Parliamentary questions

496. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to include a school (details supplied) in the Development plan; the deadline to make a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14287/26]

497. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on whether it is acceptable that support for children with disabilities is provided in corridors or outside a school (details supplied); the temporary solutions that can be provided to the school until funding is approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14288/26]

498. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of Bus Éireann being consistently unresponsive in relation to queries from families and elected representatives pertaining to the school transport scheme; the measures she will take to improve communication from Bus Éireann regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14314/26]

499. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate will be completed; the actions that will result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14317/26]

500. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the funding for Education for sustainable development projects in schools will be continued; and the date by which schools will have to make their application. [14324/26]

501. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth the changes in SNA allocation arising from school-led reviews and NCSE-led reviews from November 2025 to present in County Galway, including allocation before and after reviews, by school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14325/26]

502. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she will provide an update on plans to increase the number of dedicated reading schools and reading classes in north Dublin in view of the shortage of places for children with dyslexia; the rationale for requiring families to hold a National Council for Special Education eligibility letter from the previous year before a…

503. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department provides funding or programme supports to schools that utilise external sports facilities; the alternative arrangements available where access to such facilities changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14337/26]

504. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students in counties Wicklow and Wexford currently holding a place on two or more school lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14341/26]

505. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason she is redesignating special schools that cater for children with learning disabilities; the supports that will be made available to students with learning disabilities who are forced to attend mainstream schools due to a lack of spaces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14342/26]

506. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students entering secondary level education, who have learning disabilities, have been informed that they do not have a school place in a special needs school or class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14343/26]

507. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason her Department decided to redesignate students with learning disabilities from special needs schools to mainstream schools; the number of special school places that have been revoked; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14344/26]

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]

513. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth if an evaluation of Oíche na hÓige has taken place; if it will be an annual event; if a date has been set for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14376/26]

514. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the learnings obtained from the evaluation of Oíche na hÓige in terms of community awareness and participation; the way in which the 2026 iteration address geographic and sectoral gaps and accessibility for marginalised groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14377/26]

515. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which the ongoing needs of Ukrainian young people will be met within existing lines (UBU, LYCGS, YSGS) without displacing current service users given the dedicated migrant integration subhead has been discontinued; the supports available for other migrant populations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1437…

516. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of early intervention preschool classes for autistic children in mainstream schools and special schools that are being redesignated as primary autism classes-other special classes for the 2026-27 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14381/26]

517. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a list of all State agencies within her Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14388/26]

518. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth the State agencies within her Department that have made provision for the pension auto enrolment payment as part of their allocation to funded organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14406/26]

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]