Parliamentary questions

1252. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of the financial pressure on working families due to the reintroduction of State examination fees for the 2026 Leaving Certificate (€116) and Junior Cycle (€109); if she is aware of the compounding cost of living crisis, due to the war; and the specific supports that are available to working parents, not qua…

1253. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps she will take to assist a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24084/26]

1254. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that two primary schools in County Tipperary expressed interest to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in opening autism spectrum (AS) classes, but were declined on the basis of school size; and if she will request that the NCSE review its policy regarding minimum school size requirements, particul…

1255. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth the action being taken to address issues in regard to a school in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24087/26]

1256. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth the action being taken to address issues in regard to a school in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24089/26]

1257. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth the action being taken to address issues in regards to a school in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24098/26]

1258. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth the targeted capacity planning measures currently in place to address identified pressure areas in school places, particularly for children with additional needs; whether emergency place allocation mechanisms will be introduced or expanded to ensure no child is left without an appropriate placement; and if she will make a statement…

1259. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether flexibility will be applied to eligibility deadlines for special education supports where delays arise due to clinical assessments or systemic bottlenecks; if she will outline any guidance issued to schools and families in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24102/26]

1260. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth the plans that exist to expand special class and special school capacity in line with projected demographic growth; the way in which future demand is being forecasted at regional level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24103/26]

1261. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a transparent and accessible review mechanism will be established for families who receive refusals of eligibility for special education placements or supports; when such a mechanism will be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24104/26]

1262. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether formalised inter-agency protocols are in place to ensure that access to clinical assessments and therapeutic supports is not contingent on a child's school placement type; the steps being taken to strengthen coordination between education and health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24105/26]

1263. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being introduced to support admissions pathways for vulnerable families, including those from Traveller and other marginalised communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24106/26]

1264. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth the action being taken to address issues in regard to a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24107/26]

1265. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of places available for students with additional needs at primary and secondary level, respectively, for the school term starting September 2026, by school and locality; and the number of students on a waiting list for place in respect of same, in tabular form. [24115/26]

1266. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth the annual salary cost per SNA in primary schools in comparison to post-primary schools, based on current salary scales, for the school year beginning September 2026, in tabular form. [24116/26]

1267. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project for a school (details supplied); to clarify the details of the proposed special needs unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24137/26]

1268. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); when the roof of the existing school building will be replaced; the other facilities to be included in the development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24138/26]

1269. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); to provide details of the new sports hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24139/26]

1270. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the next round of the climate action summer works scheme will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24142/26]

1271. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the results of the primary school survey examining co-education or single-sex school preference will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24143/26]

1272. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 526 of 24 March 2026, her views on whether the reintroduction of fees for State exams acts as a barrier to education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24166/26]

1273. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 526 of 24 March 2026, if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of school principals in relation to the reintroduction of fees for State exams, specifically in relation to the financial burden this places on families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24167/26]

1274. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 526 of 24 March 2026, the mechanisms put in place for any student who cannot afford the fees for State exams, but do not qualify for an official exemption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24168/26]

1275. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 526 of 24 March 2026, if any review of the fees for State exams is underway in the context of a significant cost-of-living increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24169/26]

1276. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if any review into the expansion of the exemption from State exam fees is ongoing within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24170/26]