Written Answers Nos. 77-95
77. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the programme for Government commitment to provide in-house Irish Sign Language interpreters in deaf education settings; if not, the reason this commitment has not yet been implemented; if she will provide a clear timeline for delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12996/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra78. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department recognises the distinction between ISL special class support, ISL SCS, posts and dedicated in-house ISL interpreter roles; if she will confirm that ISL SCS posts will not be treated as a substitute for interpreter provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12997/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra79. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has assessed the impact on deaf teachers and school staff of the absence of in house ISL interpreters; if she accepts that reliance on ad hoc or external interpreters undermines equal staff participation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12998/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra80. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Youth in light of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017, if the continued absence of in house ISL interpreter provision in deaf schools can be reconciled with the State’s obligations; the steps taken to fill these absences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12999/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra81. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which current practice in deaf education settings aligns with Ireland’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13000/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra82. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Youth the cost to her Department of schools having to hire external ISL interpreters, by month for each of the years 2021 to 2025, inclusive, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13001/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra83. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has examined a centralised in-house Department staffing model for ISL interpreters; and if so, if she will provide the findings of any such analysis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13002/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra84. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Youth to list the engagements, by date with deaf schools she has had in relation to the provision of ISL interpreters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13003/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra85. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Youth to list the engagements, by date with deaf-led organisations, ISL interpreters, or deaf education stakeholders regarding ISL interpreter roles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13004/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 77 to 85, inclusive, together.
I am acutely aware of the additional financial burden on special schools for the deaf and mainstream schools with a special class for deaf students in providing Irish Sign Language (ISL) Interpretation services to support the educational needs of students whose primary mode of communication is ISL.
Funding has been allocated by my Department to cover these additional costs and my officials are currently engaging with the NCSE to develop a mechanism to provide this funding in a fair and equitable manner.
I expect to be in a position to confirm how schools can apply for this funding in the coming weeks and I will update the Deputy once a mechanism has been agreed.
86. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13025/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra87. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13026/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra90. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13029/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra91. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13030/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra92. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13031/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra93. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13032/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra94. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13033/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra95. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13034/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra96. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13035/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra97. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13036/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra98. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13037/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra99. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13038/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra100. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13039/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra101. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13040/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra102. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13041/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra103. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13042/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra104. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13043/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra105. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13044/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13045/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra107. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13046/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra108. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13047/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra109. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13048/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra111. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13050/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra113. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13052/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra114. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13053/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra115. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13054/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra116. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13055/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13056/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra118. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13057/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra119. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13058/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra120. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13059/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra121. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13060/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra122. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13061/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra123. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13062/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra124. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13063/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra125. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13064/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra126. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13065/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra127. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13066/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 87, 90 to 109, inclusive, 111 and 113 to 127, inclusive, together.
The schools referred to by the Deputy currently have projects at various stages within my Department’s overall school building programme pipeline under the SEN Repurposing Scheme, the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme and the Large-Scale Capital Programme.
My Department provides details of all live and completed project information for SEN Repurposing, ASA and Large-Scale projects on its website which are updated on a regular basis. These can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/collections/building-works-for-the-construction-extension-and-refurbishment-of-schools/#school-building-projects-large-scale-additional-accommodation-scheme-and-senrepurposing-current-status-lists
As 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.
A key priority of my Department within its NDP Sectoral Investment Plan is the maximising of existing school capacity. This includes the SEN Repurposing Programme which progresses urgent building projects that involve repurposing existing school accommodation for SEN provision. 80% of new special classes established for the 2025/26 school year were established within repurposed school accommodation and this programme will continue to be an important element of the overall department solution for special education needs provision.
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 projects in County Carlow and Kilkenny and is further to significant investment in schools in those counties in recent years.
In Carlow, between 2020 and 2025, my Department has provided €50.16 million in capital funding for Carlow schools. Over this period, a total of 24 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. There are currently 6 school projects in Carlow under construction. Another 3 school projects will go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027, and this summer, 5 schools are approved to undergo works as part of the Summer Works Scheme/Climate Action scheme.
In Kilkenny between 2020 and 2025, my Department has provided €207.11 million in capital funding for Kilkenny schools. Over this period, a total of 43 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. There are currently 5 school projects in Kilkenny under construction. Another 3 school projects will go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027, and this summer, 5 schools are approved to undergo works as part of the Summer Works Scheme/Climate Action scheme.
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.
The accommodation needs in Carlow and Kilkenny schools will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with the school’s patron and school authorities.
88. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13027/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers was granted capital funding for the provision of one Mainstream (MCR) classroom and two Special Educational Teaching (SET) under my Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme in November 2025.
This 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. Rogerson Reddan & Associates Project Management (RR) has been appointed, from the Department’s Framework, to design and tender the project and oversee all elements of construction.
The school authority received their first tranche of funding in November 2025. The Design Team are preparing a detailed design for the project which will be submitted to my Department shortly for review.
My department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of this accommodation and will be working closely with the project managers and the school authority to keep it updated on overall project delivery and timelines.
89. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13028/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers was granted capital funding for the provision of one Mainstream (MCR) classroom, one Special Educational Teaching (SET) andone Special Educational Needs (SEN) area under my Department’s SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme.
This 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. Kerrigan Sheanon Newman Project Management (KSN) has been appointed, from the Department’s Framework, to design and tender the project and oversee all elements of construction.
The project is earmarked to start on site in Q1 2026, the school will be informed of any updates in this regard by KSN.
My department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of this accommodation and will be working closely with the project managers and the school authority to keep it updated on overall project delivery and timelines.
