Questions

359. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the school transport review; in a case in which a student that attends an all girls primary school and wants to continue her secondary education in an all girls secondary school but there is no all girls school in her closest town will she be granted a bus ticket to travel to her nearest single sex school; and if sh…

515. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason the NCSE has now withdrawn a new ASD class at a school (details supplied) which was sanctioned back in March and announced by her office and regarding which parents were offered classes; if she will urgently reverse this decision and work with the school to ensure this class proceeds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2912…

559. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the additional accommodation at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29605/25]

788. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if she will urgently review Circular 80/2024 which prioritises medium to large schools for the opening of new special classes at primary level (details supplied); if small rural schools should be reconsidered as an ideal setting for special classes as they generally have space and provide a suitable environment for children with autism; and if she will make …

121. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the reason a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary was only granted 1.5 SNA positions given the significant needs of the school which is classified as a DEIS Urban 1 school; if she will review this matter and ensure that additional SNAs will be granted to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18014/25]

136. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education her plans to open a new special school in south Tipperary (details supplied); if she will task her Department officials and the NCSE to seek locations for a new special school in south Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16601/25]

198. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education her views on the applications for ASD classes in two schools in County Tipperary which have not had their classes sanctioned (details supplied); the reasons for not sanctioning these classes, particularly given that both schools have space available for a new ASD class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16600/25]

490. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the reason a school (details supplied) have not been granted DEIS status when all other schools in the area have DEIS status, leaving the school in a disadvantaged position; if she will review this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16773/25]

566. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the reason there is a minimum number of students required in a school to meet her Department criteria to open a new special class; what is the minimum number of students required to open a new special class in a mainstream school; if she will review this criteria as small rural schools are an ideal setting to meet the needs of children with additional needs;…

65. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the reason why a school in south Tipperary has not been sanctioned a second autism class; whether this school will be sanctioned for a class as promised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14265/25]

425. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if she will direct the Teaching Council to introduce a primary teaching degree programme in autism, for the purpose or teaching in autism classes (details supplied); if, given the shortage of primary teachers with a special education qualification in Ireland, she will direct the Teaching Council to admit to the register teachers who have obtained an educatio…

642. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if she will instruct Bus Éireann through the post-primary school transport scheme to ensure that a new bus pick-up stop will be installed in Clogheen village for collection to schools in Mitchelstown, County Cork, as the recommendations of the school transport scheme are due to come into place from September 2025 (details supplied); and if she will make a st…

774. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education to outline the current use of a building (details supplied) in County Tipperary, given the immediate shortage of special school places in south Tipperary if the school could be used for the establishment of a new special school in south Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12955/25]

398. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if a school in south Tipperary (details supplied) which has applied to open an ASD unit will be approved; the status of the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9656/25]

399. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education where a child (details supplied) with additional needs will receive a school place in September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9660/25]

122. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure a school placement in a special school in Tipperary for a child (details supplied) in September 2025; to provide an update on her measures to increase capacity in special schools in Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8194/25]

383. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education noting her intention for all children with additional needs to have a school place in September, for an update on the application by a school (details supplied) for additional accommodation; if the application by a second school will receive approval without delay; the number of children in south Tipperary currently waiting for a school placement for Septemb…

445. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education for an update on an application by a school in south Tipperary (details supplied) to open an ASD class in their school; the status of this application; if this application will be expedited as there are children in the area without an appropriate school place for September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8039/25]

366. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if she will support an emergency works application from a school (details supplied) for the replacement of old windows in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6137/25]

415. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education for an update on the position in relation to school caretakers; the timeframe for offers to be made to school caretakers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2358/25]

627. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if she will work with Bus Éireann to amend the rules to allow those over 70 years-of-age continue to drive school busses, subject to annual medical examinations, to help alleviate the shortage of school bus drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1658/25]