Written Answers Nos. 321-340
321. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the amount his Department, or agencies under its remit, spent on advertising on a social media platform (details supplied) in each of the years 2024 and 2025 respectively; to outline any expenditure on verification or premium accounts on the platform in those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3108/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that there has been no such expenditure by my Department nor any of the bodies under its aegis in the years specified.
322. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his plans to legislate against AI’s use in the creation of objectionable material, given issues that have arisen in certain applications (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3131/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraConcerns regarding the ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) are both valid and widely acknowledged. While AI presents significant opportunities for societal advancement, it also introduces complex challenges related to safety, privacy, and the protection of fundamental rights. The offering and use of AI tools on online platforms to create and share illegal images is unacceptable and a significant body of existing legislation is place to provide protections in that regard.
The generation of child sexual abuse material is illegal under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998. The sharing of, or threatening to share intimate images without a person’s consent, and distributing, publishing or sending a threatening or grossly offensive communication to another person is illegal under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 (also known as Coco’s Law).
Coimisiún na Meán, as Ireland’s online safety and media regulator, is at the heart of Ireland’s online safety framework, including the regulation of social media.
Under the Online Safety Framework, there is an obligation on platforms to act on reports of illegal content. So, the public can report illegal content to the online platform, who must react on that report, and to Coimisiún na Meán.
A failure by the platform to protect against illegal or harmful content being shown can lead to significant financial sanctions and, under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, continued non-compliance can lead to criminal sanctions for senior management.
The EU Digital Services Act (DSA) is an EU regulation that introduces obligations on providers of online intermediary services, including online social media platforms, to protect users and consumers of online services. The DSA is designed to provide better protection of fundamental rights; more control and choice over online experiences; stronger protection of children online; and expedited removal of illegal content. The regulation has applied in full since 17 February 2024.
The Digital Services Act 2024 designated Coimisiún na Meán as its Digital Services Coordinator for the DSA. Coimisiún na Meán is independent in the performance of its functions.
Under the Digital Services Act, the European Commission has powers with respect to the proliferation of illegal content online, on Very Large Online Platforms and Very Large Online Search Engines, and the protection of fundamental rights, including the protection of minors. The European Commission leads on the supervision and enforcement of obligations regarding systemic risks.
Under the Digital Services Act, online platforms are obliged to remove illegal content once it is flagged to them by users. If they fail to remove illegal content once made aware, they risk becoming liable for it.
Online Platforms have an obligation to assess risks posed by their platforms and by any updates to platform features in advance of making those features being made available to users. This includes risks associated with the dissemination of illegal content, infringements on fundamental rights, negative effects on public discourse and electoral processes, gender-based violence, public health, and the protection of minors. They must then put in place effective mitigation measures to address these systemic risks.
The Government and the European Commission has stated that the generation and dissemination of illegal content on online platforms is unacceptable. In respect of recent events the Commission has taken investigative steps , ordered the online platform provider to retain all internal documents and data relating to the use of their platform until the end of 2026 to assist in their assessment of the situation and has stated it will not hesitate to put the Digital Services Act to its full use to protect EU citizens. Coimisiún na Meán as the independent regulator of Digital Services in Ireland is engaging with the European Commission in this context.
The Government urges and welcomes the European Commission’s use of its supervisory authority under the DSA, and calls for a prompt review of whether the integration and functioning of Grok on the X platform fully meet the requirements set out in the DSA—especially regarding child safety, the prevention of non-consensual sexual material, the evaluation of systemic risks, and the enforcement of appropriate mitigation measures.
The [EU AI Act] complements the protections provided for in the Digital Services Act by introducing stronger governance for AI developed or deployed within the EU. These provisions will introduce transparency requirements, so AI generated images must be clearly labelled as being made by AI.
The sharing of intimate images without consent is illegal, and the generation of child sexual abuse material is illegal and online platforms have legal obligations to protect against the proliferation of illegal content.
If a member of the public is concerned about images shared online, they should report it to the platform provider and, if they believe it may be illegal, to An Garda Síochána. Reports can also be made to the Irish national reporting centre, Hotline.ie.
If a person has difficulty submitting a report to a platform, or have concerns that the correct procedures for handling a report have not been followed by a platform, then they should contact Coimisiún na Meán.
For anyone who is distressed about images they have seen, there are a number of organisations who can help. These are listed on the website of Coimisiún na Meán at - Crisis support - Coimisiún na Meán and also on the Hotline website at - Irish support services – Hotline.
323. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of redundancy notifications received from employers in County Waterford in each year 2020 to 2025; and the number of workers affected, in tabular form. [3010/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 12 of the Protection of Employment Acts 1977-2024 provides that an employer proposing collective redundancies must notify the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment at least 30 days before the first dismissal takes effect.
Collective redundancies arise where, during any period of 30 consecutive days, the employees being made redundant are: 5 employees where 21-49 are employed; 10 employees where 50-99 are employed; 10% of the employees where 100-299 are employed; 30 employees where 300 or more are employed.
The information required to provide in a collective redundancy notification is set out in S.I. 324/2024 and includes the number of potential redundancies and the address(es) of the establishment where the collective redundancies are proposed.
However, employers are not required to provide a numerical breakdown of proposed redundancies by county where these may arise across multiple locations. In such cases, a collective redundancy notification may state the number of redundancies that are proposed nationally, without identifying how many posts may be affected in each specific county. As a result, the precise number of proposed redundancies attributable to an individual county may not be possible to determine from the information provided in a collective redundancy notification.
As it is not possible to provide a meaningful breakdown of the number of collective redundancy notifications received by county, the total number of collective redundancy notifications received nationally for the years 2020 – 2025 is therefore provided below.
It is important to note that statistics on collective redundancy notifications do not equate to/reflect the number of actual job losses across the economy. Redundancies below collective redundancy thresholds are not required to be notified to my Department. Furthermore, not all potential redundancies notified to my Department in a collective redundancy notification result in actual redundancies. Alternative solutions can be found during the 30-day consultation period between employers and employees and job losses may be avoided.
This data is correct at the time of issue.
|
Year |
No. of Collective Redundancy Notifications received |
No. of Potential Redundancies Notified |
|
2025 |
210 |
11067 |
|
2024 |
166 |
9664 |
|
2023 |
173 |
11563 |
|
2022 |
115 |
7173 |
|
2021 |
93 |
7655 |
|
2020 |
222 |
12514 |
324. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the amount his Department, or agencies under its remit, spent on advertising on a social media platform (details supplied) in each of the years 2024 and 2025 respectively; to outline any expenditure on verification or premium accounts on the platform in those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3101/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's spend with Twitter/ X for 2024 and 2025 is set out in tabular form below.
|
Year |
Spend |
|
2024 |
€1,578.45 |
|
2025 |
€103.32 |
These figures include a premium subscription fee of €103.32 for both years.
The advertising activity by the agencies under my Department’s remit is an operational matter for those bodies and I do not have any direct function in these matters.
325. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the available grants and supports to a business (limited company) who has bought a derelict premises to assist in renovation/set up of business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3180/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), located within the 31 Local Authorities, are the first stop shop for local businesses in Ireland. In the first instance LEOs provide a signposting service for all government supports available to the SME sector. The LEOs provide consultancy and grants to small businesses across all sectors, in the areas of Lean, Digital and Green. These supports focus on enhancing productivity and improving competitiveness in small businesses.
LEO Business Advisors are able to provide advice on the range of supports available to small businesses starting up including mentoring supports, training and development supports. Depending on the nature of the business, direct grant assistance may also be available to cover some start-up capital costs, such as, fit out of workspace, office equipment, machinery, and other costs, such as, salary, consultancy, and marketing. However, it should be noted, that acquisition or construction of buildings and structural refurbishment works of a derelict commercial premises would not be considered an eligible expense under these grant offerings.
However, I am informed that some local authorities have introduced locally designed business incentive schemes which promote the use of vacant commercial property. Applicants should contact their local authority for full details and application procedures.
326. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if there is a shop front improvement grant; if so, who is eligible and the criteria for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3182/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile my Department does not provide this type of grant support, I am informed that under the Shop Front Enhancement Grant, Local Authorities may provide financial support to local businesses to improve the appearance of their shop fronts and commercial properties on public streets. Applicants should contact their local authority for full details and application procedures.
327. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of Enterprise Ireland supported jobs in each county at the end of 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3260/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe annual employment figures outlining Enterprise Ireland supported jobs for 2025 are not currently available. These figures are scheduled for release in the coming weeks.
Enterprise Ireland surveys its portfolio of clients annually to collect employment data and the latest available figures, per county, are outlined in the table below.
|
County |
2024 Total jobs |
|
Carlow |
3,714 |
|
Cavan |
6,681 |
|
Clare |
5,566 |
|
Cork |
26,026 |
|
Donegal |
3,684 |
|
Dublin |
79,111 |
|
Galway |
9,687 |
|
Kerry |
5,206 |
|
Kildare |
9,206 |
|
Kilkenny |
7,255 |
|
Laois |
2,060 |
|
Leitrim |
978 |
|
Limerick |
8,915 |
|
Longford |
2,511 |
|
Louth |
6,748 |
|
Mayo |
6,431 |
|
Meath |
9,034 |
|
Monaghan |
7,644 |
|
Offaly |
4,147 |
|
Roscommon |
1,515 |
|
Sligo |
2,377 |
|
Tipperary |
6,732 |
|
Waterford |
6,139 |
|
Westmeath |
3,269 |
|
Wexford |
5,943 |
|
Wicklow |
3,875 |
|
Grand Total |
234,454 |
328. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of Local Enterprise Office supported jobs in each county at the end of 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3261/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra329. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Youth if school policies allowing students to bring home free school books, keeping parents engaged in their child's education, are adopted nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2996/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Education, I want to ensure that all children and young people have the opportunity of access to education that empowers them to thrive and realise their full potential.
Last year saw the introduction of the final phase of the free schoolbooks scheme with the extension of the scheme to Senior Cycle students in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. From the start of the current school year, for the first time, all children and young people enrolled in primary, special and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme were provided with schoolbooks and core classroom resources.
My department has published guidance for schools around the operation of both the Primary and Post-primary Schoolbooks Schemes. The guidance provides schools with advice and support on how the scheme should be implemented at a local level.
Each school’s board of management/ETB are responsible for ensuring the effective administration of the Schoolbooks schemes within the key principles outlined in the relevant guidance. While schoolbooks remain the property of the school, it advises that pupils/students should be allowed to bring schoolbooks home to complete homework or to allow parents/guardians stay connected with their child’s learning in school.
330. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has considered a target for primary schools to become Gaelscoileanna using the Content and Language Integrated Learning method. [2997/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraContent and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is a dual-focused educational approach in which an additional language is used for the learning and teaching of both language and content. The Department of Education and Youth’s Irish Language CLIL Project was developed from a pilot proposed in the education-related objectives set out in the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish language 2010-2030 and the associated Action Plan 2018-2022. This included the commitment to explore a CLIL approach to implementing partial immersion in Irish in English-medium schools. A parallel CLIL project is being run with foreign languages in post-primary schools as set out in Languages Connect, Ireland’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017-2026. My department’s CLIL project is focused on improving the teaching and learning of Irish in schools where English is the medium of instruction rather than being a means to expand the availability of Irish-medium education.
The Policy for Irish-Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht was launched on 6 November 2025. A key action under this policy is the establishment of a Taskforce on Models of Provision for Irish-Medium Education, which will provide a platform for collaboration between my department and key stakeholders to identify pathways to grow the Irish-medium education sector. Among the issues being explored by the taskforce are the development of procedures to support schools in the effective transition from an English-medium to an Irish-medium model as well as procedures and criteria for how schools/educational settings can transition from one model to another on the continuum of Irish-medium education, in order to increase the provision of Irish-medium education, and the supports they may need to do so. We recognise that there is potential for elements of the CLIL project to be beneficial in this process.
331. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the schools that have requested sanction for additional autism class supports in the city and county of Cork; the schools that have been sanctioned and communicated with and the schools yet to be contacted with specific regard to additional supports for existing classes, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3017/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
The 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.
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 through the Parent Notify process that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child.
The NCSE is undertaking analysis of information provided through the Parents Notify process which closed on 1 October to plot demand for special class places for the 2026/27 school year.
The NCSE this week formally sanctioned 168 (105 primary and 63 post-primary) new special classes in 159 schools across the country for the next school year 2026/2027. This is the first tranche of new special classes being sanctioned and is a number of months ahead of last year. The NCSE expect to continue to sanction further new special classes over the coming weeks. The earlier sanctioning of these classes will provide clarity for parents and allow schools more time for the planning and establishment of new special classes. Details of the new special classes are available on the NCSE website.
Schools seeking to establish new special classes should continue to engage with the NCSE at local level. In sanctioning new special classes, the NCSE have due regard to the level of need in an area and the existing provision, including how many places are expected to be available through the normal movement of students from primary to post-primary or finishing school. Budget 2026 provides funding for over 400 new special classes.
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 critical that the NCSE has as much local information as possible, as early as possible, to effectively plan what new provision is required.
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 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.
332. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the tender submission process for the new school building project for a school (details supplied) will open in January as previously advised; the length of time this process will be open for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3046/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe large scale capital project for Gaelcholáiste Reachrann is the provision of a new 600 pupil school building including all associated ancillary accommodation.
I am pleased to confirm that the project was authorised to proceed to tender on 12 November 2025.
Tender submissions are expected in February 2026, following a request for extension to the return period.
Government Departments are currently in the process of publishing their sectoral NDP Implementation Plans. The sectoral plan for the Education and Youth sector will be published shortly and the first tranche of projects to progress to construction will be published in January 2026.
This NDP Implementation 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.
333. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide the numbers of SNA increases that were recommended by special educational needs organisers (SENO) for Kildare, Wicklow and Meath, in tabular form; and the numbers of increases that were actually made for same, in tabular form. [3051/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
The 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.
My department has been steadily building the level of special need assistant (SNA) support in our education system. This school year there will be over 23,000 SNAs allocated to schools, working in our education system committed to supporting and nurturing students with special educational needs, enabling them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential. Budget 2026 provides for a further 1,717 SNA posts which will bring the total number of SNAs to close to 25,000 by the end of 2026.
The NCSE has responsibility for the allocation of SNAs nationwide therefore I have asked the NCSE to reply directly to your request for statistical data. Deputies are also welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas email address.
It is important to remember that when the NCSE allocates a SNA post, the board of management as the employer, is responsible for filling the vacancy. The decision on whether to employ a full time SNA to fill a full-time post or to employ an equivalent number of part time SNAs rests with the employer.
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.
334. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3057/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ancillary Services Grant is payable to recognised primary schools and special schools in the Free Education Scheme. The grant is intended to cater for the cost of employing Secretarial and Caretaking staff. It is up to the BOM to allocate this funding as per their priorities. As per Circular 0040/2009 the capitation grant provided for general running costs and the ancillary services grant provided for Secretarial and Caretaking services may be regarded as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.
After Forsa accepted the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) agreement about salaries and leave for grant-funded school secretaries, the secretaries who accepted the agreement were added to the Department of Education and Youth’s payroll from September 2023. Because of this, the ancillary-related grant funding has been updated, since schools are no longer paying these salaries directly.
Since the 2023/24 school year, schools have been paid the usual ancillary grant amount, minus the amount that schools previously paid to grant-funded secretaries prior to their acceptance of the new terms and conditions. Schools provided the Department with these details and this information is now being used to reduce the ancillary-related grant funding. Schools should be in no way disadvantaged by this, as the grant is reduced only by the amount they previously paid to their secretaries.
To date we have issued correspondence to schools with details of the arrangements for each interim period since September 2023.
In some situations, the salaries of ancillary staff in a particular school may have been higher than the ancillary grant due to the school, and the school may have funded this difference via other revenue streams. In situations where the salary that a school was paying their secretary was higher than the ancillary grant due to the school, prior to them being added to the Department of Education and Youth’s payroll, then the ancillary grant is reduced to NIL. This should not impact the school’s financial position.
The rate of ancillary services grant has not decreased and continues to be paid based on the relevant enrolments in the school multiplied by the rates set out in [Circular 0017/2021.]As the grant is based on the enrolments, the amount paid to a school may fluctuate as enrolments increase or decrease from year to year.
Work is ongoing to identify a method of standardising the reduction to the ancillary-related grants for the longer term where school secretaries are being paid on the Department’s payroll. Note the reductions may change when a permanent model for ancillary-related grant reductions has been finalised.
Schools in financial difficulty are encouraged to contact the 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 FSSU. We encourage the school to engage with the FSSU, and the school’s Patron, in order to work to rectify the financial challenges at the school.
335. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth an bhfuil sí ar an eolas faoin méid seo a leanas a tuairiscíodh i dTuarascáil na Cigireachta (2024) agus Athbhreithniú Téamach, a foilsíodh i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2025, gur “mórábhar imní é an éagsúlacht atá ann maidir leis an inniúlacht atá ag múinteoirí sa Ghaeilge”, gur tugadh le fios “nach bhfuil caighdeán foriomlán líofachta Gaeilge múinteoirí i scoileanna Béarla ard go leor chun tacú le cur chun feidhme rathúil Curaclam Teanga na Bunscoile” agus go ndúradh go raibh “tionchar suntasach aige seo ar fhoghlaim teanga na leanaí” (An Roinn Oideachais agus Óige, 2025: 51); i bhfianaise na tuarascála sin, an gcuirfidh sí in iúl cén plean atá aici le dul i ngleic leis an éagsúlacht atá ann maidir leis an inniúlacht atá ag múinteoirí sa Ghaeilge agus le dul i ngleic leis an tuairisc nach bhfuil caighdeán foriomlán líofachta Gaeilge múinteoirí i scoileanna Béarla ard go leor chun tacú le cur chun feidhme rathúil Curaclam Teanga na Bunscoile [3084/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI mí na Samhna 2025, d'fhoilsigh an Roinn Oideachais agus Óige Plean Gnímh don Ghaeilge i Scoileanna Meán-Bhéarla le cur i bhfeidhm laistigh de thréimhse dhá bhliain, 2025 go 2027. Tacóidh sé le bunscoileanna agus le hiar-bhunscoileanna sonraíochtaí curaclaim atá ann cheana a chur i bhfeidhm chun eispéiris foghlama níos fearr a chur ar fáil don Ghaeilge agus chun úsáid na Gaeilge a mhéadú i measc leanaí agus daoine óga.
Príomhghníomh sa Phlean Gnímh is ea scileanna múinteoirí maidir le teagasc na Gaeilge a choinneáil agus a fheabhsú.
Is éard a bheidh i gceist leis sin ná:
• oibriú le hinstitiúidí ardoideachais
• chun deiseanna nuálacha agus spreagúla a chur ar fáil do mhúinteoirí faoi oiliúint chun a gcuid Gaeilge a úsáid agus a fheabhsú.
• na tacaíochtaí atá á gcur ar fáil acu don Ghaeilge in earnáil na scoile a aithint agus feasacht a mhéadú
• iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar bhealaí chun rochtain ar chúrsaí Gaeilge a mhaoiniú do mhúinteoirí.
• iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar an gcaoi is fearr is féidir le cláir oideachais tosaigh múinteoirí tacú le múinteoirí faoi oiliúint chun forbairt a dhéanamh ar na scileanna agus na hinniúlachtaí Gaeilge agus oideolaíochta atá riachtanach do mhúineadh na Gaeilge mar chuid den chéad athbhreithniú eile ar Chéim: Caighdeáin in Oideachas Tosaigh Múinteoirí.
• gníomhaíochtaí chun soláthar múinteoirí Gaeilge in iar-bhunscoileanna a chinntiú, lena n-áirítear cúrsaí uasoiliúna a sholáthar agus iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar an bhféidearthacht do roinnt múinteoirí.
• feasacht agus rannpháirtíocht cheannairí scoile agus múinteoirí ar chúrsaí samhraidh agus eispéiris foghlama gairmiúla eile a mhéadú, lena n-áirítear cúrsaí tumoideachais Gaeilge.
Maidir le hoideachas tosaigh múinteoirí, leagann mo Roinn síos na híosriachtanais iontrála don Ghaeilge, don Bhéarla agus don Mhatamaitic le haghaidh iontrála ar Chláir Oideachais Tosaigh Múinteoirí (ITE) bunscoile, nach mór do gach iarratasóir ionchasach ar chláir bhunscoile B.Oid. agus MGO (PME) a chomhlíonadh.
Faoi Alt 38 den Acht um Chomhairle Mhúinteoireachta, tá cláir Oideachais Tosaigh Múinteoirí faoi réir athbhreithnithe agus creidiúnaithe ag an gComhairle Mhúinteoireachta chun críocha clárúcháin. Rinne an Chomhairle athbhreithniú ar a beartas maidir le caighdeáin do chláir oideachais tosaigh múinteoirí, lena n-áirítear caighdeáin don Ghaeilge, agus d'fhoilsigh sí caighdeáin nuashonraithe in "Ceim", caighdeain d'Oideachas Tosaigh Múinteoirí in 2020.
Tá ról ríthábhachtach ag "Céim" maidir le cáilíocht agus éifeachtacht oideachas múinteoirí in Éirinn a mhúnlú. Leagtar amach sna caighdeáin seo na riachtanais nach mór do gach clár Oideachais agus Scileanna a chomhlíonadh chun creidiúnú gairmiúil a fháil ón gComhairle Mhúinteoireachta, ag cinntiú go bhfuil oideachas múinteoirí comhsheasmhach, cuimsitheach agus ailínithe leis na cleachtais is fearr. Trí chaighdeáin shoiléire a bhunú maidir le dearadh clár, acmhainní agus socrúchán scoile, lena n-áirítear don Ghaeilge, cuidíonn "Céim" le creat láidir a chruthú a thacaíonn le forbairt oideachasóirí inniúla agus machnamhacha.
Tá sé de dhualgas ar Institiúidí Ardoideachais a chinntiú go gcomhlíonann múinteoirí faoi oiliúint na caighdeáin mar atá leagtha amach in "Céim".
Ar mhaithe le tacaíocht don Ghaeilge i scoileanna a láidriú a thuilleadh, in 2025/26, tháinig méadú suntasach ar fhoireann fhaofa i Rannóg GhaelAonad Oide ó 18 duine ar iasacht ag deireadh na bliana acadúla 2024/25 go dtí 39 duine ar iasacht i Meán Fómhair 2025. Áiríodh leis sin, soláthar d'fhoireann nua a raibh sé de chúram orthu tacú le cur i bhfeidhm an Phlean Gnímh nua don Ghaeilge i Scoileanna Meán-Bhéarla. Ó foilsíodh an plean i mí na Samhna 2025, tá an fhoireann nua ag obair go sonrach chun tacaíochtaí a fhorbairt agus foghlaim ghairmiúil a sholáthar do cheannairí scoile agus do mhúinteoirí. Áirítear leis seo tacaíocht le dearcadh dearfach i leith na Gaeilge a chothú, úsáid na Gaeilge a mhéadú agus tacú le rochtain ag gach páiste agus duine óg ar fhoghlaim na Gaeilge i scoileanna meán-Bhéarla.
336. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth an bhfuil sí ar an eolas go bhfuil 65% i scrúdú cainte TEG B1 (is é sin, caighdeán B1.2 nó B1+ ar an bhFráma Tagartha Comónta Eorpach (FTCE)) luaite mar riachtanas iontrála ar an Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas sna hinstitiúidí ar fad atá maoinithe ag an Stát chomh maith le H4 i scrúdú Gaeilge na hArdteistiméireachta (nó cáilíocht aitheanta eile amhail Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge); an gcuirfidh sí in iúl cén riachtanas iontrála ó thaobh na Gaeilge de atá i bhfeidhm ag an gcoláiste príobháideach (Hibernia College), anuas ar an H4 san Ardteistiméireacht; an ndearbhóidh sí gurb ionann an caighdeán iontrála atá á éileamh ag an gcoláiste sin (i dtéarmaí an FTCE, mar shampla) agus an caighdeán comónta iontrála atá i bhfeidhm sna hinstitiúidí eile [3085/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar a thug an Teachta le fios, ní mór do gach iarratasóir ionchasach ar chláir Máistreachta Gairmiúla san Oideachas (MGO) sna ceithre choláiste oiliúna múinteoirí atá maoinithe ag an Stát, chomh maith le H4 sa Gaeilge a bhaint amach san Ardteistiméireacht (nó a chomhionann), an próiseas iarratais a chomhlánú mar atá leagtha amach ag an Institiúid Ardoideachais (IAO) ábhartha.
Roimh 2019, chun iarratas a dhéanamh faoin mbealach MGO chuig múinteoireacht bhunscoile, b’éigean d’iarratasóirí a raibh na híosriachtanais iontrála sa Bhéarla, sa Ghaeilge agus sa Mhatamaitic comhlíonta acu cheana féin roinnt scrúduithe béil Gaeilge a dhéanamh, toisc go raibh a n-agallaimh féin ag IAOnna chun inniúlacht sa Bhéarla agus sa Ghaeilge araon a chinneadh.
Ó 2019 i leith, rinneadh an próiseas iarratais do na soláthraithe bunscoile MGO atá maoinithe ag an Stát a chuíchóiriú, agus ó shin i leith, tá ceanglas ann go mbeadh Pas le Tuillteanas bainte amach acu sa scrúdú béil Gaeilge de Theastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) Meánleibhéal 1 (B1). Tháinig an t-athrú cleachtais seo chun cinn ar iarratas ó sholáthraithe MGO bunscoile atá maoinithe ag an Stát (Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath, Ollscoil Mhá Nuad, Institiúid Oideachais Marino agus Coláiste Mhuire gan Smál).
Leanann Coláiste Hibernia, soláthraí príobháideach clár MGO bunscoile, leis an gcleachtas gach mac léinn ionchasach a chur faoi agallamh mar chuid dá phróiseas iarratais, agus leanann sé le scrúdú béil Gaeilge a áireamh chun inniúlacht teanga an mhic léinn a chinneadh. Ní mór d’iarratasóirí a bheith in ann comhrá leanúnach agus éasca a dhéanamh leis na scrúdaitheoirí agus réimse ábhar a phlé go soiléir. Ba chóir dóibh ardchaighdeán cruinnis, líofachta, tuisceana agus fuaimnithe a léiriú, i gcomhréir le caighdeán B1 an scrúdú béil TEG. Glacfaidh an coláiste le Pas le Tuillteanas ag leibhéal B1 sa TEG (scrúdú béil) in ionad an agallaimh Gaeilge, i gcás inar baineadh amach é laistigh den dá bhliain roimhe sin.
337. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth an bhfuil sí ar an eolas go luaitear sa cháipéis Céim: Caighdeáin d’Oideachas Tosaigh Múinteoirí (An Chomhairle Mhúinteoireachta, Deireadh Fómhair 2020, lch 14) an méid seo a leanas maidir leis an gcaighdeán atá le baint amach ag múinteoirí bunscoile faoi oiliúint: Gaeilge - Ní mór muinín agus inniúlacht an mhúinteora faoi oiliúint sa Ghaeilge, lena n-áirítear, Gaeilge labhartha, a fhorbairt go leibhéal leordhóthanach chun cur ar a gcumas curaclam na bunscoile sa Ghaeilge a theagasc. Áirítear anseo, ach níl sé teoranta d’fhoghlaim teanga mar chuid den Tréimhse Foghlama sa Ghaeltacht; an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú maidir leis an gcaighdeán Gaeilge, de réir leibhéil an FTCE, atá i gceist leis an inniúlacht sin atá ag teastáil chun curaclam na bunscoile sa Ghaeilge a theagasc [3086/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLeagann mo Roinn síos na híosriachtanais iontrála don Gaeilge, Béarla agus Matamaitic le haghaidh iontrála ar Chláir Oideachais Tosaigh Múinteoirí (OTM) bunscoile, agus ní mór do gach iarratasóir ionchasach ar chláir Bhaitsiléara san Oideachas bunscoile agus MGO a chomhlíonadh.
Faoi Alt 38 d’Acht na Comhairle Múinteoireachta, tá cláir oideachais tosaigh múinteoirí faoi réir athbhreithnithe agus creidiúnaithe ag an gComhairle Múinteoireachta, chun críocha clárúcháin. Rinne an Chomhairle athbhreithniú ar a beartas maidir le caighdeáin do chláir oideachais tosaigh múinteoirí agus d’fhoilsigh sí caighdeáin nuashonraithe i gCaighdeáin Céim um Oideachas Tosaigh Múinteoirí in 2020.
Tá ról ríthábhachtach ag Céim maidir le cáilíocht agus éifeachtacht an oideachais múinteoirí in Éirinn a mhúnlú. Leagtar amach sna caighdeáin seo na riachtanais nach mór do gach clár Oideachais Tosaigh do Mhúinteoirí a chomhlíonadh chun creidiúnú gairmiúil a fháil ón gComhairle Mhúinteoireachta, rud a chinntíonn go bhfuil oideachas múinteoirí comhsheasmhach, cuimsitheach agus ailínithe leis na dea-chleachtais. Trí chaighdeáin shoiléire a bhunú maidir le dearadh clár, acmhainní agus socrúchán scoile, cuidíonn Caighdeáin Céim le creat láidir a chruthú a thacaíonn le forbairt oideoirí inniúla agus machnamhacha.
Tá cláir atá creidiúnaithe faoi Chaighdeáin Céim d’Oideachas Tosaigh Múinteoirí bunaithe ar na réimsí staidéir riachtanacha seo a leanas: Staidéir Bhunúsacha, Staidéir Ghairmiúla, agus Socrúchán Scoile.
Tá sé de fhreagracht ar Institiúidí Ardoideachais a chinntiú go gcomhlíonann múinteoirí faoi oiliúint na Caighdeáin mar atá leagtha amach i gCéim.
338. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Oideachais agus Óige an dtabharfaidh sí sonraí maidir le líon na n-uaireanta teagaisc sa Ghaeilge a chuirtear ar fáil i ngach institiúid mar chuid de chúrsaí oideachais tosaigh do mhúinteoirí bunscoile (B.Oid agus MGO) le tacú leo chun an caighdeán cuí Gaeilge a bhaint amach faoi dheireadh na gcúrsaí; an dtabharfaidh sí briseadh síos ar na huaireanta teagaisc sin ó thaobh na gcatagóirí seo a leanas (agus tabhair faoi deara gur líon na n-uaireanta teagaisc seachas an fhoghlaim neamhspleách atá á lorg): (i) uaireanta teagaisc a bhaineann leis an nGaeilge féin; (ii) modúil a bhaineann le múineadh na Gaeilge; (iii) modúil eile a mhúintear trí mheán na Gaeilge (cur chuige FCÁT/CLIL); [3087/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLeagann mo Roinn beartas síos i ndáil le hOideachas Tosaigh Múinteoirí agus leagann sí síos na híosriachtanais iontrála don Gaeilge, Béarla agus Matamaitic le haghaidh iontrála ar Chláir Oideachais Tosaigh Múinteoirí (OTM) bunscoile, agus ní mór do gach iarratasóir ionchasach ar chláir Bhaitsiléara san Oideachas bunscoile agus MGO a chomhlíonadh.
Faoi Alt 38 d’Acht na Comhairle Múinteoireachta, tá cláir oideachais tosaigh múinteoirí faoi réir athbhreithnithe agus creidiúnaithe ag an gComhairle Múinteoireachta, chun críocha clárúcháin. Rinne an Chomhairle athbhreithniú ar a beartas maidir le caighdeáin do chláir oideachais tosaigh múinteoirí agus d’fhoilsigh sí caighdeáin nuashonraithe i gCaighdeáin Céim um Oideachas Tosaigh Múinteoirí in 2020.
Tá ról ríthábhachtach ag Céim maidir le cáilíocht agus éifeachtacht an oideachais múinteoirí in Éirinn a mhúnlú. Leagtar amach sna caighdeáin seo na riachtanais nach mór do gach clár Oideachais Tosaigh do Mhúinteoirí a chomhlíonadh chun creidiúnú gairmiúil a fháil ón gComhairle Mhúinteoireachta, rud a chinntíonn go bhfuil oideachas múinteoirí comhsheasmhach, cuimsitheach agus ailínithe leis na dea-chleachtais. Trí chaighdeáin shoiléire a bhunú maidir le dearadh clár, acmhainní agus socrúchán scoile, cuidíonn Caighdeáin Céim le creat láidir a chruthú a thacaíonn le forbairt oideoirí inniúla agus machnamhacha.
Ní fhorordaíonn na caighdeáin uaireanta teagaisc sonracha do gach clár. Mar sin féin, trí phróiseas athbhreithnithe agus creidiúnaithe na Comhairle Múinteoireachta, ní mór d’institiúidí ardoideachais a léiriú go gcomhlíonann na cláir na caighdeáin atá leagtha amach i gCéim.
Ní fhoilsíonn an Chomhairle Mhúinteoireachta sonraí clár-shonracha, toisc go bhfuil gach Institiúid Ardoideachais freagrach i gcónaí as clár a dhearadh agus a chinntiú go gcomhlíonann múinteoirí faoi oiliúint na caighdeáin atá leagtha amach i gCéim.
339. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Youth the efforts being made to increase the number of autism classes in the Clontarf area of Dublin, where there is significant demand; if she is aware that there is a particular lack of such places for female students in the locality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3090/26]
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.
My department works closely with the NCSE on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. Building on successive budgets, Budget 2025 secured funding for up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools, and an additional 300 special school places for the 2025/26 school year. Together this has delivered 2,700 new places.
The information held on the department's Geographical Information System (GIS), particularly in relation to student demographics, is a key component when forecasting the need for additional special class and special school places. My department and the NCSE have undertaken analysis of the trends in special class and special school provision over recent years by county and local school planning area. In total there are 314 local school planning areas.
My department and the NCSE identify the need for special educational provision with consideration to demographical and statistical data and in regard to an areas existing school provision and future capability. In addition, part of the forward planning process as to where new classes, schools or expansion is required looks at how far students are travelling to access an education that meets their needs. This is an important factor which has been incorporated into the decision-making process. Consideration is also given to the information the NCSE hold at local level on the number of children and young people seeking a special school place in a region.
406 new special classes were sanctioned for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 103 are in County Dublin, 81 at primary and 22 at post-primary level.
This brings to 705 the number of special classes currently in operation in the county. There are also 40 special schools in County Dublin with approximately 2,643 students enrolled. Two of the five new special schools for the 2025/26 school year have opened in Lucan and Belmayne also.
The NCSE are this week formally sanctioning 168 (105 primary and 63 post-primary) new special classes in 159 schools across the country for the next school year 2026/2027. This is the first tranche of new special classes being sanctioned and is a number of months ahead of last year. The NCSE expect to continue to sanction further new special classes over the coming weeks. The earlier sanctioning of these classes will provide clarity for parents and allow schools more time for the planning and establishment of new special classes. Details of the new special classes are available on the NCSE website.
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.
340. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the amount her Department, or agencies under its remit, spent on advertising on a social media platform (details supplied) in each of the years 2024 and 2025 respectively; to outline any expenditure on verification or premium accounts on the platform in those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3100/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Education and Youth did not do any advertising on the X platform in 2024 or 2025. The department does not hold the information requested in relation to agencies under its remit. Your query has been referred to those agencies, and they will reply directly to the Deputy.
