Questions

447. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the situation whereby under circular 0080/2024, a new start up grant of €30,000 was approved to support the repurchasing of the existing accommodation to facilitate the opening of new special classes in schools, whereas a grant immediately prior to this was €15,700; and in view of the fact that many schools have carried out the work as man…

448. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth to assure parents of a national school (details supplied) that they will have an operating school bus for the rest of the school term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25454/25]

449. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps her Department is taking to support young family carers who find themselves penalised in university for missing academic deadlines or mandatory sessions due to caregiving responsibilities. [25455/25]

450. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of childcare and early years education centres which are being asked to move location, in order to facilitate special classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25480/25]

451. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department can engage with a school (details supplied) with regard to its deficit for the 2023-2024 school year and to determine what supports can be put in place for the coming year. [25501/25]

452. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether a school (details supplied) will be granted a new autism class for 2025-26. [25502/25]

453. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will ensure the payment of an ICT and minor works grant to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25506/25]

454. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on a stage 2(b) submission made to her Department in March for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25517/25]

455. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will grant an additional special education class for a school (details supplied) for the 2025-26 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25533/25]

456. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children nationally, and specifically in Dublin, who will not have a school place this coming September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25576/25]

457. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total number of school places required for special schools for September 2025, and the projected number of places that will be available, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25577/25]

458. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total number of times section 37A of the Education Act 1998 was used; the reasoning for its use, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25578/25]

459. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide details, by reference to building works, of autism units and special schools scheduled for completion between April and September 2025, if these works are on schedule to be completed by September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25579/25]

460. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth regarding the 399 new special classes sanctioned for the 2025-2026 school year, how many will be fully operational on the first day of the school year in August-September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25580/25]

461. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on a pay deal for school caretakers, similar to that achieved for school secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25596/25]

462. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a secondary school transport route will be implemented on R557 Lixnaw via Abbeydorney to service the secondary schools in Tralee, County Kerry, as the demand is there for 19 families-29 Students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25597/25]

463. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her vision for Irish-medium education. [25599/25]

464. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether a draft of the policy for Irish-medium education outside of Gaeltacht areas will be published for final consultation with stakeholders; if so, when it is expected to be published; and if not, the reason. [25600/25]

465. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the proposed membership, remit and reporting timescale for the recently-announced task force on Irish-medium education provision. [25601/25]

466. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of mild general learning disability classrooms in County Kildare attached to a mainstream school or otherwise; the number of children waiting for a place in said classroom for September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25614/25]

467. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide additional funding and resources to mainstream schools without mild general learning disability classrooms, to support children with mild general learning disabilities for 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25615/25]

468. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special education teachers that will be provided for one-on-one learning support for children with a mild general learning disability in County Kildare for September 2025; the number of special needs assistants in County Kildare for September 2025; the level of resources allotted for movement breaks when required in County Kildare; and …

469. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of ASD classrooms that were sanctioned back in 2021 for a school (details supplied); the timeline for their opening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25617/25]

470. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will respond to concerns raised by school principals who report that although their schools meet the criteria for additional SNA support they are being informed that no allocation can be made due to a cap on available posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25662/25]

471. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will clarify whether it is current practice that SNA allocations can only be granted to some schools if they are first removed from others in the same area, as reported by principals; if so, how this aligns with the principle of meeting individual pupil needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25663/25]