Parliamentary questions

276. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has examined the financial pressures facing PME student teachers during mandatory school placements, including the costs of tuition fees, travel and living expenses while receiving no income; and if any proposals are under consideration to provide financial support to such students; and if she will make a stateme…

277. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth if additional SNA posts can be sanctioned for a school (details supplied). [20985/26]

278. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on an EWS application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20991/26]

279. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update regarding an additional accommodation project under the school capital programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20992/26]

280. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school (details supplied) was not selected as a priority building project along with the 105 schools listed for 2026/2027; if she is aware of the extensive dilapidation and damage to the current school building; and if she will provide a timeline of when she expects this building project will commence. [21006/26]

281. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures in place to ensure continuity of transport for students with additional needs when a sanctioned bus escort is absent; whether a relief or substitute panel for bus escorts is being developed to prevent disruption to school attendance and family routines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21044/26]

282. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of teachers currently employed in primary and post-primary schools in Galway City and County; the number of teaching vacancies currently unfilled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21098/26]

283. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total capital investment allocated to school building projects in Galway City and County for each year since 2020; the projects currently at planning, design and construction stages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21099/26]

284. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth if any financial supports could be offered to student teachers during Professional Master of Education Training and placement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21154/26]

285. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm the guidance given to schools regarding the treatment and accommodation of children who are opted out of religious instruction; if her Department advises schools to clearly specify opt-out arrangements in admissions policies; if admission policies are monitored to ensure compliance with obligations under section 62(7)…

286. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will urgently review the stalled Emergency Works Grant application submitted in March 2025 by a school (details supplied). [21183/26]

287. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the long-delayed major capital project for a school (details supplied); the reasons for the continued lack of meaningful engagement with the boards of management despite fifteen years of progression attempts; and when her Department will provide clear timelines to allow this urgently needed redevelopment to proceed, i…

288. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to support a school (details supplied) in delivering the six autism spectrum (AS) classes they have committed to establishing under their new build, given that existing AS classes are operating in unsuitable prefabs separate from the main buildings; and if she will confirm the way her Department will ensure that children …

289. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm that for mainstream placements under Section67(2)(f), the NCSE must consider the school’s ability “including that ability when resources are made available”, and that oversubscription or year-group caps do not extinguish this obligation; if her Department has considered sanctioning the additional resources needed to a…

290. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Youth when she will respond to recent correspondence from the principal and chairperson of the board of management of a school (details supplied) inviting her to visit the school, and to see at first hand the urgent need to progress a new school, as her two immediate ministerial predecessors have done. [21198/26]

291. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school (details supplied) has expressed an interest in facilitating a special class for the coming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21199/26]

292. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the status of a building project (details supplied), including its current stage in the Department’s approval process, expected timelines for progression to the next phase, and the anticipated schedule for delivery of the permanent school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21254/26]

293. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school (details supplied) would be eligible for additional administrative support in light of the fact that the school is currently operating across two separate sites and has a large student population; and if she will outline the criteria used to determine eligibility for increased administrative hours or posts in such circ…

294. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school (details supplied) has expressed an interest in a special class being established in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21270/26]

295. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the schools that were awarded funding through the 2026 summer works programme in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21277/26]

296. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the SNA review as carried out by the NCSE for (details supplied) prior to the announced pause; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21307/26]

297. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the roll out of the education therapy services especially in County Offaly, as detailed in the Department’s press release of 6 February 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21308/26]

298. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether a school (details supplied) will be included in the next phase of the education therapy services; when the therapy services are likely to be operational in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21309/26]

299. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to change the regulations regarding persons aged 70 and over, driving vehicles providing a public service such as school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21324/26]

300. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria used to determine which special schools are included in the Special Education Therapy Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21328/26]