Written Answers Nos. 106-137
106. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the recent reintroduction of State examination fees for leaving certificate and junior cycle students in light of ongoing cost-of-living pressures on families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29009/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2026, the Government has reintroduced examination entry fees at the same rate as when they were last charged in 2019. Fee rates for the 2026 examinations, which have remained unchanged since 2012, are;.
• €116 for Leaving Certificate candidates
• €109 for Junior Cycle candidates
Not all families are liable to pay examination fees. Any student with a full medical card, or covered under a parent or guardian’s card, will continue to be fully exempt. This approach strikes a fair balance, maintaining support for those who need it most while restoring a long-standing contribution towards the cost of running the examinations system.
Since the announcement, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) has communicated with candidates and school authorities about the reintroduction of examination fees. The SEC’s online fee collection facility went live on 19 March 2026, providing a user-friendly service for paying the fee or claiming an exemption. The process is straightforward, transparent, and well signposted, with full details available from the SEC at Examination Fees - State Examinations Commission. Phone and email help desk services are available to school authorities and families who need assistance. Students have until the end of April to pay their entry fees and the SEC continues to monitor the situation.
107. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to increase capacity on school transport to meet demand/need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27850/26]
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 in 2025, which equates to an increase of close to 50%.
The scheme is demand-led based on the number of eligible children who apply and pay on time. Families are required to register their details on the Bus Éireann Family Portal to have their eligibility for transport assessed and to make applications under the scheme:
The Portal for the next school year is now open for mainstream applications and payments. The closing date for payments or entering medical card details is Friday 08 May 2026. Applications or payments/medical card details received after this date will be considered late.
After the closing date, the portal will close. This will give Bus Éireann time to assess all applications and plan for routes and services for the next school year. Routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of children who will be availing of school transport for that year.
108. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the response of her Department to concerns raised by disability organisations regarding the rollout of new inclusive special classes for the 2026/2027 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29010/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling students with special educational needs to receive an education that meets their needs is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of students with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where students with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided. This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which advocates that students will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.
My department and the NCSE continue to work closely with school patron bodies, school management bodies and schools to confirm new special classes for the next school year 2026/2027. The NCSE began sanctioning new special classes in January of this year, which is several months earlier than last year. 432 have been sanctioned to date and more new special classes will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
The earlier sanctioning of new classes provides clarity for parents and allows schools more time for the planning and establishment of new special classes. The vast majority of new special classes being announced are being provided in available school accommodation which is being reconfigured as a special class. Each special class at primary level is allocated 1 teacher and 2 SNAs and at post-primary level, schools receive 1.5 teachers and 2 SNAs.
Details of the new special classes are available on the NCSE website.
Five inclusive special classes have been sanctioned as part of a new approach to supporting students with additional needs. This builds on good practice that helps students with additional needs learn alongside other students in mainstream classes, while also having time during the day to receive extra support in a special class. It formalises good practices already in place in many schools and aligns with national policy developments on inclusive education.
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 achieve their full potential.
109. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will take steps to ensure that a school (details supplied) is provided with the funding needed for additional autism classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28753/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to the continued accelerated provision of additional special class and special school places for 2026/27.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) are the statutory body tasked with sanctioning new special education provision in our schools.
The NCSE has sanctioned 432 new special classes nationally, including 102 new special classes in Dublin, for the next school year 2026/2027 with more to follow in the coming weeks. This is a number of months ahead of last year and provides for greater certainty for families and more time for schools to plan for the establishment of new special classes.
I commend every school, including the school referred to by the Deputy, who express an interest in opening a new special class. As the Deputy knows, I visited the school last year and I know the good work they do in supporting children with additional needs. This school is already supporting three special classes and the focus for my department and the NCSE is working to provide new special classes in medium and larger primary schools with none or just 1 special class.
The school received a new school building comprising 16 mainstream classrooms and 2 class SEN base in 2023. A recently received application for 2 Special education needs modular classrooms under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme is currently under consideration. However, as this is a relatively new school building the department would expect the school to prioritise utilisation of all existing capacity in the first instance.
There are resources available to support schools who have children who have needs beyond those catered for within the special classes and I would ask the school to continue to engage with the NCSE on accessing those supports. The NCSE is engaging with parents locally and in the surrounding areas to ensure there is a range of provision available including in Stapolin NS.
My Department and the NCSE will continue to keep the matter under review.
110. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on a new build (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27849/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is now at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning - Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals, which have been secured, and the preparation of tender documents.
My department received the Stage 2b submission report from the Design Team in March 2025. My department commenced a detailed review of this report by the multi disciplinary team and comments were issued to the Design Team requesting clarification. The Design Team have addressed these comments and the responses to those queries are currently under ongoing detailed review.
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.
This list includes the project at Scoil an Chroi Naofa, Ballinalsloe and 9 other projects in County Galway.
These projects are in addition to €250.85 million in capital funding for 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 currently 17 school projects in Galway under construction.
Another 10 school projects will go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027, and this summer, 20 schools are approved to undergo works as part of the Summer Works Scheme / Climate Action scheme. In addition, since 2020 a total of 97 special classes have been opened in Galway, 19 of which were sanctioned for September 2026.
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.
These 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 with 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 Scoil an Chroi Naofa with respect to the progression of its project to tender.
The current status of all projects continues to be 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.
111. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to establish another special school in east Cork, specifically between Carrigtwohill and Youghal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28763/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.
There continues to be an increasing need to provide additional special school places to support students with complex needs. To meet this need, sixteen new special schools have been established in recent years, and capacity has been expanded in a number of others. Five of these were established for the 2025/26 school year in counties, Cork, Dublin (2), Monaghan and Tipperary.
I recently announced the establishment of four new special schools for the upcoming school year 2026/2027; a vital step in ensuring that children and young people with special educational needs have access to the specialist supports and environment they need to thrive and reach their full potential.
The four new special schools will be located in Balbriggan and Citywest in Co. Dublin, Bray in Co. Wicklow, and Monasterevin in Co. Kildare. Parents and families looking to apply for admission to the new special schools will be supported and guided by the NCSE at local level and kept updated on developments.
When looking to provide additional capacity the department’s preferred option is to increase provision in existing special schools if possible. Where this is not possible in a region, the department and NCSE will consider the need to establish a new special school.
In planning for increased special school places, my department and the NCSE review all of the available data on the growing need for special school places across the country. This involves a detailed analysis of enrolment trends and the potential for existing special schools in a region to expand.
Part of the forward planning process as to where new classes, schools or expansion is required looks at how far students are travelling to access an education that meets their needs. This is an important factor which has been incorporated into the decision-making process. Consideration is also given to the information the NCSE hold at local level on the number of children and young people seeking a special school place in a region.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for students with special educational needs and will continue to review and monitor the situation in County Cork and indeed nationwide as to where new special schools are required.
112. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth the plans she has to overhaul the criteria used to determine DEIS status for primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27398/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing educational disadvantage in all schools is a key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth.
I recently announced the DEIS Strategy to 2035 which is the first long-term, whole-system approach to addressing educational disadvantage. This strategy recognises education as central to breaking cycles of disadvantage, expanding opportunity, and ensuring long-term security. It sets out a more flexible model of support, so that resources are aligned with each school’s level of need as it changes over time.
The strategy also acknowledges that students at risk of educational disadvantage are present in all schools. It therefore focuses on improving outcomes, encouraging innovation, and ensuring schools can access the right supports when needed. The DEIS Strategy to 2035 sets out actions under the strategic objective 2.2, to develop an agile resource allocation model to support children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage in all primary and post-primary schools. These actions focus on the continued enhancement of the data available to measure school level disadvantage and for the development of a more flexible resource allocation model that can react to change in school needs and provide the right resources at the right time. The increase in DEIS Grant and HSCL allocation for schools in the DEIS programme, and the allocation of HSCL on a pilot basis to a selection of schools that are not in the DEIS programme is a first step in the move to that more dynamic model. No schools are losing resources in relation to this work.
As work continues on these actions, we will continue to work closely with schools and the education stakeholders. Any future allocation of resources will be considered over the lifetime of the DEIS Strategy to 2035 and in the context of available resources.
There are also a range of universal supports available to all schools to support children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage. These include:
• National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological service to all primary and post-primary schools and special schools to support the well-being, academic, social and emotional development of all learners.
• The Special Education Teaching (SET) allocation provides a unified allocation for special education support teaching needs to each school based on each school’s educational profile and also encompasses an element of English as an additional language (EAL) support allocation. Under this SET model, schools are frontloaded with resources to provide support immediately to those pupils who need it without delay.
• Free schoolbooks are provided to all children and young people in the free education system.
• Inspectorate support helps improve education provision for all children and young people. They promote best practice and school improvement by advising teachers, principals and boards of management in schools.
• Through the Department of Social Protection, the School Meals Programme provides regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The Hot School Meals Programme is available to all primary schools, meaning that approximately 3,700 schools and organisations and 682,000 children are now eligible for the Schools Meals Programme.
113. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has considered introducing a mechanism to cover the cost of a consultant’s examination in advance of EWS support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29182/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, 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 issues to the schools condition, it should be noted that maintenance of the school building is an operational issue and is a matter for the school management. It would not be appropriate for the EWS area to fund reports to ascertain issues that can be used to then apply to the same area for approval of the funding to remediate the issues identified in the aforementioned report. There are currently no plans to change the approach in this regard.
114. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to the Parliamentary Question No. 1345 of 14 April 2026, in reference to the criteria for DEIS Plus, the numerical threshold in each of the categories that enable schools to qualify for DEIS Plus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29135/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing educational disadvantage and ensuring that every child and young person can reach their full potential is a key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth and for the Government. The new DEIS Plus scheme, which will commence this year, launched as part of the DEIS Strategy to 2035, represents the most significant expansion of targeted supports since the establishment of DEIS. DEIS Plus is designed to provide enhanced, evidence-based supports to a cohort of 121 schools with the highest concentrations of children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage, identified through a refined data-based model that draws on a range of indicators associated with persistent and intergenerational disadvantage.
This approach ensures that additional resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact, and forms a core element of the wider €48 million full-year investment across both the DEIS Strategy and the DEIS Plus scheme. Approximately 30,000 children and young people attending DEIS Plus schools will benefit from these targeted supports.
Schools in the DEIS Plus scheme will receive strengthened, research-informed supports across wellbeing, attendance, engagement, guidance, leadership capacity, community partnerships and access to services, including the introduction of a new positive mental health and wellbeing initiative to support a whole-school approach to student wellbeing.
Disadvantage scores can be an important tool for identifying need and directing support. However, the publication of these scores can lead to unfair comparisons as they do not reflect the different contexts in which schools operate. The publication of such data can also unintentionally reinforce stigma and risk the deepening of inequality. The department uses this data carefully and in context, focusing on ensuring resources and supports reach the schools that need it the most, while avoiding any potential harm to school communities. For these reasons, the department does not publish disadvantage scores.
115. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the early intervention supports in place for children with dyslexia in classroom settings; when they will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27574/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.
At present, there are four special schools, and fourteen special classes attached to mainstream schools to support students with a specific learning disability such as severe dyslexia. I want to acknowledge the excellent work they do. It is important to note they were established at a time when there were much fewer additional supports in schools.
In pursuit of a more inclusive education system it is important, as far as possible to support students to attend their local mainstream schools. This means that children and young people can be educated with their peers and are not required to travel long distances to attend special schools or classes.
15,000 special education teachers have been provided to enable schools to achieve this objective. In practical terms this means schools get a substantial additional teaching allocation to support students with special education needs who are in mainstream classes.
The additional resources are intended to support students with the greatest level of need, including those with a specific learning disability such as dyslexia, dyscalculia or dysgraphia.
Of course, I recognise the importance of building the capacity of teachers in mainstream schools to meet the needs of all students. To support this, 338 places are funded each year for teachers to attend post-graduate special education needs programmes. The NCSE offers dedicated professional learning opportunities for teachers supporting students with additional needs.
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) also provides professional learning opportunities that are available to all primary and post-primary school teachers on supporting children and young people with special educational needs.
Funding is also made available to schools for the purchase of specialised equipment to assist students. Schools can apply to the NCSE, through their local special educational needs organiser (SENO) for such support.
The need for any additional provision or resources for schools to support students with dyslexia is kept under constant review by the NCSE.
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 achieve their full potential.
116. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the redevelopment of a college (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29002/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school building project referred to has been devolved for delivery to the school’s Board of Management, with the support of the Joint Managerial Body (JMB).
This school building project comprises extension, refurbishment and demolition works and will provide a new post-primary school facility designed to accommodate 750 pupils.
The project is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural design process. Stage 2b involves the completion of detailed design, the securing of the required statutory permissions, and the preparation of tender documentation.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6.7 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,400 school building projects along with over 4,000 small-scale improvement works to meet priority maintenance needs and advance energy efficiency and climate goal. In addition, repurposing and optimisation of existing accommodation capacity across the school estate has been a key enabler of timely, local provision of special class capacity in a way that supports best practice in inclusion and integration. Circa 80% of new special classes in 2025/26 are being facilitated in repurposed classroom accommodation.
Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities.
In July the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
The NDP Implementation Plan for the Education and Youth sector along with the first tranche of projects to progress to tender and/or construction during 2026 and 2027 was published in January 2026. This NDP Implementation Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
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.
117. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will immediately reinstate the 2.5 SNAs cut from a school (details supplied). [14307/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to achieve their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
By the end of this year there will be almost 25,000 special needs assistants (SNAs) in our mainstream classes, special classes and special schools.
SNAs play a key role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs in schools.
In February I announced that I had listened to concerns and engaging intensively to ensure that all of the concerns raised were really understood and children with special educational needs are fully supported.
It was agreed that there will be no reductions to special needs assistants for the next school year 2026/27.
All schools reviewed by the NCSE and allocated additional resources will receive them in the upcoming school year.
The SNA redeployment scheme, the SNA workforce development plan and changes to a 2014 circular outlining the role of a SNA will be advanced before any further decisions are taken.
Following agreement and publication of these key documents, the NCSE can commence reviews of supports provided to schools for the 2027/28 academic year which will uphold the integrity of the process, which allocates supports based on the needs of children.
The NCSE has responsibility for ensuring that the additional 1,717 SNA posts are allocated to mainstream, special classes and special schools to meet the care needs in these locations.
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.
118. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update in relation to a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29068/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project referred to by the Deputy has been devolved to the Joint Managerial Body (JMB) for delivery.
The project brief for Coláiste an Phiarsaigh provides for a long term projected enrolment of 750 pupils including four Special Educational Needs (SEN) classrooms.
The project is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural design process. This allows for detailed design and planning, obtaining the necessary statutory permissions and the preparation of tender documents. Planning permission was granted in November 2025. The department awaits submission of a Stage 2b report. Once received, it will undergo a detailed technical and cost review in line with the Public Spending Code. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6.7 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,400 school building projects along with over 4,000 small-scale improvement works to meet priority maintenance needs and advance energy efficiency and climate goal. In addition, repurposing and optimisation of existing accommodation capacity across the school estate has been a key enabler of timely, local provision of special class capacity in a way that supports best practice in inclusion and integration. Circa 80% of new special classes in 2025/26 are being facilitated in repurposed classroom accommodation.
Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities.
In July the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
The NDP Implementation Plan for the Education and Youth sector along with the first tranche of projects to progress to tender and/or construction during 2026 and 2027 was published in January 2026. This NDP Implementation Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
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.
119. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children attending primary school in 2025/2026 in classes of 30 or more children; the number attending in classes of 29 or less; the number attending in classes of 24 or less, in tabular form; the efforts she is making to reduce class sizes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29043/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlease find attached requested data.
The data supplied is collated from the 2024 Primary Class Size tables published on the DEY website and can be found at the link below. We expect to publish class data for the 2025-2026 academic year in June 2026.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/class-size-information-at-individual-primary-school-level/.
Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to aim to reduce the general pupil teacher ratio at primary level to 19:1 over the term of government and introduce targeted measures in schools with very large classes. This will build on the progress which has been made by the previous Government. The general average of pupils to teachers in the Primary Staffing Schedule improved from 26 : 1 five years ago to 23 : 1 for the current school year, the lowest ever ratio at primary level. More favourable ratios are implemented for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools. I am considering how best to make further progress as part of the annual budgetary process in reducing the primary pupil teacher ratio in the context of Programme for Government implementation.
2024-2025 Academic Year
|
Class Size |
Pupils |
|
24 or less |
292,801 |
|
29 or less |
485,604 |
|
30 or more |
43,458 |
Note: Data is taken from POD and is for mainstream pupils in mainstream classes who were enrolled as per the census date 30th September 2024.
125. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will examine the dependence on for-profit provision of childcare in delivering childcare; if she will take steps to increase publicly provided childcare on a non-profit basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29193/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Learning and Childcare is a privately delivered sector with three quarters of operators established on a for-profit basis and one quarter of a not-for-profit basis.
Following on from the publication of Partnership for the Public Good in 2021, the sector has seen substantially increased public funding accompanied by significantly greater levels of public management. This has been enabled in particular by the introduction of the Core Funding scheme.
Core Funding is an supply-side funding scheme that allocates investment to operators in order to manage fees, enable improved terms and conditions for staff and allow for greater levels of financial transparency. Among the objectives of Core Funding is to ensure that taxpayers money is being used in a way that sustains services while not excessively increasing private profit.
The annual allocation for the scheme has risen from €259 million in the first year of the scheme to over €482 million in the fifth year which will begin in September 2026.
Government sees a role for both private and community in the early learning and childcare sector and accordingly it does not differentiate between for-profit and not-for-profit services in either the eligibility criteria for or the calculation and distribution of Core Funding or other current funding schemes.
This Department does however make distinctions between for-profit and not-for-profit operators in respect of investment of capital funding. The first Building Blocks Extension Scheme has four strands, only one of which was available to for-profit operators. Of the 50 services approved for funding, 43 are not-for-profit and, by design, have on average substantially higher value grant allocations. The phase 2 Building Blocks Extension Scheme which I launched this week also favours community operators by allowing for higher grant values and not requiring match funding.
The Programme for Government also commits for the first time to provide capital investment to build or purchase State-owned early learning and childcare facilities, to create additional capacity in areas where unmet need exists. State ownership of facilities is a very substantial and significant development and offers the potential for much greater scope to influence the nature and volume of provision available and to ensure better alignment with estimated demand.
I recently announced €135 million for this programme of capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for this government. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the building, depending on requirements.
State-led early learning and childcare builds on existing trajectory in Government policy for the sector as set out in Partnership for the Public Good in 2021, the key theme of which was the need to strengthen State involvement in the sector through greater levels of public management accompanied by increased State funding.
Significant advances have been made in public management and increased public funding over the last number of years and State-led early learning and childcare capital investment is part of the next phase of developments building on this foundation. This programme, along with the Building Blocks schemes, will contribute substantially to expansion of the not-for-profit community part of the sector over the coming years.
126. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps she is taking to reduce waiting times for residential respite care for children and young people with disabilities in County Clare; and whether she will provide a breakdown of the current waiting list for respite services in the HSE Mid-West region, including the number of children waiting and average waiting times, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28758/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAbout 7,500 people avail periodically of centre-based respite, with regional disparities in access to the service and overall substantial unmet need. Budget 2026 provides €25m additional funding for respite expansion, supporting close to 10,000 additional overnight and 25,000 additional day respite sessions.
In their National Service Plan (NSP) for 2026, the HSE have committed to investing the €25m in respite services, which aims to ensure equitable access across regions, with a mix of centre-based, in home, overnight and alternative respite options. The HSE anticipates that in the region of 500 more children and adults with a disability will receive respite sessions both centre based and alternative within their community in 2026.
This funding will support the development of a range of service openings and expansions across the country, with a particular focus on strengthening provision in areas that currently have a lower level of supports. The HSE have recently undertaken an audit of respite services, in order to get a comprehensive picture of current service provision nationally and provide insights into a range of areas such as unmet need, occupancy levels, data collection and types of respite being offered in different areas.
This funding will be used to provide additional overnight and alternative respite for children, young adults and adults in Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary with a number of different service providers.
In 2023 a new respite house delivered by Carrowgar Respite Service became operational in Co Clare.
Last year, the HSE and Enable Ireland worked together to increase the capacity of the Hazeldine respite facility in Barefield. This addition will allow for an extra 300 bed nights to be provided by the end of 2026.
HSE continues to work with partner agencies to increase respite and residential capacity and deliver additional services.
In addition, HSE Mid West have been allocated funding for a Summer Respite Initiative for 35 projects for children, young adults and adults across the Mid West. HSE Mid West is engaged with the various service providers to progress these projects which will predominantly be day respite activity. The number of persons who attend these services, number of hours of respite delivered, costings and service user feedback will all be collated to evaluate the impact of this service.
HSE Estates is also currently in the process of securing two properties for overnight respite in the region and a number of proposals have been submitted under the HSE Capital Plan for disabilities for appropriate consideration and assessment.
130. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to urgently address the huge shortage of respite beds in Kerry, where families are being allocated respite and not receiving same due to lack of availability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28997/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I am acutely aware of the demand for respite services in Kerry and I am informed by HSE South West Disability Services that on receipt of funding, the Region has been in a position to significantly invest in respite services in recent years. HSE South West Disability Services continues to invest in respite services, to proactively seek opportunities for new developments and alternative respite models, utilising all available funding to provide respite services for children and adults who require them.
Kerry residential respite services for children aged between 6 and 18 years of age is delivered by St. John of God Services. There are two residential respite houses, one in North Kerry and one in South Kerry. Kerry residential respite services for adults who are aged 18 years to 65 years (at the age of entry) is delivered in two respite houses, one in North Kerry and one in South Kerry. These are also 7 historical respite beds provided by Kerry Parents and Friends Association (KPFA) which support adults attending KPFA services.
Respite is a vital part of the continuum of services for families, potentially helping to prevent out-of-home full-time residential placements, preserving the family unit, and supporting family stability. Meeting ongoing demand for centre-based respite continues to be a challenge, reflecting wider constraints in the housing market.
Where funding is provided for centres, additional time is often required to bring facilities to a standard that will meet regulations. Despite this, there are continuous efforts to add to overnight capacity in Kerry and in the meantime, alternative respite options are explored as the HSE is committed to expanding respite provision in the area.
As a result, there are a number of recent developments in respite services in Kerry that I can share with the Deputy.
• A weekend club for children has commenced in Kerry. This club provides respite to approximately twenty children on a rotational fortnightly basis. Families are free to choose a morning or afternoon session which lasts for approximately three hours. Additionally, a number of families have been provided with bespoke respite arrangements to support them in response to specific challenges.
• I am informed by the HSE that 75 packages providing 96 hours of outreach support per year have been fully allocated since February 2026 in Kerry.
• In addition, funding approval was recently received for Kerry Social Farming to deliver Alternative Respite Support to 100 people in Co. Kerry. This includes 87 individuals already on their waiting list as well as those currently availing of social farming.
• Sailing into Wellness is an organisation based in Kinsale and during the summer holidays their service is extended to a base in Fenit, Co. Kerry. They work with children by providing therapeutic sailing opportunities for children with disabilities. Weekly rotational respite will be provided for children aged 12 years and over. The service will be available to an estimated sixteen children in Cork and eight children in Kerry during the summer holidays.
• I understand the HSE is also engaging with the GAA in respect of potential joint Cúl Camps in summer 2026.
In circumstances where families are experiencing particular challenges, the HSE South West Disability Team may facilitate bespoke in home respite arrangements to support them in response to specific challenges.
HSE South West will continue to engage with providers in the area to expand respite supports in line with available funding.
A number of service providers in Kerry have made submissions for summer day camps in various locations throughout the county, which would provide alternative day respite to families. These submissions are currently under review by the national disability team in the context of a wider respite summer programme.
132. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to report on any meetings she has had with disability representative organisations regarding soaring fuel costs since the outbreak of the current war in the Middle East. [29125/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important at the outset to outline the action that Government is taking to assist households and businesses with the cost of fuel and energy.
Those that engage with specialist disability services will benefit from these supports.
• At this point, the €750 million intervention by the Irish Government is one of the more significant in the EU.
• We have reduced excise on petrol, diesel and MGO. When taken with a reduction in the NORA, National Oil Reserves Agency, Levy, that means 32 cent off a litre of diesel, 27 cent off a litre of petrol [and 7.4 cent on Marked Gas Oil (MGO)].
• We have deferred the increase on carbon tax which was due to take place on 1 May until 14 October. This provides further support to consumers of kerosene, natural gas, solid fuels, MGO and other relevant fuels.
• We have increased the maximum repayment amount available to qualifying road haulage and bus transport operators the Diesel Rebate Scheme from 7.5 cent to 12 cents per litre for Quarters 1 and 2 of 2026.
• We are conscious too that people are worried about the cost of home heating and have extended the Fuel Allowance season — helping vulnerable groups such as pensioners, carers, people with a disability and low-income working families.
• It’s also really important we help sectors of our economy most impacted by the rise of fuel costs, such as our hauliers, bus and coach operators. That’s why we have expanded the diesel rebate scheme and have backdated it to January.
I’m acutely aware of the concern that existed with regard to public services over the course of the fuel protests.
The National Emergency Co-ordination Group, NECG, met to consider the disruptions to the transport network, fuel distribution and vital services. The NECG brought together all relevant Government Departments and State Agencies to co-ordinate the response, mitigate disruption and report to Government.
The Department of Children, Disability & Equality was represented on the NECG and officials attended meetings of the group. During the blockades consideration was given to the impacts to services within the Department’s remit and the impacts identified were communicated to the NECG.
The impacts identified and communicated to the NECG included potential impacts in relation to specialist community-based disability services. Certain potential impacts were initially signalled including disruption to travel from home or residential services to day services, as well as public transport impacts that might be more acutely felt by those with disabilities more generally. Potential disruption in the case of home support and personal assistance services was highlighted, as were potential impacts on therapy appointments. However, thankfully, in ongoing engagements with HSE Disabilities, no specific matters were escalated or brought to the Department’s attention.
The situation continued to be monitored during the blockades and engagement continued between Department officials and the HSE during the period.
133. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children on waiting lists for assessment of needs in Dublin Mid-West; the average waiting times for assessments in the area; the steps being taken to reduce waiting times [29175/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe delivery of an effective, efficient Assessment of Need system is a priority for the Government.
There has been intensive work by the Department and the HSE to address delays in the provision of Assessments of Need to children and their families.
Children do not require an Assessment of Need to access health services, including Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams or Mental Health Services.
However, demand for Assessments of Need has increased significantly in recent years, reflecting both the increase in population and families exploring all options to access services for their child.
Applications for Assessment of Need have risen from 4,700 applications in 2020 to over 13,000 in 2025. Unfortunately, this demand is outpacing the capacity of the system to respond.
As a result, HSE data shows that the number of applications over for completion rose to over 20,200 nationally by the end of last year. This is an unacceptable situation and one that must be addressed.
Although data is not available for Dublin Mid-West specifically, it is provided at Regional Health Area (RHA) level, including for the Dublin and Midlands RHA.
In the Dublin and Midlands RHA, 7,171 applications were overdue for completion at the end of 2025, according to the most recent HSE data.
Nevertheless, there has been a notable improvement in number of completed AON reports in the Dublin and Midlands RHA, increasing by over 90% from 498 to 2024 to 970 in 2025.
These numbers are stark, and each one represents a child or young person. I want to see this situation change so that families do not have to wait so long for their AON application to be processed.
Change is happening. We have seen a notable increase in the number of completed AON reports nationally over the past two years. Over 5,900 reports were completed in 2025 – a 43% increase compared to 2024, and an 85% increase compared to 2023.
We need to see more. That is why, in December 2025, Government announced a series of improvements to the Assessment of Need process which will make it more effective and efficient for children and families. Over time, this should lead to a reduction in the waiting time to receive an assessment.
I want to reassure parents that any proposed legislative changes will not remove any rights for parents to apply for an Assessment of Need for their child. They will also not alter the six-month timeline in the Act.
The General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill has been published on the Department’s website. The Joint Committee on Disability Matters has published its report, following pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill, and the Department is considering its recommendations An FAQ document has also been published, providing information on Assessment of Need and the proposed changes.
I am determined that improvements to the AON process will result in a noticeable reduction in waiting times for children and their families across the country.
While CDNTs operate separately to the Assessment of Need process, they are instrumental in delivery of assessments, therapies and supports to children with complex needs due to disabilities and their families. I have had the opportunity to visit a number of CDNTs in the area and I remain consistently impressed by the high standard of work being delivered.
The vital supports provided by CDNTs to children with complex needs and to their families are deeply valued by this Government, and we continue to support the HSE in practical and meaningful ways to sustain and strengthen these services. In that context, I particularly welcome the relocation of CDNT 4 to the new Primary Care Centre in Clondalkin, which will provide enhanced facilities and additional space for staff, as well as for the children and families they support.
135. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will take steps to deal with the issue of unused childcare facilities in private residential developments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29190/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe use of buildings is a matter for building owners, subject to whatever planning conditions may be applied by planning authorities.
I recently announced €135 million in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for this Government. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the building, depending on requirements. The State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030 using the €135 million provided in the National Development Plan. The level of investment will ramp up over the lifetime of the Government.
Some of the buildings acquired by the State-led early learning and childcare capital programme are likely to include buildings which have been developed as part of large scale housing developments.
Beyond the capital programme, the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Childcare Facilities support local authorities in planning matters related to early learning and childcare buildings, including in certain instances requiring the development of buildings as part of large scale housing developments.
While this has delivered a substantial amount of early learning and childcare infrastructure, there are challenges in implementing the guidelines and in some cases, buildings which have been required to be delivered remain vacant. There are many potential reasons for this. The price for the building sought by the developer may be too high for operators. Facilities tend to also require capital investment to fit out the building for use as a service. There may be instances where the design of the building is not conducive to its optimal use as an early learning and childcare service. There are some instances where the developer has sought permission for a change of use.
The Programme for Government commits to reviewing the 2001 Planning Guidelines. The 2024 Planning and Development Act, the new National Planning Framework and the ongoing work in the Department on Shaping the Future, the Action Plan for the development of the early learning and childcare sector all provide important context for considering what any future policy should reflect in this respect.
I can also advise that the Department of Children, Equality and Disability has been notified by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage that it is to be included as a prescribed body in relation to planning applications which may be expected to generate significant additional demand for early learning and childcare.
136. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is satisfied with the delivery of the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026, considering significantly lower levels of delivery to date; the additional measures she will take to achieve proposed targets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29005/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026 represents the first phase of implementing the recommendations of the Disability Capacity Review to 2032.
It set out a series of ambitious targets and while solid progress has been made across a range of measures outlined in the Plan, it has to be acknowledged that certain sectoral challenges remain.
As provided for in the Plan, the Department published the first end-of-year report in respect of 2024 recently. The 2024 Action Plan report showed that several key targets were met or exceeded, including the delivery of Priority 1 residential placements and respite services. Increases in supports for independent living such as Personal Assistance and Home Support were welcomed by the Action Plan Monitoring Group as demonstrating progress towards the Action Plan’s emphasis on person-centred services and reflect the State’s duties under UNCRPD Article 19 on independent living and community participation.
There was also encouraging progress on workforce capacity, reflecting focused efforts by the HSE on recruitment, retention and workforce planning. The Action Plan Monitoring Group noted that the establishment of a dedicated Disability Workforce Strategy Lead within the HSE, represents important reform that will potentially strengthen long-term service planning and accountability and will inform an integrated, strategic approach across primary and community care.
Of course, progress on the achievement of Action Plan targets is influenced by various factors, including workforce constraints and organisational capacity within service providers. These challenges are being experienced more broadly across the health and social care sector and continue to affect the pace at which some elements of the Action Plan can progress. The advancement of all measures under the Action Plan are dependent on the annual estimates and budgetary cycle.
A total of €3.9 billion was allocated for HSE Disability Services in Budget 2026. This represents a €628m or circa 20% increase in current funding on 2025 and follows significant year on year increases since 2020.
• The additional funding in 2026 includes a significant existing level of service (ELS) provision of €478m to address sectoral funding pressures such as the increased cost of service provision, pay cost pressures, capacity limitations and service provider sustainability.
• Furthermore, €150m is provided to fund service expansion in residential and respite services, day service provision and increased investment in home support and personal assistance programmes.
• Increased budget funding will also fund neurorehabilitation team expansion, children’s services, and data and reform initiatives.
Looking forward, the Department has established a dedicated team to examine the model of disability service provision in Ireland and give renewed strategic focus to the sector to 2030. This work will seek to ensure services can continue to deliver quality outcomes for those who need them into the future. Progress is already underway through research, site visits and engagement with key stakeholders, including disabled people and service providers.
The Action Plan has delivered meaningful early progress, and further efforts will be required to enhance delivery to ensure that the achievement of targets translate into improved, consistent services that produce better outcomes for people with disabilities across Ireland.
Work on the 2025 end-of-year progress report is underway and, following feedback from the Action Plan Monitoring Group, will be published by the Department.
