific steps in the Action Plan on Competitiveness & Productivity which will address planning delays, approval times and regulatory burdens for housing developers in Cork suburbs e.g. Glanmire, Blarney, Bishopstown; if he will publish target timelines for planning decisions in those areas; and if resources will be allocated to local authorities to meet those targets. [49503/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are six themes covered by the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity and two of these are specific to regulation and the delivery of infrastructure.
Under Theme 4 (Regulating for Growth and Controlling Costs), the Government has proposed to expedite the Environment Miscellaneous Provisions Bill. This will implement statutory timelines for Environmental Protection Agency decisions. This should reduce the time spent on Environmental Impact Assessment decisions that could potentially delay large-scale developments. A deadline of Q1 2026 has been set for the implementation of his action with the Department for Climate, Energy and the Environment taking the lead.
Due to the role of court procedures - including judicial reviews - the Action Plan also recommends the full implementation of Review of the Administration of Civil Justice Report in order to reduce the cost of litigation, remove overly complex rules of procedure, and improve practices to ensure timely hearings.
Under Theme 5 (Increasing the States Capacity to Deliver Infrastructure) also contains a priority action on the work of the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce. The Taskforce has identified 12 barriers to infrastructure delivery. These include barriers that greatly contribute to planning delays, such as the prevalence of judicial reviews and inconsistent planning deadlines. The Action Plan also acknowledges the substantial legislative progress made with regard to planning, consenting and judicial review arrangements through the Planning and Development Act 2024, and commits to commencing these reforms to enhance delivery of infrastructure as soon as possible.
Finally, the operation of the planning system - and the resourcing of the Local Government system - is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
223. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review correspondence regarding school transport (details supplied); if she will issue tickets for the children concerned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49373/25]
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 in recent weeks they issued tickets for school transport on bus services that had been secured for the 2025/26 school year. Unfortunately, a number of difficulties have arisen in having services in place for the start of the new school year in some localities with a small number of contracted services.
Bus Éireann further advise that this service has now commenced and that a ticket was issued to the pupil referred to by the Deputy on 2nd September 2025 for the 2025/26 school year.
For families who have been issued with a tickets on board one of these services affected, the Department is sanctioning an interim arrangement to assist with the cost of alternative arrangements until your service is in place.
This payment will be paid as an exceptional measure and will be calculated from the date the service was due to commence up to the date that a service in provided .
The interim grant for children on main stream services, the Exceptional Interim Grant (EIG), is linked to ticket holders and is paid for the number of days that children attended school from 25th August 2025 until a school transport service commences.
School Transport Section of my department will be writing to all families affected over the coming weeks, to offer the grants mentioned above.
224. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review correspondence (details supplied) regarding a school pick-up point; if she will address the concerns raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49393/25]
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 is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.
Where practicable, and subject to considerations of cost and logistics, routes are planned to avoid an eligible child having to travel more than 3.2 kms to or from a pick-up/set down point or to have travel and waiting times in excess of 1.5 hours per day. Routes are planned on the basis of the locations of children who are eligible for school transport only.
Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that children are brought safely to and collected safely from Bus Éireann designated pick up and set down points.
Bus Éireann has advised that they are aware of the issue raised by the Deputy. The area is set to be assessed by the local bus inspector, and following this assessment, the affected families will be contacted directly.
225. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of a school building project being processed by the large scale development section of her Department which is to provide a new building for the amalgamation of two schools (details supplied); if she will outline the steps in this process; the timeline for its completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49451/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that the schools in question submitted applications for capital funding under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme.
The purpose of my Department’s ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs 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.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes. The capacity at other schools in the area is also considered as part of the assessment of any accommodation needs.
The schools in question submitted an application for amalgamation in 2019. Following the necessary engagement with stakeholders the proposal to amalgamate was confirmed by the department and the schools amalgamated with effect from the 15th May 2025. In support of the amalgamation it was agreed that both schools would locate on the senior school site and the department would facilitate this through the provision of additional accommodation for the schools.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,400 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 which brings the total capital allocation for 2025 for my department to €1.6 billion.
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.
The most appropriate solution for the schools in question is being considered in this context and the next steps will be confirmed to the school authority as soon as possible
226. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has engaged with Bus Éireann regarding the ongoing failure to secure a school transport provider for students at a school (details supplied); will she outline how her Department intends to support the resumption of this essential service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49527/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra227. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has considered the use of smaller buses or local operators to bridge the gap in school transport provision for children at a school (details supplied); to confirm the timeline envisaged for implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49528/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra244. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth the supports available to families currently being advised to use taxis at a cost of approximately €80 per day in the absence of school transport such as the case in a school (details supplied); if her Department will cover the full cost of such transport until a permanent solution is found; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49525/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 226, 227 and 244 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Bus Éireann are required to tender services in line with procurement guidelines and are responsible for the allocating and Garda vetting clearance of a contractor to operate this service. Bus Éireann have advised that the service in question was handed back by the contractor. This service is now currently in the procurement process. Once a suitable contractor has been sourced this service will commence.In such circumstances where there is no existing suitable service available to meet a child's needs, and while Bus Éireann are in the process of establishing the service for the child referred, the Department will offer an Interim Special Transport Grant (STG) to families of eligible children towards the cost of private transport arrangements. This is based on the number of days attended from the date of application until a suitable service becomes available. The families will be contacted in the coming days in this regard.
228. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which her Department is coordinating with the Department of Education and Youth to ensure that children with additional needs do not lose out on schooling due to tendering failures or shortages of bus drivers; if either Department have an estimate of the number of children currently missing school or relying on private taxis due to issues with school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49529/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra245. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will review the current school transport tendering process to ensure continuity of service for children with special educational needs; the changes which are being considered to avoid repeated disruption to vulnerable students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49526/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 245 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. In the 2024/25 school year, over 173,000 children were transported daily in approximately 8,200 vehicles across 10,600 routes daily to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. These daily trips cover over 100 million kilometres.
This figure includes just under 144,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, just under 22,000 pupils with special educational needs, and just under 7,000 pupils who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine.
The scheme is made up of three separate schemes, the school transport scheme for primary, post primary and for children with special educational needs. Transport is also provided for children who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine and those residing in IPAS/EROC centres.
The total expenditure on the scheme in 2024 was €512m.
The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
Unfortunately, Bus Éireann has reported difficulties in recent weeks in specific locations with a small number of contracted services, where it has not yet been possible to provide vehicles and/or drivers.
These difficulties have arisen in some cases due to lack of driver or contractor availability, or where either zero bids were received for a service, despite repeated efforts to procure one. The Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible.
The situation is dynamic with solutions being found on a regular basis. Bus Éireann has contacted the affected families directly and will maintain communications with them.
There are currently over 23,600 children with special educational needs on dedicated school transport services.
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Bus Éireann are required to tender services in line with procurement guidelines and are responsible for the allocating and vetting of a contractor to operate this service.
In such circumstances where there is no existing suitable service available to meet a child's needs, and while Bus Éireann are in the process of sourcing a dedicated service, the Department will offer a Special Transport Grant (STG) to families of eligible children towards the cost of private transport arrangements based on the number of days attended from the date of application until a suitable dedicated specialised service becomes available. Families of eligible children on this service will be written to in the coming days in this regard.
Work is continuing in order to resolve this matter and Bus Éireann are committed to providing transport to these students as quickly as is possible.
Bus Éireann has put in place a dedicated customer care call centre to assist families specifically with School Transport queries during the busy summer period. Families that have queries can contact the call centre on: LoCall 0818 919 910. Operating hours are usually 09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday.
Families can also contact Bus Éireann by submitting a query via the following link Customer Care - Bus Éireann - School Transport.
229. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the correspondence regarding school transport (details supplied); if tickets for the children mentioned will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49534/25]
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 current terms of the School Transport Schemes, at post primary level, pupils are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms 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.
Bus Éireann have advised that the pupils in question are not eligible for school transport as they are attending their 5th closest post primary centre. While the pupils applied and paid on time for the current school year, they were not successful in obtaining concessionary tickets and the service is operating to capacity.
230. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the correspondence (details supplied); if ticket for the child will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49537/25]
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 current terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
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.
Bus Éireann have advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is attending their 5th nearest post primary centre so is not eligible for transport. They were unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary ticket for the 2025/26 school year and the service is currently operating to capacity.
231. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views regarding the disparity in the health and safety leave policy between pregnant teachers and SNAs in special schools. [49337/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Safety, Health, and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 299 of 2007) place an obligation on the employer, as soon as it is notified by the special needs assistant that she is pregnant, to assess any specific risk in the workplace to that special needs assistant and to ensure that the pregnant, post-natal, or breastfeeding special needs assistant is not exposed to any agents, processes or working conditions that will damage either the safety or health of the pregnant special needs assistant and/or that of the developing child.
The special needs assistant should be informed of the results of the risk assessment and the measures to be taken. The detailed arrangement regarding the respective responsibilities of the employer and the special needs assistant in relation to health and safety leave are contained in Sections 17 – 20 of the Maternity Protection Act 1994.
Where a risk has been identified and it is not possible to remove it, protective and preventive measures should be taken to safeguard the health of any special needs assistant to whom the provisions apply, such as:
(a) a temporary adjustment in the working environment of the special needs assistant concerned so that exposure to the risk is avoided, or
(b) in the event that such adjustment is not possible, by moving the special needs assistant to suitable alternative work which does not entail the risk, or
(c) in the event that such alternative work is not available, and having consulted with and received certification from the OHS, by granting the special needs assistant health and safety leave.
Health and Safety Leave will cease when:
(a) the special needs assistant concerned commences maternity leave, or
(b) the special needs assistant is no longer an employee to whom Part III of the Maternity Protection Act, 1994 applies (i.e. she notifies the employer that she is not pregnant, has not given birth within the last fourteen weeks or is not within 26 weeks of the birth and breastfeeding, as defined in the Act); or
(c) the risk ceases.
Currently SNAs are entitled to full salary for the first 21 days while on Health and Safety Leave. This is a statutory entitlement and is noted in [Circular 0017/2013]. After 21 days, an SNA may be entitled to Health and Safety benefit from the Department of Social Protection, subject to certain eligibility criteria.
Fórsa have submitted a claim to my Department for an increase in the provision of Health and Safety Leave for SNA’s. However, the terms of the current Public Service Pay agreement, which covers the period from the 1st of January 2024 to the 30th of June 2026, set out that the parties to the agreement agreed that no cost increasing claims for improvements in pay terms and conditions of employment will be initiated or implemented for the duration of the Agreement. As such, the claim made by Fórsa is prohibited under the terms of the current pay agreement.
Under the terms of the Agreement, employers and trade unions/associations may negotiate additional changes in rates of pay and/or conditions of employment up to a maximum of 3% of the basic pay cost, inclusive of allowances in the nature of pay, of the particular grade, group or category of employee or bargaining unit. This may include proposals involving changes in structures, work practices or other conditions of service. However, Fórsa have not sought to have changes to the Maternity Health and Safety Leave Scheme for SNAs considered under this provision.
232. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason some teachers have not yet received an outcome to their PME refund scheme application (details supplied); when all applicants will receive same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49355/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to ensuring that every child has a positive school experience, with access to qualified and engaged teachers who are dedicated to supporting their learning.
A range of measures have been introduced to support schools in their recruitment efforts. One such measure is the PME Fee Refund Scheme. The Department published Circular 0069/2024 Professional Master of Education (PME) Fee Refund Scheme in September 2024. This circular provides the eligibility criteria and application process for the scheme. The circular also states that payments to applicants would issue as soon as possible after the 2024/25 school year. As the application deadline was 31 July 2025, and as the school year ended on 31 August 2025, some applicants remain to be paid.
Over 1,800 applications were received by the 31 July deadline. Approximately 78% of these met the eligibility criteria with over 1,100 (77%) paid to date. The Department continues to process applications and issue payments. My Department has responded directly to the Deputy in relation to the case referred to.
A number of other measures have also been introduced including a STEM bursary, expansion of upskilling programmes, flexible substitution measures, continued promotion of the profession and workforce planning for teachers and SNAs is under way.
These measures are designed to ensure a steady flow of qualified teachers into the profession and reflect the commitment to ongoing investment in the education system?to address teacher supply.
I will continue to consider further measures to strengthen the teaching workforce and ensure that schools have the support needed to provide an excellent education for every student.???
233. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review correspondence regarding a school (details supplied); if she will address the concerns raised; if she will expedite the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49361/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department is in receipt of an application, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school referred to by the deputy.The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or by other schools in the area. The provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for the Department. My officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs for the school in question and the wider area for 2025/26 and future years. I can confirm that my department has been in touch with the school to gather additional information on their application. This has been received, along with the HSA report referenced and the application is currently being assessed. Once this process is completed my department will be in direct contact with the school authorities in question.
234. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will ensure that a school (details supplied) is allocated €75,000 to cover the cost of modernisation of school facilities. [49401/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question.
The accommodation being considered by my officials is to cater for 2 Special education classes. I can confirm that my officials have been engaging with the school directly and will continue to do so with a view to providing the approved 2 Special education classrooms as soon as practicable. This accommodation is being delivered through the Department’s Project Manager Framework.
The main focus of my Department’s capital funding over the last decade and for the coming period is on the provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics and children with special education needs. The overall position with regard to potential modernisation and replacement of existing school infrastructure will be kept under review. You will appreciate that this approach reflects the Department’s fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of a school place for every child.
It is not therefore possible for my Department to commit to the funding requested by the school to upgrade the existing building and playground space at this time. However, the modernisation of the existing accommodation will be considered when funding is available for this purpose.
It is open to the school to submit applications for funding through the appropriate schemes available within my Department, if they meet the required guidelines for the application process.
Details of my Department's Summer Works Scheme, Emergency Works Scheme and the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme are available on my Department's website www.gov.ie. Outside of these funding mechanisms it is also open to schools to utilise their minor works grants as appropriate.
235. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the NCSE carries out risk assessments such as to identify flight risks of children in determination of SNA allocations to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49408/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra236. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of risk assessments carried out by the NCSE in advance of the determination of SNA allocations, in total and per county, for each year since 2020-2025 inclusive, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49409/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 236 together.
This 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) 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].
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.
