Questions

430. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of optional language subjects currently on the Leaving Certificate curriculum; the number of these which are taken as non-curricular; the number which are examinable under the Leaving Certificate; and her plans to include other languages such as Romanian to the curriculum. [62847/25]

476. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide the most recent total number of teachers in Irish primary schools, by number, per category (details supplied). [63435/25]

477. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the research undertaken on the role of Irish language youth workers and volunteers outside Gaeltacht communities, considering the new pilot on the role of Irish language youth workers in Gaeltacht communities; the research that will be taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63468/25]

478. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth given the research pilot on the role of Irish language youth workers in Gaeltacht communities underway, if she will provide a timeline for this; when interim findings will be expected; when future Irish language policy and practice will be shaped by this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63469/25]

479. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on actions taken, or to be taken, to meet Action 2.6.2.3 of the Action Plan for Irish in English ­Medium Schools; the supports that will be provided to ensure that greater awareness of and encouragement of participation in existing Irish language youth clubs that is planned will be met; if there will be additional supports from Budge…

480. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she can provide an update on actions taken, or to be taken, to meet Action 2.6.2.4 of the Action Plan for Irish in English ­Medium Schools; what supports will be made available to support the establishment of Irish language youth clubs and afterschool activities in areas where these are not currently available; if there will be additional suppo…

481. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if funding for Irish language youth clubs and afterschool activities will be supported outside of the Youth Affairs budget, or if funding for the implementation of the relevant actions of the Action Plan for Irish in English ­Medium Schools comes from Youth Affairs alone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63472/25]

482. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the percentage of the current youth services grant scheme that is being spent on Irish language youth work; her plans to increase this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63473/25]

483. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the engagement she has had with Irish language youth organisations as part of her engagement with relevant stakeholders as part of her broader work to promote inclusion and cultural participation among young people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63474/25]

489. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 194 of 7 October 2025, when the review of the assistive technology scheme will be completed; and the timeframe recommended changes from this review will come into effect. [63577/25]

102. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a teacher on a conditional Teaching Council registration who chooses to undertake the assessment only route for post primary (details supplied) will allow a teacher to become fully qualified and registered under route 2 of the Teaching Council. [60215/25]

1. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps she will take to increase the number of early intervention classes to meet current and projected demand across the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60168/25]

5. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a new school building project (details supplied); if she is aware that planning permission was granted for these schools in November 2020; the reason for the delays in bringing this project to construction; the indicative timeline for construction, commencement and completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60169/2…

56. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason education therapy services have not been provided to children with additional needs in mainstream schools in Budget 2026; and the measures being taken to ensure the same support is provided to these children in contrast with children attending special education schools. [59668/25]

74. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the means by which she is going to address the alarming rates of mental wellbeing issues facing students; and when we will see robust mental health and well-being programmes introduced into the school day. [59670/25]

76. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the means by which she intends to provide resources to inform students the way in which to combat misinformation and political disinformation; and if there are movements toward revitalising the civics curriculum to not only teach about Government structures, but also media literacy. [59672/25]

80. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth her strategy to prevent a digital divide and ensure that every student, regardless of their socioeconomic background or geographic location, has access to the technology and digital literacy skills necessary to succeed. [59671/25]

632. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures she is taking to ensure that deaf children completing LCA assessments have proper accommodations in place, as there is growing concern that the accommodations in place are not sufficient. [57794/25]

633. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will introduce other forms of assessment for deaf students completing LCA that do not rely solely on audio components. [57795/25]

634. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will meet with deaf students, parents, teachers and the Irish deaf society to develop an assessment that accommodates deaf children and ensures equality for all students with their exams. [57796/25]

797. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when schools will be provided with exam papers under the post primary school book scheme. [58968/25]

798. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of post primary schools which currently have not been provided with exam papers under the post primary school book scheme; and when she expects that all schools will have received them. [58969/25]

799. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the mainstream class teacher grant, which encompasses a furniture and ICT grant will be paid to schools before the new school term begins in 2026; and the month she envisages the grant will be paid to schools. [59027/25]

835. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there will be a re-instatement of Junior- and Leaving Certificate fees for the academic year 2026-2027; and her plans to ensure that these fees are covered by her Department, as they were last year. [59411/25]

866. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide the name and location of UBU-funded youth services, per ETB; the funding provided to each service in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025; the planned allocation for 2026; the number of staff and the number of young people engaged in the service for each of those years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. […