Parliamentary questions

477. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of school transport drivers who have been required to cease driving upon reaching the age of 70 in each of the past three years; the projected number expected to be affected in the next two years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16863/26]

478. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the extent to which the mandatory upper age limit of 70 for school transport drivers is contributing to driver shortages; the assessment her Department has undertaken in this regard; the contingency measures in place to maintain continuity of service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16864/26]

479. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether consideration is being given to permitting drivers over the age of 70 to continue operating school transport services subject to annual medical and eyesight certification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16865/26]

480. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the role of Bus Éireann in determining the upper age limit for drivers operating under the school transport scheme; whether her Department has directed or requested a review of this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16866/26]

481. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the progress made to date on the Programme for Government commitment to assess the feasibility of removing the exclusion of drivers aged over 70 from participation in the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16867/26]

482. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the forecasting done by her Department in respect of capacity of primary and secondary schools for catchment areas touching Dublin 2, 4, 6, 6W and 8. [16877/26]

483. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 591 of 24 February 2026, in relation to the plan mentioned, if she will supply a timeline for carrying out and completion of the necessary works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16878/26]

484. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16879/26]

485. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school (details supplied) has no SNA support, given the school has submitted an application and an appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16892/26]

486. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth to review the case of a school (details supplied) and provide an update on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16898/26]

487. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 350 of 19 February 2026, the exact number of early intervention preschool classes for autistic children in mainstream and special schools that have been redesignated to primary autism classes/other special classes for the 2026/2027 school year. [16899/26]

488. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of early intervention classes which were open and functioning, by county, for each of the years 2020 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16900/26]

489. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to redesignate any more early intervention classes for the school year 2026/2027 or 2027/2028; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16901/26]

490. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of early intervention classes which were redesignated to primary autism classes/other special classes for each of the years 2020 to 2025, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16902/26]

491. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total funding allocated for assistive technology in schools for each of the years 2020 to 2025 inclusive; the number of students supported under this funding in each of those years, in tabular form; whether she intends to increase funding in light of the growing number and increasingly complex needs of children requiring …

492. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding which is currently allocated to schools for support for children diagnosed with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia; the criteria for accessing this funding; whether her Department plans to increase this allocation in the next financial year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16962/26]

493. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the financial support or grants available for families of children with dyslexia, dyspraxia, or dyscalculia to access therapies, tutoring, or assistive technologies outside of school; the number of families that accessed this funding in the past three years; whether there are plans to expand this support; and if she will make…

494. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures in place to ensure equitable access to funding for children with dyslexia, dyspraxia, or dyscalculia across different regions; whether disparities exist; the steps being taken to address them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16964/26]

495. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which the effectiveness of funding for children with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia is monitored; the outcomes that are tracked; and whether there is evidence that current funding levels meet the needs of children both in and outside of school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16965/26]

496. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether funding is allocated specifically for training teachers and support staff in supporting children with dyslexia, dyspraxia, or dyscalculia; the amount of such funding; whether there are plans to expand professional development in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16966/26]

497. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider providing a school transport extension (details supplied). [16975/26]

498. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the development of a new school site to accommodate schools (details supplied); when the new schools will be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16978/26]

499. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of the poor and dangerous condition of the car park surface at a school (details supplied); who is responsible for maintenance of same; if the club are receiving funding from the Department of Education & Youth to maintain same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16979/26]

500. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the changes that have occurred in substitute teacher daily rates and salary scales over the past 20 years; if she will provide a breakdown of these changes by year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16981/26]

501. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a decision on SNA allocation for a school (details supplied) can be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17013/26]