Written Answers Nos. 170-189
170. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the major building project at a school (details supplied); the reason for the delay; when progress can be expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66368/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Additional School Accommodation project referred to has been devolved for delivery to the school authority. A design team has been appointed to progress the project through the necessary architectural stages of design, statutory approvals, procurement and construction.
This project is approved for three Special Educational Needs classrooms , seven Special Education Tuition rooms, nineteen general classrooms, one art room, one home economics room, one graphics room, three science labs and two prep areas, one construction room and prep area, one engineering room and prep area, three project stores, two meeting rooms, one Deputy Principal office, one staff room and one GP/Dining area.
The project is currently at Stage 2B of the architectural planning design process. My Department are currently awaiting submission by the school authority of the Stage 2B report, which allows for detailed design/planning, obtaining the necessary statutory permissions and the preparation of tender documents. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the Public Infrastructure Guidelines.
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 1,300 school building projects. Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities. Supplementary capital funding of €210 million approved by Government has brought the total capital allocation for 2025 for my department to €1.6 billion.
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 roll-out 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 roll-out over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
My department is now preparing an NDP implementation plan which is due for publication later in November. This 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.
171. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a school bus ticket will be awarded to a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66391/25]
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 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.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil in question applied on time however, they entered their medical card details late on 7 October 2025. The bus is currently full to capacity and there are no seats available at present.
With regards to ticket usage, it is recognised that all pupils issued with tickets will not travel every morning and every evening. In addition, certain after school activities may also result in pupils not travelling on certain days. Bus Éireann organises for vehicles to be full to capacity with tickets based on applications received and based on the seating capacity of the vehicle. For safety reasons, it is not possible to issue additional tickets over and above the seating capacity of the vehicle which could result in a potential overload situation arising and all pupils not being carried on the service.
172. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria for determining which schools will be designated for the DEIS Plus plan; whether two significantly disadvantaged schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66398/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTackling education disadvantage and helping students realise their full potential is a key priority for the Minister for Education and Youth. The DEIS programme is a key policy initiative to address concentrated educational disadvantage at school level.
Currently, the DEIS programme supports almost 1,200 primary and post-primary schools, reaching approximately 260,000 students, with an annual investment of over €180 million. Budget 2026 allocates an additional €16 millions in 2026, rising to €48 million in 2027, to support the implementation of the new DEIS Strategy and introduce the DEIS Plus scheme, which will commence in 2026.
The DEIS Plus scheme will provide additional support to schools with the highest levels of need, in line with the Government’s commitment. It will target a cohort of schools with high concentrations of children and young people experiencing intergenerational disadvantage where there is a significant gap in outcomes and there are barriers to those children and young people achieving their potential.
The process to identify schools for inclusion in DEIS Plus will be evidence-informed, using available data. The details of the DEIS Plus scheme are currently being finalised within an overall programme of work to tackle educational disadvantage and will be outlined in the new DEIS Strategy, which I intend to publish in early 2026. Any future expansion of the DEIS programme and inclusion in the DEIS Plus scheme will be considered with the context of the new DEIS Strategy and the availability of resources.
173. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the school transport scheme will be amended to support students who do not travel to their most local mixed post-primary school, but instead choose to attend a single-sex school, as is their right; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66433/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth
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.
Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme, 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.
With regard to ethos, the Department of Education and Youth classifies schools as being one of the following - of religious denomination, interdenominational or multidenominational.
At Post Primary level, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest post primary school/education centre subject to limited exceptions. The scheme has regard to ethos and language in that exceptions to eligibility for the scheme are considered in the case of minority religions and the Irish language. The scheme at Post Primary level provides transport for children of minority religion for whom there is less choice of school given the dispersed nature of these schools and also facilitates the viability of those minority religion schools.
The School Transport 2030 report was published in early 2024 following a comprehensive analysis and review of the scheme as it currently operates. The recommended changes to the future operation of the schemes include expansion of the current eligibility criteria, addressing current operational challenges and moving towards better integration with public transport to ensure the best value for money to the Exchequer. It is proposed to expand access to the scheme so that an additional 100,000 pupils can be carried by 2030.
A phased implementation of the review’s recommendations began at the start of the 2024/2025 school year where the Department began testing the feasibility of a number of approaches through a series of pilot programmes; these pilot programmes are held in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann.
A total of 14 pilot projects are underway in the current school year. These pilots are being evaluated to 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.
Existing pilots are continuing for this school year. They are being monitored over the year and a further evaluation will take place at the end of the 2025/2026 school year. 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.
174. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when period products will be available for free in all secondary schools, as per the Programme for Government commitment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66440/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government, Securing Ireland’s Future, includes the commitment to provide free period products in schools to ensure no student is held back due to period poverty. My department is continuing to work to advance delivery on this issue.
Arising from the work of the inter-departmental group led by the Department of Health, the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) established a procurement framework that includes period products across Governments departments and other bodies. During development of this Framework, at the request of my department, it was arranged that it could be accessed by any primary or post-primary school. The Framework is available at OGP (buyerzone.gov.ie). The framework arrangements offer value for money and a high-quality service.
My department does not have a list of schools that have availed of these products to date as schools access the Framework directly via the OGP.
It may also be helpful to note that the Schools Procurement Unit, the central support resource providing guidance and support to schools on procurement related issues, can be contacted by email at procurementsupport@spu.ie to assist with information on the Framework and how to engage with it.
My department will continue to participate in the work of the inter-departmental group and work to ensure the Programme for Government commitment is progressed.
175. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding mechanism his Department has in place to assist schools that require to purchase land in order to create a safe parking space for school drop-offs and pick-ups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66451/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not provide funding for site extensions where the original site is not in state ownership. In this case it is a matter for the Board of Management or the Patron to purchase any site extension required. There are legal difficulties associated with dual ownership of different parts of a school site. In that regard, it is not possible for the Department to purchase part of a school site and leave the remainder in the ownership of the Patron.
The purpose of my department's Additional Schools' Accommodation 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 at other schools in the area.
The Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) provides for funding to be devolved to individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works which, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The CASWS operates on a multi-annual basis for a number of categories which includes external environment projects to facilitate improvement works to the existing external school areas. The new CASWS was open to all schools to apply for funding and closed for applications on the 30th of June 2025. In the past week 297 projects were approved under the new CASWS. It is anticipated that the next tranche of approvals will be announced in the latter half of 2026.
176. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to reduce waiting times for school building projects in areas of rapid population growth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66476/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, the Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas. The Department uses a Geographic Information System (GIS), which facilitates the analysis of data from a range of sources, including CSO Census data, Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level. As part of the demographic demand analysis, the Department also factors in planning and construction activity in the residential sector gathered from a wide range of sources. The information is used to inform the roll out of both new school buildings and extensions to existing schools as required.
The Department’s school building programme is delivered through a range of procurement strategies which are tailored to the scale and complexity of projects and programmes ranging from large scale new and existing school projects to schemes and grants to upgrade and maintain existing buildings. This strategic procurement approach also allows the Department and individual school authorities flexibility to access a diversity of contractors and consultants and the approach has allowed the department to maintain its strong and consistent delivery. The Department is constantly renewing, updating and broadening the range of procurement frameworks to support the delivery of the school building programme.
Large scale projects are delivered through procurement routes such as Design and Build, ADAPT, and traditional employer led design including major devolved projects with our education partners. The Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme is focused on delivering additional capacity on existing school sites. Traditional ASA projects are devolved to schools for delivery. The Department also uses modern methods of construction as appropriate including Modular accommodation in order to expedite delivery. My department has also secured exemptions under the planning regulations in certain contexts to facilitate faster delivery of accommodation to meet near-term requirements. Exemptions relate to smaller projects on existing school sites and certain temporary accommodation on school sites for which planning permission has been obtained for the permanent school.
The Department has integrated delivery teams which include both professional and technical, and administrative/project management staff. These teams support and oversee the delivery of projects based on compliance with departmental technical guidance documents from project brief stage through the various stages of architectural design and planning and ultimately to tender, construction and completion.
Project timeframes vary considerably due to the many variables which impact on a project from inception and through these five stages of architectural design and construction. For example, acquiring a suitable site for delivery of a school can take some time, as can the process to acquire the necessary statutory approvals.
In line with the Government’s Infrastructure Guidelines, projects are subject to relevant due diligence by my department at each stage in the process, within the context of overall programme and budgetary parameters. Each project approval represents approval to proceed to the next stage, and not approval for the overall project. It is also important to note that all individual projects form part of a larger programme. The Department must manage the wider programme within the context of available resources, including funding parameters, and this can impact on individual project timeframes.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan (NDP), involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects.
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 (NDP). 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
177. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans for expanding digital learning infrastructure in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66477/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe world is undergoing a digital and an AI revolution and it is essential that we equip students with the skills and competencies they need to succeed and thrive in a rapidly changing world. A key part of our plan is to support schools through investment in digital technologies, in training and teacher professional development and in curriculum reform.
It should be noted that under the Education Act, the Boards of Management of Schools have responsibility for the day to day management of schools. Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is therefore a matter for the Board of Management of each school in the context of their digital learning planning. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents when planning for the introduction of digital technologies including devices with cost and other implications being fully considered by the Boards of Management before a decision is made.
Schools, in conjunction with parents, are responsible for decisions on the use of digital technology, including tablet devices, laptops, and learning platforms, and how best to manage their integration into classroom practice reflective of their own context and requirements.
The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and its associated Implementation Plan are underpinned by €200 million in ICT Infrastructure grant funding over the lifetime of the Strategy, as committed under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP).
In total €345m has been invested in schools across the country since the implementation of the first Digital Strategy for Schools commenced in 2015 to date. In June 2025, €35m issued directly to schools through the grant scheme for ICT infrastructure.
In addition to capital investment, my department will continue to support initiatives that advance digital learning in schools. We will continue to advance digital education policy and embed technology in teaching and learning. We invest €15 million annually in the Schools Broadband Programme, providing high-speed connectivity to all recognised schools. Through Webwise, funded by my Department under the EU Internet Safety Initiative, we are promoting online safety, digital citizenship and media literacy among school leaders, teachers, parents and students.
Working with Oide Technology in Education, we will continue to support teachers with professional learning, training and resources that build digital confidence and innovation.
This investment is in addition to other important curricular reform which is underway. This includes the introduction of computer science as a leaving certificate subject, the introduction of coding as a short junior cycle programme and the implementation of computational thinking as part of the new primary school curriculum.
178. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students currently supported by reading schools or specialist classes for severe dyslexia, by region and by local authority area, in tabular form; the projected future demand for such provision; the planned timeline for expansion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66490/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.
At present, there are four special schools, and fourteen special classes attached to mainstream schools to support students with a specific learning disability such as severe dyslexia. I want to acknowledge the excellent work they do. It is important to note they were established at a time when there were much fewer additional supports in schools.
In working to develop a more inclusive education system, we want to support students to attend their local mainstream schools. This means that children and young people can be educated with their peers and are not required to travel long distances to attend special schools or classes.
15,000 special education teachers have been provided to enable schools to achieve this. In practical terms this means schools get a substantial additional teaching allocation to support students with special education needs who are in mainstream classes.
The additional resources are intended to support students with the greatest level of need, including those with a specific learning disability such as dyslexia, dyscalculia or dysgraphia.
Of course, I recognise the importance of building the capacity of teachers in mainstream schools to meet the needs of all students. To support this, 338 places are funded each year for teachers to attend post-graduate special education needs programmes. The NCSE offers dedicated professional learning opportunities for teachers supporting students with additional needs. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) also provides professional learning opportunities that are available to all primary and post-primary school teachers on supporting children and young people with special educational needs.
Funding is also made available to schools for the purchase of specialised equipment to assist students. Schools can apply to the NCSE, through their local special educational needs organiser (SENO) for such support.
The need for any additional provision or resources for schools to support students with dyslexia is kept under constant review by the NCSE.
A list of all mainstream and special schools is available on my department's website on gov.ie. In addition, a list of schools with special classes; broken by location and class designation is available on the NCSE website https://ncse.ie/special-classes.
The NCSE is currently collating the data and information received by 1 October through the parents notify process and are engaging with schools regarding where specialist provision is best placed for the 2026/27 school year. It is envisioned that the majority of these special classes will be sanctioned by 31 December 2025
179. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason that school children in areas (details supplied) were not picked up for school by school transport on several dates in September and October, with no notice and leaving children on the side of the road without a way to school, if the Minister will seek an explanation for this and provide reassurance that this will not happen again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66517/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBus Éireann operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. The purpose of the scheme is to provide transport for children living remotely from their nearest school.
Bus Éireann are also responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of the Department. They advise that they are following up with local office staff regarding the matters raised. The School Transport Section of my Department will furnish this information directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available
180. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on a new school build (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66548/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is now at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning - Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals, which have been secured, and the preparation of tender documents.
The department received the Stage 2b submission report from the Design Team earlier this year in March 2025. The department commenced a detailed review of this report by the multidisciplinary team and comments were issued to the Design Team requesting clarification. The Design Team have addressed these comments and the responses to those queries are currently under ongoing detailed review.
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 the 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 roll-out 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 roll-out 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. The 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
181. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the case of a school (details supplied); her views on whether on the appropriateness of same; if action can be taken in the short-to-medium term to mitigate this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66551/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers to occupies temporary accommodation at present and was approved for a major building project to address its permanent needs. The brief for the project is the development of a new 12 classroom special school for pupils with special education needs, on Department owned lands. In addition to the 12 general classrooms, the new school design includes a library area, a Home Economics Room, an Art room, Daily Living Skills and Practical Activity rooms, a GP room and therapy spaces.
This major project is being delivered under the Department's ADAPT Programme. The ADAPT Programme uses a professional external Programme Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning and on to Tender and Construction. The project has been approved to progress to Stage 2(b) of Architectural Planning – Detailed Design, where all statutory approvals are secured, and the suite of tender documents are prepared. The Design Team have recently secured planning permission and will now progress with detailed design and complete Stage 2B.
Pending provision on their new school building, my Department will continue to support the school with their interim accommodation needs and it is open to the school authority to contact the department in this regard.
182. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children with additional needs waiting for an appropriate school place a month after schools returned from the summer holidays, on a county-by-county basis, in tabular form, for the years 2022 to 2025 date, inclusive. [66618/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.
Through the accelerated provision of additional special class and special school places over recent years, there are now over 30,000 students enrolled in special classes and special schools. 2,700 new places were created for the 2025/26 school year and these, together with the over 1,200 existing places due to students moving on from primary schools and post-primary schools, has meant that close to 4,000 specialist places were made available for the 2025/26 school year. 407 new special classes were sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Five new special schools were also sanctioned for 2025/26.
The NCSE has advised my department just under 3,300 valid notifications were received by mid-February via their new parent notify service. While parents were asked to notify the NCSE by mid-February the NCSE received further notifications after this date. The NCSE advise that a number of special class vacancies remain in every county in the country.
It is expected that a similar number of special class and special school places may need to be provided over each of the next few years, that was provided in recent years. As more and more special classes open in primary schools and as the overall level of enrolments at primary level reduce, it is expected that over time the normal annual progression of students from primary special classes to post-primary will provide a significant number of places each year for younger students seeking a special class placement. At post-primary level, my department has already written to all schools asking them to prepare to provide on average four special classes each.
The NCSE is currently collating the data and information received by 1 October through the parents notify process and are engaging with schools regarding where specialist provision is best placed for the 2026/27 school year. It is envisioned that the majority of these special classes will be sanctioned by 31 December 2025.
This new timeline was publicised widely and communicated with schools and special education advocacy groups and parent representative bodies. The NCSE also undertook a lot of work at local level to ensure that families were aware of the timeline and process.
The NCSE report a very significant level of engagement and contact from families before 1 October.
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.
183. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the increased capitation grant for primary and post-primary schools announced in Budget 2026 will come into effect. [66619/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to increasing funding to support schools and the Programme for Government commits to increasing capitation funding to schools of all types to ensure that schools can meet the elevated day-to-day running costs.
The commitment in the Programme for Government builds on the progress which has been made in recent years. My Department has secured €39 million in Budget 2026 towards increased capitation funding for primary, post-primary and special schools to provide additional financial support towards their running costs. This will see an increase in the standard capitation rates paid to schools of €50 per pupil for primary schools from €224 to €274 and of €20 per student for post-primary schools from €386 to €406. This will also allow for an increase of €20 in capitation rates for Urban Band One DEIS primary schools, increasing the mainstream pupil rate in these schools to €294. The increased capitation rates will also see special schools now receive the same rates of mainstream capitation, for young people aged 12 and over, as for their peers in mainstream post-primary schools. This funding will benefit schools around the country in managing their day-to-day running costs.
The effective date for these increases will be September 2026.
The increases announced in Budget 2026 are in addition to the 12% increases as part of Budget 2025. The last three Budgets have resulted in an increase in the level of capitation grant rates of 49.7% (€91) paid to primary schools and 28.5% (€90) paid to post-primary schools
184. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of a large waiting list for a school (details supplied) where these children are in the catchment area and there is no other school in the town, if the Minister will ask her Department to engage with the school principal to offer all necessary supports; if the school's ASA application can be fast-tracked to meet need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66634/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that my department is in receipt of an application under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme for additional school accommodation from the school in question.
The purpose of my department’s Additional School Accommodation (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.
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 1,300 school building projects. In addition, repurposing and optimisation of existing accommodation capacity across the school estate has been a key enabler of timely, local provision of special class capacity in a way that supports best practice in inclusion and integration. Circa 80% of new special classes in 2025/26 are being facilitated in repurposed classroom accommodation.
Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities. Supplementary capital funding of €210 million approved by Government has brought the total capital allocation for 2025 for my department to €1.6 billion.
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 roll-out 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 roll-out 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 shortly. 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.
The application from the school in question will be considered as part of this process and the school authority will be notified of the decision directly
185. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will assist with the emergency provision of a boiler for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66635/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials from the Department's emergency works team have been in contact with the school today, 26 November, to assist them in submitting an emergency works application to deal with the school boiler. The school has been advised of next steps in terms of an emergency works application.
As the Deputy maybe aware, the purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies, or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for pupils with special needs. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action, and in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.
The EWS operates on the basis of a minimal scope works to address the emergency situation. The EWS is intended to remedy an emergency situation and usually provides only an interim measure until a permanent solution can be delivered under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) which deals with upgrade works to the school. The EWS is open to primary and post primary schools with permanent recognition and in non-rented accommodation.
In relation to the school's application under the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS), the first tranche of approvals under the new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme were announced earlier in November. Given that funding is limited in any particular year it is necessary to prioritise applications. Under the new climate action summer works scheme which operates on a multi-annual basis , like previous summer works schemes, applications from schools that are not reached for funding or market prioritisation reasons (as above) in 2026 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of the funding available for climate action summer works in subsequent years
186. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria used in assessing eligibility for ill health early retirement in the case of a teacher employed by her Department; the person or body that makes this decision (details supplied); the level at which the decision is made; the person or body that is consulted in relation to same; the precedents for this benefit being awarded; the number of cases in the past year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66722/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department administers pension schemes, which are provided for in legislation, for teaching staff in primary, secondary and community and comprehensive schools.
One such provision of these pension schemes is the awarding of benefits under ill health retirement.
The granting of a pension and lump sum on retirement on grounds of permanent ill-health is not automatic. There is a robust medical process involving an assessment of the medical condition and its likely permanency. An applicant must apply to the Department and separately, in consultation with his/her medical advisers, submit medical evidence on the condition, treatment and prognosis, to the Occupational Health Service (Medmark) in support of the application.
The OHS conducts an independent expert medical assessment. Applications for ill-health retirement are assessed on an individual basis and not determined by precedent. Each case is considered on its own merits, taking into account the applicant’s medical condition, prognosis, and supporting documentation. The OHS provides a recommendation based on comprehensive medical evidence, and the final decision is made by the Minister based on this recommendation.
Further information on the ill health retirement procedures for teachers can be found - Retirement on Medical Grounds - Teachers and non-teaching staff www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/retirement-on-medical-grounds-teachers-and-non-teaching-staff/.
Following an assessment of the medial evidence, which may include a consultation with the applicant, a decision is then communicated by the Department to the applicant. Where a teacher is in receipt of ill-health retirement pension benefit, s/he may not subsequently engage in teaching in any school or college funded directly or indirectly by the State.
My Department does not have the ill health retirement statistics available for 2025 at this time. However, for 2024, 25 teachers at primary sector retired on medical grounds and 28 from the Secondary/C&C sector.
The stats can also be found on this link Retirement Stats - First Page https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Teacher_Retirement_Stats_2024.pdf
187. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the reason it is not possible for National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to show flexibility in switching Eircodes on their system (details supplied) in order to fulfil their mandate for the provision of broadband. [66305/25]
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 a premises located in the AMBER area on the broadband map, which is available on 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.
The deputy has forwarded information to the department on behalf of the end user which indicates that there was an incorrect delivery of the original Eircode notification letter to a neighbouring premises in 2015. This has led to an incorrect premises being associated with this Eircode on the NBI ordering system.
NBI have confirmed that the premises correctly associated with the Eircode in question is now unable to place an order with their Retail Service Provider (RSP) on the NBI network due to this Eircode having been previously assigned.
NBI have further advised that their commercial team are actively engaging with both end users’ chosen RSPs to co-ordinate a solution which will correctly align both premises with the correct Eircodes on the NBI network.
NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
188. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if the Telecommunications Response and Resilience Group (T-RRG), chaired by his Department will initiate a plan to ensure telecommunications poles are protected in future storms by identifying dangerous trees and initiating a tree cutting plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66515/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra189. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if the Telecommunications Response and Resilience Group (T-RRG) has identified measures to ensure that there are no future extended losses of connectivity for vulnerable people using a health monitoring/pendant alarm, as happened after storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66516/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 189 together.
Storm Éowyn had an unprecedented impact on telecommunications networks. The impact of power loss on the sector during the storm, and delays to repair of overhead lines in some areas afterwards, had significant effects on citizens, particularly in rural areas of the North and West.
Since then my Department has undertaken significant engagement with a variety of stakeholders to address gaps in sectoral preparedness and response.
Operators have independently assessed their preparedness and committed to a variety of network-specific measures, including:
• reviewing the power requirements of sites
• acquiring additional back up battery and generator capacity
• preventative network maintenance
• enhancing redundancy with back-up routes to their core networks
• accelerating the use of satellites to provide additional resilience
My Department has formed the Telecommunications Response and Resilience Group (T-RRG), the purpose of which is to promote resilience and high availability of Ireland’s telecommunications infrastructure and to provide a coordinated sectoral emergency response capability.
The members of the group, which includes Government stakeholders, ComReg and industry, has agreed an initial workplan to include the development of measures to
• improve the physical and power resilience of networks
• coordinate and communicate more effectively during emergencies
• prioritise key infrastructure to provide minimum levels of connectivity during emergencies
The focus of the groups early efforts is to improve a) the resilience of telecommunications sites, particularly mobile, and b) communications and coordination between response stakeholders.
These broad, impactful and achievable measures will restore connectivity more quickly to all customers during emergencies, including those whose connection is impacted by treefall, or who rely on using health monitoring/pendant alarms.
The long-term development of the T-RRG into more detailed response and resilience measures will be at the consensus of the group’s membership and in conjunction with other impacted stakeholders.
The issues of vegetation and forestry management and vulnerable persons are, per the review of Storm Éowyn published in October by the Department of Housing, complex and multisectoral and will likely require an all-of-Government approach.
