Parliamentary questions

792. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria currently used to approve exemptions from studying Irish (primary and secondary); the timeframes these criteria are audited or reviewed by her Department, the steps being taken to ensure consistency and fairness across schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58938/25]

793. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has evaluated the impact of the rising number of Irish exemptions on bilingual policy goals, Irish language proficiency targets; and if her Department plans to propose reforms (e.g. differentiated instruction, optional exam modes, or phased reduction) to reverse exemption growth; and if she will make a statement on the ma…

794. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the supports (special education resources, differentiated curricula, teaching methods) which are provided to students with learning difficulties or literacy challenges to enable them to continue Irish rather than be exempted; the number of such supports which have been funded in the past three years; the plans which exist to exp…

795. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to commission an independent review of the exemption system for Irish in schools (primary and secondary), including its impacts on language retention and equity; the terms of reference that review will have; and the timeframe for when it will begin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58941/25]

796. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the new building proposed for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58967/25]

797. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when schools will be provided with exam papers under the post primary school book scheme. [58968/25]

798. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of post primary schools which currently have not been provided with exam papers under the post primary school book scheme; and when she expects that all schools will have received them. [58969/25]

799. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the mainstream class teacher grant, which encompasses a furniture and ICT grant will be paid to schools before the new school term begins in 2026; and the month she envisages the grant will be paid to schools. [59027/25]

800. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on school building and extension projects in Cork north central, including Gaelscoileanna and DEIS schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59028/25]

801. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if additional supports will be provided for students with special educational needs in Cork city schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59029/25]

802. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the delivery of new classrooms for schools in Cork north central; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59030/25]

803. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the provision of special education classes in Mallow schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59031/25]

804. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to upgrade school buildings in the northside of Cork city that are over 50 years old; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59032/25]

805. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to address the shortage of secondary teachers in key subjects such as maths and science; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59033/25]

806. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to expand DEIS status to additional schools in areas of disadvantage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59034/25]

807. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline progress on reducing class sizes at primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59035/25]

808. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm the timeline for full roll out of the free schoolbook scheme at post-primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59036/25]

809. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of the difficulties that have arisen for parents as a result of the introduction of the requirement for a letter of eligibility when applying for a place in a special class or special school; the process which is currently available to parents who did not apply before the NCSE portal closed on 1 October 2025; …

810. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 404 of 21 October 2025, to provide a copy of the safety assessment report upon which they based their decision for the pick up point; her views on whether a distance of 3.3 kilometres from the child's house is an appropriate distance having regard to their own policy. [59076/25]

811. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 434 of 14 October 2025, whether she will provide funding for specific Leaving Cycle Coordinator roles, in addition to other supports. [59078/25]

812. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider extending the scope for the free fees initiative which caps undergraduate fees at €3000, or €2500 as of the Budget 2026, to include undergraduate courses in higher education institutions that are currently excluded from the fee cap arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59082/25]

813. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will outline the progress made establishing special school and special class places in County Meath, and whether further expansions are planned for 2026. [59116/25]

814. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current supports available to provide music education in primary schools across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59129/25]

815. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures her Department are taking to expand access to music education in primary schools across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59130/25]

816. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth to consider providing air purifiers for classrooms for covid prevention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59133/25]