Parliamentary questions

413. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will avail of external training providers to use a more targeted approach to train teachers and staff in special education, rather than a one size fits all approach. [54621/25]

414. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 812 of 8 September 2025, the status of approval for the emergency works at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54632/25]

415. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Youth the future plans for the temporary accommodation site currently occupied by a school (details supplied), in view of the schools' scheduled move to its permanent premises in 2026; the plans for the retention or development of the existing sports facilities on the site; her plans for the current school premises once vacated; an…

416. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to assist in the urgent case of a school (details supplied) waiting for project works to begin that were approved in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54649/25]

417. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to concerns related to the provision of full-time teacher roles (details supplied); the actions she will take to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54656/25]

418. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the tender process has concluded for the construction of a school (details supplied); if she will ensure that a public or written notice will be issued regarding the appointment of a successful contractor(s); if the project remains on schedule to commence construction in Q1/Q2 of 2026; and if she will make a statement on th…

419. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will outline the progress of the Anseo initiative; and how additional schools may enter later this year. [54689/25]

420. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will address matters concerning health and safety, transport and new build, raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54696/25]

421. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the NCSE engaged in meaningful consultation with schools, SNAs, and parents before finalising the 2025-2026 SNA review process guidelines; if so, to provide details of that consultation; and if not, the reasons key stakeholders were excluded. [54716/25]

422. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider extending or reopening the application window for school-led SNA reviews beyond the current period 15 September to 24 October; and if flexibility will be introduced to accommodate mid-year applications in cases of new or emerging needs. [54717/25]

423. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to clarify the definitions used in the NCSE's 2025-2026 guidelines for 'complex care needs' and 'level 3 care needs'; and if she will commit to co-developing the criteria with practitioners and parents to ensure fair and inclusive application. [54718/25]

424. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason the 2025-2026 SNA guidelines appear to exclude or deprioritise behavioural care needs; and if she will direct the NCSE to explicitly recognise behavioural and emotional needs as part of complex care needs requiring SNA support. [54719/25]

425. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of concerns that the unification of SNA allocations across mainstream and special classes may result in a net reduction in support for students in autism classes; and if she will ensure that these allocations reflect the higher and distinct needs in those settings. [54720/25]

426. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has considered the potential for internal conflict within schools arising from the redeployment of SNAs between autism classes and mainstream settings; and the safeguards in place to prevent the erosion of specialist supports. [54723/25]

427. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if schools and staff have been given adequate time and training to implement the 'Relate' document, which is now a required component of the SNA review process; and if she will delay enforcement of the requirements until proper capacity building has occurred. [54724/25]

428. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth the training or guidance which has been issued to schools and SNAs to assist them in navigating the new SNA review process; and if additional supports or professional development resources will be made available. [54725/25]

429. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth the appeals process for SNA review decisions under the 2025-2026 guidelines; and to confirm that the process will be transparent, timely, and accessible to schools and families. [54726/25]

430. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department is monitoring the impact of the revised SNA review process on school staffing levels, student wellbeing, and inclusion outcomes; and if she will publish impact assessment reports. [54727/25]

431. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to respond to concerns from the education sector that the new SNA guidelines appear focused more on rationing or gatekeeping resources than supporting students; and the steps she is taking to protect children's access to essential SNA supports. [54728/25]

432. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to address the serious and ongoing concerns being experienced by a school in County Offaly (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54729/25]

433. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on the lack of school transport options for students at schools (details supplied), particularly as one of these schools is due to move to a new permanent location; if school transport will be supplied for these students in the years before the school moves to its permanent location; if not, if she will request the D…

434. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth if junior cycle coordinators will be formally recognised as a leadership role, eligible for appointment to an Assistant Principal II post. [54756/25]

435. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of applications received for the academic year for transport for children with additional needs; and the number that have been processed, by county, in tabular form. [54765/25]

436. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth if children with emotional and behavioural challenges will continue to be supported with SNAs; the proposed changes to the SNA supports; where children with additional needs present with emotional and behavioural challenges as opposed to primary care needs; the way in which these children will be supported if they do not have ac…

437. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school (details supplied) had its emergency works application refused; if the application can be reviewed in view of the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54814/25]