Parliamentary questions

892. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has reviewed the findings of a review (details supplied) which recommended an abundance of caution in the approach to gender-questioning children; and the way in which her Department is ensuring that Irish schools adopt a balanced, evidence-based approach to gender identity issues in line with child safeguarding and wellbein…

893. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which her Department ensures that guidance on gender identity in schools is balanced and evidence-based; the person or body accountable if a child introduced to gender dysphoria or related ideology later experiences regret or detransition-teachers, school boards, patrons, or her Department; the support or recourse which …

894. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps being taken to ensure that all curriculum content, school toolkits, and guidance on gender identity are balanced, evidence-based, and child-safeguarding focused, in view of the findings of a review (details supplied) and increasing reports of detransition; the way in which her Department ensures teachers and schools do no…

895. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has reviewed the HSE Busy Bodies booklet, which is distributed to 5th and 6th class pupils as part of the SPHE curriculum, in particular the sections referencing gender identity; whether parents were consulted before this content was included; the way in which her Department ensures that educational materials prov…

896. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which her Department ensures that all guidance provided to teachers, including marking schemes and curriculum toolkits, prioritises balanced, evidence-based education, reflects the broad interests of pupils, and respects child safeguarding and parental rights; and the steps her Department is taking to ensure that curricu…

897. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which the National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy Action Plan 2025-2026, which states that bullying of LGBTIQ+ young people will be prevented and addressed through the implementation of Cineáltas, will be monitored and evaluated; the specific measures, training, or curricular materials being introduced in schools under this …

898. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the budget allocation for the implementation of Cineáltas under the National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy Action Plan 2025-2026; which schools, staff, or external agencies are responsible for delivering the programme; the oversight, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms in place to ensure the initiative is age-appropriate, evidence-b…

899. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has undertaken any review or assessment of current practices in Ireland regarding the care, support, and guidance provided to children experiencing gender dysphoria, in light of the findings of the Cass Review in England, which recommended an abundance of caution; and the steps being taken to ensure that Irish pra…

900. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth what steps are being taken to implement the findings of the National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy 2024-2028 consultation, which highlighted the need for measures (details supplied). [59874/25]

901. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth her current position on gender identity education in primary schools, in light of statements made by the former Minister for Children (details supplied) that primary school children should be educated about what it means to be transgender and that children under 16 might have pathways to self-declare their gender identity; and the …

902. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the updated relationship and sexuality education curriculum will be fully implemented across all post-primary and primary schools; if the new programme will explicitly address issues of consent, pornography, and digital respect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59877/25]

903. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps her Department is taking in view of the Cass Review (England) (details supplied); the measures being taken to ensure that Irish healthcare and education practices are evidence-based, fully safeguarded, and transparent, that parents are fully informed, and that child wellbeing and long-term outcomes are prioritised. [59878…

904. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has reviewed current practices in Ireland regarding the care, support, and guidance provided to children experiencing gender dysphoria, in view of the Cass Review in England (details supplied). [59879/25]

905. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the information that is provided to parents of pupils regarding the use of gender-neutral bathrooms and changing rooms, and the accommodation of pupils who identify as transgender; whether parents are consulted or informed when such accommodations are made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59880/25]

906. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has reviewed current practices in Ireland regarding the care, support, and guidance provided to children experiencing gender dysphoria, in view of the Cass Review in England (details supplied). [59881/25]

907. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is are aware of research and evidence (details supplied) which outlines the theoretical underpinnings of gender identity theory and reports harm experienced by thousands internationally; and the steps being taken to ensure that Irish healthcare services and schools provide evidence-based, balanced information, that children …

908. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the policies or guidance her Department has issued to schools regarding the recognition and facilitation of identity trends or subcultures among pupils; the way in which schools are advised to balance these trends with parental involvement and child welfare; whether any funding or curriculum support is provided to schools in relati…

909. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps her Department is taking to ensure that Irish healthcare and education practices prioritise evidence-based, safeguarded, and transparent approaches for children's wellbeing in view of the Cass Review (England) (details supplied); and the steps being taken to ensure that parents are fully informed of programme content, tha…

910. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will publish the list of schools in County Clare awaiting major works approval from her Department, in tabular form. [59929/25]

911. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of an application under the additional accommodation scheme by a school (details supplied); when a decision will be made on whether it will progress from stage 2A; when the senior engineers comment will be delivered; that serious consideration would be given to approving progression to the next phase; and if she will make…

912. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will expedite the review and approval process for the additional school accommodation project at a school (details supplied), which provides for two SEN base classrooms and one SET room, given that the stage report has already been submitted to her Department and is awaiting technical and cost review; the expected timelin…

913. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children currently on a waiting list with the NCSE for an assessment of needs; the number of children on a waiting list from 2019 to 2025, in tabular form; the average time children spend on a waiting list; the plans to lower the number of children on a waiting list;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60037…

914. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider reversing her Department's decision to suppress a developing teacher post at a national school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60038/25]

915. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Youth when her Department expects to make a decision regarding a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60054/25]

916. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school capacity assessment has been carried out for the towns of Navan,Trim, Enfield, County Meath, to identify current and projected demand for school places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60070/25]