Questions

92. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which schools in Kildare North will benefit from the additional investment in special education from budget 2027, particularly in relation to the provision of special classes, special education teachers and SNAs. [74874/26]

102. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the proportion of the additional school building and capital investment funding announced in Budget 2027 is expected to support school accommodation projects in rapidly growing constituencies such as Kildare north. [74875/26]

299. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide a progress update on the construction of the new school building (details supplied); the current status of the works following commencement; and the expected structural completion and opening dates. [66970/26]

101. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to ensure that primary schools requested by her Department to provide additional mainstream places or establish new special classes receive timely confirmation of the teaching posts, special educational needs supports and associated resources required to deliver those places; and if she will make a statement on the matter…

109. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the basis on which the 1 September 2026 closing date for the NCSE parents notify portal for special class and special school placements for the 2027-28 school year was determined; whether consideration has been given to concerns raised by schools that the deadline falls before many schools have reopened following the summer break, limiting opport…

313. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of applications for Teaching Council registration received from teachers qualified outside the State in the past five years; the number of applicants found to have qualification shortfalls; the average time taken to process such applications; whether the impact of these requirements on teacher recruitment and supply has been assessed; …

332. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to improve education and awareness around women's health issues, including menstruation, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and reproductive health, within the primary and secondary school curriculum; whether the Department plans to expand age-appropriate women's health education in schools; and if she will …

333. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has reviewed the extent to which women's health issues, including menstrual health, endometriosis, and PCOS are covered in the SPHE and RSE curricula; the steps being taken to ensure students receive comprehensive and evidence-based education on these topics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53459/26]

357. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to improve education and awareness around men's health issues within the primary and secondary school curriculum; whether her Department plans to expand age-appropriate men's health education in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53732/26]

358. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has reviewed the extent to which men's health issues are covered in the SPHE and RSE curricula; the steps being taken to ensure students receive comprehensive and evidence-based education on these topics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53733/26]

106. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of concerns raised by persons regarding a staffing allocation issue at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52067/26]

308. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which special classes in mainstream schools are intended to operate for students with different categories of educational needs, including autism, general learning disabilities, sensory impairments and others; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46985/26]

309. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the extent to which the newly sanctioned special classes for the 2026/2027 school year will cater for all students with special educational needs; to provide a breakdown of classes, by category of need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46986/26]

854. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether priority is given to children residing in an area when allocating ASD class places in that area's primary schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42624/26]

855. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth her Department's plans to ensure continuity of education for children with ASD from primary to secondary level within their local community (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42625/26]

117. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria governing eligibility for the emergency works scheme and to clarify the process available to schools where urgent building issues fall outside the scheme's remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40657/26]

157. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil den Minister for Education and Youth cad atá á dhéanamh ag a Roinn chun tacú leis an éileamh méadaithe ar rochtain ar oideachas dara leibhéal trí mheán na Gaeilge ar fud na tíre; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40656/26]

88. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth how the findings from the AI pilot projects (DALI4US, AI4T, FACTaL, ACT AI, AI DL), and the work of the AI External Advisory Taskforce, will be integrated into future versions of the AI guidance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35518/26]

78. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the supports available to a school (details supplied) to progress necessary roof works now assessed as being beyond further patch repair, following the outcome of its emergency works scheme application; whether her Department’s technical staff can engage with the school in light of the health and safety concerns outlined; and if she will make a st…

99. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children in north Kildare that are on a waiting list for a local primary ASD place; whether forward planning for ASD provision is undertaken on an area-based basis in identified growth areas in north Kildare; the additional ASD class provision planned locally for the 2026 and 2027 school years; and if she will make a statement on the…

1310. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether any artificial intelligence tools or systems are currently being used within her Department or in agencies under its remit; the purposes for which these tools are being used; whether any departmental guidance or governance structures have been developed to support their responsible use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24…

1320. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the process her Department intends to use to ensure that the Guidance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Schools is updated on a regular and systematic basis, given the rapid pace of technological change in AI; if she will outline the mechanisms for monitoring new developments, incorporating national and international research; whether her Depar…

1321. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which her Department plans to ensure that the Guidance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Schools supports the use of AI as a learning tool while also safeguarding the development of students' independent critical thinking skills; whether further updates or pedagogical supports are planned as AI technologies evolve; and if she will ma…

1346. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of civil and public servants in his Department and agencies under its remit who have received training in AI, data literacy or digital skills in the past year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25031/26]

1460. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the way in which schools in County Kildare have been assessed for DEIS and DEIS+ supports; whether further consideration will be given to schools that did not receive a DEIS+ allocation under the current round; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26020/26]