Written Answers Nos. 543-562
546. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide a list of all school building, extension, refurbishment and other capital projects delivered under the remit of her Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Longford in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34082/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2020, the Department of Education has provided over €43 million in capital funding for Longford schools. Over this period, a total of 14 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. There are currently 2 school projects in Longford under construction.
One further school project will go to tender or construction in 2026 or 2027, and this summer, 3 schools are approved to undergo works as part of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.
In addition, since 2020, all total of 58 smaller-scale projects have been completed under schemes such as Summer Works Scheme, Climate Programmes and Emergency Works Scheme. Since 2020, 30 special classes have been opened in Longford, of which 4 were sanctioned for September 2026.
Analysis of over 100 completed large-scale projects nationally indicates an average of circa. 10% increased expenditure over contract values. Previously a circa 5% uplift was average; however, additional capacity for special education has been a significant driver of this recent increase, in response to a huge increase in demand for special education provision in the last few years. Site specific issues have also had a role in increased costs
The Deputy will appreciate that with the scale of the school building programme regarding projects completed since 2020, the dataset in relation to the specific questions is very substantial and would require individual project analysis. If the Deputy would like more specific information on an individual project/s, given that many projects are delivered on a devolved basis, my department can link in with the relevant school authorities for full details on same.
In relation to the specific questions raised by the Deputy, it is important to note that the status of all projects is set out at (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.
547. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a list of schools with special classes in Dublin 9 and 11, as this list is not available anywhere on the Department's or the NCSE's website. [34094/26]
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.
The NCSE have published a list of all schools with special classes in Dublin broken down by postcode and class designation for the 2025/26 school year. This is available on the NCSE website at: Lists of Mainstream Schools with Special Classes - NCSE www.ncse.ie/ncse/data-and-statistics/lists-of-mainstream-schools-with-special-classes/
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. To date, 504 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for 2026/27. This is a number of months ahead of last year and should provide greater clarity for parents.
Of the 504 new special classes, 330 are being established in primary schools and 174 in post-primary schools. New special classes are being established in every county with 114 new special classes confirmed for Dublin so far.
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.
Further details on additional new special classes will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Details of the new special classes are available on the NCSE website.
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.
548. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1237 of 14 April 2026, if the provision of additional temporary accommodation can be sanctioned for a school (details supplied) ahead of the next school year in light of a sustained increase in enrolment numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34097/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my department is in receipt of an application for additional school accommodation (ASA) from the school authority in question. The application relates to interim accommodation pending delivery of the school's traditional build of 1 Mainstream classroom and 2 Special education classrooms.
The 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. The availability of places is a matter for each individual school in the context of their admissions legislation.
The Department’s National Development Plan (NDP) has a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
Given the general downward direction of overall enrolments in the area the department's focus for the assessment of such additional accommodation applications will be as follows:
• Analyse the extent to which enrolments at this school and neighbouring schools are serving the local area in the first instance. This will identify if some of the pressures on local capacity are arising from the enrolment of pupils from outside the local area where there may be other school provision opportunities available to them.
• In assessing accommodation capacity at this school and neighbouring schools, an assessment will need to be made on how best to utilise existing capacity in the context of both mainstream and SEN requirements in the local area.
The above sets the parameters for the department’s decision-making processes and this will, where necessary, involve engagement with school patrons and relevant individual schools as appropriate.
In line with the recently published primary staffing schedule, it is important from a school accommodation perspective that admission processes operated by individual primary schools are focused on meeting local needs and do not result in a requirement for additional classroom accommodation unless the Department’s Planning & Building Unit considers that it is necessary to meet demographic or special class requirements in that local area.
The application is being considered in the above context and a decision will issue to the school authority in the coming days.
549. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the portal to register for both school and home based summer provision will open at the same time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34101/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra550. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the portal for both school and home based summer provision will open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34102/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 549 and 550 together.
I propose to take PQs 549 and 550 together.
The Department of Education and Youth’s Summer Programme is an educational programme which is run during the summer period. Each year, all schools are given an opportunity to run a programme for children with complex special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.
Details of this year’s Summer Programme were published on 6th May 2026. The eligibility and terms and conditions of this year’s programme are the same as in 2025.
The registration portals, for both the school-based programme and the home-based programme, opened simultaneously on the 6th May 2026 and will remain open until 15th May 2026.
Full details of the programme are published at www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
551. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth to review the education approach or policy regarding neurodivergent children in relation to points highlighted in correspondence (details supplied). [34120/26]
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.
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended) provides for an appeal, where a board of management, or a person acting on behalf of the board of management (normally the school principal) refuses to admit a student to a school, suspends a student for not less than 20 days or permanently excludes a student.
Where a board of management expels a student from a school, a parent / guardian can appeal that decision under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended) and an independent appeals committee will be appointed to consider the appeal.
Upon receipt of an expulsion / suspension confirmation letter, an appellant has 42 calendar days to submit a Section 29 appeal for all exclusion appeals.
The Section 29 Administration Unit processes all Section 29 appeals. Generally, they will be examined / heard by an appeals committee within 21 calendar days from the date of receipt of a fully completed appeal application form and associated documents. A Section 29 appeal can be made online, and all supporting documentation uploaded via www.section29appeals.gov.ie/.
Full details on the Section 29 appeals in respect of suspension / expulsion, including the application process for this appeal type are available on the Gov.ie website at the link below:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/19941-appeals-against-expulsion-or-suspension-for-a-period-or-periods-totaling-not-less-than-20-school-days-in-a-school-year/
Under section 23 of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, the Board of Management of each school must prepare and make available a code of behaviour for its students. A school’s code of behaviour must specify—
(a) the standards of behaviour that shall be observed by each student attending the school;
(b) the measures that may be taken when a student fails or refuses to observe those standards;
(c) the procedures to be followed before a student may be suspended or expelled from the school concerned;
(d) the grounds for removing a suspension imposed in relation to a student; and
(e) the procedures to be followed relating to notification of a child's absence from school.
As required under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, the current code of behaviour in each school was prepared in accordance with the 2008 document, Developing a Code of Behaviour Guidelines for Schools, that issued to schools from the then National Educational Welfare Board.
The review and updating of the 2008 guidelines is an action in Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying. Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) has led on this review, and I expect to receive the new guidelines shortly for review prior to dissemination to schools. The new guidelines will reflect current department policies and procedures for schools.
The Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school and the department or the Inspectorate does not have the power to instruct schools to follow a particular course of direction with regard to individual complaints.
The Department of Education and Youth does not have a role in investigating or responding to parental complaints of this nature as it is not directly involved in the day-to-day management of schools. The department’s role in such circumstances is to clarify how complaints against a school or a member of its staff may be progressed.
As you may be aware the agreed procedures that should be used at school level is that the parent should direct the complaint to the school principal in the first instance and then to the Board of Management, if necessary. If they remain dissatisfied after having brought your concern to the attention of the school’s board of management, they may write to the school patron/trustee.
Parents may also refer a complaint to The Office of the Ombudsman for Children who may independently investigate complaints about schools recognised by the Department of Education and Youth, provided the parent has firstly and fully followed the school's complaints procedures.
The key criterion for any intervention by the Ombudsman for Children is that the administrative actions or non-actions of a school has, or, may have, adversely affected the child. The Office of the Ombudsman for Children may be contacted at: Millennium House, 52-56 Great Strand Street, Dublin 1; tel. 1800 20 20 40 or (01) 865 6800 or email oco@oco.ie.
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.
552. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children who have presented for the need of a special class and special school placement post the October deadline for submissions to the NCSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34155/26]
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 National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs. The NCSE has verified that 7,860 children and young people notified to them by 1 October 2025 meet the requirements for a special class or special school place for the 2026/2027 school year. Further children have come forward after this date, and this will continue right up to September 2026.
The data continues to be reviewed and analysed by the NCSE, who continue to engage with families. It is the experience of the NCSE that some families who contacted them may decide not to apply for a special education place. This may be where a place is not in a particular school of choice of where a student is already being supported appropriately in their existing school.
Data available to the NCSE shows that approx.75% of the children and young people who came forward by the 1 October deadline are already enrolled in school.
As in previous years, the priority group for access to specialist placements for 2026/27 school year are for those without a school place namely
• Younger children moving into primary school and
• children moving from primary to post primary school
• children without a school place such as those moving from one area to another or where a previous placement has broken down etc
The 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.
553. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth for a status update on a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34156/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe permanent site for Le Chéile Secondary School, Ballincollig, and Gaelscoil an Chaisleain at Lisheens, Ballincollig, has been acquired by Cork City Council by way of a Compulsory Purchase Order, on my behalf. The site remains in the possession of Cork City Council and legal ownership will be transferred in due course.
In the meantime, Cork City Council have agreed for the design of the school campus to proceed unabated, with their consent.
A joint major building project for the two schools is currently being delivered as part of the Departments Adapt 4 programme - Programme Innovate. This project is currently at the initial stages of architectural planning – Stage 1, where the Integrated Project Team (IPT) have carry out a site and current building assessment and initial design sketch schemes are created. My Department has received the Stage 1 report and the State 1 meeting took place in late January 2026 between my Department, the IPT and school authorities. The Stage 1 report is currently being considered by my Department.
554. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a decision to remove a teaching post for the school year 2026/2027 from a school (details supplied) can be reversed. [34176/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally.
The staffing arrangements for the 2026/27 school year are set out in Circular 0025/2026. That circular contains information and application forms on the staffing appeals process, where schools may appeal their staffing allocation to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
555. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm that a school (details supplied) will be permitted to progress to the next stage of its application within the additional accommodation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34178/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my Department's pipeline of projects under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme. The project will provide one multimedia room, one textiles room, one graphics room, one construction studies room, one technology preparation room, one project store and one science lab and preparation area. The inclusion of a PE Hall or GP/Dining Hall depends on site feasibility, constraints and input from the Local Authority and Heritage Officer. This project has been devolved to Cork Education and Training Board (CETB) for delivery.
The Stage 1 (early design) report outlining the proposed design and costings was submitted to my Department in July 2025. This is currently under review from both a technical and cost perspective. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program. Once the review is completed, the outcome will be communicated to Cork Education and Training Board. Cork Education and Training Board will continue to engage directly with the school authorities to keep them fully informed of progress.
My department is committed to ensuring appropriate accommodation is available for all school pupils and will, in the wider context outlined, ensure that each school project on the school building programme is subject to the due diligence required under the Public Infrastructure Guidelines.
As the deputy is aware my Department recently published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. As part of planning ahead for the next tranche of projects to progress to tender, the department led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects through the design pipeline having regard to the continual need to maximise existing capacity and determine the prioritised needs going forward. This process will involve engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools and will ultimately inform the next tranches of programme rollout to tender. The department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities.
Based on this ongoing prioritisation process some projects may be added to the list over the course of 2026 and 2027 having regard to their prioritisation and urgency of need and taking account also of the ongoing ability to progress them to tender and construction within the parameters of overall funding. Where appropriate, my department will also assess opportunities to undertake advance enabling works for the most urgent and complex projects to facilitate a smooth progression to construction in 2028 and beyond.
The accommodation needs at this school will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with the school’s patron and school authorities.
556. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth as to the envisioned enrolment over the next number of years for a school (details supplied); the estimated demand for places in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34180/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.
There continues to be an increasing need to provide additional special school places to support students with complex needs. To meet this need, sixteen new special schools have been established in recent years, and capacity has been expanded in a number of others. Five of these were established for the 2025/26 school year in counties, Cork, Dublin (2), Monaghan and Tipperary.
I recently announced the establishment of four new special schools for the upcoming school year 2026/2027; a vital step in ensuring that children and young people with special educational needs have access to the specialist supports and environment they need to thrive and reach their full potential.
The four new special schools will be located in Balbriggan and Citywest in Co. Dublin, Bray in Co. Wicklow, and Monasterevin in Co. Kildare. Parents and families looking to apply for admission to the new special schools will be supported and guided by the NCSE at local level and kept updated on developments.
When looking to provide additional capacity the department’s preferred option is to increase provision in existing special schools if possible. Where this is not possible in a region, the department and NCSE will consider the need to establish a new special school.
In planning for increased special school places, my department and the NCSE review all of the available data on the growing need for special school places across the country. This involves a detailed analysis of enrolment trends and the potential for existing special schools in a region to expand.
Part of the forward planning process as to where new classes, schools or expansion is required looks at how far students are travelling to access an education that meets their needs. This is an important factor which has been incorporated into the decision-making process. Consideration is also given to the information the NCSE hold at local level on the number of children and young people seeking a special school place in a region.
The school the deputy refers to is now at capacity and additional accommodation is required to meet demand for special school places in the area. There is engagement with the patrons of the schools in the area in relation to a proposal to provide modular accommodation to meet the current need.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for students with special educational needs and will continue to review and monitor the situation in County Wexford and indeed nationwide as to where new special schools are required.
559. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline in detail the proposed redeployment of SNAs in schools across County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34231/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for his question.
My department recognises the value of the SNA role in the successful inclusion of students with special educational needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools, ensuring that these students can access education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
Undertaken in conjunction with work on the first SNA Workforce Development Plan, the SNA Redeployment Scheme will be operated by the National Council for Education (NCSE).
The scheme is designed to support SNAs who are at risk of redundancy by offering them continued employment within the education sector. The introduction of a redeployment scheme for SNAs will ensure that experienced SNAs are retained in our schools, increasing capacity in the workforce and enhancing the service to children and young people with special educational care needs.
In addition, the scheme will increase job security for SNAs and encourage prospective SNAs to enter the workforce. Redeployment, complemented by structured training, creates opportunities for SNAs to broaden their experience across different school types and student profiles. This continuity strengthens the SNA role as a stable career option with clear entitlements and protections.
It has now been agreed that there will be no reductions to SNAs for the next school year 2026/27. All schools reviewed by the NCSE and allocated additional resources will receive them in the upcoming school year. Schools may recruit under the current arrangements set out in Department circulars for September 2026.
Updates and final details of the on the SNA Workforce Development Plan and details of the SNA Redeployment Scheme, including a comprehensive circular and guidelines, will be published on the NCSE website and the SNA Information Hub: ww.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/special-needs-assistant-sna-information-hub/.
560. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to give reassurances to SNAs across County Kerry (details supplied); to consider improving pay and conditions for this most underrated sector in our school community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34237/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpecial Needs Assistants are valued members of our school communities who carry out vital work in our schools, supporting students with diverse needs.
The Government is committed to the delivery of quality public services and continues to approach public service pay in a balanced way that is reasonable and fair to both public servants and to the taxpayer. This has been achieved through a series of national collective agreements, agreed between trade unions and the Government, applying across the public sector.
Under the Public Service Agreement 2024–2026 (PSA), which has been approved by Government and applies to all public servants, including SNAs, pay increases totalling 9.25% are provided for up to June 2026. These terms were collectively agreed with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. To date, SNAs have received pay increases amounting to 8.25%, with the remaining 1% scheduled for implementation on 1 June 2026. The current salary scale and structure applicable to Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) is set out in the Department of Education and Youth Circular 0006/2026
This Agreement also contains a local bargaining provision under which employers and trade unions/associations may negotiate additional changes in rates of pay and/or conditions of employment. The PSA concludes on 30 June 2026
As is standard practice, discussions with public service unions continue on all matters relating to pay agreements. Any review of terms and conditions including pay and pensions for SNAs will follow these established processes and be considered in detail by the Department of Education and Youth, the Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and the relevant trade unions.
The terms and conditions of employment for Special Needs Assistants are issued in accordance with their individual SNA contracts. Please refer to Circulars 15/2005 and 12/2005 for further details. My department is nearing completion on the first SNA Workforce Development Plan which includes a review of the SNA employment contract. The review of the SNA employment contract is a commitment set out in the (previous) public service pay agreement Building Momentum 1 and Building Momentum 2 Clause 1.5.3 (2). The most recent Public Service Agreement 2024 to 2026, outlines that the SNA contract review is one of key elements of the Government’s Reform Agenda.
The review involves an update of provisions in the existing SNA employment contract to comply with current employment legislation and align with other work on the plan. More information on the SNA Workforce Development plan is available on the SNA Information Hub on www.gov.ie.
561. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will assist a school in County Kerry as a matter of urgency (details supplied) [34248/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra562. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to urgently intervene and assist a school in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34266/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 561 and 562 together.
As 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 in question submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for toilet facility works. As previously noted, the EWS operates on the basis of a minimal scope of works required to remedy an emergency situation and, on this basis, the school was advised to submit a revised scope of works with an accompanying itemised cost breakdown.
Once this has been received the EWS team will review the revised application and will engage further with the school as appropriate. The EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of the works required and will keep the school informed throughout the process.
With regards Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS), the newly announced CASWS opened for applications on the 1st May 2025 and the application window closed on the 30th of June 2025, full details of the scheme can be found under Summer Works Scheme (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/summer-works-scheme/). Unfortunately, schools who have not made an application under the current CASWS will have to wait until the next Summer Works Scheme opens to submit an application.
