Written Answers Nos. 161-180
161. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of a school’s (details supplied) application under the additional accommodation scheme and emergency works schemes; when a decision will issue on whether it can proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11061/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPhase 1 of the reconfiguration works for the school referred to by the Deputy was completed in May 2025 and this resulted in new accommodation for the school including a new Technology/Graphics room, modern toilet block, disabled access toilet, a deputy principal's office and improved access to the permanent building of the school.
My department has had a number of discussions previously with the school authorities in relation to the proposed phase 2 element of the project and is exploring a number of options and the need for further discussions with the local county council. The department will be in further contact with the school authorities directly on this matter as soon as possible.
The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies, or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for pupils with special needs. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action, and in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.
The EWS operates on the basis of a minimal scope works to address the emergency situation. The EWS is intended to remedy an emergency situation and usually provides only an interim measure until a permanent solution can be delivered under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) which deals with upgrade works to the school.
With regards to the school in question, the EWS team is currently working with the technical area to assess and advise on an appropriate scope of works to deal with the issues applied for by the school. The EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of the works and will continue to engage with the school in this regard.
162. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if funding will be provided for significant improvement and refurbishment works to a number of older school buildings across County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10967/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra370. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide funding for significant improvement and refurbishment works to a number of older school buildings across County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11588/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 370 together.
I should explain that applications relating to the provision of funding for issues relating to an existing school building can fall under a number of different delivery mechanisms including, most frequently, the Summer Works Scheme and the Emergency Works Scheme and could include the upgrade or provision of play areas and/or car parking and set down areas.
The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action, and in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.
The EWS operates on the basis of the minimal scope of works required to remedy an emergency situation. The EWS usually provides an interim solution until such time as a comprehensive solution can be provided under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS).
The purpose of the SWS is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis and, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school.
The Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (which was previously named the Summer Works Scheme) places a strong emphasis on sustainability. Schools can now undertake additional measures such as insulation upgrades, LED lighting installation, EV charger provision, bike rack facilities to support active travel and other climate-focused works alongside traditional maintenance.
The newly announced Climate Action Summer works opened for applications on the 1st May and the application window closed on the 30th of June 2025, full details of the scheme can be found under Summer Works Scheme. The EWS is open for applications year-round. It is open to the school to make an application under the most appropriate scheme.
163. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the steps for the schools recently listed to progress to construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9600/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I have recently published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. This NDP Sectoral Plan involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. In this regard there will be a strong special education dimension to project rollout.
Of the total €7.55 billion investment it is envisaged that circa. €5 billion will be used for project rollout to support the delivery and modernisation of school buildings across the Large Scale, Additional Accommodation, Modular, and Annual September Accommodation Needs programmes.
My department will continue to build on the progress made over recent years with the continued rollout of these projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities. In this regard, I have also published a list of the 105 school building projects in the first tranche to proceed to construction or tender over 2026 and 2027. This list includes 10 projects in County Galway and 1 in County Roscommon.
These projects are in addition to €250.85 million in capital funding for County Galway schools and €67.84 million in capital funding for County Roscommon schools between 2020 and 2025. Over that period, a total of 88 schools in County Galway and 28 schools in County Roscommon have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. There are also currently 17 school projects in County Galway and 8 schools projects in County Roscommon under construction.
The 105 prioritised projects will progress to tender and/or construction on a rolling basis over the course of 2026 and 2027 and within the context of NDP funding parameters. The timing of project progression will reflect the need to carefully manage the rollout of these projects to construction on a controlled basis to ensure that projects are delivered efficiently, align with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines and Capital Works Management Framework and remain within the parameters of NDP funding.
Department officials will continue to engage closely patron bodies, management bodies and schools with respect to the timing of the progression of projects to tender and/or construction over the period 2026 to 2027. This will include continued engagement with each school with respect to the progression of its project to tender/construction.
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.
164. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide additional supports to special schools to assist with the day-to-day running costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10878/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to increasing funding to support schools and the Programme for Government commits to increasing capitation funding to schools of all types to ensure that schools can meet the elevated day-to-day running costs.
The commitment in the Programme for Government builds on the progress which has been made in recent years. The Department has secured €39 million in Budget 2026 towards increased capitation funding for primary, post-primary and special schools to provide additional financial support towards their running costs. This will see an increase in the standard capitation rates paid to schools of €50 per pupil for primary schools from €224 to €274 and of €20 per student for post-primary schools from €386 to €406. This will also allow for an increase of €20 in capitation rates for Urban Band One DEIS primary schools, increasing the mainstream pupil rate in these schools to €294. The increased capitation rates will also see special schools now receive the same rates of mainstream capitation, for young people aged 12 and over, as for their peers in mainstream post-primary schools. These increases will take effect from September 2026. This funding will benefit schools around the country in managing their day-to-day running costs.
The increases announced in Budget 2026 are in addition to the 12% increases as part of Budget 2025. The last three Budgets have resulted in an increase in the level of capitation grant rates of 49.7% (€91) paid to primary schools and 28.5% (€90) paid to post-primary schools.
The Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day-to-day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep, and the ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities, except for the employment of relevant secretaries as per Circular 0036/2022.
The current standard rate of capitation grant is €224 per pupil in primary schools and €386 per student in post-primary schools. Primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils are paid the capitation and the ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils. Enhanced rates are also paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils.
The increased capitation rates will also see special schools now receive increased rates of capitation for students aged 12 and over, as with their peers in mainstream post-primary schools.
Enhanced rates of capitation currently apply to all students in special schools. However, for the majority of students in special schools, there was no increase in this enhanced rate when students reached the age of 12. This has now been addressed in Budget 2026 to reflect the difference which applies to their mainstream peers. This adjustment reflects the higher costs associated with education provision for older students and ensures funding on a fair and equitable basis across educational settings for all students.
Each special school, with a student(s) enrolled aged 12 or over, will benefit from this increase and up to 139 special schools are expected to benefit from this measure.
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.
165. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on the ongoing demand from school transport escorts for fair pay and conditions, to reflect the importance of their work for young people with disabilities and their families; and her views on whether it is acceptable that school transport escorts must sign on for social welfare supports during school holidays. [10569/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
There is a facility within the Special Educational Needs Transport Scheme for the appointment of a school transport escort where a child’s care and safety needs while on school transport are such as to require the support of a School Transport Escort.
The Board of Management/ETB are responsible for the employment of the school transport escort. The Department of Education and Youth provides grant funding directly to the school for the employment of the school transport escort and sets the rate of pay.
It is recognised that school bus escorts play a vital role in supporting children with special educational needs in their journey to and from school.
A review of the School Transport Scheme was completed in 2024. As a recommended action arising from the review, the Department committed to continuing the comprehensive analysis of matters relating to escort's pay, and the information provided to schools as the employer of the escort.
The work by School Transport Section regarding the employment of school bus escorts has been completed and an information pack has issued to schools. This pack is updated regularly and is also available on the Department’s website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/collections/services-for-schools-and-school-staff/#school-transport-escorts
The commitment to review pay rates for school bus escorts has also been completed. Since that time, the rate of pay for escorts was increased to €15.20 per hour from 01 October 2024. It was further increased to €15.50 per hour effective from 01 March 2025 and €15.66 from 01 August 2025. The current rate per hour is €15.82 effective from 01 February 2026. Holiday pay will continue to be paid at 8%.
The Department of Social Protection (DSP) is responsible for the payment of jobseeker's benefits or allowances. Temporary Education Sector Workers (ESW), who have previously been in contact with the Department of Social Protection are issued with a repeat jobseekers application form and a holiday form in advance of school holiday periods. This advance process allows DSP to facilitate a more efficient service. Any queries relating to this process can be directed to the Department of Social Protection.
166. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of school building projects that were not included in the recently announced list of schools prioritised for delivery under the National Development Plan Sectoral Investment Plan; where such schools now stand within her Department's capital appraisal and prioritisation process; the criteria used to determine progression outside the published priority list; and when schools not listed can expect clarity or progress in respect of much-needed building works. [9916/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I have recently published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. This NDP Sectoral Plan involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. In this regard there will be a strong special education dimension to project rollout.
Of the total €7.55 billion investment it is envisaged that circa. €5 billion will be used for project rollout to support the delivery and modernisation of school buildings across the Large Scale, Additional Accommodation, Modular, and Annual September Accommodation Needs programmes. Over the course of 2026 and 2027 there will be construction work at circa. 10% of the school estate. These projects will, when completed, provide circa 57,000 additional and modernised school places with a strong SEN focus in all projects.
My department will continue to build on the progress made over recent years with the continued rollout of projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities. In this regard, I have also published a list of the 105 school building projects in the first tranche to proceed to construction or tender over 2026 and 2027. This list includes 10 projects in County Galway.
These projects are in addition to €250.85 million in capital funding for County Galway schools between 2020 and 2025. Over that period, a total of 88 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. There are also currently 17 school projects in County Galway under construction.
The first tranche of 105 school building projects includes 80 large scale and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects. These projects were prioritised with a strong focus on maximising existing capacity and prioritising project rollout to meet the most urgent needs particularly to support special education needs provision.
Firstly, to facilitate the 45 projects that are currently already at tender stage (Stage 3) so that they can progress to construction as smoothly as possible over the course of 2026 and 2027. Secondly, to facilitate 35 projects that currently have planning permission and are at pre-tender stage (Stage 2b) and have been prioritised to meet urgent requirements from a special needs perspective or to provide additional capacity to cater for demographics or to address very significant condition issues at the schools.
I recognise that there are schools with important building projects that are not included in the first tranche of prioritised projects.
As part of planning ahead for the next tranche of projects to progress to tender, the department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects through the design pipeline having regard to the continual need to maximise existing capacity and determine the prioritised needs going forward. This process will involve engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools and will ultimately inform the next tranches of programme rollout to tender. The department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities.
Based on this ongoing prioritisation process some projects may be added to the list over the course of 2026 and 2027 having regard to their prioritisation and urgency of need and taking account also of the ongoing ability to progress them to tender and construction within the parameters of overall funding. Where appropriate, the department will also assess opportunities to undertake advance enabling works for the most urgent and complex projects to facilitate a smooth progression to construction in 2028 and beyond.
Any interim accommodation requirements will continue to be assessed and considered by the department on a case-by-case basis to determine the prioritised needs and approach for addressing same.
167. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Youth in view of the commitment in the Programme for Government to expand the school transport service, when is it expected that the distance criteria will be reduced and eligibility expanded to facilitate more students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10769/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. The scheme has expanded significantly over the past six years. In that time, the numbers of children and young people using the service have grown from under 120,000 pupils in 2018 to over 181,000 pupils by the end of 2025, which equates to an increase of circa 50%.
It was outlined at the time of the review’s publication that the proposed changes to the eligibility criteria will likely increase demand for the scheme. On this basis, it would be prudent to implement the proposed changes on a phased basis to ensure its rollout is as smooth as possible.
A phased implementation of the School Transport Review’s recommendations began at the start of the 2024/2025 school year where the Department began testing the feasibility of a number of approaches through a series of pilot programmes; these pilot programmes are held in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann.
A total of fourteen pilot projects took place in the 2024/2025 school year and will continue for the current school year.
Following the closing date for payment for the 2025/2026 school year the Department, in collaboration with Bus Éireann, assessed where dedicated school transport/pilots may be successfully delivered, and a further eleven pilots were approved. The Department has asked Bus Éireann to review where additional capacity may be available for concessionary pupils who paid on time and would become eligible if the revised school transport scheme criteria was rolled out in full.?
Due to ongoing challenges in the wider transport sector, including availability of drivers and vehicles, any expansion of services must be carefully planned and phased. While pilot projects are being considered in select areas to test revised eligibility criteria, these pilots are limited in scope and capacity.
All pilots – including those which commenced in the 2024/2025 school year – are being monitored and a further evaluation will take place at the end of the 2025/2026 school year. Findings from these evaluations will guide the planning and implementation needed for a national rollout of a revised School Transport Scheme.?
Implementation of the review recommendations will continue to be planned subject to resources being available to meet the increased demand.
168. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will report on the decision to transition post-primary schools in Westport from single-sex to co-educational schools; if any adjustments to the subject offering and extracurricular activities have been considered at the post-primary schools in the town for incoming students in the new academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11075/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department works closely with school patrons in order to ensure that there are sufficient school places available for all children in Westport each September.
My Department’s ongoing engagement with the patron bodies of the post-primary schools in Westport will ensure that there are sufficient post-primary school places across the two schools and to support the sustainable provision of high-quality post-primary education in the town. Enrolment pressures can be driven by duplications of applications, applications from outside an area, and school of choice factors. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places and that existing capacity is optimised and sustainably managed to avoid unsustainable enlargement of one school at the expense of another in an area.
I wish to advise the Deputy, both schools opened their admissions processes in October and my Department requested information on applications to both schools for first-year places for 2026/2027 to aid its understanding of capacity requirements in Westport for next September. The Department has received the requested enrolment data from both schools which highlights that there are more places available across the two schools than children seeking first year places in the town. Regarding subject choice, each school sets its own subject offering based on resources, staffing and student interest. It’s very common for schools to differ in what they can provide. While this might affect a school of choice preference, it doesn’t affect the validity of the places available.
Furthermore, in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas including Westport 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.
My department’s NDP Sectoral Investment Plan 2026-2030 involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. Of the total €7.55 billion investment it is envisaged that circa. €5 billion will be used for project rollout to support the delivery and modernisation of school buildings across the Large Scale, Additional Accommodation, Modular, and Annual September Accommodation Needs programmes. Over the course of 2026 and 2027 there will be construction work at circa. 10% of the school estate. These projects will, when completed, provide circa 57,000 additional and modernised school places with a strong SEN focus in all projects.
The first tranche of 105 projects covers the initial two-year period of NDP rollout. The next tranche of projects will be finalised and published afterwards (post 2027) following a stakeholder engagement process to identify the next most urgent priorities. This stakeholder engagement will be undertaken in 2026 and 2027 and will include an assessment of how well existing capacity is maximised and enrolment policies and processes are prioritising local special education provision and mainstream requirements. The Department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities.
The criteria for identifying the first tranche of 105 prioritised projects to go to construction / tender in 2026 and 2027 included the condition of the school, projects in areas with capacity pressures, growing demographics and projects in the pipeline for a long time. The 105 prioritised projects consist of 80 large-scale and ASA (additional school accommodation) projects along with 25 projects to be delivered under the Modular Accommodation Programme. The 80 large-scale and ASA projects are estimated to cost just under €1.6bn. Further details can be found on the Department’s website www.gov.ie
My Department will continue to work with, and support, schools to ensure that there are sufficient places for all students.
169. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education and Youth when additional school accommodation will be supplied to primary schools in County Louth (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9921/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that applications under the department’s Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) Scheme have been received from both schools.
The first school applied for additional accommodation in 2022 and on foot of that application had modular accommodation comprising two Special Education (SEN) classrooms, and one Special Education Tuition (SET) room delivered in May 2023.
The second school applied for additional accommodation in June 2025 and that application is currently under assessment.
Given the general downward direction of overall enrolments in the areas in which both schools are located the department's focus for the assessment of such additional accommodation applications will be as follows:
• Analyse the extent to which enrolments at this school and neighbouring schools are serving the local area in the first instance. This will identify if some of the pressures on local capacity are arising from the enrolment of pupils from outside the local area where there may be other school provision opportunities available to them.
• In assessing accommodation capacity at this school and neighbouring schools, an assessment will need to be made on how best to utilise existing capacity in the context of both mainstream and SEN requirements in the local area.
The above sets the parameters for the department’s decision-making processes and this will, where necessary, involve engagement with school patrons and relevant individual schools as appropriate.
My department will continue to build on the progress made over recent years with the continued roll-out of projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities.
The accommodation needs at the schools in question will be considered in the above context and a decision will issue to the schools authorities directly.
170. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department is in communication with the Department of Social Protection in relation to the number of ECCE scheme figures in populated towns each year in order that her Department can forward plan the number of likely school places that will be needed in an area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11018/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that requirement for school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.
In 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.
Child benefit data is made available by the Department of Social Protection, annually, which is used as the basis for the projections of future junior infant intake at primary level. The address data of all children aged 0-5 in receipt of Child Benefit is geocoded which provides the geographic view of future school place demand. This adjusted child benefit data gives a basis for 5 year’s projections of junior infant intake at primary level.
Many families travel outside their immediate area to enrol in an ECCE scheme because of availability and work location. The use of actual address data to project school place demand is therefore considered more accurate and it also allows the department to map future school place demand at a local level, such as settlements, towns, villages, etc., based on population.
171. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the timeframe to deliver a permanent special school in County Monaghan. [9095/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for children with special educational needs.
The Department and the NCSE work closely together to monitor the need for additional special class and special school capacity nationally including in County Monaghan and engage with school patrons and school authorities in this regard.
Monaghan Community Special School is the first special school established in County Monaghan and is dedicated to educating students with complex special educational needs.
In line with the Department’s approach of maximising existing capacity across the school estate, this new school is located in Castleblaney, in a former ETB school property that was repurposed to facilitate the opening of the new school as quickly as possible.
The repurposing project was delivered under the Department’s SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme which facilitated the timely progression of the project. The programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects. This is a collaborative process between the Project Manager, School Authority and the Department. The Project Manager is currently overseeing delivery of the residual elements to ensure the successful completion of the project.
I visited the school recently and was very impressed with the facilities, quality of teaching and commitment of all staff to the students under their care.
The school is now at capacity and additional accommodation is required to facilitate further enrolments. The property at Castleblaney provides a good location for expanding capacity with a permanent modular extension and my Department is engaging with the patron, Cavan and Monaghan ETB in this regard.
The level of accommodation to be provided will be determined in collaboration with the ETB and will be subject to detailed design by the design team prior to submitting the application for planning permission. Subject to the outcome of the planning permission process, the target is to have construction of this modular accommodation commencing later in 2026 with a view to having it completed and operational for the 2027/28 school year.
172. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which participation in the National Conversation on Education is being promoted among students, parents, teachers, and youth organisations; and how the responses gathered will be incorporated into the upcoming Convention on Education and long-term strategy development. [11015/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn January 14th, I launched the first ever National Conversation on Education with school communities and national stakeholders. The National Conversation is an opportunity for everyone across the country to shape the future of education in Ireland.
There are a number of different ways in which people of all ages can share their views on the future of Irish education including completing our survey, making a written submission or hosting their own conversation in a school or within their organisation.
The National Conversation is being promoted via my department’s media channels including press releases and social media. Schools, along with our education partners and stakeholders, including youth organisations, have also been asked to promote the National Conversation among their communities and networks. The survey and submissions process will be open until the 28th February 2026. A partner pack has also issued to our stakeholders, including sample social media assets, to share with their networks to promote youth engagement. We have also issued a communication to all 3,700 schools to encourage students and school staff to have their own conversations on education and enter a submission with their findings.
In addition, school community engagement events are currently being held across the country. These events have been promoted to students, parents, teachers, and other school community members through their local education support centres.
The findings from the National Conversation will shape the agenda for the Convention, which in turn will be agreed by Government. ?The Convention will produce a report and recommendations, which will inform the development of a new long-term Department of Education and Youth strategy for education in Ireland.
173. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education and Youth the progress being made to create an alternative to assessment of needs reports in order to access appropriate school places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9920/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Assessment of Need (AON) process is provided for under the Disability Act 2005 and is under the remit of the Health Service Executive (HSE). Assessment Officers working under the remit of the HSE are charged with organising the process which results in an Assessment of Need. The Assessment Officer coordinates and completes the Assessment Report and a determination is made as to whether or not a child or young person meets the definition of disability contained in the Act. Revisions to the AON process are a matter for the HSE in tandem with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
It is also important to note that while a diagnosis is currently required to access a special class or a special school, this does not have to be linked to an Assessment of Need.
For clarity, there is no change to the AON process as it applies in schools.
The Department continues to monitor existing practices with a view to responding to future needs. As with any new education measure or initiative, there will be a comprehensive consultation process with the full range of education stakeholders and advocacy groups in respect of any proposed changes either to the AON process as it applies to schools or to the application process for enrolment in schools.
The department favours the adoption of a needs-based approach to all aspects of school life including enrolment, and will seek to progress this, subject to the availability of necessary resources and the outcomes of a consultation process. Any proposals arising will be progressed through a memorandum for government.
174. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the planned school building project at a school. [10461/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe building project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) as part of a programme of school building projects (Project Dargle). The brief is to provide a new build replacement post primary school for a long-term projected enrolment of 1,000 pupils including both general classrooms, specialist rooms, and a 4 class Special Education Needs (SEN) base.
The project is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural planning design process with a full grant of planning permission received for the school in 2024. Stage 2b is being finalised at the moment. All projects are subject to the due diligence requirements of the Public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
The department have recently published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. This NDP Sectoral Plan involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. In this regard there will be a strong special education dimension to project rollout.
Of the total €7.55 billion investment it is envisaged that circa. €5 billion will be used for project rollout to support the delivery and modernisation of school buildings across the Large Scale, Additional Accommodation, Modular, and Annual September Accommodation Needs programmes. Over the course of 2026 and 2027 there will be construction work at circa. 10% of the school estate. These projects will, when completed, provide circa 57,000 additional and modernised school places with a strong SEN focus in all projects.
The department will continue to build on the progress made over recent years with the continued rollout of projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities. In this regard, the department published a list of the 105 school building projects in the first tranche to proceed to construction or tender over 2026 and 2027.
These projects are in addition to €254.93 million in capital funding for Wicklow schools between 2020 and 2025. Over that period, a total of 42 Wicklow schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. There are also currently 8 school projects in Wicklow under construction.
The first tranche of 105 school building projects includes 80 large scale and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects. These projects were prioritised with a strong focus on maximising existing capacity and prioritising project rollout to meet the most urgent needs particularly to support special education needs provision.
Firstly, to facilitate the 45 projects that are currently already at tender stage (Stage 3) so that they can progress to construction as smoothly as possible over the course of 2026 and 2027. Secondly, to facilitate 35 projects that currently have planning permission and are at pre-tender stage (Stage 2b) and have been prioritised to meet urgent requirements from a special needs perspective or to provide additional capacity to cater for demographics or to address very significant condition issues at the schools.
The department recognises that there are schools with important building projects that are not included in the first tranche of prioritised projects.
As part of planning ahead for the next tranche of projects to progress to tender, the department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects through the design pipeline having regard to the continual need to maximise existing capacity and determine the prioritised needs going forward. This process will involve engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools and will ultimately inform the next tranches of programme rollout to tender. The department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities.
Based on this ongoing prioritisation process some projects may be added to the list over the course of 2026 and 2027 having regard to their prioritisation and urgency of need and taking account also of the ongoing ability to progress them to tender and construction within the parameters of overall funding. Where appropriate, the department will also assess opportunities to undertake advance enabling works for the most urgent and complex projects to facilitate a smooth progression to construction in 2028 and beyond.
Any interim accommodation requirements will continue to be assessed and considered by my department on a case-by-case basis to determine the prioritised needs and approach for addressing same.
The accommodation needs at the school referred to by the Deputy will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with the school’s patron and school authorities.
175. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason two schools (details supplied) were not included in the list of school building projects as announced under the National Development Plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11006/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school buildings project to which the Deputy refers Kilkenny City Vocational School and Coláiste Pobail Osraí have been devolved to the Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB) for delivery as part of a single campus development.
The approved brief for Coláiste Pobail Osraí provides for a new post-primary school building with a long-term projected enrolment of 400 pupils.
The approved brief for Kilkenny City Vocational School provides for a new post-primary school building with a long-term projected enrolment of 550 pupils, including a 2-classroom SEN provision.
The project is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural planning process, which encompasses detailed design, securing the necessary statutory permissions, and the preparation of tender documentation.
The department recently published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. This NDP Sectoral Plan involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. In this regard there will be a strong special education dimension to project rollout.
Of the total €7.55 billion investment it is envisaged that circa. €5 billion will be used for project rollout to support the delivery and modernisation of school buildings across the Large Scale, Additional Accommodation, Modular, and Annual September Accommodation Needs programmes. Over the course of 2026 and 2027 there will be construction work at circa. 10% of the school estate. These projects will, when completed, provide circa 57,000 additional and modernised school places with a strong SEN focus in all projects.
The department will continue to build on the progress made over recent years with the continued rollout of projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities. In this regard, the department have also published a list of the 105 school building projects in the first tranche to proceed to construction or tender over 2026 and 2027.
These projects are in addition to €207.11 million in capital funding for Kilkenny schools between 2020 and 2025. Over that period, a total of 43 Kilkenny schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. There are also currently 5 school projects in Kilkenny under construction.
The first tranche of 105 school building projects includes 80 large scale and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects. These projects were prioritised with a strong focus on maximising existing capacity and prioritising project rollout to meet the most urgent needs particularly to support special education needs provision.
Firstly, to facilitate the 45 projects that are currently already at tender stage (Stage 3) so that they can progress to construction as smoothly as possible over the course of 2026 and 2027.? Secondly, to facilitate 35 projects that currently have planning permission and are at pre-tender stage (Stage 2b) and have been prioritised to meet urgent requirements from a special needs perspective or to provide additional capacity to cater for demographics or to address very significant condition issues at the schools.
The department recognises that there are schools with important building projects that are not included in the first tranche of prioritised projects.
As part of planning ahead for the next tranche of projects to progress to tender, the department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects through the design pipeline having regard to the continual need to maximise existing capacity and determine the prioritised needs going forward. This process will involve engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools and will ultimately inform the next tranches of programme rollout to tender. The department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities.
Based on this ongoing prioritisation process some projects may be added to the list over the course of 2026 and 2027 having regard to their prioritisation and urgency of need and taking account also of the ongoing ability to progress them to tender and construction within the parameters of overall funding. Where appropriate, the department will also assess opportunities to undertake advance enabling works for the most urgent and complex projects to facilitate a smooth progression to construction in 2028 and beyond.
Any interim accommodation requirements will continue to be assessed and considered by the department on a case-by-case basis to determine the prioritised needs and approach for addressing same.
The accommodation needs of the schools referred to by the Deputy will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with the school’s patron and school authorities.
176. D'fhiafraigh Deputy John Connolly den Minister for Education and Youth an féidir lena Roinn tuilleadh iarrachtaí a dhéanamh chun níos mó scoileanna a spreagadh le páirt a ghlacadh sa Scéim Aitheantais Scoileanna Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10903/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs é príomhaidhm an Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta ná tacú le húsáid na Gaeilge i bpobail Ghaeltachta agus í a chur chun cinn trí sholáthar oideachais lán-Ghaeilge a neartú i limistéir pleanála teanga Ghaeltachta. Bunaíodh an Scéim Aitheantais Scoileanna Gaeltachta in 2017 chun tacú leis an sprioc seo.
Sa scéim, leagtar amach critéir theangabhunaithe don aitheantas mar Scoil Ghaeltachta, agus cuirtear tacaíochtaí ar fáil do scoileanna chun na critéir sin a chur i bhfeidhm. Áirítear leis na tacaíochtaí sin uaireanta tacaíochta teanga don Ghaeilge, deontas €1,200 in aghaidh na bliana chun acmhainní a cheannach, deiseanna foghlama gairmiúla agus tacaíocht ón gComhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) agus Oide, agus treoir agus comhairle ó Chigireacht na Roinne Oideachais agus Óige. Tá tiomantas i gClár an Rialtais 2025 - Todhchaí na hÉireann a Dhaingniú - leanúint ar aghaidh ag cur cúnamh ar fáil tríd an Scéim Aitheantais Scoileanna Gaeltachta.
Tugadh cuireadh do gach scoil a bhí lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht bheith páirteach sa scéim nuair a seoladh í ar dtús, trí imlitir a eisiúint, litir a sheoladh chuig gach scoil, agus trí theagmháil dhíreach ó Aonad um Oideachas Gaeltachta mo roinne. Chuir Cigireacht mo roinne agus COGG comhairle agus tacaíocht ar fáil do scoileanna, go háirithe agus plé agus cumarsáid á ndéanamh acu lena bpobail scoile faoin gcinneadh páirt a ghlacadh sa scéim.
Tá 159 scoil i limistéir pleanála teanga Ghaeltachta agus tá 130 astu siúd páirteach sa scéim faoi láthair, lena n-áirítear scoil amháin a tháinig isteach sa scéim le linn na scoilbhliana 2024/25. Bronnadh aitheantas oifigiúil mar Scoileanna Gaeltachta ar scoileanna ag sraith imeachtaí réigiúnacha in 2024 i ndiaidh próiseas deimhnithe a chur an Chigireacht i gcrích. Tá scoil atá aitheanta mar Scoil Ghaeltachta tríd an scéim i ngach ceann de na 26 limistéar pleanála teanga trasna na tíre.
177. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to introduce job-sharing arrangements for school principals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10458/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Job Sharing Scheme for teachers is contained in Chapter 8 of my department’s Circular Letter 0054/2019 titled ‘Leave Schemes for Registered Teachers Employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools’. The purpose of the scheme is assist teachers in combining work and personal responsibilities/choices. Under the terms of the Circular, Job Sharing is not available to the following:
i. Primary: Principal, Home School Liaison Co-ordinator, teacher on secondment
ii. Post Primary: Principal, Deputy Principal, Home School Liaison Co-ordinator, teacher on secondment
As is the case with all non-statutory leave, each scheme is tailored to the needs of each individual sector following detailed consultation with the relevant stakeholders.
The Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC) forms part of the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for Teachers, the purpose of which is to provide a forum for claims and proposals relating to the salary, and other terms & conditions of service for teachers.
The Council is comprised of representatives from the Teacher Unions, the School Management Bodies, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and the Department of Education and Youth. The TCC is independently chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission. The terms and conditions of teachers employed in State funded teaching posts are formulated at TCC. The current eligibility criteria of the Job Sharing Scheme, as detailed in the Department's Circular Letter 0054/2019, exists by virtue of a collective agreement at TCC.
It is not currently planned to make any amendments to the terms of the Job Sharing Scheme for teachers as set out in Circular 0054/2019.
178. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the schools that were awarded funding through the 2026 summer works programme in Dublin mid-west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11051/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis that, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The CASWS operates on a multi-annual basis across a number of categories of works.
It is envisaged that approvals in any given year will involve a spread of categories rather than the traditional single category at a time. This is aimed at managing market capacity and maximising value for money opportunities for school authorities.
In November 2025, my colleague the former Minister of Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD, announced the first tranche of approvals under the new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme. 297 projects were approved to proceed and involve primary, post primary and special schools, along with projects in all counties and across all categories of works.
All schools approved in November 2025 have been notified of their approval and advised as to the next steps in order to progress their CASWS projects. As the CASWS is a devolved scheme it is now with the schools to progress their project to the next stage.
Full details of the of the announcement and the list of schools approved in the first tranche, the Circular (0029/2025) for the scheme and guidance documents for schools can be found at the below link;
gov.ie Summer Works Scheme.
179. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the detailed delivery plan, including timelines and key milestones, for the full modular build comprising 14 classrooms and associated facilities to address the accommodation crisis at a school (details supplied); the expected date for the completion of the design and planning stage; and the projected date for delivery and occupation of the new accommodation. [2292/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that in March 2025 my department agreed an accommodation brief with the school in question to provide 14 special education classrooms and ancillary accommodation.
Furthermore an official from my department met with representatives of the school and discussed the current building, the site and the programme for a new build as well as the department's intention to run a mini-competition utilising the Sustainable Timber Modular Framework. A tender process subsequently commenced for this mini-competition.
I can assure the Deputy that enabling children with special educational needs to receive a befitting education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
My department works closely with the National Council of Special Education (NCSE) on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places.
The NCSE has sanctioned 407 new special classes for the 2025/26 school year. Of these 16 are in County Tipperary, 8 at primary and 8 at post-primary level. This brings to 154 the number of special classes currently in operation in the county. There are also 3 special schools in Tipperary with approximately 409 students enrolled. One of the five new special schools for the 2025/26 school year has opened in Nenagh also.
The NCSE continues to review the SEN provision requirements in South Tipperary and the wider area in relation to the delivery of special school places.
In relation to the project in question, it is intended that it will be delivered as a design build by Lidan Construction with Healys Architects as the lead designers of a full integrated design team. Lidan were selected on the basis of a competition run under the Sustainable Timber Modular Framework.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that officials from my department recently met with and are working closely with the school and the selected design team to finalise the procurement of the contractor and confirm site constraints including site access and utilities, which will then allow the school to appoint the contractor and commence the design process. Pursuant to the successful contractor appointment, it is expected that designs will be ready for Local Authority review in Q2 2026. Subsequent to a successful planning application, works will commence with site works and off site works running concurrently. It is anticipated that the building will be delivered in 2027.
180. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures she is taking to address the increased level of absence in schools, particularly in disadvantaged areas, given new research published by the ESRI found that in DEIS urban band one schools, students are missing more than 20-days of school, which is roughly double the number of days missed by students in non-DEIS schools. [11009/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth is improving school attendance for all students. Parents have a legal duty to ensure that their child, who is attending a recognised school, is at school on every day that the school is open, unless there is a genuine reason for him or her not to attend.
Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) is under the remit of my Department since 1 January 2021. TESS operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention. TESS has three strands: the statutory Educational Welfare Service (EWS) and the two school support services the Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL) and the School Completion Programme (SCP). The three TESS strands work together collaboratively with schools, parents and guardians and other relevant services to achieve the best educational outcomes for children and young people.
TESS has operational responsibility for the HSCL Scheme and the SCP. HSCL coordinators and SCP coordinators and project workers work in partnership in DEIS schools and with the EWS, to provide appropriate initiatives and interventions for children and families to improve attendance, participation and retention.
TESS has developed a five-year plan for school attendance (2023-2028), available to download at: TESS_5_Year_Plan_for_School_Attendance_2023-2028.pdf .
TESS in collaboration with my department developed a series of school attendance webinars for school principals and leadership teams aimed at helping schools rethink and reimagine their approach to attendance. These are available to view on Tusla's website at the following link: https://www.tusla.ie/tess/national-school-attendance-campaign .
In Q4 2025, TESS implemented a national multi-media school attendance campaign, promoting the importance of regular school attendance for all students. A dedicated school attendance support page (www.gov.ie/schoolattendance) was developed and will be updated as appropriate. This dedicated webpage contains information and supports for students, parents and schools around school attendance.
In addition, my Department has provided funding to schools in 2023 and 2025, in the form of an attendance support grant, to assist schools to promote regular school attendance through local needs led initiatives.
TESS has introduced Anseo, a Multi-dimensional - Multi-tiered System of Support (MD-MTSS). Anseo, an actionable attendance tool for schools, is an evidence-based approach to improving school attendance. Using a three-tiered model, schools can identify patterns of absenteeism at the student, class and whole school level and develop nuanced and timely responses to drivers of school absenteeism within each tier. Using the model will enable school leadership to use their school level attendance data to understand the shape of their attendance patterns and to plan appropriate interventions. This approach, which was piloted successfully in four schools in the 2023/24 school year was scaled to a further 60 schools in the 2025/2026 school year. It will shortly be expanded to a further 150 schools. Anseo will be offered to all schools over the next three years. A dedicated ‘Anseo’ team is established in TESS to support the roll out of this model.
