Written Answers Nos. 311-330
311. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether there are plans to expand access to multidisciplinary teams in DEIS plus schools outside of existing pilot areas; the way in which she is working with the Minister for Health to address barriers to delivering these supports on a cross-departmental basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31884/26]
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.
The Programme for Government commits to the introduction of an Education Therapy Service (ETS). This service will begin in special schools and gradually extend to special classes and mainstream settings, ensuring that all children can access essential therapies in a timely and effective way. The ETS has been established as a critical and important support for children and young people in their school environment. The ETS will be delivered by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and is an additional support for children with special education needs. It is to supplement and not replace existing children’s health and disability services.
The initial phase of the ETS will commence in 45 special schools in this school year. It is important to highlight that this is the initial phase of the ETS roll-out which will occur on a phased basis with a wider roll-out to further special schools within the 2026/2027 school year and a new initiative which will see all schools benefit in the coming years.
Where a school cannot access support through the ETS, the NCSE currently provides two additional strands of support to schools, Regional Therapy and Sustained In-School Therapy to both mainstream and special schools. Sustained in-school support (SIT) is provided to schools for a defined period of 18–24 months in line with the School Inclusion Model. 22 schools in the Eastern region are currently availing of this service and 28 schools in the Western region are receiving support under SIT since September 25. Regional therapy support provides Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) with follow-on/implementation support by NCSE therapists. The focus of this support is to build the capacity of schools and to embed the learning from TPL into their teaching practice, through in-school coaching and co-facilitation of interventions, strategies and resources, with a focus on whole-school (Tier 1) and targeted/school support levels.
The prioritisation of schools in the DEIS Plus scheme for access to speech and language therapy and occupational therapy forms part of the approach to phase 2 of the roll-out of ETS. Schools in the DEIS Plus scheme will be included for prioritisation in the expansion of ETS when the service is implemented in mainstream schools to provide access to these therapies in school settings. Measures will be taken to ensure that this supports delivery in schools and supplements, rather than duplicates, services currently available through Children’s Disability Network Teams or other health services.
The department will monitor the implementation of DEIS Plus and the phased roll-out of ETS. Access to multidisciplinary and therapeutic supports will be considered within the broader context of DEIS Plus and the DEIS Strategy to 2035, having regard to availability across the system.
312. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria that will be used to select the next schools or areas for inclusion in the expansion of the City Connects programme; when these decisions will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31885/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra313. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if consideration will be given to prioritising areas of highest disadvantage, including those identified under the Pobal HP index such as Dublin 17, in the roll-out of additional City Connects sites; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31886/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 313 together.
Addressing 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.
With regard to City Connects, the City Connects pilot was set up in 2020 in Ireland and is led by my department and Tusla Education Support Service, in conjunction with the National Centre for City Connects Ireland (NCCCI) and Boston College.
City Connects offers a systematic way for schools to connect every pupil to the right supports at the right time by knitting together both community-based and in-school resources. At the core of the City Connects practice is the coordinator, who meets with each class teacher and others in the school to discuss the interests and also the strengths and needs of each child in the areas of academics, social/emotional/behavioural growth, health, and family. In this process, the coordinator works closely with school principals, home school community liaison coordinators, School Completion Programme coordinators, and families. Together, they craft an individual plan of services and enrichments for each child. The coorindators also work with the Summer Programme managers in the school to offer some streamlined activities which proved really useful, particularly for schools new to the Summer Programme.
The coordinator cultivates and maintains ties with community partners such as youth services, health providers, sports teams, theatres, and arts programmes, serving as a point of contact for the school and enabling the right connections between pupils and opportunities. The MyConnects software system allows coordinators to catalogue community service providers, to document, track, and report on service referrals, and to follow up on service delivery.
City Connects is currently running in DEIS schools in the North East Inner City (NEIC) serving approximately 2,500 children each year.
The implementation of the DEIS Plus scheme, including the expansion of City Connects, is being progressed by my officials. Any relevant decisions will be made in due course.
314. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way she intends to ensure that DEIS plus schools receive access to the full range of wraparound supports, including after-school and family support services, in line with the objectives of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31887/26]
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.
The Programme for Government commits to the introduction of an Education Therapy Service (ETS). This service will begin in special schools and gradually extend to special classes and mainstream settings, ensuring that all children can access essential therapies in a timely and effective way. The ETS has been established as a critical and important support for children and young people in their school environment. The ETS will be delivered by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and is an additional support for children with special education needs. It is to supplement and not replace existing children’s health and disability services.
The initial phase of the ETS will commence in 45 special schools in this school year. It is important to highlight that this is the initial phase of the ETS roll-out which will occur on a phased basis with a wider roll-out to further special schools within the 2026/2027 school year and a new initiative which will see all schools benefit in the coming years.
The prioritisation of schools in the DEIS Plus scheme for access to speech and language therapy and occupational therapy forms part of the approach to phase 2 of the roll-out of ETS. Schools in the DEIS Plus scheme will be included for prioritisation in the expansion of ETS when the service is implemented in mainstream schools to provide access to these therapies in school settings. Measures will be taken to ensure that this supports delivery in schools and supplements, rather than duplicates, services currently available through Children’s Disability Network Teams or other health services.
Each school in the DEIS Plus scheme also has a full-time home school community liaison coordinator (HSCL) allocated to it. The HSCL scheme is a school-based intervention provided under the DEIS programme to address the needs of students and their families in disadvantaged areas through acknowledging and developing the role of the parent as prime educator. This is achieved through targeting the families of students most at risk of educational disadvantage and putting in place a range of appropriate support interventions that promote improved attendance, participation and retention.
The DEIS Plus scheme also commits to the following supports:
• 121 additional teacher posts, one for each DEIS Plus school, to foster a whole-school approach to positive mental health and wellbeing and strengthen co-ordination across services with the child at the centre.
• 25 additional wellbeing practitioners and 7 additional NEPS psychologists to increase access to the Counselling in Primary Schools Pilot, Strand 1 (1-1 counselling) and Strand 2.
• Funding to have a breakfast club to combat food insecurity in homes and to ensure that children and young people come to class ready to learn.
• Increased funding for UBU Youth Services near DEIS Plus schools to increase engagement with young people.
• Strengthening of interagency coordination between education, youth, health and community services so that supports are more accessible and effective for schools and families.
• Expansion of the City Connects programme to more sites, serving more schools in the scheme. This programme matches children and young people in participating schools with a comprehensive set of services and enrichments based on their strengths, interests and support needs.
• The establishment of an innovation fund for schools to engage with each other and local services and industry, to develop bespoke responses that meet local needs.
Further information on the supports provided under the DEIS Plus scheme can be found at gov.ie/deis.
315. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of and timeline on the progress on the new ASD class for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31919/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers have been granted capital funding for the provision of Special Educational Needs Classrooms (SEN), under my Department’s SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme.
This programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects.
Rogerson Reddan (RR) have been appointed, from my Department’s Framework, to design and tender this schools project. This is a collaborative process between the Project Manager, School Authority and the Department.
This project has been on site since October ’25 and is currently on track to be completed in late Q2 2026. A delay occurred due to ESB cables requiring a diversion but has now been resolved.
My Department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of this accommodation and will be working closely with the Project Managers and School Authority to keep it updated on overall project delivery.
316. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Youth the special educational needs organiser, SENO, that has been allocated to west Wicklow, including Donard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31931/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recent years, the NCSE has undergone a significant transformational change. This has included a restructuring of the organisation and a 67% increase in its workforce, which combine to provide an increased and responsive support within communities.
At local level, the NCSE has increased the number of SENOs to approximately 120, from the previously sanctioned 73, and doubled the number of support teams available to parents and schools, throughout the country, from a 10 team structure to a 20 team structure.
All special educational needs organisers (SENO) grades are now assigned on a county basis and undertake caseloads associated with that county only, on a reduced caseload basis. There are five SENOs assigned to county Wicklow.
To support these staff, additional administrative staff have also been allocated, and this allows SENOs to concentrate on working directly with schools and families. This will allow for an integrated community-based service which is conducive to the development of key relationships between NCSE staff, parents, and schools in the provision of services to students with special educational needs.
The additional SENOs, additional administrative support and revised caseload allocations contribute to a comprehensive level of localised cover. Contact details for all SENOs are available on the NCSE website.
317. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that a school (details supplied) will have no ASD classroom for the next academic year, as its current rental agreement is coming to an end; if she will intervene to ensure that appropriate classroom accommodation is provided; if the delivery of an approved extension to the school will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31942/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department is in contact with the school referred to by the Deputy in relation to the current rental agreement.
As you will be aware, the department published in January 2026, 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.
I can confirm that the current and future needs of the school in question will be reviewed in the context of the department's NDP priorities.
318. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a primary school (details supplied) that is awaiting a decision for works to be carried out under the emergency works scheme will receive approval; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31980/26]
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 to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for life safety system works. This application was refused on the basis that works being sought did not qualify for funding under the EWS as set out in Circular Letter 0068/2020.
The application in question is currently being reviewed by the Department of Education’s EWS team under the appeals process. Once this review process is complete the EWS team will engage further with the school as appropriate.
319. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of land (details supplied) which is owned by her Department; her plans for this land; if she will arrange for officials from her Department to meet with a local residents' group to discuss this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31990/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my department is currently finalising its consideration of the future use of this portion of land.
A response will issue directly from the department to the Deputy once this process has concluded.
320. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will confirm that an organisation (details supplied) was selected as the facilitator and note-taker for the four sessions of the Convention on Education; and if she will outline the full tender evaluation process, including the scoring criteria applied and the names of all shortlisted bidders, given that one of the organisation's co-founders has an extensive public record of left-wing political activism, including the cost of the contract awarded to the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31993/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra321. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she accepts that the appointment of an organisation (details supplied) as facilitator for the Convention on Education raises a reasonable apprehension of bias, given that one co-founder has a documented history of left-wing activism; and if she will acknowledge that this creates at minimum a perception problem for the denominational education sector which may undermine public confidence in the entire convention process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31994/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra322. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will state whether any conflict-of-interest assessment was carried out prior to awarding the €250,000 facilitation contract to an organisation (details supplied); and if she will publish any such assessment or explain why none was deemed necessary. [31995/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the specific safeguards, if any, that have been put in place to guarantee the objectivity and neutrality of the facilitation and note-taking services provided by an organisation (details supplied) at the Convention on Education; if she will acknowledge that, without such visible and robust safeguards, the process risks being perceived as pre-disposed against the interests of the denominational, particularly Catholic, school sector, which still represents the majority of Irish primary and post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31996/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra324. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason an organisation (details supplied) with documented ties to left-wing activist campaigns was chosen over other potential providers to facilitate a once-in-a-generation Convention on Education whose recommendations will shape Irish education policy for decades; if she will now commit to publishing the full tender documentation, including the successful bid and all evaluation scores, to allow the denominational sector and the wider public to assess whether the process was genuinely impartial; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31997/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 320, 321, 322, 323 and 324 together.
I can confirm that the organisation named by the deputy was selected as the provider of facilitation and note taking for the Convention on Education.
The procurement process which led to the award of this contract for facilitation and notetaking, and the subsequent appointment of the organisation was carried out fully in accordance with EU and national public procurement rules. The process was open, competitive and conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
As the contract was for a value over the EU threshold of €140,000, an above EU threshold procurement process was undertaken with a Request for Tender (RFT) advertised on eTenders, as required, on 22 December 2025. It was open to any supplier of facilitation services registered on eTenders to view and bid if they chose to do so before the deadline of 30 January 2026.
Two bids were received for facilitation and note taking services. Both met the qualification/selection criteria requirements and so progressed to evaluation process where tenders were evaluated against the selection award criteria set out in the attachment.
The successful tenderer was appointed on the basis of their bid being the most economically advantageous, identified in accordance with specific criteria set out in the RFT attached. The identity of the unsuccessful tenderer will not be disclosed as this information is commercially sensitive. No conflicts of interest were declared or identified in the conduct of this procurement with the outcome determined solely by the application of the published evaluation criteria and scoring methodology. The value of the contract awarded was €249,990.
The matters to be deliberated on by the Convention are outlined in their agenda, agreed by Government. The agenda questions were informed by a National Conversation which over 42,000 people participated in. The outputs from this conversation were independently analysed and the themes arising informed the agenda which was brought to Government recently.
The role of the organisation is to facilitate conversations taking place between the participants and to take notes on proceedings. A facilitation company has no influence on participant discussions, outputs or recommendations arising from the Convention. The work of the Convention is led by its Chair, Professor Anne Looney, her Deputy Chairs for each of the four groups which make up the Convention in line with the agenda agreed by Government recently. The Chair and Deputy Chairs are in turn supported by a convention secretariat, who are appointed to advise in their fields of expertise and who support the Chairs and Deputy Chairs in safeguarding the integrity of the Convention’s work.
Selection Criteria
Qualification Criterion 1: Successful Completion of two similar projects in respect of facilitation services using a deliberative democracy model (50+ participants)
Qualification Criterion 2: Experience of Proposed Management Team to manage largescale facilitation (50+ participants)
Qualification Criterion 3: Experience of working with children and young people
Evaluation – Award Criteria
|
Award Criteria |
% Marks |
Maximum Marks Available |
Minimum Marks Required |
|
A. Quality and Suitability (Further detail in Appendix 1 – (for Appendix 1 see Pg 23-27 of RFT) |
70% |
700 |
390 |
|
Demonstration of clear understanding of the role, via the proposed approach to delivering high quality services as outlined in Appendix 1 of facilitation in a deliberative democracy model , ensuring equality of voice for all participants, including younger participants and those with additional needs, managing discussions relating to complex policy issues which may include discussions between participants of conflicting viewpoints, including any toolkits proposed; |
|
250 |
125 |
|
Demonstration of experience and skill as outlined in Appendix 1 in the capturing of thematic issues emerging from forum and plenary discussions (including roundtable), carrying out thematic analysis to identify key trends, themes, and insights as well as experience of drafting final/ feedback reports; Demonstration of experience, as outlined in Appendix 1, at compiling accurate, succinct and reliable records of discussions/ meetings;, |
|
150
150 |
75
75 |
|
Demonstration of quality control and assurance processes; Identification of approach to training and professional standards of personnel; Identification of the qualified and experienced individuals who would be responsible for delivering the service. |
|
50 50
50 |
25 25
25 |
|
B. Commitment to Environmental Responsibility & Social Considerations |
10% |
100 |
50 |
|
Demonstration of a commitment to environmentally friendly practices and a positive focus on environmental responsibility. (The Department of Education and Youth is committed to environmentally responsible purchasing and green procurement)
A demonstration of a commitment to social considerations in the company practices. (Socially Responsible Public Procurement (SRRP)– up to 5% of marks will be allocated to tenderers that can demonstrate SRRP as outlined in Appendix 1) |
|
50
50 |
25
25 |
|
C. Cost |
|
200 |
N/A |
|
Overall cost of the proposal (Ex VAT) |
|
200 |
N/A |
|
Total marks |
|
1000 |
500 |
325. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth when construction will begin on a new school building (details supplied); the timeline for completion of the works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32002/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project referred to by the Deputy is a campus project and is devolved for delivery to Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB).
The approved brief for Gaelscoil Riada provides for a new 16 classroom primary school building including a 2 classroom SEN provision.
The approved brief for Coláiste an Eachraidh provides for a new post primary school building with a long term projected enrolment of 450 pupils, including a 3 classroom SEN provision.
The project is currently at Stage 3 of the architectural design process. GRETB has submitted a tender report to the Department which is currently under review from a technical and cost perspective.
Department officials 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 includes continued engagement with GRETB with respect to the progression of this project.
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.
326. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which the State is planning to mark the 200th anniversary of the founding of the national school system of education (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32013/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchools registers and roll books are the property of the individual school, and it is therefore a local decision on the management of such materials.
I am supportive of the specific proposal, and while the matter would be more relevant to the National Archives, I will write to my colleague in the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and ask that it be considered.
327. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Youth for a list of all the post-primary schools in the Drumcondra and Marino, Dublin 1 SPA; the number of first year places that were available in each school for the 2024-25 school year; the number of available first year places in each school in 2025-26 that were not filled; if she will provide the same information for Killester, Raheny, Clontarf, Beaumont, Coolock, Whitehall and Santry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32016/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of post-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. Consequently, it is not possible for the Department to provide a comprehensive table of post-primary places in Dublin or to confirm current waiting list numbers for 2026/27.
Information on first-year 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.
While the Department engages regularly with post-primary schools in Dublin city as part of its planning for September 2026, including requesting admissions data where potential pressures have been identified, this information is point-in-time and does not capture pupils who may subsequently secure places elsewhere or be added to school lists after data returns.
The Department has not imposed any reduction in post-primary places for 2026/27. Decisions on intake levels remain with school authorities, within agreed parameters.
Data available to my department for the 2024/25 academic year highlights that 7.87% of first year places were unfilled across all school planning areas in Co. Dublin. Each of the school planning areas mentioned had unfilled places in 2024/2025.
The provision of additional school places can be required in a very small number of areas. This can be facilitated by a range of strategies, some of which may involve additional accommodation but also optimising use of existing capacity.
The Department continues to work with schools, patrons and management bodies to monitor enrolment trends and to ensure that sufficient capacity is available to meet demand in Co. Dublin and nationally.
328. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Youth the amount of funding drawn down nationally to date on the Mobile Phone Storage Fund; to detail the type of materials purchased to date as part of this fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32030/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the deputy is aware, In June 2025, a policy was introduced to restrict students’ access to personal mobile phones during the school day in post-primary schools. In addition, to support schools to implement this policy approach, funding of €9 million was allocated in Budget 2025 for the provision of mobile phone storage solutions for students in post-primary schools.
Guidance on the implementation of this policy and details of the funding scheme issued to all recognised Schools, with the guidance issuing via circular 45/2025 – Restricting the use of and access to personal mobile phones by students during the school day - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/circulars/restricting-the-use-of-and-access-to-personal-mobile-phones-by-students-during-the-school-day/
Details of the funding scheme were issued via circular 46/2005 - Funding Scheme for secure mobile phone storage solutions.
This guidance outlined the steps that schools could take to implement the policy. It also stated that implementation of the policy should be supported by schools through their existing consultation mechanisms and that the topics for consideration during the consultation should include whether or not the school should use a specific mechanism to implement the restriction such as cubbies, lockers, pouches, handing in to the school office etc. It also states that the method chosen to determine and agree the practical arrangements to implement the approach is a decision for each school.
To date, funding to the value of €7.1m has issued to some 519 post primary schools at the end of 2025, when the application process closed.
While the funding, which has been drawn down by schools was primarily for the purchase of secure mobile phone storage solutions, It should be noted that the solutions selected is a matter for individual schools, having regard to their own circumstances, enrolment levels, and operational needs.
This fund forms part of a broader suite of measures aimed at supporting student wellbeing, reducing distraction during the school day, and assisting schools in implementing their own mobile phone policies, in line with Departmental guidance.
329. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide detailed information on the consultations that are scheduled to take place with the youth work sector and other key stakeholders in May and June 2026 on the workforce development strategy; when these will take place; the way youth workers will be informed and advised to participate; when she intends to publish the data collected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32067/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOpportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services 2024-2028 commits to producing a Workforce Development Strategy, to include consideration of training needs and the requirement for high-quality, accessible and inclusive youth work services and opportunities. As part of the preparatory work to deliver the Workforce Strategy, and to establish baseline data and information, a workforce survey for youth workers was undertaken, followed by a workforce questionnaire for employers.
Consultations are scheduled to take place with the youth work sector and other key stakeholders in May and June this year which will build on the data acquired to date and provide my department with a more in-depth understanding of the challenges experienced by youth organisations in workforce recruitment and retention.
Correspondence issued to national youth organisations and ETBs last week informing them that both in-person and online consultation opportunities will be available. The registration process will open this week for all consultations, with the in-person consultations scheduled to take place in Cavan, Dublin, Limerick and Waterford.
The data from the workforce survey for youth workers and the workforce questionnaire for employers, along with the informed views from the stakeholders in the consultations will directly inform the key areas of focus in the forthcoming Strategy.
330. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an outline of all the events being planned by her Department for the EU Presidency; if she will provide details of all bursaries or grants being supported by her Department for stakeholder events or activities for the EU Presidency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32068/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPreparations for Ireland’s Presidency Programme are well advanced across Government. As part of these preparations my Department is working on finalising the priorities for our Education and Youth programme and they will be submitted for Government approval in time for the government publication of the Irish Presidency Programme.
My Department is planning for a number of events to be held in Ireland and in Brussels during the Presidency. A calendar of events will be published as part of Ireland’s Presidency Programme once this is approved by the government and this will include Department of Education and Youth events.
The events will likely include meetings of education and youth related working groups at EU level and some conferences and associated events, subject to final approval of the Presidency programme by the government.
Work is also underway to explore opportunities and appropriate supports for Presidency events in the youth sector.
I am very much looking forward to participating in and contributing to a successful Irish Presidency.
