Written Answers Nos. 128-147
128. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will liaise with Fáilte Ireland, an organisation (details supplied) and all interested stakeholders to investigate the feasibility of providing a facility similar to the ultra-modern versions available in other parts of the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68366/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland’s role is to support the long-term sustainable growth in the economic, social, cultural and environmental contribution of tourism to Ireland.
Fáilte Ireland works in partnership with Government, State agencies, Local Authorities, representative groups and industry, to develop tourism across Ireland by creating destination development plans and networks, investing in infrastructure, activities, visitor attractions and festivals.
Fáilte Ireland have confirmed that they are not aware of the specific project referenced by the Deputy.
129. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the plans there are to reduce the number of quangos and strip out the amassed red tape and bureaucracy that exists, in order to allow the delivery of projects under his Department’s remit in a more timely, efficient and customer-friendly manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68377/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity – a commitment in the Programme for Government – is a whole-of-government strategic response to the challenges that Ireland is facing. A key focus of the Action Plan is improving Ireland’s regulatory environment under the theme “Regulating for Growth and Controlling Costs.”
Measures under this theme include introducing a ‘Red Tape Challenge’ across Government to reduce regulation for SMEs, a public consultation to identify areas of high burden, and all Government Departments to apply the SME test to all measures in particular to policy initiatives where it is proposed to increase costs on small business.
In terms of my own Department, there is an ongoing commitment to ensuring that the regulatory environment is proportionate and fit for purpose. This includes the conduct of Regulatory Impact Analysis and the systematic application of the SME Test, which has been designed to invite consideration of less stringent compliance requirements for smaller companies, where appropriate and proportionate.
My Department has also established a Small Business Unit which has been tasked with ensuring that the needs and issues of small businesses have a dedicated focus and are recognised and acknowledged across Government. Work is ongoing to streamline the business supports landscape, including simplifying access to grants and support programmes through the National Enterprise Hub.
Offices and agencies under my Department’s aegis have been asked to reflect on their processes to consider how they may be simplified without compromising policy objectives. Efforts on this front will be set out in each organisation’s annual report for 2025.
In terms of legislative change, the Companies Act was updated through the Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Act 2024 which introduced a range of practical reforms consistent with ensuring that Ireland’s regulatory framework provides flexibility and is fit for modern business operating in an increasingly digital and virtual environment. Work is ongoing to modernise and reform a range of other legislation including the Co-operative Societies Bill and legislation relating to Limited Partnerships and Business Names.
The foregoing complements work ongoing at EU level where there is a particular focus on simplification and burden reduction, with a view to improving EU competitiveness and ensuring there aren’t disproportionate burdens on business, particularly SMEs.
The reform agenda is being strongly driven by EU leaders with the European Council calling for a “simplification revolution” by ensuring a clear, simple and smart regulatory framework for businesses and reducing administrative, regulatory and reporting burdens, in particular for SMEs. In June 2025, the European Council called for the avoidance of over-regulation and the introduction of administrative burdens throughout the legislative process. To date, the European Commission has published seven simplification Omnibus packages, with others due before end 2025 and into 2026.
130. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if the significant increases in airline ticket prices to Prague following the Irish men’s national football team’s World Cup qualifying round draw is in line with consumer protection laws; if he will instruct the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to investigate same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68445/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra131. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will instruct the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to investigate airline ticket price hikes for major events in advance of the UEFA club football qualifying draws next July, which could see four Irish clubs travelling abroad for crucial games, given recent increase in prices for tickets to Prague following the Irish men’s national football team’s World Cup qualifying round draw; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68446/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together.
Traders in Ireland are free to set and change their prices for goods and services, based on demand, once they do so independently and in line with consumer protection legislation.
Dynamic pricing is a common practice in sectors such as the airline and hotel industry, where prices vary based on demand and timing. The practice is not prohibited if it complies with consumer protection law.
Consumer law requires traders to provide certain information to consumers before purchase. This includes the total price, inclusive of taxes and fees, allowing consumers to make the informed decision in advance of the sale, whether to purchase or not.
Consumer law prohibits also businesses from engaging in misleading, aggressive, or unfair commercial practices. A commercial practice is regarded as misleading if the trader does not act in good faith and misleads a consumer into taking an action that they may otherwise not take. The Act also prohibits traders from making a false representation that a product is available only for a limited time, or on particular terms for a limited time.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the independent statutory body responsible for the promotion and enforcement of competition and consumer law. It monitors compliance across all sectors of the market, including travel, and investigates potential breaches, prohibited practices and offences.
It is important to note that the CCPC is not a price regulator and as such has no rule in the setting, reviewing or approving price increases across the economy.
As an independent body, when the CCPC receives complaints on pricing, it assesses them to see if they indicate a possible breach of one of the areas of competition or consumer protection law that it is tasked with enforcing and then determines the course of action required.
132. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 2148 of 4 November 2025 to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in which he confirmed that, although not required by statute, his Department voluntarily publishes its annual consultancy spending online in the interest of transparency and accessibility, if his Department operates a similar practice; if not, whether consideration will be given to adopting this approach as a transparency measure consistent with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and wider open-government principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68456/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Public Service Reform Plan 2011, purchase orders for amounts over €20,000 are published online by my Department. This includes expenditure on consultancy.
I note the approach taken by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and have asked my officials to consider the matter and progress.
133. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the progress made by an organisation (details supplied) regarding the pension entitlements and employment conditions of school secretaries and caretakers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68516/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra140. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Youth if he will provide an update on the pension parity claim by school secretaries and caretakers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68253/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 140 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 pre-conceived 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, and a hearing will take place on 12 January 2026. 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.
134. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of land available and owned by Cork City Council for new school buildings (details supplied) in Ballincollig, County Cork; whether officials have engaged with the council in respect of acquiring the land; and the status of new school buildings for both projects. [68175/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCork City Council compulsory purchased lands for schools referred to by deputy on behalf of the Minister. These lands will be used for the development of a two school campus for the schools referenced.
These lands will be transferred into the Minister's name in due course. The capital project for development of these school facilities is progressing through the design and planning stages.
The project is currently at the initial stage of architectural planning – Stage 1, where a site and current building assessment is carried out, and initial design sketch schemes are created.
Currently the Programme Manager and the design team anticipate the Stage 1 Submission will be available to the Department in the coming weeks, and that the Stage 1 Stakeholders Meeting will be held before the end of December 2025.
The schools and patron body will be updated as to the progression of the project on completion of the Stage 1 review.
135. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of new school building projects and extensions currently underway in Cork, by stage and date the project entered that stage, including the number of pupils currently in the school, in tabular form. [68176/25]
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. 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 planned that circa 80 school building projects will progress to construction across 2026 and 2027 as part of a 2-year rolling programme and in this context all Government departments are expected to publish their sectoral NDP Implementation Plans shortly.
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.
The table below lists the school building projects currently in construction in Cork.
|
Roll Number |
School Name |
Townland |
School Level |
Project Type |
Start On Site Date |
Enrolments 2024-2025 |
|
00467B |
Ballinspittle NS |
Ballycatten |
Primary |
New School |
Q2 2024 |
184 |
|
04953H |
Ballyhass NS |
Ballyhass |
Primary |
Extension |
Q4 2024 |
234 |
|
12473M |
Greenmount Monastery NS |
Greenmount |
Primary |
Extension |
Q1 2025 |
237 |
|
13031I |
St. Joseph's Convent NS |
Charleville |
Primary |
Extension |
Q4 2024 |
213 |
|
14813U |
Roscarbery Con NS |
Ardagh East |
Primary |
Extension |
Q3 2024 |
111 |
|
17168J |
SN Inis Eoghanain |
Inis Eonáin |
Primary |
Extension |
Q2 2025 |
297 |
|
17362F |
SN Breandan Naofa |
Mallow |
Primary |
Extension |
Q4 2025 |
75 |
|
01692N |
Firmount NS |
Firmount |
Primary |
Refurbishment Only |
Q4 2025 |
169 |
|
10724B |
South Abbey NS |
Youghal |
Primary |
Refurbishment Only |
Q1 2025 |
221 |
|
20534C |
Owenabue ETNS |
Carrigaline |
Primary |
Refurbishment Only |
Q4 2024 |
91 |
|
01272O |
SN Chuan Doir |
Drombeg |
Primary |
Extension |
Q3 2025 |
76 |
|
14433K |
Abbeystrewry NS |
Skibbereen |
Primary |
Extension |
Q4 2025 |
139 |
|
15484J |
Glounthaune NS |
Glounthane |
Primary |
Extension |
Q3 2025 |
432 |
|
16339F |
SN Iosef Naofa |
Mardyke Walk |
Primary |
Extension |
Q2 2024 |
217 |
|
17251T |
Oven's NS |
Ovens |
Primary |
Extension |
Q4 2025 |
442 |
|
17790D |
Curraghagalla NS |
Kilworth |
Primary |
Extension |
Q3 2025 |
25 |
|
17950W |
Shanagarry NS |
Midleton |
Primary |
Extension |
Q3 2025 |
116 |
|
18567F |
SN Inis |
Killeagh |
Primary |
Extension |
Q2 2025 |
200 |
|
19232C |
SN Barra Naofa Cailiní |
Beaumont |
Primary |
Extension |
Q2 2025 |
324 |
|
19526T |
SN Cill Dairbhre |
Kildorrery |
Primary |
Extension |
Q4 2025 |
184 |
|
20009G |
Gaescoil Dr. M. Uí Shúilleabháin |
Skibbereen |
Primary |
Extension |
Q3 2025 |
78 |
|
20024C |
Bunscoil Muire |
Youghal |
Primary |
Extension |
Q4 2025 |
528 |
|
20107G |
Gaelscoil Mhainistir na Corann |
Midleton |
Primary |
Extension |
Q4 2025 |
561 |
|
20565N |
Rochestown Community Special School |
Cork City |
Special Education |
Extension |
Q3 2025 |
47 |
|
62050O |
Árdscoil Uí Urmoltaigh |
Bandon |
Post Primary |
Extension |
Q4 2025 |
429 |
|
62200H |
Coláiste Muire |
Crosshaven |
Post Primary |
Extension |
Q2 2025 |
518 |
136. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the current assault leave guidelines for teachers in schools across the State. [68217/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012) the board of management is the employer of teachers, SNAs and other staff of the school. The board’s role as an employer includes responsibility for the recruitment and dismissal of teachers, SNAs and other staff within the school, subject to relevant Department circulars, employment legislation and sectoral agreements. The role also includes but is not limited to, health and safety, building, promoting and maintaining positive staff relations.
In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, it is the responsibility of individual school authorities to have a safety statement in place in its school and to ensure as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of its employees and those who are in anyway affected by the work activities of the school. The safety statement should identify potential hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and put appropriate provision in place to safeguard the safety and health of employees and pupils.
The body which has statutory responsibility for ensuring that health and safety requirements are met by all employers, including schools, is the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). Guidelines for managing safety, health and welfare at work were developed following consultation with relevant stakeholders and are published on the website of the Health and Safety Authority www.hsa.ie.
The Leave of Absence following Assault Scheme, which is contained in the Department’s Circular Letters 0061/2017 for teachers and 0062/2017 for SNAs, provides for special leave with pay (subject to specified limits) to a teacher or SNA who is unable to perform their duties due to a physical injury following an assault that happened in the course of their duties and during approved school activities.
The leave available under the Scheme for Leave of Absence following Assault is 3 months (92 days) at full pay in a rolling 4-year period. In exceptional cases, such as where a significant period of hospitalisation is required or in situations of a second or subsequent incident of assault, the leave may be extended for a further period not exceeding 3 months (91 days) at full pay, subject to an overall limit of 6 months (183 days) at full pay in a rolling 4-year period. Any subsequent absence will be dealt with under the Sick Leave scheme.
In March 2025, the department re-commenced a review of the terms and conditions of the current Leave of Absence following Assault Scheme with all Education Partners, which is currently ongoing.
137. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of teachers in primary, post primary and special schools who took assault leave for the years 2020 to date in 2025, in tabular form; and the number which never returned to the school they worked in. [68218/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Education Act, 1998 (as amended), the Department of Education and Youth has statutory functions in the setting of terms and conditions for teachers and SNAs, but the Department of Education and Youth is not an teacher/SNA's employer.
Attached please find data on Leave of Absence following Assault and Leave of Absence following Assault - Extension, taken by teachers and special needs assistants for the period from 1st January 2020 to 31st October 2025. Data for November 2025 is not yet available.
The data provided does not include staff employed by ETBs and information specifically related to special schools is not readily available.
Please note that my department is unable to provide data about teachers/SNAs who did not return to the school they worked in after availing of the Leave of Absence following Assault Scheme as this data is not readily available.
Please note that this data is subject to change due to factors such as late recording of leave by employers on the OLCS and/or amendments to existing leave records.
|
|
|
Year - |
|
2020 |
|
2021 |
|
2022 |
|
2023 |
|
2024 |
|
2025* |
|
|
|
Leave Type- |
LOA following Assault |
LOA Assault Leave Extension |
LOA following Assault |
LOA Assault Leave Extension |
LOA following Assault |
LOA Assault Leave Extension |
LOA following Assault |
LOA Assault Leave Extension |
LOA following Assault |
LOA Assault Leave Extension |
LOA following Assault |
LOA Assault Leave Extension |
|
|
|
No. of Days |
565 |
1 |
793 |
53 |
1,344 |
366 |
1,500 |
236 |
1,678 |
258 |
1,040 |
139 |
|
|
Teacher |
No. of Individuals |
31 |
1 |
30 |
2 |
76 |
6 |
107 |
3 |
109 |
3 |
74 |
4 |
|
|
|
No. of Days |
1,847 |
626 |
1,444 |
472 |
3,199 |
587 |
4,845 |
727 |
4,833 |
830 |
3,838 |
507 |
|
Primary |
SNA |
No. of Individuals |
83 |
15 |
93 |
11 |
176 |
12 |
294 |
16 |
299 |
12 |
295 |
12 |
|
|
|
No. of Days |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
41 |
47 |
42 |
0 |
125 |
0 |
33 |
0 |
|
|
Teacher |
No. of Individuals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
|
No. of Days |
21 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
184 |
91 |
104 |
0 |
47 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Post Primary |
SNA |
No. of Individuals |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
Data excludes staff employed in ETBs.
* 1st January 2025 to 31st October 2025.
138. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to review the parameters of assault leave for teachers given in some cases the time period of six months assault leave is insufficient for recovery from an injury. [68219/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA leave of absence may be granted to a teacher or special needs assistant who is unable to perform their duties due to a physical injury following physical contact from a third party that happened in the course of their duties and during approved school activities.
In accordance with Section 14 of the Education Act 1998, it is the duty of the Patron to appoint, where practicable, a Board of Management. The Board of Management is the body of persons, or the person appointed by the Patron to manage the school on his/her behalf, including issues surrounding health and safety.
While the Department of Education and Youth has statutory functions in the setting of terms and conditions for teachers and SNAs, the Department of Education is not the employer. Where a teacher or SNA is injured as a result of physical contact from a third party causing physical injury in the course of their duties and during approved school activities, they may apply for leave under the “Leave of absence following Assault Scheme”.
The provisions of this scheme are contained in the Department’s Circular Letter 0061/2017 www.gov.ie/en/circulars/?q=&sort_by=published_date&organisation=department-of-education&year=&circular_id=0061%2F2017 for teachers and Circular Letter 0062/2017 for SNAs. It provides for special leave with pay (subject to specified limits) to a teacher or SNA who is unable to perform their duties due to a physical injury following physical contact from a third party that happened in the course of their duties and during approved school activities.
The leave available under the Scheme for Leave of Absence following Assault is 3 months (92 days) at full pay in a rolling 4-year period. In exceptional cases, such as where a significant period of hospitalisation is required or in situations of a second or subsequent incident of assault, the leave may be extended for a further period not exceeding 3 months (91 days) at full pay, subject to an overall limit of 6 months (183 days) at full pay in a rolling 4-year period.
A Teacher or SNA who has exhausted the maximum period of paid leave under the Scheme for Leave of Absence following Assault and who is still medically unfit to resume duty may avail of Sick Leave under the Sick Leave Scheme, subject to the normal rules of that scheme.
There is no provision made under the terms of the scheme to provide financial assistance to cover expenses related to medical bills or medication.
The Employee Assistance Service, www.gov.ie/en/service/23acf5-employee-assistance-service/ which is currently provided by Spectrum.Life, is available as a supportive resource for teachers and SNAs, including those who have suffered a physical injury leading to a period of absence as provided for under the scheme. The freephone confidential helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Supportive resources may include short term counselling (up to six sessions). If the EAS recommends additional short-term counselling sessions with the teacher, the Department can facilitate this request.
The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation determines the terms and conditions of Leave Schemes for Public Servants, which includes teachers and SNAs. In this regard, the leave limits noted in the Assault Leave Circular for Teachers/SNAs were agreed with Education Partners in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
The Department is currently engaged in a review of the terms of the Leave of Absence Following Assault scheme with the relevant unions and school management bodies.
139. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the financial support available to teachers who leave work on assault leave to compensate them for their medical expenses; and her plans to introduce new compensation measures for medical expenses. [68220/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA leave of absence may be granted to a teacher or special needs assistant who is unable to perform their duties due to a physical injury following physical contact from a third party that happened in the course of their duties and during approved school activities.
In accordance with Section 14 of the Education Act 1998, it is the duty of the Patron to appoint, where practicable, a Board of Management. The Board of Management is the body of persons, or the person appointed by the Patron to manage the school on his/her behalf, including issues surrounding health and safety.
While the Department of Education and Youth has statutory functions in the setting of terms and conditions for teachers and SNAs, the Department of Education is not the employer. Where a teacher or SNA is injured as a result of physical contact from a third party causing physical injury in the course of their duties and during approved school activities, they may apply for leave under the “Leave of absence following Assault Scheme”.
The provisions of this scheme are contained in the Department’s Circular Letter 0061/2017 www.gov.ie/en/circulars/?q=&sort_by=published_date&organisation=department-of-education&year=&circular_id=0061%2F2017 for teachers and Circular Letter 0062/2017 for SNAs. It provides for special leave with pay (subject to specified limits) to a teacher or SNA who is unable to perform their duties due to a physical injury following physical contact from a third party that happened in the course of their duties and during approved school activities.
The leave available under the Scheme for Leave of Absence following Assault is 3 months (92 days) at full pay in a rolling 4-year period. In exceptional cases, such as where a significant period of hospitalisation is required or in situations of a second or subsequent incident of assault, the leave may be extended for a further period not exceeding 3 months (91 days) at full pay, subject to an overall limit of 6 months (183 days) at full pay in a rolling 4-year period.
A Teacher or SNA who has exhausted the maximum period of paid leave under the Scheme for Leave of Absence following Assault and who is still medically unfit to resume duty may avail of Sick Leave under the Sick Leave Scheme, subject to the normal rules of that scheme.
There is no provision made under the terms of the scheme to provide financial assistance to cover expenses related to medical bills or medication.
The Employee Assistance Service www.gov.ie/en/service/23acf5-employee-assistance-service/, which is currently provided by Spectrum.Life, is available as a supportive resource for teachers and SNAs, including those who have suffered a physical injury leading to a period of absence as provided for under the scheme. The freephone confidential helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Supportive resources may include short term counselling (up to six sessions). If the EAS recommends additional short-term counselling sessions with the teacher, the Department can facilitate this request.
The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation determines the terms and conditions of Leave Schemes for Public Servants, which includes teachers and SNAs. In this regard, the leave limits noted in the Assault Leave Circular for Teachers/SNAs were agreed with Education Partners in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
The Department is currently engaged in a review of the terms of the Leave of Absence Following Assault scheme with the relevant unions and school management bodies.
141. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth if assistance will be granted to parents who missed an application deadline for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68268/25]
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.
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.
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.
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.
142. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if figures provided by her Department, to a newspaper are accurate (details supplied); the methodology her Department used to classify a special class place as vacant; if places counted as vacant are fully operational, and appropriately staffed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68311/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling students 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 NCSE is the statutory agency with responsibility for the provision of special education places.
All schools must notify the NCSE when a child or young person is enrolled in a special class or special school place. In addition to this information source, the NCSE also completed an exercise at the start of this school year to examine the number of vacant places in existing special classes. 782 vacant special class places were identified.
These are the confirmed number of available special class places as at the start of this school year as reported by schools to the NCSE.
Please note that children and young people may take up some of these places on an ongoing basis through this school year 2025/2026.
It is accepted that these available places may not always be in an area that some children and young people wish to apply to for the upcoming school year. Parents can contact the NCSE who will provide advice and support to where vacancies are.
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.
143. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of parents who have submitted a notification to the NCSE, by the 1 October deadline, requesting a special school place for the 2026-2027 school year in Dublin, broken down by postcode, in tabular form. [68312/25]
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.
144. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth the plans there are to reduce the number of quangos and strip out the amassed red tape and bureaucracy that exists, in order to allow the delivery of projects under her Department’s remit in a more timely, efficient and customer-friendly manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68370/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is quite unique across Government in the sense that it is directly involved in the planning and delivery of the capital programme for both the Education and Youth sectors. While there is a reliance on individual school authorities and other delivery partners such as Education and Training Boards to support delivery on a devolved basis, my Department’s Planning & Building Unit is directly involved in guiding and supporting the management and delivery of these projects.
My Department has a strong track record of delivery and a strong emphasis is placed on the use of standardised designs, specifications and layouts to support this delivery. My Department’s Planning and Building Unit has also procured a range of contractor, modular and Design Team frameworks to assist school authorities and Education Training Boards with project delivery.
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.
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. 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.
My Department is committed to ensuring that its services are delivered efficiently and effectively, with the interests of students, parents, and the wider community at the forefront, recognising the importance of minimising unnecessary processes to facilitate timely project delivery.
The Department is at the frontline of delivery and continually undertakes reviews of the processes and structures in place to identify opportunities for greater efficiency and improved delivery within the parameters of NDP funding and will continue to do so going forward.
145. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth for data relating to an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68393/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Academic year 2024-25 there were 176 junior infants enrolled in the Castleknock D15 SPA.
Enrolments by standard for academic year 2025-2026 are not available at this time but will be published as part of the final enrolments dataset in June 2026.
My department’s main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available for the relevant year, the student should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some students not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
In accordance with the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, schools are required to clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. It is an important feature of the act that schools can only make a decision on an application for admission that is based on the school’s admission policy.
146. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth for data relating to the Castleknock Dublin15 school planning area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68394/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a geographical information system, using 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.
Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from local authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth. In respect of post primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students and must be co-educational. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (aonad) in an English-medium school.
New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure must be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.
The 2024/25 enrolment data inform us that there were over 500 more pupils enrolled in the four primary schools in the Castleknock_D15 School Planning Area than who live in the area. Enrolment numbers in these schools have reduced in recent years from a peak in 2018.
Also, there were circa 1,400 more pupils enrolled in the three post primary schools, including fee charging schools, in the Castleknock_D15 SPA than who live in the area. The capacity of the one post primary school in the free education scheme, Edmund Rice College, is over 200 places greater than the current population of post primary school children living in the SPA.
Therefore, there is sufficient school capacity to meet the local demand.
It is also noted that a children and young people living in the Castleknock_D15 SPA attend post primary school in the neighbouring Carpenterstown_D15 where there is a significant number of post primary school capacity.
To ensure alignment of school provision with the rollout of additional residential development, the department, through the various consultation phases of the Statutory Plan process, liaises with Fingal County Council in respect of their County Development Plan, all associated variations, Local Area Plans and Masterplans with a view to identifying any medium to potential long-term school place and accommodation requirements across school planning areas and with the purpose of ensuring that there is an adequate amount of appropriately zoned and suitably located sites for future school place provision, which are in line with objectives as identified in the National Planning Framework. The recently announced revised housing targets will see an intensification of the Statutory Plan process for the foreseeable future. The specific detail on the amount of proposed additional residential developments and the proposed rate of delivery is awaited and this will inform the timing of additional school requirements. My department officials, who have consistently engaged in this process throughout 2025, will continue to do so going forward into 2026 and beyond.
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.
147. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth for data relating to the Castleknock Dublin15 school planning area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68395/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a geographical information system, using 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.
Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from local authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth. In respect of post primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students and must be co-educational. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (aonad) in an English-medium school.
New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure must be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.
The 2024/25 enrolment data inform us that there were over 500 more pupils enrolled in the four primary schools in the Castleknock_D15 School Planning Area than who live in the area. Enrolment numbers in these schools have reduced in recent years from a peak in 2018. Recent child benefit data informs us that the numbers of children of preschool age progressing into primary schools is less than the numbers leaving primary school to attend post primary school. Therefore the demand for primary places in the Castleknock_D15 School Planning Area is projected to continue to decrease.
To ensure alignment of school provision with the rollout of additional residential development, the department, through the various consultation phases of the Statutory Plan process, liaises with Fingal County Council in respect of their County Development Plan, all associated variations, Local Area Plans and Masterplans with a view to identifying any medium to potential long-term school place and accommodation requirements across school planning areas and with the purpose of ensuring that there is an adequate amount of appropriately zoned and suitably located sites for future school place provision, which are in line with objectives as identified in the National Planning Framework. The recently announced revised housing targets will see an intensification of the Statutory Plan process for the foreseeable future. The specific detail on the amount of proposed additional residential developments and the proposed rate of delivery is awaited and this will inform the timing of additional school requirements. My department officials, who have consistently engaged in this process throughout 2025, will continue to do so going forward into 2026 and beyond.
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.
