Questions

847. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when construction of the promised new school building for a school (details supplied) will commence; and if she will provide a clear timeline for the delivery of the project. [19939/26]

851. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools in the Longford-Westmeath constituency that have received approval for a new school building but where construction has not yet commenced; and if she will provide a list of those schools; and the current status of each project.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20022/26]

338. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the basis on which an assistive technology application was refused, twice to date, for a child (details supplied) who has a diagnosis of dysgraphia and a joint occupational therapist/physiotherapist recommendation that assistive technology is essential on a full-time basis in order that they can access the school curriculum. [17928/26]

343. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children with SEN who have been refused an offer for a school place in counties Longford and Westmeath for the coming September intake; the breakdown of those refusals by disability type and school level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17944/26]

508. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether mandatory specialist autism training is required for all teachers and principals in schools operating autism classes; if not, the reason for same; and whether she will commit to introducing mandatory, up-to-date training for all staff working in autism classes. [14364/26]

509. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of primary and post-primary teachers who completed NCSE “Introduction to Autism” training in each of the past three years; the number who applied but did not receive a place; and whether additional training dates and capacity will be provided. [14365/26]

510. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current number of psychologists employed by NEPS; the average waiting time for assessment; the number of schools limited to a capped number of referrals per year; and the steps being taken to expand NEPS capacity to ensure timely assessments for younger children. [14366/26]

511. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children recorded as experiencing school refusal where autism, ADHD or other neurodivergent conditions are identified as contributing factors; and the targeted supports available to such children and their families. [14367/26]

512. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the oversight mechanisms in place to ensure autism classes are adequately resourced and staffed with appropriately trained personnel; and whether inspections assess specialist knowledge and implementation of evidence-based supports. [14368/26]

519. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total number of special education needs class places available in primary and post-primary schools nationally in the current school year; and the number of places that remain unfilled; and the measures being taken to ensure sufficient SEN places for children outside of their catchment area. [14419/26]

520. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total number of special education needs class places available in primary and post-primary schools in Westmeath in the current school year; and the number of places that remain unfilled; and the measures are being taken to ensure sufficient SEN places for children outside of their catchment area. [14420/26]

521. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children who have been refused a place in an SEN class due to oversubscription, broken down by county; whether waiting lists are maintained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14421/26]

522. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria and provision for one-to-one support in mainstream classes for children with additional needs; the number of children currently receiving such support; and whether there are plans to expand this support to ensure inclusion for children who cannot access a dedicated SEN class. [14422/26]

523. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether the NCSE can provide accurate, up-to-date data on the number of SEN class places available nationally; if not, the reason for this lack of data; and the steps being taken to improve transparency and accessibility of such information for parents and schools. [14423/26]

524. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the supports and interventions in place for children who require SEN placements but live outside the catchment area of schools with available SEN classes; and whether additional funding or provisions are being considered to ensure equitable access. [14424/26]

317. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide, with respect to the 2026/27 academic year, a full list of schools in Longford-Westmeath that have been sanctioned by the NCSE and her Department to open new ASD classrooms; the timeframe for delivery for each one; the status of each; to outline the supports that will be put in place to ensure these classes are operational in a timely mann…

63. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school (details supplied) has not been included on the recently published school building list, despite the school having worked with her Department for six years on a new build project, and having progressed to planning permission; the current status and expected timeline for the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. […

573. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the mandatory autism training undertaken by teachers and SNA’s; if the “introduction to autism” course for newly appointed primary teachers is a requirement for all teachers and SNA’s in ASD classes, units and special schools prior to taking same post. [9698/26]

238. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide a list of all local authorities with and without a Gaelcholáiste, in tabular form. [8922/26]

462. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of people who have applied for redress in respect of institutional abuse in each year since the establishment of the redress scheme; and the number of applicants who have received redress; and in what form, broken down by category. [7718/26]

1046. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether standards or service-level targets exist for her Department or bodies under the aegis of her Department, in responding to correspondence from members of local authorities; if compliance with such standards is monitored; the reasons for delays or failures to respond to correspondence from elected members; and the measures being taken to ensur…

219. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on all new school building projects in Longford and Westmeath, including those at planning, design, tender and construction stages.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72633/25]

220. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the expected delivery timelines for new primary and post-primary schools in Mullingar, Athlone, Longford town and surrounding areas. [72634/25]

221. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether land acquisition for new schools in Westmeath and Longford is progressing on schedule, and if any additional sites are being considered. [72635/25]

222. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of new school building or major extension projects in Longford and Westmeath included in the 2026 capital programme. [72636/25]