Written Answers Nos. 366-390
366. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria for the appointment of home school liaison resources for schools under new DEIS strategy to 2035; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29246/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing educational disadvantage in all schools is a key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth. The Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) scheme is a core element of the DEIS programme and of the wider Tusla Education Support Service (TESS). HSCL coordinators are teachers assigned for a maximum of five years to work directly with parents, guardians, school staff and community services to strengthen engagement between home, school and the community. The overarching aim of HSCL is to improve attendance, participation and retention, particularly for children and young people experiencing educational disadvantage.
Urban DEIS primary schools and all DEIS post-primary schools are currently included in the HSCL scheme. However, I am aware that there are children and young people at risk of education disadvantage enrolled in other schools. The OECD’s Review of Resourcing Schools to Address Educational Disadvantage in Ireland found that schools not in the DEIS programme, in particular, may not have the capacity to engage effectively with families of children at risk of educational disadvantage and recommended the extension of partial DEIS supports to schools that are not in the programme. The Programme for Government also commits to expanding HSCL supports to schools demonstrating high need.
I am pleased to be adding an additional 120 HSCL coordinators under the new DEIS Strategy to 2035 and the DEIS Plus scheme. Following this increase, there will be 660 HSCL coordinators working to support 21% of all schools, both DEIS and non-DEIS.
The 120 additional HSCL coordinator posts are as a result of:
• Increased provision of HSCL coordinators in DEIS schools to match the level of disadvantage using the most recent data, benefitting 121 DEIS schools in the DEIS programme.
• Increased provision of HSCL coordinators in schools in the DEIS Plus scheme to ensure each has a full time HSCL coordinator. 46 schools will move from a shared post to a full-time post.
• Introduction of a pilot scheme to provide access to HSCL supports for some schools not in the DEIS programme and for some DEIS rural schools. These two categories do not currently have access to a HSCL. Under this measure approximately 130 schools will benefit from 60 additional posts.
Increased access to HSCL provision was calculated using the DEIS identification model and the most up-to-date data on disadvantage. Schools were identified for inclusion in the pilot scheme using the DEIS identification model and where schools are supporting a high proportion of student that are of non-Irish nationality.
This pilot is provided in addition to the 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 Scheme.
• 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.
The pilot project to extend HSCL provision to a selection of DEIS rural schools and schools outside of the DEIS programme will be monitored and evaluated to inform future planning. Any future allocation of resources, including any potential further extension of the pilot, will be considered over the lifetime of the DEIS Strategy to 2035 and in the context of available resources.
367. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth the breakdown, by county, of the €90 million investment package for the 2026 Climate Action Summer Works announced in November 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29247/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis that, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The CASWS operates on a multi-annual basis across a number of categories of works. The new CASWS closed for applications on the 30th June 2025 and a total of 1,430 schools made applications under the scheme.
In November 2025, my colleague the former Minister, Helen McEntee TD, announced the first tranche of approvals under the new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS). 297 projects were approved to proceed in 2026, this included 99 remaining projects from the previous Summer Works Scheme. The investment in the first tranche of applications is in the region of €90m.
The full list of applications approved for 2026 can be found under Summer Works Scheme List of Approved Schools 2026 (assets.gov.ie/static/documents/967d0eae/CASWS_Approvals_version_4.pdf), a summary of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme on a county-by-county basis has been provided in the table below.
As all the schools approved under the first tranche of approvals are yet to go to open tender for their individual projects it is not possible to provide details of funding being allocated to each school as it could influence that tendering process.
368. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reasons for re-introducing the State examination fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29248/26]
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: fees.examinations.ie/. 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.
369. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth the level of capital funding provided to primary and post-primary schools in County Laois in each of the years 2016-2025, by school, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29249/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 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.
The document attached provides details of my department’s capital expenditure in Laois by primary and post primary schools 2016-2025.
As the Deputy will be aware, I published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030 earlier this year. 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.
The department will continue to build on the progress made over recent years with the continued rollout of projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities. In this regard, 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 2 projects in County Laois. Additionally, 5 schools are approved to undergo works as part of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme in County Laois this summer.
These projects are in addition to the circa €147 million in capital funding for County Laois schools since 2020. Over that period, a total of 29 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. There are also currently 9 school projects in County Laois under construction. In addition, since 2020 a total of 64 special classes have been opened in County Laois, of which 7 were sanctioned for September 2026.
The current status of all projects, including those in County Laois, is set out under item number ten, 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-current-status-lists. This is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender, construction and project completions.
370. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a decision has been made on a minor/summer works grant application by a national school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29262/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis that, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The CASWS operates on a multi-annual basis across a number of categories of works.
It is envisaged that approvals in any given year will involve a spread of categories rather than the traditional single category at a time. This is aimed at managing market capacity and maximising value for money opportunities for school authorities.
In November 2025, my colleague the former Minister of Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD, announced the first tranche of approvals under the new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme. 297 projects were approved to proceed and involve primary, post primary and special schools, along with projects in all counties and across all categories of works.
My Department can confirm an application was received from the school in question however the school was not on the list of approvals in the first tranche. Given that funding is limited in any particular year it is necessary to prioritise applications. Under the new climate action summer works scheme which operates on a multi annual basis, like previous summer works schemes, applications from schools that are not reached for funding or market prioritisation reasons in 2026 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of the funding available for climate action summer works in subsequent years.
It is anticipated that the next tranche of approvals will be in the latter half of 2026.
Full details of the of the announcement and the list of schools approved in the first tranche, the Circular (0029/2025) for the scheme and guidance documents for schools can be found at the below link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/summer-works-scheme/.
371. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 340 and 342 of 18 February 2026, when the free school book scheme funding will become available to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29326/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Education and Youth, I want to ensure that all children and young people have the opportunity of access to education that empowers them to thrive and realise their full potential. The free Schoolbooks Scheme will benefit almost one million children and young people enrolled in recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme in 2026. It will help to ease the financial burden facing families at back-to-school time.
A funding package of over €160 million is available from my department in 2026 to ensure we provide schoolbooks and classroom resources to all students within the Free Education Scheme. My department will also continue to provide an administration support grant for schools in recognition of the volume of work to be undertaken in our schools to implement the scheme. Scheme guidance for the 2026/27 school year was published earlier this week and is available at www.gov.ie/schoolbookschemes
Funding has issued to post-primary schools this week and funding will issue to primary and special schools in the coming weeks.
372. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth the updated position on the availability of primary school places for the coming year in in County Kildare (details supplied); if the number of places per school at the location could be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29327/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority of mine.
The annual enrolment process for new Junior Infants at primary and new First Years at post-primary is a very large-scale operation that is transacted at close to 4,000 schools across the country, involving some 140,000 pupils. My department works with schools, patrons, and management bodies to ensure that there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children.
While my department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that enrolment pressures can be driven by duplication of applications, applications from outside an area, and school of choice factors. Notwithstanding the above, in some areas, demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places.
My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The provision of primary school places and the operation of admissions processes are matters for individual school authorities, in line with their published admissions policies and relevant legislation. Schools determine their own intake numbers and maintain their own enrolment and waiting list information.
The Department does not centrally collate or hold a definitive dataset of available places or waiting lists by school planning area.
Information on junior infant intake numbers for individual schools is published in each school’s Admissions Notice on their respective websites. National enrolment data is available on gov.ie.
My Department will continue to keep primary school places in the Prosperous_Clane school planning area, as with others across the country, under review.
373. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth the up to date position with the provision of a new secondary school in county Kildare (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29328/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe brief for this project is to provide a new permanent school building for the school, and this project is designed to be delivered in 2 phases; Phase 1 will deliver accommodation for 425 students and Phase 2 will deliver the remaining accommodation to provide for a Long Term Projected Enrolment of 1,000 students, at the former Magee Barracks site in Kildare.
The Design Team lodged their initial application for planning permission for the preferred design option with the Local Authority in October 2023. The Design Team subsequently received a substantial Request for Further Information (RFI) from the Local Authority in respect of the planning application. Following the Design Teams RFI response to the Local Authority, the Design Team received the Local Authority’s initial decision to grant planning permission, with conditions, on 09 October 2024.
The initial grant of planning decision was appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) (formally An Bord Pleanála) in October 2024 and the Design Team received ACP’s decision to grant planning permission in early February 2025.
The project is currently at Architectural Planning Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award. The tender report has been received and reviewed by the department. The letter of intent (LOI) has issued to the successful tenderer in March 2026. The Design Team are currently working on the Letter of Acceptance (LOA). Upon issue of the LOA, Department officials will be in contact with the School's authorities regarding next steps.
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.
My department will continue to build on the progress made over recent years with the continued rollout of these projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities. In this regard, I have also published a list of the 105 school building projects in the first tranche to proceed to construction or tender over 2026 and 2027. This list includes the project at Curragh Community College and 12 other projects in County Kildare.
These projects are in addition to €409.43 million in capital funding for County Kildare schools between 2020 and 2025. Over that period, a total of 47 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. There are also currently 8 school projects in County Kildare under construction.
Another 12 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 addition, since 2020 a total of 82 special classes have been opened in Kildare, 19 of which were sanctioned for September 2026.
The 105 prioritised projects will progress to tender and/or construction on a rolling basis over the course of 2026 and 2027 and within the context of NDP funding parameters. The timing of project progression will reflect the need to carefully manage the rollout of these projects to construction on a controlled basis to ensure that projects are delivered efficiently, align with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines and Capital Works Management Framework and remain within the parameters of NDP funding.
Department officials will continue to engage closely patron bodies, management bodies and schools with respect to the timing of the progression of projects to tender and/or construction over the period 2026 to 2027. This will include continued engagement with Curragh Community College with respect to the progression of its project to construction.
The current status of all projects continues to be set out under item number ten 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-current-status-lists. This is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
374. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she will be announcing any additional special education classes for the upcoming school year; the consideration being given to applications from schools that are still outstanding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29350/26]
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.
Schools seeking to establish new special classes should continue to engage with the NCSE at local level.
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.
Of the 432 new special classes, 286 are being established in primary schools and 146 in post-primary schools. New special classes are being established in every county.
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.
375. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the work her Department is undertaking to ensure that capital funding is keeping pace with rising demographic pressures, inflation in construction costs, and the growing demand for modern, energy-efficient school accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11080/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department’s NDP Sectoral Investment Plan 2026-2030 involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. Of the total €7.55 billion investment it is envisaged that circa. €5 billion will be used for project rollout to support the delivery and modernisation of school buildings across the Large Scale, Additional Accommodation, Modular, and Annual September Accommodation Needs programmes. Over the course of 2026 and 2027 there will be construction work at circa. 10% of the school estate. These projects will, when completed, provide circa 57,000 additional and modernised school places with a strong SEN focus in all projects.
€2.25 billion of NDP funding is to support the existing school estate in terms of maintenance, minor works and ICT grant funding, Climate Action Summer Works Scheme, other climate programmes and also increased capital funding for the Youth Sector. This includes the delivery of the recently announced first tranche of 297 projects under the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme and the continued rollout of over 100 existing projects as part of a variety of Climate Programmes being delivered through a combination of EU funded programmes and partnerships with SEAI. The next tranche of projects under the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme is expected to be published in October 2026.
The remaining €300 million, which represents just under 4% of the total allocation, will operate as contingency funding. The contingency fund is allocated over a 5-year period to provide flexibility for a variety of potential issues including unforeseen site conditions, planning restrictions, or minor changes in project briefs. It also assists in safeguarding the programme against inflation and market fluctuations.
The timely provision of school places is seen as an enabler for residential development and is crucial for the growth of new and evolving sustainable communities. My department actively engages with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Local Authorities, the Land Development Association and the construction industry. The Forward Planning function within the department provides demographic projections on the future demand for school places. This aids in shaping national planning policies, regional and local development plans, and determining when and where to expand school capacity. We are a leader within the public service in relation to our evidence based forward planning processes with the utilisation of a Geographic Information System (GIS).
The criteria for identifying the first tranche of 105 prioritised projects to go to construction / tender in 2026 and 2027 included the condition of the school, projects in areas with capacity pressures, growing demographics and projects in the pipeline for a long time.
As part of the NDP Sectoral Investment Pan 2026-2030 the next tranche of projects will be finalised and published following a stakeholder engagement process to identify the next most urgent priorities. This stakeholder engagement will be undertaken in 2026 and 2027 and will include an assessment of how well existing capacity is maximised and enrolment policies and processes are prioritising local special education provision and mainstream requirements. The Department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities.
376. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if consideration will be given to a school (details supplied) for the Emergency Works Grant for roof repairs that is required urgently as they did not receive summer works funding [29378/26]
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.
The school's original application was refused as the application did not fall within the remit of the EWS. However, the option remains open to the school to appeal this decision. Appeals will be considered if additional relevant information that was not provided as part of the original application is submitted to the EWS area via email.
The responsibility for identifying and applying for the most urgently required projects rests with the school authority and in the case of the school in question it should be noted that the school did not receive Summer works funding as the school did not make an application for works under the new Climate Action Summer works scheme which opened for applications in May 2025.
As you may be aware there is an onus on all schools to keep their school’s maintained to a high standard, and where remediation/refurbishment works are required my Department provides funding mechanisms in the guise of the Emergency Works Scheme and the Summer works scheme to assist schools in maintaining the condition of school properties. The school in question did not avail of the opportunities to replace the roof of the school building via an application for Summer Works under the 2025 or 2020 schemes.
377. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has assessed the level of educational disadvantage in post-primary schools that receive a significant proportion of their intake from DEIS primary schools but do not themselves have DEIS status; and if so, whether interim supports such as HSCL access, school meals, or school completion programme supports are being considered in such cases. [29390/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing educational disadvantage in all schools is a key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth. The DEIS programme is targeted at schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage. Schools that were included in the most recent expansion of the programme in 2022 were those with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage as identified through the refined DEIS identification model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme, and the model was applied fairly and equally to all schools. A detailed paper on the refined DEIS identification model is available on gov.ie.
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.
378. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to urgently examine an application for a special needs assistant in respect of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29409/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra379. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to urgently examine an application for a special needs assistant in respect of a child in County Kerry, (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29411/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 378 and 379 together.
This government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. I will arrange for your query to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. Deputies are also welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas email address.
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.
380. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will intervene to prevent the proposed closure of a school in Kildare (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29430/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the matter raised relates to a naíonra/preschool. My Department has no role in the opening/closure of naíonra/preschools. Support for childcare, including pre-school education falls within the remit of my colleagues at the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
381. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has sought a formal security assessment from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration regarding the risk posed to children by groups gathering at a school (details supplied) or near the school gates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29442/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the provisions of the Education Act, 1998, the board of management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school on behalf of the school patron and has responsibility for ensuring the health and safety of its staff and pupils.
The board of management has responsibility for taking all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of school personnel and pupils and to put appropriate safeguards in place to ensure as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of its staff and of its students while they are attending the school or while participating in school activities. The Department has been in contact with the school and will continue to follow up on the matter.
Where there is a concern or potential threat to the safety of the public, the responsibility for dealing with such a situation rests primarily with An Garda Síochána in accordance with its duty to protect the community, to undertake criminal investigations and to bring offenders to justice. An Garda Síochána play a vital role in communities across the country in helping to keep us all safe, including children attending schools.
382. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding her Department’s assessment of the Education (Medical Emergencies in Schools) Bill 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29451/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra383. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on the merits of progressing the aims of the Education (Medical Emergencies in Schools) Bill 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29452/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra384. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on whether the aims of the Education (Medical Emergencies in Schools) Bill 2026 are already covered under existing legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29453/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra385. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on whether there are sufficient provisions in schools to deal with extreme medical cases including severe allergic reactions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29454/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 382, 383, 384 and 385 together.
The Board of Management of each school is responsible for the care and safety of all pupils. It is understood that schools have local arrangements in place, including parents attending to administer medication on-site. Where the school is aware of potential difficulties that may arise as a consequence of a medical condition suffered by one or more pupils, it may be possible for the management authorities, working in conjunction with parents, teachers and children to put preventative measures in place to lessen the possibility of any difficulties arising or to ensure that, if a pupil suffers from an illness requiring, for example, the administration of medication, that appropriate treatment is available.
Where a child requires adult assistance to assist in the administration of medicine and where the extent of assistance required would overly disrupt normal teaching time, Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support may be allocated for this purpose. It is a matter for the Board of Management to ensure that SNAs are in a position to effectively meet the care needs of pupils for whom SNA support has been allocated in the school, when appointing an SNA.
Where specific training is required, the Board of Management can liaise with the Health Service Executive (HSE) in order to ensure that the HSE provides guidance and training that enables the SNA to meet the care needs of the pupil in an appropriate manner. It is a matter for individual school authorities to make such arrangements locally.
The Bill referred to by the Deputy is scheduled for debate in Private Members’ time on Thursday afternoon, 23rd April. Government will make its position known during that debate.
386. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to use Section 37A of the Education Act 1998 to progress new special education classes [29472/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
The Minister has powers under Section 37A of the Education Act to direct a school to provide additional places but this power is only used as a last resort and where all reasonable efforts have failed.
I am satisfied that I have the necessary statutory powers under Section 37A of the Education Act 1998 to compel schools to make provision for children and young people with special education needs. In addition, the NCSE also has the power to direct schools to admit individual children and young people with special education needs.
My department and the National Council for Special Education (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.
387. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to keep State exam fees. [29473/26]
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: fees.examinations.ie/. 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.
388. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to help with the cost of education technology. [29474/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Education and Youth supports the cost of technology in education by funding schools directly, and through national strategies, annual grants, and with targeted schemes for disadvantaged and special-education students.
Under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027, some €200 million has been committed through the National Development Plan for school ICT, with around €170 million already allocated to schools. The most recent tranche of the ICT Grant €35 million which issued to schools in January 2026. All students following primary and post-primary programmes are included, for per capita purposes, in recognised primary, special and post-primary schools. An enhanced per capita rate applies to students enrolled in DEIS and Special schools and to pupils in mainstream special class primary settings. Clarity and certainty are being provided for the school system through an annual grant payment timeline, which is now set for the December/January payment period.
It should be noted, that under the Education Act, the Boards of Management of Schools have responsibility for the day to day management of schools. Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is therefore a matter for the Board of Management of each school in the context of their digital learning planning.
Schools are directly funded for ICT and have autonomy to determine which infrastructure and devices (including tablets or laptops) are implemented, in line with their Digital Learning Plans. Schools must also have Acceptable Use Policies in place and may use ICT funding to support new curricula and assessment.
In addition to the ICT grant funding, through the Assistive Technology Scheme, as set out in my department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes.
All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment. It must be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs. Where necessary, schools may also purchase new or additional equipment or software for students from normal school resources or funds.
The Assistive Technology Scheme, provided by my department, supplements the overall funding approach for digital technology and equipment to support children for education purposes. All equipment provided under this scheme supports children who require essential specialist equipment to access the school curriculum. For children with more complex disabilities who require such equipment to access the school curriculum, which they do not already have or which cannot be provided for them through the schools' existing provisions, schools can apply for this equipment under the terms of the Assistive Technology Scheme.
My Department is currently finalising a review of this scheme to ensure it is effectively supporting the children it is intended to serve, and that resources are being allocated as efficiently as possible.
Additionally, schools can use the Minor Works Grant for the provision of ICT infrastructure, and general capitation that issues to schools can also be used for that purpose. New schools and school extension projects also receive funding for ICT infrastructure as part of their furniture and equipment funding.
Finally, department guidance states that schools should support equitable access to ICT for all students and may provide loan schemes for devices where required. Schools are also advised to consult with parents and the wider school community when developing technology policies that may involve costs for families.
My Department is committed to ensuring that enactment of Senior Cycle Redevelopment contributes positively to student experience in Senior Cycle including through revised assessment arrangements that allow all students demonstrate their strengths and learning.
There is no requirement under the new subject specifications for students to have their own laptops, and decisions on device use rest with school boards, who are advised to prioritise affordability and equity and to consult with parents.
To further assist schools, the OGP, ASERIA (formally HEAnet), as well as my Department, have established a number of frameworks of providers of digital devices including tablets, pcs and laptops, with appropriate specifications, agreed pricing, and levels of service, as well as providing framework management. Schools are encouraged to avail of these frameworks which will enable them to comply with procurement requirements and achieve agreed, transparent, pricing.
389. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a full publication of the parents survey will be available. [29475/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 4 November 2025, my department published a 'Framework and action plan for delivery of increased choice for parents on education provision at primary level'. The main focus of this framework and action plan was an online, school-specific survey. The survey ran from 4 November to 16 December 2025.
Through the survey, my department is obtaining clear information on the preferences of parents and guardians about the primary schools which their children currently attend, or will attend in coming years, on a number of important areas of primary school provision, including patronage/ethos, co-education or single-sex school provision and language of instruction (English or Irish).
The results of the survey will help my department to plan how education at primary level is provided.
As set out in the framework and action plan, initial high-level summary results are to be published in early 2026, with a Q2 2026 timeframe for the school-level data.
In line with this commitment, I recently announced the high-level national and county summary results in respect of the preferences of parents with children currently in primary school. My department is continuing its detailed analysis of the survey data and is preparing finalised school-specific reports. These school reports will also include the preferences of parents and guardians of children who are not yet in primary school and will be issued to all primary schools in May. This is in line with the Q2 2026 timeframe that was previously stated by my department.
The preliminary national findings indicate that:
• Approximately 60% of parents in denominational schools wish to retain that ethos.
• Approximately 73% of parents in the 276 single-sex primary schools favour a move to co-education.
• Approximately 87% of parents in English-medium schools support maintaining English as the primary language of instruction.
While these figures provide a national overview, it is important to note that it is the preferences within each individual school community that will determine future direction. Demand for change, or continuity, will vary from school to school. A good response rate at individual school level will also be relevant in assessing the parental preferences.
390. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department is aware that there are six primary schools between the parishes of Leixlip and Confey, and that currently her Department is addressing high enrolment numbers for the next academic year in Leixlip by allocating space in Confey (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29493/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority of mine.
My department is aware of the pressure for junior infant places in Leixlip for September 2026. Department officials are in on-going engagement with the primary schools in the town and have assessed admissions data submitted.
While my department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications.
• School of choice.
• Single sex schools.
• External draw.
Notwithstanding the above, in some areas demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places.
My department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. For planning purposes, my department examines urban areas as a whole and does not recognise parish boundaries in this review.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
My department will continue to engage directly with the relevant schools and patrons in Leixlip to ensure sufficient school places are available for the forthcoming school year.
