Written Answers Nos. 262-281
262. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will review a case (details supplied) where a family has applied for their child to attend over 20 primary schools and has yet to be accepted to one but has been rejected from 14 so far; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67673/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an appropriate education is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided.
This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which promotes that children will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.
The National Council for Special Education (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 welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie.
In order to support the NCSE and forward planning my department published Circular 0039/2025. This circular informs school management and patrons of measures introduced to support forward planning and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child. An earlier date of 1 October was set for parents to do so.
Parents can continue to contact the NCSE after this set date also. Parents can contact local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) directly using the details available on the NCSE's website https://ncse.ie/seno-contact-information or by calling 01 603 3346.
The notification process will provide the NCSE with valuable information as to which children will continue to require a special class as they progress to post-primary level and details on students who require a place for the first time.
The NCSE will have a clear picture of the local demand for special class places for the 2026/2027 school year after they review and assess all of the information which has been provided through the parents' notification process.
Once the NCSE has fully collated and assessed this information, the NCSE will be in a position to engage with schools across the country to open new special classes. The NCSE will also have due regard to any vacant places in existing special classes in an area and any places that will become available through the normal movement of children leaving primary or post-primary school.
Where new special classes are sanctioned it is expected that schools will run admission processes in Spring 2026.
I would like to stress that the NCSE will continue to support all children made known to them after the October deadline also, however, it is important for planning purposes that we set an earlier timeframe for which the NCSE has as much local knowledge and detail as possible in order to plan what new provision is required. I urge any family that has not yet made contact with the NCSE regarding placement to do so as soon as possible.
263. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the progress made to date regarding an additional accommodation project under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67674/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy was approved a project under my Department’s Modular scheme which delivered four mainstream classrooms and two science labs in modular units as Phase 1 of this school's permanent extension which is now completed. As part of this project, there is also ongoing reconfiguration works inside the school to provide two special education classrooms.
As Phase 2, the school has been approved for a project under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme. The project will provide 7 mainstream classrooms, 1 music room, 1 design computer graphics room, 1 home economics room, 1 graphics room, 2 engineering/ construction studies/technology rooms with prep areas, 2 special education classrooms, 2 special education tuition rooms,1 office, 1 staff room and ancillary. The project was devolved to Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) for delivery.
The department currently awaits the submission of a Stage 1 early design report for review from the appointed design team. It is now within the remit of DDLETB to progress this project accordingly.
264. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether funding has been sanctioned in the capital budget, or any other budget, for the building of the new educational campus (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67713/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school project to which the Deputy refers is a campus project and is devolved for delivery to CEIST.
The project is currently at Stage 2b (post planning process) of the architectural process which allows for detailed design and planning, obtaining the necessary statutory permissions and the preparation of tender documents.
CEIST, as the delivery body will continue to engage directly with the school community to keep it fully informed of progress.
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 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 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.
265. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the ESD to 2030 funding call for schools 2025, for which applications closed in October; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67715/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to advise the Deputy that schools have all been informed of the outcome of the ESD to 2030 funding call for 2025 and the department is in the process of making the payments to the schools.
This year, over €850,000 has been delivered to 390 primary and post-primary schools across the country for ESD projects. These projects include school gardens and outdoor classrooms, forest schools, biodigesters and food waste management systems, composting systems, fast fashion projects, recycling initiatives and systems, irrigation and rainwater collection systems, energy education initiatives, student led sustainability projects, teacher CPD and a range of sustainability themed workshops.
Accelerating Local Level Action is one of the priority areas set out in ESD to 2030 and applications for funding from schools were required to include local level action.
Schools in receipt of ESD to 2030 funding have committed to publishing their Sustainability Policy Statement if they haven’t already done so in line with the School Sector Public Service Mandate. The department is in the process of mapping these published statements.
A list of all schools awarded ESD to 2030 funding in 2025 will be published on the ESD to 2030 webpage shortly.
€466k in ESD to 2030 funding was delivered to 20 organisations in summer 2025 to further support implementation of ESD to 2030 in our schools through a range of programmes and resources. A list of all organisations granted ESD to 2030 funding is available on the webpage.
Also in summer 2025, almost €500k was delivered to 10 youth led climate justice projects happening across the country.
The Youth Climate Justice Fund helps young people aged 8 to 25 take part in projects that raise awareness and take action on climate issues. This year’s projects include:
- A hydrogen education programme providing an inclusive, hands-on approach to renewable energy learning for 100 young people
- A programme educating young people about the causes and consequences of water scarcity and pollution using workshops, member participation and outdoor projects
- A climate justice debate series involving university societies and youth-led groups
- Development of an innovative, games-based curriculum designed to educate and inspire youth aged 13-25 about climate change adaptation, empowering young people to design and implement local climate adaptation projects.
The programme includes climate education, community events, awareness campaigns, and hands-on environmental activities. www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/national-strategy-on-education-for-sustainable-development-in-ireland/.
266. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the talks regarding school secretaries and caretakers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67717/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra276. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the progress made with (details supplied) regarding the pension entitlements and employment conditions of school secretaries and caretakers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67845/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra279. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on moves to resolve the school secretaries' and caretakers' dispute. [67938/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 266, 276 and 279 together.
Recognising the vitally important role of secretaries and caretakers within school communities, Department officials have been working intensively with stakeholders, with the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, to establish a platform for meaningful discussion and resolution.
I believe that all parties have a responsibility to make sure that these talks succeed and that both sides must come together with an open mind without preconditions or preconceived ideas of a final outcome.
My Department has been engaging with Fórsa over the past number of weeks under the auspices of the WRC. The matter has now been referred to the Labour Court. The parties remain in process, and my Department remains committed and ready to engage with Fórsa to reach a resolution on this important matter. As with any industrial relations process the matters under discussion are confidential until this process concludes.
267. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the detailed delivery plan, including timelines and key milestones, for the full modular build comprising of 14 classrooms and associated facilities to address the accommodation crisis at a school (details supplied); the expected date for the completion of the design and planning stage; and the projected date for delivery and occupation of the new accommodation. [67732/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that in March 2025 my department agreed an accommodation brief with the school in question to provide 14 special education classrooms and ancillary accommodation.
Furthermore an official from my department met with representatives of the school and discussed the current building, the site and the programme for a new build as well as the department's intention to run a mini-competition utilising the Sustainable Timber Modular Framework. A tender process subsequently commenced for this mini-competition.
I can assure the Deputy that enabling children with special educational needs to receive a befitting education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
My department works closely with the National Council of Special Education (NCSE) on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places.
The NCSE has sanctioned 407 new special classes for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 16 are in County Tipperary, 8 at primary and 8 at post-primary level. This brings to 154 the number of special classes currently in operation in the county. There are also 3 special schools in Tipperary with approximately 409 students enrolled. One of the five new special schools for the 2025/26 school year has opened in Nenagh also.
The NCSE continues to review the SEN provision requirements in South Tipperary and the wider area in relation to the delivery of special school places.
In relation to the project in question, it is intended that it will be delivered as a design build by Lidan Construction with Healys Architects as the lead designers of a full integrated design team. Lidan were selected on the basis of a competition run under the Sustainable Timber Modular Framework.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that officials from my department recently met with and are working closely with the school and the selected design team to finalise the procurement of the contractor and confirm site constraints including site access and utilities, which will then allow the school to appoint the contractor and commence the design process. Pursuant to the successful contractor appointment, it is expected that designs will be ready for Local Authority review in early 2026. Subsequent to a successful planning application, works will commence with site works and off site works running concurrently. It is anticipated that the building will be delivered in early 2027.
268. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of a new school building project for a post-primary school in Naas (details supplied), first promised by Minister Jan O'Sullivan in November 2015. [67733/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 provide a new build post primary school to accommodate a long-term projected enrolment of 1,000 pupils including a 6 class SEN base.
The project is currently at Stage 3 of the architectural design process – Tender Stage. The length of time a project takes to go through each stage varies and depends on a number of factors, including scale and complexity. The NDFA will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
My Department is committed to ensuring appropriate school accommodation is available for all children in St Marys College and will in the wider context outlined, ensure that this project - as for all projects on the school building programme - is subject to the due diligence required under the public Infrastructure Guidelines.
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 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. This will be the context for assessing all project rollout for the 2026 to 2030 period.
The current status of all projects is listed on a county-by-county basis at www.gov.ie. under item number 10 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.
269. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position on an extension for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67747/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis school has been approved for a project under the Additional Accommodation Scheme (ASA) to provide three mainstream classrooms, a two-class SEN base, and repurposing works of existing accommodation to provide two mainstream classrooms. Delivery of this project has been devolved to the school authority
My Department approved this ASA project to progress to Stage 2b (planning) in November 2024 and my department now awaits a post planning (developed design) report from the school for review.
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 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.
My department is now preparing an NDP implementation plan which is due for publication later in the year. 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.
270. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position on additional accommodation for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67748/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that my department recently received an application for funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question.
The purpose of the ASA Scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or by available accommodation at other schools in the area.
The school in question is located in the Prosperous-Clane school planning area. The department's projections of primary school place requirements in the Prosperous-Clane SPA indicate that enrolments at primary level peaked in 2019 and are decreasing year on year.
Given the general downward direction of overall enrolments in the area the department's focus for the assessment of such additional accommodation applications will be as follows:
• Analyse the extent to which enrolments at this school and neighbouring schools are serving the local area in the first instance. This will identify if some of the pressures on local capacity are arising from the enrolment of pupils from outside the local area where there may be other school provision opportunities available to them.
• In assessing accommodation capacity at this school and neighbouring schools, an assessment will need to be made on how best to utilise existing capacity in the context of both mainstream and SEN requirements in the local area.
The above sets the parameters for the department’s decision-making processes and this will, where necessary, involve engagement with school patrons and relevant individual schools as appropriate.
The application is currently being assessed and once the assessment process is finalised the school authority will be notified of a decision.
271. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a special school place will be provided for a child (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67749/25]
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. Deputies are welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie.
In order to support the NCSE and forward planning my department published Circular 0039/2025. This circular informs school management and patrons of measures introduced to support forward planning and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child. An earlier date of 1 October was set for parents to do so.
The notification process will provide the NCSE with valuable information as to which children will continue to require a special class as they progress to post-primary level and details on students who require a place for the first time.
The NCSE will have a clear picture of the local demand for special class places for the 2026/27 school year after they review and assess all of the information which has been provided through the parents' notification process which closed on 1 October.
Once the NCSE has fully collated and assessed this information, the NCSE will be in a position to engage with schools across the country to open new special classes. The NCSE will also have due regard to any vacant places in existing special classes in an area and any places that will become available through the normal movement of students leaving primary or post-primary school.
The NCSE advise that the majority of children and young people coming to them through the parents notify process are already enrolled in school and are being supported by existing special education teachers and special needs assistants.
With any date for applications for supports, it is important that those who come forward after that date are assured that they are not forgotten or excluded from the system. I would like to stress that the NCSE will continue to support all children and young people made known to them after 1 October in their existing placement with appropriate supports, however, it is important for planning purposes that an earlier timeframe is worked to in which the NCSE has as much local knowledge and detail as possible in order to plan what new provision is required.
For the 2025/26 school year the NCSE advise that a small number of special class places remain in every county in the country for those still seeking placement. While these places may not be in a preferred school, vacancies do exist.
The NCSE remains available to provide advice and support to all families seeking specialist placement and will continue to examine where provision is required for the 2026/27 school year.
272. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the difficulty faced by a school (details supplied) in securing an adequate number of French teachers permanently; if she agrees that a frequent change of temporary teacher creates a chaotic learning environment; the assistance that her Department will provide to the school to secure the appropriate number of permanent staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67756/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is fully committed to ensuring that every child has a positive school experience, with access to qualified and engaged teachers who are dedicated to supporting their learning.
The recruitment and appointment of teachers is managed by individual school authorities, of which there are over 3,700. While most teaching positions are filled, some schools face significant recruitment challenges. Payroll data from March 2025 shows the number of unfilled teaching posts remains low. Analysis of the teacher payroll shows 1.8% of allocations (621 posts) in post-primary were unutilised. This relatively low vacancy rate suggests that the vast majority of schools are well-staffed and able to meet the needs of their students.
Officials of my Department have contacted the school referred to in the Deputy’s question and have been informed the school has an adequate number of teachers to meet the demand for French.
My Department has introduced a range of measures to address teacher supply including in specific subject areas. Registered post-primary teachers, regardless of employment status, can avail of free upskilling programmes including French. These flexible programmes boost teachers’ employment opportunities while addressing subject-specific teacher shortages. The French Upskilling Programme commenced in Trinity College Dublin in September 2025 with 35 teachers.
Restrictions on jobsharers and those on a career break from working as substitutes in schools have been eased. Under the Teaching Hours Extension Scheme post-primary teachers can provide up to 35 additional hours of substitute cover per term including in science. All these substitution measures have been extended to the current school year.
The profession is attractive, with strong demand for teacher education programmes, almost 1,800 newly qualified post-primary teachers registered with the Teaching Council and over 127,000 teachers on the Teaching Council register in 2025. Salaries are competitive, starting at €46,448 for post-primary teachers and rising to €85,000 under the current pay deal.
Around 6% of first-choice CAO applications from 2017–2024 were for teaching, showing steady demand. In 2025, first preferences rose by 5% for post-primary teaching.? Over 75% of new post-primary teachers are employed full-time. 93% of teachers with 5+ years’ experience hold permanent full-time or pro-rata contracts.
My Department frequently consults and engages closely with stakeholders on teacher supply issues through industrial relations forums, sectoral meetings, and direct discussions. ?Further measures to strengthen the teaching workforce will be considered to ensure that schools have the support needed to provide an excellent education for every student.
273. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps she will take to secure emergency funding for a situation generating issues of major concern for a school (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67760/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day-to-day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep, and the ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities, except for the employment of relevant secretaries as per Circular 0036/2022.
The 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. The 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. These increases will take effect from September 2026. This funding will benefit schools around the country in managing their day-to-day running costs.
The current standard rate of capitation grant is €224 per pupil in primary schools and €386 per student in post-primary schools. Primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils are paid the capitation and the ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils. Enhanced rates are also paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils.
The Department of Education is aware that costs and funding can be a source of concern for schools, and is constantly working to address this matter, and to enhance the financial and other supports available to schools.
Schools in financial difficulty are encouraged to contact my Department for advice and support. The Department is committed to offering all available and appropriate supports to schools, which may include an advance in capitation grant funding or other measures.
The Department is constantly engaging with a number of schools in this respect. Schools that have contacted the Department have been referred to the Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU). We encourage schools to engage with the FSSU, and the school’s Patron, in order to work to rectify any financial challenges at the school.
In May 2024, at the request of Schools Division Financial Section, the FSSU engaged with the school referred to, to offer support.
274. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth to name the 80 further school building projects that will progress to construction in 2026 and 2027. [67762/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 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. My Department will be publishing it’s Sectoral NDP capital plan shortly. A focus of this plan will be, in the first instance, to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible. Additional capacity will be provided through targeted and prioritised projects which will be delivered over the course of 2026 to 2030 which will meet the most urgent and prioritised needs while ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs. It is envisaged that this plan will include a two-year rolling programme of projects proceeding to construction with the initial tranche for 2026 and 2027 period involving circa. 80 projects. There will be a strong special education dimension to these projects given the priority of Government to support children with additional needs. The publication of the sectoral NDP capital plan, and the subsequent publication of project rollout information will provide clarity for the school system on my Department’s plans for progression of projects to construction over the course of 2026 and 2027. The current status of all projects is set out under item number ten at the following link (www.gov.ie). This is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
275. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide details of the 80 schools that will progress to construction in 2026 and 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67770/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 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. My Department will be publishing it’s Sectoral NDP capital plan shortly. A focus of this plan will be, in the first instance, to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible. Additional capacity will be provided through targeted and prioritised projects which will be delivered over the course of 2026 to 2030 which will meet the most urgent and prioritised needs while ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs. It is envisaged that this plan will include a two-year rolling programme of projects proceeding to construction with the initial tranche for 2026 and 2027 period involving circa. 80 projects. There will be a strong special education dimension to these projects given the priority of Government to support children with additional needs. The publication of the sectoral NDP capital plan, and the subsequent publication of project rollout information will provide clarity for the school system on my Department’s plans for progression of projects to construction over the course of 2026 and 2027. The current status of all projects is set out under item number ten at the following link (www.gov.ie). This is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
277. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason for the breakdown in discussions in relation to pay parity and pensions for caretakers and secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67877/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecognising the vitally important role of secretaries and caretakers within school communities, Department officials have been working intensively with stakeholders, with the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, to establish a platform for meaningful discussion and resolution.
I believe that all parties have a responsibility to make sure that these talks succeed and that both sides must come together with an open mind without preconditions or preconceived ideas of a final outcome.
My Department has been engaging with Fórsa over the past number of weeks under the auspices of the WRC. The matter has now been referred to the Labour Court. The parties remain in process, and my Department remains committed and ready to engage with Fórsa to reach a resolution on this important matter. As with any industrial relations process the matters under discussion are confidential until this process concludes.
278. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of the major project at a school (details supplied). [67926/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe large scale project for the school referred to by the Deputy is now at Architectural Planning Stage 4 – Construction.
The project brief for the Major 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 Department is unable to release costs associated with a project until Stage 5 is complete. The information is commercially sensitive until this stage. As the project is still at Stage 4 we will be unable to release this information.
280. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the application for incremental credit made by a person (details supplied); and when the application will be processed and correspondence issued to the person. [67976/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in the Department’s Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC).
These circulars provide for the award of incremental credit in respect of teaching service, both within and outside the EU. Where a school satisfies the criteria set out in the circulars to have service at that school recognised for incremental credit, an award of incremental credit can be made.
In relation to the your query on behalf of the named teacher, I wish to confirm that a decision in relation to their application for incremental credit has been made by the relevant unit of my Department. A letter informing the teacher of the outcome of their application has issued to them.
281. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will ensure that the second classroom at the ASD unit at a school (details supplied) will be opened in early 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67986/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for children with special educational needs.
In order to support the NCSE and forward planning my department published Circular 0039/2025. This circular informs school management and patrons of measures introduced to support forward planning and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child. An earlier date of 1 October was set for parents to do so.
This notification process will provide the NCSE with valuable information as to which children will continue to require a special class as they progress to post-primary level and details on students who require a place for the first time.
The earlier date will allow for earlier sanctioning of classes for the 2026/27 school year, and it is the aim of the NCSE to sanction the majority of new special classes by 31 December 2025.
The NCSE will have a clear picture of the local demand for special class places for the 2026/2027 school year after they review and assess all of the information which has been provided through the parents' notification process which closed on 1 October.
Once the NCSE has fully collated and assessed this information, the NCSE will be in a position to engage with schools across the country to open new special classes. The NCSE will also have due regard to any vacant places in existing special classes in an area and any places that will become available through the normal movement of children leaving primary or post-primary school.
With any date for applications for supports, it is important that those who come forward after that date are assured that they are not forgotten or excluded from the system. I would like to stress that the NCSE will continue to support all children and young people made known to them after 1 October in their existing placement with appropriate supports, however, it is important for planning purposes that an earlier timeframe is worked to in which the NCSE has as much local knowledge and detail as possible in order to plan what new provision is required.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs and will continue to review and monitor the situation as to where new specialist provision is required.
