Questions

592. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the teacher allocation for 2026-2027 for a school (details supplied) will be reviewed given concerns amongst parents regarding a split class proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39571/26]

593. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has undertaken any review of the operation of contract of indefinite duration, CID, arrangements for primary and post-primary school teachers in recent years; whether concerns have been raised regarding the repeated use of fixed-term contracts preventing progression to permanency for long-serving teachers; and if she will make …

594. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way her Department monitors the interpretation and application of "viable hours" in determining eligibility for contract of indefinite duration, CID, entitlement in primary schools; whether any assessment has been undertaken into inconsistencies in the application of CID pathways across schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39…

595. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth when it is expected that a school (details supplied) will receive approval for their Stage 2A submission and move to Stage 2B of her Department's school building and capital programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39718/26]

596. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the legal basis for her Department's position that guidance on best practice arrangements for opt-outs arise only from the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018, given that section 30(2)(e) of the Education Act 1998 already requires that students not attend instruction in any subject contrary to the conscience of a parent or student; and if she …

597. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is satisfied that her Department's current approach does not create a two-tier system resulting in less favourable treatment of parents and students seeking to exercise conscience-based opt-out rights under section 30(2)(e) of the Education Act 1998 in respect of non-religious instruction, including instruction objected to on religious or mora…

598. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether, in light of Departmental circulars indicating that opt-out arrangements for SPHE/RSE are a matter for individual schools, if she is satisfied that this approach does not reproduce the same difficulties previously identified in respect of religious instruction opt-outs, including inconsistency between schools, lack of transparency for familie…

599. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department will issue binding national guidance requiring any post-primary school operating a compulsory digital-device scheme to have a formal device loan scheme, hardship policy and non-exclusion guarantee in place before such a scheme is implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39728/26]

600. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has assessed the number of students nationally whose parents have been required to purchase laptops or tablets for post-primary education in each of the past five years; whether any estimate exists of the average annual cost imposed on families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39729/26]

601. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has examined whether compulsory laptop or tablet purchase schemes in post-primary schools are consistent with the principle of free post-primary education; whether any legal advice has been sought on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39730/26]

602. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether any complaints mechanism exists within her Department for parents who believe their child has been disadvantaged, excluded, or pressured due to inability to afford a compulsory laptop or digital device scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39731/26]

603. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether schools receiving ICT grant funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools are required to demonstrate that reasonable measures are in place to support students whose families cannot afford personal digital devices [39732/26]

604. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has assessed the number of students nationally currently accessing device loan schemes operated by post-primary schools; the number of schools operating such schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39733/26]

605. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department will review the adequacy of iScoil funding in light of the fact that 381 eligible referrals were refused places since the 2022-2023 academic year due to limited capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39734/26]

606. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department will establish a target that no eligible child referred to iScoil should be refused a place solely due to funding or capacity limitations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39735/26]

607. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether any assessment has been carried out into the long-term educational outcomes for children who were eligible for iScoil but were refused a place due to capacity limitations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39736/26]

608. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department intends to establish an interim national educational pathway for children on reduced timetables, limited home tuition, or awaiting suitable school placements who do not meet the current eligibility criteria for iScoil; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39737/26]

609. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 305 of 7 May 2026, if she will review a matter (details supplied); the way in which the projected deficit of 691 post-primary school places in the Newcastle-Rathcoole school planning area by 2028 will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39739/26]

610. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth to comment on the teacher allocation for a school (details supplied) for the upcoming year; the reason this decision was made; if the reduction in teacher numbers can be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39740/26]

611. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students in primary and post-primary schools reported as absent for 20 or more days in the 2024-2025 school year; the breakdown between casual non-attendance and cases linked to school reluctance or emotionally based school avoidance; if she will provide the figures for each county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39747/…

612. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the specific supports and funding provided to schools to address emotionally based school avoidance, EBSA; the number of schools that have implemented dedicated gradual return plans or well-being programmes for students with school reluctance in the past two years; and if she is satisfied that current resources, including NEPS and Tusla Education Supp…

613. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth her Department's assessment of the increase in school reluctance since the Covid-19 pandemic; the measures contained in the Tusla five-year plan for school attendance that specifically target emotionally based school avoidance; and when an updated national guidance document for schools and parents on this issue will be published. [39749/26]

614. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps being taken to support neurodivergent students including those with autism and ADHD experiencing school reluctance; the waiting times for assessments and interventions through NEPS and CAMHS for school avoidance cases; if she will consider additional training and resources for teachers in trauma-informed and neuro-affirming approaches; and i…

615. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students referred to Tusla Education Welfare Services due to persistent absence linked to school reluctance in 2024 and to date in 2026; the success rate of re-engagement for these students; whether her Department is tracking the long-term educational and mental health outcomes for children affected by prolonged school avoidance; and if …

616. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 506 of 19 May 2026, to provide the figure for the highest amount of funding approved or issued by her Department in 2026 for the provision of a modular classroom; and the details of the project or school to which this funding related. [39897/26]