Parliamentary questions

490. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding a long-term plan to address the shortage of primary school places in Shankill, County Dublin due to a significant increase in population in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7586/26]

491. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to delays in progressing emergency works at a school (details supplied); the steps she will take to ensure that this project is progressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7589/26]

492. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps she will take to ensure improved communication with the principal at a school (details supplied) in relation to a project funded under the emergency works scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7590/26]

493. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reasons for the delay in progressing a project funded under the emergency works scheme for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7591/26]

494. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will ensure that the DEIS + scheme does not focus solely on urban areas, but also assists rural disadvantaged areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7596/26]

495. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a secondary school (details supplied) is not considered a DEIS school despite its student population coming almost exclusively from a national school. [7597/26]

496. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the commencement date for a capital works project (details supplied); the estimated time to complete the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7611/26]

497. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Education and Youth the exact number of places currently available in Portmarnock South and North, not the whole Portmarnock School Planning Area as this is a much wider geographical area; and if she will confirm the exact number of children under five (born in the years 2021 to 2025) based on child benefits statements in the area, who will need a juni…

498. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm that a child (details supplied) will be awarded an NCSE letter of eligibility in order to receive a place in a special class in the school they already attend; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7700/26]

499. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which a person (details supplied) can apply for a special school place as the NCSE application has closed and due to backlogs in assessments, diagnosis has only been secured now; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7734/26]

500. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if funding will be provided to continue the post-primary school books scheme for the 2026/2027 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7737/26]

501. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the agencies and bodies under the aegis of her Department; the contact information of each available to members of the Oireachtas as per the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 25/2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7763/26]

502. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children on Register 14 of TESS; the percentage of whom are identified as having AEN/SEN; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7782/26]

503. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children awaiting assessment via AEARS in order to be added to register 14 on TESS; the percentage of whom are identified as having AEN/SEN; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7783/26]

504. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes sanctioned in 2025 and up to the 2nd tranche in 2026 that require modular buildings or building work prior to opening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7791/26]

505. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the budget for modular buildings; if there is a set amount per year; the way it is decided and allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7792/26]

506. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the process for families who missed the NCSE’s October 2025 deadline for eligibility letters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7793/26]

507. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools awaiting tender approval in the additional school accommodation scheme currently; the number of those applications that are listed as special class accommodation; the highest, lowest, median and average length of time it takes to obtain approval from the first date of submission; and if she will make a sta…

508. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of issues with the NCSE's parent notify process and the delays it is causing for children in accessing a special class. [7821/26]

509. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a child (details supplied) in County Kildare will be allocated a special class place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7840/26]

510. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special needs assistants employed in primary and post primary schools in Offaly and Laois; the allocation process to ensure adequate support for pupils with additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7856/26]

511. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures in place to protect freedom of expression for teachers regarding sensitive social issues; the training provided on handling classroom discussions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7857/26]

512. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding provided for school transport schemes in 2025; the steps taken to address capacity issues in underserved areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7858/26]

513. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the policy on single-sex education options; whether any reviews are underway to assess parental preferences for such schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7859/26]

514. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Education and Youth when she expects NCSE senior management to issue a directive to SENO for families known post 1 October who have updated reports. [7921/26]