Parliamentary questions

504. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department is considering funding reassessments for students where reapplication for specialist support is required due to the lack of local provision, particularly where delays or inaccessibility of services may result in expired reports or outdated professional recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter…

505. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth the national strategy or policy framework that exists specifically for dyslexic students who do not meet current criteria for a special needs assistant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21794/26]

506. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there are plans to include Irish Sign Language, ISL, as an examinable subject at leaving certificate level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21795/26]

507. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of applications for assistive technology received and refused every year for the past five years, in tabular; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21802/26]

508. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if people who spent time as a baby in an industrial school are entitled to the same compensation as people who spent time in a mother and baby home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21811/26]

509. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth the full breakdown of expenditure by her Department on St. Patrick’s day related activities; the details of any travel abroad; the number of officials that travelled; the costs involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21820/26]

510. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children with patterned absenteeism who have additional educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21834/26]

511. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans for the modular unit at the Oak Centre, Dunboyne, County Meath (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21835/26]

512. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will commit to sanctioning two additional autism classes for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21848/26]

513. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes that have been sanctioned in each tranche; if she will commit to the sanctioning of an additional autism class for (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21862/26]

514. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of a case (details supplied); and if she will instruct her Department to ensure the children have appropriate school places. [21863/26]

515. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of heads of government, heads of state, ministers, governors, mayors or other senior elected officials she and Ministers of State in her Department met for the St. Patrick's Day engagements overseas this year. [21899/26]

516. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of Irish diaspora groups, including but not limited to sporting and cultural organisations, as well as emigrant organisations she and Ministers of State in her Department met for the St. Patrick's day engagements overseas this year. [21917/26]

517. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of businesses and business representative organisations she and Ministers of State in her Department met for the St. Patrick's day engagements overseas this year. [21935/26]

518. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth the value of trade and tourism respectively, between Ireland and the states visited by her and by Ministers of State in her Department for the St Patrick's day engagements overseas this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21953/26]

519. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education and Youth the average class size at primary and post-primary level for each of the past five years, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22046/26]

520. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether funding is available for schools where children direct their own learning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22062/26]

521. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide guidance to the parent of children (details supplied) who cannot secure a second class school placement in their locality; the supports available in the case a school place cannot be obtained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22158/26]

522. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to detail the newly sanctioned special classes, broken down by county, with regard to the 387 approved classes announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22172/26]

523. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Youth if financial supports are available to local schools due to the extensive nature of works required as result of their grounds flooding due to intensive heavy rain, works for which the maintenance grant is insufficient to cover; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22185/26]

524. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the annual cost of running the junior and leaving certificate examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22186/26]

525. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if any research was carried out by her Department into the cost of maintaining the free State exam fees for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22187/26]

526. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the mechanisms in place for families and students that are not able to afford the State exam fees for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22188/26]

527. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the qualifying criteria for free State exam fees for 2026; if this criteria will be expanded in the context of the cost-of-living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22189/26]

528. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the appeal by a school (details supplied) in relation to their current allocation of SNAs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22190/26]