Written Answers Nos. 448-467
448. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Youth if school bus escorts are entitled to be paid to attend mandatory, full-day child protection training courses that special needs assistants are paid for under the Croke Park Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54933/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.
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.
There is a facility within the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs for the appointment of a School Transport Escort where a child’s care and safety needs while on school transport are such as to require the support of a School Transport Escort.
It is recognised that School Bus Escorts play a vital role in supporting children with Special Educational Needs in their journey to and from school.
The Board of Management/ETB are responsible for the employment of the School Transport Escort. The Department of Education provides grant funding directly to the school for the employment of the School Transport Escort and sets the rate of pay. This grant funding is also provided when a School Transport Escort is required to attend training for the hours/days required.
This can be claimed back by the school authorities through the reconciliation form that they return each year to the School Transport Section of my Department. If school staff have any further queries, they can contact officials through the following Customer Contact Form where they will be happy to assist.
449. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth when she expects the new DEIS plan to be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54951/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe DEIS programme is a key policy of Government to tackle concentrated educational disadvantage at school level. The Minister for Education and Youth is determined to close the performance gap between DEIS and non-DEIS schools and introduce more innovative solutions to tackle disadvantage. The new DEIS plan will be published this year and will include a DEIS plus scheme.
The new DEIS plan will set out the Department of Education and Youth’s strategic vision, goals, and objectives to tackle educational disadvantage in all schools. The plan will focus on improving disadvantage in all schools, developing more innovative approaches to tackle educational disadvantage and working towards a more flexible system of support to ensure that schools can receive the right support at the right time.
It is a goal of this Government to reduce educational disadvantage and promote equity across Irish schools, focusing particularly on vulnerable groups including children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, children living in homelessness, Travellers, and Roma and migrant communities.
Currently, the DEIS programme supports almost 1,200 primary and post-primary schools reaching approximately 260,000, with an annual investment of over investment of over €180 million. Budget 2026 allocates an additional €16 million in 2026, rising to €48 million in 2027 to introduce the DEIS plus scheme and support the implementation of the new DEIS plan.
450. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the staffing schedule at primary schools to ensure greater fairness and equity, especially for smaller schools in order to ensure equal access to quality education for every child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54955/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary staffing schedule is designed to operate in a clear and transparent way, ensuring that all schools are treated equally, regardless of their location. With over 3,000 primary schools across the country, it is essential that every school is treated fairly, and that this approach remains a key feature of the staffing process.
Priority was given in recent Budgets to reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools which has brought the teacher allocation ratio to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the most favourable ratio ever seen at primary level. More favourable ratios are implemented for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools. A three-point reduction in the retention schedule, which was introduced in 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts.
While small schools have benefitted from the recent improvements in the staffing schedule, there are also specific staffing measures aimed at small schools.
Such measures include reduced enrolment thresholds where a school is 8km or more away from the nearest school of the same type of patronage/language of instruction and a specific staffing appeal criteria aimed at small schools which allows the school to appoint/retain a teacher on the basis of current enrolment rather than the previous 30 September. In addition, sole primary schools on our islands have a second classroom teacher allocated, regardless of enrolment.
451. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of the delays in decision-making by the NCSE following SERC reviews, particularly in cases where schools have clearly demonstrated urgent need for additional SNA support; the steps being taken to ensure timely responses to such applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55001/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised.
As the matter raised relates to a NCSE process. I will arrange for your query to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
Deputies are also welcome to raise such matters with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at:oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie
452. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will investigate the case of a school (details supplied) that has waited over 130 days for a decision on an SNA review, despite escalating health and safety concerns in an autism class; if she will intervene to ensure appropriate resources are sanctioned without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55002/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised.
As the matter raised relates to a NCSE process. I will arrange for your query to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
Deputies are also welcome to raise such matters with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at: oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie
453. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the remit of SNAs in relation to health and safety in special education settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55003/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpecial needs assistants (SNAs) play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs in schools. They help ensure that these students can access an education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
SNA posts are allocated to schools as a school-based resource. Principals/board of managements deploy SNAs within schools to meet the care support requirements of the children enrolled whom SNA support has been allocated.?This provides schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
My department has been steadily building the level of SNA support in our education system. This school year there will be over 23,000 SNAs allocated to schools, 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. Budget 2026 provides for a further 1,717 SNA posts which will bring the total number of SNA posts to close to 25,000 by the end of 2026.
Of course it is important that a sufficient number of school staff receive adequate training to meet the care needs of students, and adequate cover is in place where staff designated to provide essential care support is absent on any particular day. Resources should also be deployed so that children with the greatest level of need receive the greatest level of support in the school.
Where specific training is required, the school can liaise with Enable Ireland, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Education Support Centres, at a local level to secure guidance and training to meet the care needs of the student. The school’s special education needs organiser (SENO) is also available to advise on the resources available to assist children with special educational needs including opportunities for targeted training.
454. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the oversight mechanism in place to ensure that NCSE decisions regarding SNA allocations are transparent, timely and responsive to the complex needs of pupils in autism-specific classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55004/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised.
As the matter raised relates to a NCSE process. I will arrange for your query to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
Deputies are also welcome to raise such matters with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at: oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie
455. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the supports available to schools dealing with high-risk behaviours in autism-specific classes, including pupils with PICA, elopement risks, and self-harming behaviour and whether additional resources will be provided to ensure staff and pupil safety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55005/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra456. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will ensure that schools are not penalised for adhering to inclusive admissions policies, and that adequate resources are provided to support all pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55006/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra462. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that the pupils in an autism class (details supplied) are presenting with highly complex needs, including PICA, self-injurious behaviours and high levels of dysregulation; the steps her Department and the NCSE are taking to ensure that schools are not left without adequate resources to provide for these children’s right to an appropriate and inclusive education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55114/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 455, 456 and 462 together.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. I will arrange for your query to be forwarded to the NCSE 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.
457. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there are any technical, legal, operational, or policy constraints preventing her Department, when publishing quarterly reports of payments or purchase orders over €20,000, from including additional columns that link each payment to its underlying procurement process specifically tender/contract title; name and address of the awarded contractor/supplier; contract award date; contract duration; expected contract value (excl. VAT); maximum contract value (excl. VAT); the unique identifier from the relevant contract award notice; and where such constraints exist, to provide details explaining her Department’s current process for reconciling each reported payment with the corresponding published contract award notice on eTenders. [55056/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department currently publishes these reports in accordance with the requirements set by Government. My Department will continue to comply with any central guidance on this matter.
458. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if all contracting authorities under the aegis of her Department are in full compliance with Circular 05/2023, in particular the mandatory requirement to publish contract award notices for all contracts above €25,000; and if she will provide details of the monitoring or enforcement arrangements in place to ensure this requirement is met. [55073/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraState bodies under the aegis of my department are required to fully comply with the provisions of Circular 05/2023. Procurement policy and procedures are an operational matter for state bodies under the aegis of my department.
As such, state bodies under the aegis of my department have been provided with the question and have been advised to respond directly to the Deputy.
Adherence to business and reporting requirements, including procurement policy, for state bodies under the aegis of my department is confirmed through mechanisms outlined within the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
459. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Youth if an emergency work grant application can be expedited for the provision of a fence at a school (detail supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55087/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school in question submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for external environment works. The EWS operates on the basis of a minimal scope of works required to remedy an emergency situation and, on this basis, the school was advised to submit a revised scope of works with an accompanying itemised cost breakdown. This has been subsequently received and some further clarifications were requested, which are still outstanding. The EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of the works required and will keep the school informed throughout the process.
460. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a child with autism (details supplied) will obtain an urgent NEPS report;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55093/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank Deputy Ward for his question regarding my department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and the particular circumstances as detailed by the deputy.
In framing my answer, it may be helpful to briefly outline the work of NEPS.
Through NEPS, all schools have access to:
• a NEPS psychologist for general support and advice.
• support from a NEPS psychologist in the event of a Critical Incident.
• National and Regional Support and Development service for school staff, which is advertised through the Education Support Centres of Ireland and covers areas such as trauma informed practice, cluster group support for post-primary special education teachers and special class teachers, training for Student Support Teams and supporting reluctant school attendance/school avoidance behaviour.
• access to either a NEPS psychologist or a SCPA psychologist for individual pupil casework where a priority need is established. SCPA – the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments - is operated through the use of a panel of psychologists who must meet qualification criteria set by the Department. It is an interim measure intended to supplement the NEPS service and meet current urgent needs for psychological assessment of children and young people.
NEPS encourages all schools to use the Continuum of Support Model a continuum-based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention for children and young people with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Under this model, a child or young person does not require a psychological assessment diagnosis in order to access additional support at school.
If a school has concerns that a child or young person is not making reasonable progress following evidence informed support and intervention, the school may prioritise the involvement of NEPS to support the identification of need process.
In relation to school transitions, it is important to note that the Department’s Circular 23/2025 for schools specifies that no new professional reports or recommendations will be required when a child/young person transitions from a special class of the same designation in another school.
The full Circular is available here: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/2b0b72d0-00232025-.pdf
I have made enquiries with the local NEPS office in relation to the details supplied by the Deputy and, at present, the school has not requested NEPS involvement for the child in question. Where a parent has a concern regarding their child’s progress, they should, in the first instance, discuss with the school principal or the child's teacher. As a school based service, requests for NEPS involvement must be made by the school principal or other designated staff member.
461. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will urgently review a case where a school-led above SERC review was conducted on 22 May 2025 (details supplied) in respect of an autism specific class; the reason after almost five months, no decision has been communicated to the school regarding its application for additional SNA support; if she will ensure that the findings of that review, along with the observations of both the SENO and the NCSE autism advisor are acted upon without further delay given the escalating safety and care needs of the pupils and staff in the class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55113/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised.
As the matter raised relates to a NCSE process. I will arrange for your query to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
Deputies are also welcome to raise such matters with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at: oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie
463. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth to clarify a matter regarding school transport for a person (details supplied) in Kildare south; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55123/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is not available at present, further information on this matter has been requested from Bus Éireann by School Transport Section of my Department and they will revert directly to the Deputy on this matter.
464. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth when she plans to implement changes to the ‘nearest school’ rule as contained in the School Transport 2030 Review of the School Transport Scheme report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55124/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is significant in scale and changes as recommended in the review will take time and careful planning to implement. The recommended action as part of the review is to implement any changes on a phased basis. It was outlined at the time of the publication of the review that, given that the proposed changes to the eligibility criteria are likely to further increase demand for the scheme, it is considered prudent to implement the proposed scheme changes on a phased basis.
This is particularly relevant considering the challenges that have been encountered in recent school years and in the current school year where there are continued issues with resource availability (drivers/contractors) across the wider transport sector.
A phased implementation of the review’s recommendations began at the start of the 2024/2025 school year in conjunction with the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann. A total of 14 pilot projects took place in the 2024/2025 school year, these pilots are continuing for the 2025/2026 school year and further areas have been selected to pilot revised scheme criteria.
These pilots will be monitored during the year and a full evaluation will take place at the end of the 2025/2026 school year. This evaluation will provide valuable insights into the impact of increased demand on the scheme, the potential for integrating public transport with school transport services, and opportunities to promote more sustainable modes of transport.
The findings from these evaluations will guide the planning and implementation needed for a national roll-out of a revised School Transport Scheme.
Work is also underway to identify where further pilot programmes may be conducted. A number of approaches are being examined including the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) to identify how many additional children would become eligible and where they are located. A digital mapping project of all existing school bus routes has been developed and there is ongoing collaboration with the Department of Transport, Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority in regard to planned expansion of public transport routes to explore where integration may be possible.
Implementation of the recommendations of the review will continue to be planned subject to resources being available to meet the increased demand.
The current eligibility remains as follows for the 2025/26 school year;
Primary school: Children are eligible if they live 3.2 km or more from their nearest national school.
Post-primary school: Children are eligible if they live 4.8 km or more from their nearest post-primary school or education centre.
Distance is measured by Bus Éireann. The rules also take into account the language and ethos of the school.
If a child is eligible and the family applies and pays on time, they will be given a place on the school bus if:
• A service is running in their area
• There is space available
If a child is not eligible, but the family applies and pays on time, they may be offered a spare seat if there is one. These are called concessionary seats. However, because eligible children are given priority, there may not be enough spare seats for everyone who applies. In these cases, Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process
Temporary Alleviation measures will continue for 2025/2026 which means if a child is eligible for transport to their nearest school, but is going to their second nearest school, they may still get transport if a service is running and there is space on that service, and they apply and pay on time.
465. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the details of the 2025 carryover figure found in the Education and Youth Table D (Reconciliation of 2026 Expenditure Ceiling) in the Budget 2026 Expenditure report. [55126/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe €95 million carryover referenced in the Budget 2026 Expenditure Report, under the section Reconciliation of 2026 Expenditure Ceiling, relates to measures introduced in Budget 2025 that commence in 2025 and extend into the following year. Specifically, certain measures in Budget 2025 are aligned with the school calendar year, meaning Budget 2025 funding is allocated for the school year 2025/26, which started in 2025 (August/September to December), with the remaining full-year costs falling into 2026 (January to July/August).
This carryover amount primarily reflects measures announced in Budget 2025 such as the increase in school capitation rates, with the primary rate rising to €224 and the post-primary rate to €386, as well as the recruitment of 768 additional special education teachers and 1,600 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs). These measures received initial funding in 2025, with the remaining full year allocation carried over into 2026.
466. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of additional places allocated for 2026 as part of the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55133/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra514. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the proportion of the €69 million of the additional funding for school transport announced for 2026 that will be used for ELS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55327/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra515. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the proportion of the €69 million of the additional funding for school transport announced for 2026 that will be used for children with additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55328/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 466, 514 and 515 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
In the current school year already almost 178,000 children and young people are being transported on a daily basis to schools throughout the country.
Over €69 million of additional funding is being allocated to school transport services. This is to provide for the additional demand for pupils with special educational needs on school transport services and increased bus contractor running costs.
It will also provide for additional funding on the School Transport Scheme fleet, and to implement improved technology such as e-ticketing on school transport services. E-ticketing will enhance students’ experiences on school transport and allow for greater visibility on seat usage. With better data, this will inform future route planning and maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the system.
The Budget documentation published sets out funding for key measures and actions agreed for the coming year. As the Deputy may be aware, in line with standard practice, the final allocation of funding for my department for 2026 will be set out in the 2026 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which is due to be published later this year. Further details on the 2026 allocations for my department will be available after the 2026 REV process is complete.
467. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the amount which will be allocated for rolling out DEIS Plus; the amount which will be allocated to each recipient school; and when funding will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55134/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra501. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the amount of the €48 million allocated in Budget 2026 to DEIS plus that is for new measures; the amount which is for existing levels of service; and if this funding is available immediately or from September 2026. [55314/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 467 and 501 together.
Tackling educational disadvantage and helping students reach their full potential is a key priority for the Minister for Education and Youth.
Currently, the DEIS programme supports almost 1,200 primary and post-primary schools reaching approximately 260,000 students, with an annual investment of over investment of over €180 million. Budget 2026 allocates an additional €16 million in 2026, rising to €48 million in 2027 to support the implementation of the new DEIS plan and the introduction of the DEIS plus scheme, which will be published before the end of 2025.
The DEIS plus scheme will provide additional supports to schools with the highest level of need, in line with Government’s commitment. It will provide targeted support to a small group of schools with the highest concentration of students experiencing intergenerational disadvantage.
The allocation of funding for the DEIS plus scheme will be determined as part of the new DEIS plan.
