Written Answers Nos. 176-189
176. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the significant reduction in the SNA allocation for a school (details supplied); the basis for this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13396/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra177. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is concerned about the impact that the significant reduction in the SNA allocation for a school (details supplied) will have on the students that require this support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13397/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra178. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding any engagement she has had with the NCSE in relation to the reduction of SNA allocations to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13398/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra179. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there is any policy or instruction in place with the NCSE regarding the reduction of SNA allocations for schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13399/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra180. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been brought to the concerns of school principals that are fearful that their school will face a reduction in their SNA allocation pending an assessment by the NCSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13400/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra181. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the supports that will be made available for any SNA that has been told they will not have a job in their current school for the 2026/2027 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13401/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra182. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding any engagement she has had with unions representing SNAs that have been told they will not have a job in their current school for the 2026/2027 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13402/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 176 to 182, inclusive, together.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision and care support for children and young people with special educational needs in our schools, including the allocation of special needs assistant (SNA) support to schools.
SNAs are very important in supporting students with additional and significant care needs take part in school life. Because of this, the department has been increasing SNA numbers for many years. There are now over 23,000 SNAs working in schools. By the end of the 2026/27 school year, this number will be close to 25,000 across mainstream classes, special classes, and special schools.
Since 2020/21, the number of SNAs in schools has grown by 45%. Every county has seen an increase in SNA support over this period.
SNAs work as part of a whole-school team to support students with special educational needs. This team also includes nearly 22,000 special education teachers nationwide.
The number of SNAs a school needs can change for different reasons, such as changes in student numbers, changes in individual care needs, or students moving from primary to post-primary school. When the NCSE reviews SNA allocations, it looks closely at the care needs of students in each school. This helps make sure that SNA support goes where it is most needed. The role of the SNA is set out in DEY Circular 30/2014 and the NCSE process for SNA reviews is consistent with its provisions.
Every SNA review undertaken by the NCSE is a detailed and specific review of the care needs profile in that individual school. Where the NCSE identify during the review that the care needs have increased in an individual schools the necessary SNA resources to support those needs schools are provided.
Minister Naughton and I have listened carefully to all of the issues raised by parents and school communities in recent days. In light of concerns raised, we have paused the review of the SNA allocations.
Minister Naughton and I, as well as the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach, are engaging intensively to ensure that all of the concerns raised are really understood and children with special educational needs are fully supported.
No further letters on SNA review outcomes will issue until these engagements have concluded in the coming weeks.
The 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.
183. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she plans to improve the terms and conditions of school bus escorts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13410/26]
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: 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%.
184. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the new school bus route between the temporary location of a school (details supplied) and the Hollywoodrath-Tyrrelstown area will be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13414/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy is currently located on an interim basis in modular accommodation in Hansfield, Dublin 15, pending a move to their permanent location in Hollywoodrath.
Following communications with the department, the patron body and school are making the necessary arrangements for the provision of bus transport for students attending the school who are living in the Mulhuddart_Tyrellstown_D15 school planning area.
185. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth the timeline to conclude the YSGS pilot and open a full reformed scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13415/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Youth Services Grant Scheme (YSGS) is a national funding scheme which funds the effective delivery by youth organisations of quality services to young people that support their social and personal development. It also provides funding to organisations that provide necessary supports to the wider youth sector (for example, through representing the shared interests of voluntary youth organisations, capacity building and professional development).
The Scheme has been in existence for four decades and is the subject of an ongoing process of reform to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of young people. An important part of this reform is the opening up of the scheme to new youth organisations.
Action 15 of Opportunities for Youth, the national strategy for youth work and related services, commits to the delivery a reformed YSGS that is more responsive to the current needs of young people, facilitates youth organisations to more effectively deliver services to young people, and enhances the governance and oversight structures for the scheme. An action plan is being prepared for publication to capture the work done under Opportunities for Youth to date and the work for delivery in 2026. This action plan will include timelines for tasks under action 15.
Some important improvements have already been made to the YSGS as a result of the reform process including improvements to grant management documents. A key step in the reform was the opening of the scheme to new applicant organisations under a pilot version of a new application process for the first time in 2024. Five youth organisations were awarded funding under this pilot, bringing the number of national youth organisations funded under the YSGS to thirty-five.
The organisations funded under the YSGS vary considerably in scale, in their activities, and in how they use their grant funding. Given the variation in scale and activities among the YSGS-funded organisations, their transition to a reformed scheme is complex, and it is important that this transition is managed in a way that minimises disruption to the work of these organisations and ensures the long-term strength of the youth sector. While work continues to determine an appropriate structure for allocating funding to such a diverse range of bodies, organisations receiving funding under the legacy YSGS continue to use the existing renewals process. Organisations funded under the pilot have been invited to apply for renewal of funding under a modified version of the existing renewal process and allocation letters for 2026 funding are currently being finalised.
186. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she can provide a list of advisory groups, working groups and taskforces that the youth affairs unit is represented on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13416/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn an ongoing basis, Youth Affairs unit engages with a broad range of policy and operational areas both within and external to the department, contributing to policy development and implementation as required on a bilateral or wider basis.
In relation to ongoing presence on specific groups, Youth Affairs chairs a Coordination Group for the development of a strategy for youth services and young people in the North East Inner City (NEIC). The group has been established to provide governance, strategic oversight, coordination, and guidance for the development of the strategy. The members include representatives from the Department of Education and Youth, Department of Justice, Department of Children Disability and Equality, Tusla, City of Dublin Education and Training Board, NEIC Programme Board and youth services.
In 2025 Youth Affairs established the Oíche na hÓige working group. The first Oíche na hÓige took place on Friday November 21st, 2025. Oíche na hÓige saw youth clubs and projects around the country open their doors to the wider community. The main purposes of this initiative was to build community awareness of, and celebrate, youth work services and youth clubs.
In relation to the implementation of Opportunities for Youth (OfY), the cooperation of all relevant actors will be supported through a new National Youth Sector Reference Group (NYSRG) and a group comprising representatives from departments and agencies that provide funding to or interact with the youth sector (Interdepartmental and Interagency Group on State-funded Youth Work Services).
Youth Affairs also reports on OFY progress annually through the Young Ireland governance structures, which includes the Young People’s Advisory Council and the Children and Young People’s Policy Forum.
Youth Affairs is currently part of an EU Presidency working group which is preparing for the Irish EU Presidency. Department officials are also participating in European Steering Group (ESG) meetings for the 12th cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue. The European Steering Group consists of the trio partners, the European Commission, and the European Youth Forum. These meetings provide an opportunity to review and learn from previous cycles. They also allow Ireland to engage with its trio partners, Lithuania and Greece, and to make decisions as a collective about the 12th cycle going forward.
Youth Affairs is also represented on the Ireland-UK Youth Forum reference group, and additionally, are represented on the Youth Justice Oversight Group under the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
187. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth the scaling plan for the new impact tool beyond the TYESI pilot; how results will inform funding and performance improvement rather than just compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13417/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative (TYESI) is a youth work programme which aims to engage and support young people aged 15 to 24 years who are not in employment, education or training. The focus of this youth work programme is on soft skills and developing these skills in relation to employability. The focused interventions are intended to provide community-based support to assist young people to attain a level of confidence and agency to engage in a wide range of currently available progression routes, programmes or services, for example: Youthreach, Community Training Centres, Community Employment Schemes, Traineeships, Apprenticeships, Pathways to Work and/or progress into employment. The programme focuses on five outcome areas: communication skills, confidence and agency, resilience and determination. The TYESI is delivered by youth organisations, supported by the Education and Training Boards (ETBs).
The impact measurement toolkit for the TYESI has not been developed as a compliance tool. It has been developed to measure the impact of participation in the employability focused youth work programme from the perspective of the young people who participate and the extent that engagement in the TYESI positively impacts their progression opportunities into further education, training or employment. The measurement tool will be trialled throughout 2026 in all TYESI projects across the 16 ETB areas. The department will be monitoring the trial of the impact measurement tool throughout 2026.
The outcome of the trial will determine if the impact measurement tool can be adapted to measure impact across other department funded youth schemes.
188. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps her Department is taking to make more meaningful provision for students who have opted out of religious education; if the Department plans to give more specific guidance to schools on this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13418/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraArticle 44 of the Constitution recognises the rights of children to attend school without attending religious instruction at that school. It is expected that this right will be upheld by schools on foot of a parental request. This right applies in all schools regardless of the denomination or ethos of the school concerned. Where parents wish to exercise this right, they should approach the school concerned in the first instance through the school principal and if necessary, through the Board of Management.
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, where schools provide religious instruction, they must clearly set out in their admission policies the school’s arrangements for students, where the parent or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, has requested that the student attend the school without attending religious instruction in the school.
The manner in which any school ensures that the right to attend school without attending religious instruction classes is upheld is a matter for the school concerned. Each individual school must determine the particular arrangements which are most appropriate in its individual circumstances, having regard to local issues such as available space, supervision requirements and how the school concerned organises classes etc.
As set out in the Education Plan 2025, my department is currently working to develop best practice guidance for primary schools in relation to arrangements to facilitate parental requests for children to attend school without attending religious instruction. A review of current practices in schools is being undertaken to inform a consultation document that will develop a best practice guide. This guidance is intended to improve consistency across schools and to make expectations clearer for all stakeholders.
189. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the work of her Department in supporting rural youth services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13379/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe department supports the delivery of youth services nationwide. Arising from Budget 2026, €94.1 million has been allocated for current and capital expenditure for the benefit of young people, an increase in funding of €8 million, or almost 9.3%, on the 2025 budget. Over the period from 2020 to 2026, the level of current Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes has increased by over 44%. This investment will facilitate the implementation of Opportunities for Youth: The National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services 2024-2028, which includes a clear set of strategic objectives and 18 priority actions intended to strengthen the role of youth work and related services in the lives of young people in throughout Ireland.
Young people experiencing rural isolation are a specified target group under the department's largest youth funding scheme UBU Your Place Your Space (UBU), under which over €53 million is being allocated in 2026. This scheme is aimed at young people between the ages of 10 and 24 who are, or are at risk, of becoming disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable. The UBU scheme provides funding to 258 targeted youth services across 16 education and training boards (ETBs) which coordinate delivery of funding to the services in their local ETB areas.
Since the launch of this scheme in 2020, significant additional funding has been allocated to new services in rural towns across the country. In 2025, additional funding of €1.2 million was provided for the establishment of a further ten new UBU youth services and these new services will provide targeted youth worker-led support to up to 1,000 disadvantaged young people where they are most needed.
The ten ETBs awarded funding for a new UBU service are as follows:
• Cavan and Monaghan ETB - Foroige Northeast Youth Service
• Donegal ETB - East Donegal South Central UBU
• Kerry ETB - KCYS UBU Greater Kenmare Project
• Kildare and Wicklow ETB - In Sync Newbridge Urban and Morristownbiller UBU
• Kilkenny and Carlow ETB - Urlingford/Johnstown UBU
• Laois and Offaly ETB - UBU Laois Connect
• Longford and Westmeath ETB - Castlepollard UBU
• Louth and Meath ETB - Mid Louth Youth Service
• Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB - Castlebar/Ballinrobe UBU
• Tipperary ETB - Carrick On Suir UBU
The services were established at the end of 2025 and are expected to be fully operational in 2026.
The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme funded by the department and administered by the ETBs supports volunteer led youth clubs across the country, and are particularly important in rural areas. €2.764 million has been provided by the department for this scheme in 2026, an increase of 2.3% on 2025 level. This scheme ensures that rural communities can have access to volunteer-led youth clubs and groups fostering personal development, inclusion, and well-being.
The Youth Services Grant Scheme (YSGS) main scheme provides funding to 35 National Youth Organisations to provide universal youth services across Ireland, in both urban and rural areas. The department is providing €15.2 million this year under this scheme, an increase of 3%. The YSGS plays a crucial role in supporting rural youth by ensuring that young people have access to clubs, activities, and supports that foster their growth and engagement. Additionally, these Organisations enhance the wider youth sector by offering training for volunteer youth workers, promoting evidence-based youth work, and advocating for the voluntary youth sector. This ensures that rural youth benefit from high-quality services despite geographical challenges.
The department is currently conducting a comprehensive mapping exercise of the youth services sector, aiming to capture all youth services, both youth worker-led and volunteer-led. This mapping exercise leverages CSO population data and the Pobal deprivation index to help identify gaps in service provision and enable the department and stakeholders to develop proposals to expand youth service provision where necessary. The mapping exercise will also include an external facing website, providing information to young people, their guardians, and teachers of youth clubs and services which are available in their communities.
Finally, my officials and I will also continue to engage with the ETBs across the country who have responsibility for supporting the provision, coordination, administration, and assessment of youth services in its functional area to understand the youth service needs of young people across the country, including those living in rural and remote communities. To support this work, the ETB youth grant has increased from €5.4 million in 2025 to €5.6 million in 2026, representing an increase of approximately 4.8%. This increase includes the baselining of four ETBs (Donegal ETB, Laois Offaly ETB, Longford Westmeath ETB, and Kerry ETB) to a new base allocation of €175,000, as these ETBs had previously been below this level.
