Written Answers Nos. 461-478
461. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total number of first-year places available in each of the three secondary schools in Greystones (details supplied) for the 2026/2027 academic year; the total number of individual children who applied for first-year places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65029/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Apply to School pilot was introduced to simplify and improve the admissions process for post-primary schools in five pilot areas. This new system provides families, for the first time, with a single online application and introduces synchronised, streamlined timelines for schools to manage admissions, issue offers, and update a central database to record accepted places.
I wish to advise the Deputy that schools continue to operate in line with the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 and their own Admissions Policies. Under this process, some applicants may receive more than one offer, while others may not receive an offer until later in the process. The centralised system helps identify duplicate acceptances and supports families in achieving certainty on school places earlier.
As part of this process, a second round of offers will be issued on 4 December. This ensures that any places that become available after the first round are allocated fairly and that every child is considered.
With regards to admissions data of the Greystones area as referred by the Deputy, the data is currently under analytical review and cannot be disclosed at this stage.
I want to reassure parents that there are sufficient first-year places in each pilot area for local children seeking a place. The Department will closely monitor the outcomes of the admissions process to ensure that all local children are accommodated and to identify any required solutions if necessary. The Apply to School pilot will provide early clarity and robust data to support this commitment.
I can assure the Deputy department officials will continue to work in consultation with stakeholders to develop an evidence-informed, tested, equitable solution for a nationwide Common Application System and to deliver this in an incremental way that ensures the admissions process safeguards the best interest of children.
462. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will address the issue whereby primary schools are unable to input casual substitute work undertaken by teachers who are on carer's leave into the on line claims system, and are instead required to use the more cumbersome sub for sub-timesheet process; if she will confirm that this anomaly will be rectified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65030/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra463. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that the requirement to use sub for sub-forms for teachers on carer's leave who undertake casual substitution places an additional administrative burden on schools, and may discourage schools from offering such teachers substitute work; and the steps she will take to remove this disincentive and ensure equitable access to substitute opportunities. [65031/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra464. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the online claims system will be updated to allow the input of substitute hours worked by teachers who are on carer's leave, in line with all other casual substitute teachers; and if she will provide a timeline for this update. [65032/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra465. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will address the issue whereby teachers on carer's leave who work as casual substitutes are not receiving payslips that include the school roll number and the specific dates worked; if she will confirm that this information will be added to their payslips; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65033/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra466. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures her Department will take to ensure that teachers on carer's leave who engage in casual substitute work are able to verify their payment details with the same accuracy and clarity as other substitute teachers, given the current absence of key information on their payslips; and if she will provide an update on improvements to the payroll system. [65034/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra467. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth the means by which her Department intends to ensure that substitute teachers who are on carer's leave are not placed at a disadvantage compared with other substitutes when it comes to payment processing, administrative requirements and transparency of pay information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65035/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 462, 463, 464, 465, 466 and 467 together.
The Payroll Division of my Department provides a payroll service to over 3,700 schools. In order to ensure prompt and efficient payment, the Payroll Division relies on the schools to submit information in a timely manner. The submission of information is done in a couple of ways, firstly via an Online claims system (OLCS), and also, by submitting information directly to my payroll division. A teacher who is availing of carers leave is considered to be “in service” and should the teacher work in a part-time capacity whilst on carers leave, the school is required to submit details for payment outside of the Online Claims System. Payment is prompt regardless of the method of transferring information to the Department. My department is currently upgrading its current payroll system and this will be rolled out on a phased basis to all four payrolls over the next two and a half years. A self-service module will be provided to teachers, and this will provide teachers with improved visibility regarding the schools submitting claims for payments and payments date.
468. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the primary school parent survey given the survey is currently open and is subject to misuse (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65040/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department has robust and multi-layered arrangements in place to ensure the integrity and security of the primary school survey process.
The arrangements for validating survey returns operate after survey returns are received as this facilitates ease of use for survey users.
This validation process can deal with scenarios such as multiple returns and it operates in the background after survey returns are received and is being done on a real-time basis.
The Eircode parents and guardians provide to the primary schools their children attend is a key aspect for those undertaking the survey. Submitted Eircodes are checked against my department’s Primary Online Database (POD) in respect of primary school children and Child Benefit data in respect of younger children to ensure that the responses are from households with primary school children or younger children. My department’s validation process also involves checks for duplicate responses. Measures are taken to ensure only one submission is counted. In cases where a pattern of multiple submission is detected, the Eircodes are flagged and appropriate actions can be taken to deal with same. If multiple occurrences of suspect activity occur, additional security measures can be deployed to eliminate the ability of automated responses.
The survey process has been peer reviewed by the Central Statistics Office who are the State’s experts in undertaking survey processes.
469. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth if all appointments regarding maternity leaves, fixed-term contracts of teachers have complied with DES regulations regarding advertising regulations, appointment and interview procedures and that SNA appointments have compiled with same in terms of association with amalgamated schools since June 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65041/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012).
The procedures for filling teacher posts are set out in Department Circulars 0044/2019 for primary and 0031/2011 and 0020/2012 for post primary. These circulars require schools to employ appropriately qualified and registered teachers.
Department recruitment circulars remind schools of the requirement to adhere to the regulations and procedures set out in the relevant circulars.
The sequence for employing teachers on a short-term basis (less than 24 calendar weeks) is set out in Section 4 of Chapter 2 of Circular 0044/2019 and in Section 4 of Circular 0031/2011. The procedures for filling long-term posts (24 calendar weeks or more) are set out in Section 5 of Chapter 2 of Circular 0044/2019 and Circular 0020/2012.
Chapter 2 of Circular 0044/2019 also advises in relation to the requirement to terminate all first fixed-term contracts and if the employment is continuing for the following year, it must be automatically re-advertised by the employer and a new recruitment process undertaken for the filling of the post for the second year. Once a teacher has been interviewed for two fixed term contracts, additional interviews are not required for subsequent fixed term contracts.
In relation to Special Needs Assistants the recruitment and appointment is a matter for the individual school authority. Department Circulars 0051/2019 and 0043/2025 sets out the current requirements for appointment as a Special Needs Assistant.
470. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [65176/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at Stage 4-Construction.
The Design Team for the project issued the Letter of Acceptance to the successful contractor on the 6th June 2025.
The project was due to commence on site in July 2025, however, following a late planning condition issued by the Local Authority-a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) was requested and subsequently submitted by the Design Team.
Construction will commence once the Local Authority have approved the CEMP.
In the interim, the contractors are progressing with preliminary site activities such as surveys and compound boundary marking.
The project has an estimated contract duration of 19 months.
In July the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs. It is planned that circa 80 school building projects will progress to construction across 2026 and 2027 as part of a 2-year rolling programme.
All Government departments are expected to publish their sectoral NDP Implementation Plans in November. My department’s plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
471. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [65177/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at Stage 4-Construction.
The project comprises of the phased demolition of the existing school and the phased construction of a new two storey school with associated site works to provide accommodation for a new 12-classroom school with 3 classrooms for pupils with Special Educational Needs. The development includes a new carpark, ballcourts, landscaping and some roadworks.
The Design Team for the project issued the Letter of Acceptance to the successful contractor on the 28th June 2024. The project has an estimated contract duration of 22 months.
472. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [65178/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at Stage 4-Construction.
The Design Team for the project issued the Letter of Acceptance to the successful contractor on the 28th August 2025. My Department is currently reviewing a Value Engineering Report submitted by the contractor and work has commenced onsite. The project has an estimated contract duration of 24 months.
In July the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs. It is planned that circa 80 school building projects will progress to construction across 2026 and 2027 as part of a 2-year rolling programme.
All Government departments are expected to publish their sectoral NDP Implementation Plans in November. My department’s plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
473. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [65179/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school project to which the Deputy refers, has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects.
The brief for this project is to provide a new build 24-classroom primary school with a 2-class SEN base.
The project commenced on site in October 2023. Phase 2b of the works reached substantial completion in March 2025. This saw the completion of 20 classrooms in the main school building.
Phase 2c of the works will see the delivery of the remaining classrooms plus GP Hall, external works and removal of all temporary accommodation. The project has a current expected completion date of Q1 2026.
The NDFA are engaging directly with the school authority to keep it fully informed of all progress.
The current status of all projects is listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie and this is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
474. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his Department’s position on the adequacy of social media and online regulation to promote a safe online environment; if his Department has any plans to amend existing legislation or introduce new legislation on the topic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65050/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, it is important to say that significant progress has been made in improving online safety in Ireland. Since the establishment of Coimisiún na Meán in March 2023, we have seen the emergence of Ireland’s online safety framework, with An Coimisiún at its heart. Failure to adequately fulfil obligations under the framework can lead to significant financial sanctions and continued non-compliance can lead to criminal sanctions for senior management under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act.
Age verification is a vital part of the picture in terms of providing real assurance that children are the age they claim to be and to ensure they are not exposed to harmful or illegal content.
In this regard, systems must be trustworthy, interoperable and respect users’ rights, including data protection rights. To that end, my officials are continuing to work with the Government’s Chief Information Officer and his Office to look at practical technical solutions to age verification as part of the Government's Digital Wallet being developed using MyGovID. If additional legislation is needed to underpin this we will progress this.
In addition, right across Europe, Member States are examining the question of prohibiting access by children and young people to social media platforms – the so-called “digital age of majority”. I believe that any decision would be better taken by the EU and EU Member States together. However, it must be acknowledged that there are differing views on various aspects, for example, as to whether there should be an age of digital majority at all, if there is one, what age it should be, or whether it should be an outright ban or a ban subject to parental consent.
In this context, the EU Audio Visual Media Services Directive, which is the basis for Ireland's Online Safety Code, will be evaluated over the coming year and further measures are likely to be proposed at European level in the latter half of next year. Ireland will work with all stakeholders to ensure that additional legislative proposals are robust in addressing harms posed to children online. I also plan to make online safety a key theme of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union in 2026.
I will continue to work with all stakeholders to protect children and young people from inappropriate, harmful and illegal online content.
475. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the new measures his Department is proposing to enhance online safety; if these measures will also work to protect all citizens online, including children and vulnerable adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65051/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, it is important to say that significant progress has been made in improving online safety in Ireland. Since the establishment of Coimisiún na Meán in March 2023, we have seen the emergence of Ireland’s online safety framework, with An Coimisiún at its heart. An Coimisiún is Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator under the Digital Services Act and aa competent authority under the EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation. And in October 2024, under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, An Coimisiún adopted Ireland’s first online safety code, which has applied in full since July of this year.
Failure to adequately fulfil their obligations under the aforementioned legislation can lead to significant financial sanctions and continued non-compliance can lead to criminal sanctions for senior management under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act.
Nothwithstanding this progress, I continue to work across Government and with all stakeholders to ensure children and young people can be safe from harmful or illegal content online. In particular, I want to progress robust age verification. It is a vital part of the picture in terms of providing real assurance that children are the age they claim to be and to ensure they are not exposed to harmful or illegal content. I am seeking the inclusion of a commitment to this effect in the Government’s updated National Digital Strategy which will be published later this year.
In addressing age verification, we must seek to ensure that there are trustworthy systems in place that are interoperable and respect users’ rights, including data protection rights. To that end, my officials are continuing to work with the Government’s Chief Information Officer and his Office to look at practical technical solutions to age verification as part of the Government's Digital Wallet being developed using MyGovID.
In addition, right across Europe, Member States are examining the question of prohibiting access by children and young people to social media platforms – the so-called “digital age of majority”. Ireland is also considering its position on this matter but I believe that any decision would be better taken by the EU and EU Member States together. However, it must be acknowledged that there are differing views on various aspects, for example, as to whether there should be an age of digital majority at all, if there is one, what age it should be, or whether it should be an outright ban or a ban subject to parental consent.
In this context, the EU Audio Visual Media Services Directive, which is the basis for Ireland's Online Safety Code, will be evaluated over the coming year and further measures are likely to be proposed at European level in the latter half of next year. Ireland will work with all stakeholders to ensure that additional legislative proposals are robust in addressing harms posed to children online. I also plan to make online safety a key theme of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union in 2026.
I will continue to work with all stakeholders, nationally and internationally, to ensure robust safety measures, including robust age verification, are in place to protect children and young people from inappropriate, harmful and illegal online content.
476. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the roll out of the National Broadband Plan in rural counties, such as Offaly; whether delivery timelines are on track; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59351/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future published in January 2025 sets a number of targets which include the completion of the installation of high-speed fibre broadband to 1.1 million people, including homes, farms, and businesses nationwide, by 2026.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that there are over 564,000 premises in the Intervention Area (IA) and design work has been completed for 100% of these. NBI has also passed over 430,000 premises in the intervention area and are connecting circa 4,500 premises to their fibre network per month. NBI also advise that 442,888 premises, across all counties in mainly rural areas, can now order or pre-order broadband and over 153,660 premises are already connected.
I have been advised by NBI that over 9,970 premises are now passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 10,675 premises are available to order/pre-order in County Offaly, with over 2,848 premises now connected.
A further circa 2,500 premises in County Offaly will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of network deployment. Premises located in the Edenderry Deployment Area are currently in the network build phase and will be available to order / passed in the period January to March 2026. Premises in Portarlington D.A are also in the network build phase, and will be available to order / passed in the period July to December 2026. The Templemore D.A. is at a status of Survey Pending and will be available to order / passed in the period July to December 2026.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Offaly can be monitored via [https://nbi.ie/reps]. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries. It should be noted that NBI provide this information for County Offaly based on NBI deployment areas rather than exact county boundaries.
477. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the expected timeline for the completion of full fibre broadband roll out in Skerries and surrounding areas in Dublin Fingal; if he will provide a breakdown of the number of premises currently connected versus those still awaiting service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52394/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
The Question refers to Skerries which is predominantly located in the AMBER area on the broadband map, which is available on my Department's website [www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/].
The AMBER area is to be served by the network deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
NBI have advised that the majority of premises in Skerries are ready for service, and 2,409 premises in the Skerries Deployment Area (DA) are available to order / pre order. The remaining premises are currently undergoing survey work and will be passed / available to order in the period October 2026 -December 2026.
NBI have advised that 1,193 premises in the Lusk DA are ready for service and that 2,926 premises in the Donabate /Portrane DA which includes Donabate, Portrane, Malahide. Portmarnock and Swords municipal areas are at Network Build stage and will be passed /available to order in the period April 2026-June 2026.
The latest information on when high-speed broadband will become available to the AMBER area can be found on National Broadband Ireland’s (NBI) website at [https://nbi.ie/map/]. This website is regularly updated providing the expected timeline for delivery and status of any works that are initiated at any point in time.
NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
478. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to outline the supports available to remote workers and small businesses in towns like Skerries who are still experiencing poor broadband connectivity; whether interim solutions are being considered while full fibre roll out is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52395/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland. National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is the private consortium delivering fibre broadband in the Intervention Areas.
The Question refers to Skerries which is predominantly located in the AMBER area on the broadband map, which is available on my Department's website [www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/]. There are no specific supports currently being operated by my Department to connect remote workers and businesses to broadband, other than the NBI infrastructure rollout.
In those Deployment Areas still awaiting the rollout of the NBI network, Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) offer an interim solution. BCPs are a key element of the NBP and are located in areas of community importance, allowing local residents to quickly get free public access to high-speed broadband in advance of fibre deployment under the National Broadband Plan.
NBI reports that 283 publicly accessible BCP sites now connected with a high-speed broadband service through a service provider contract with Vodafone.
To find the nearest public BCP, an Eircode can be searched on NBI’s website ([https://nbi.ie/bcp-map/]).
The nearest BCP available to the Skerries area is located at Man O'War GFC, Yellow Hill, Oberstown, Lusk, Dublin, Ireland. K45 AE80.
