Questions

323. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of the difficulties being experienced on a school transport route (details supplied); the steps being taken by her Department to resolve the matter; and if she will confirm when will the route be operational again. [50277/25]

324. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school transport service (details supplied); the reason for his Department's delay in sanctioning this service for tender; if the tender will be sanctioned and prioritised at the earliest opportunity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50291/25]

325. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that many schools are in need of a grant calendar to ensure they can budget for upcoming expenses and not have to rely on the financial support services unit or parents for guidance or financial assistance due to delays in grant payments or reductions in grant amounts; the timeframe for a full implementation of these scheduled gr…

326. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures she is taking to ensure schools have sufficient knowledge of when they will receive a grant, and how much the grant amounts to, in order to budget throughout the year as a school (details supplied) cannot budget for the year ahead or carry out the accounting requests from the FSSU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5…

327. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Youth her Department's plans to update the DEIS plus plan before the end of 2025; the timeline for the publication of this document; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50317/25]

328. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the implementation of the school transport review; if her Department will prioritise schools and areas with ongoing eligibility and capacity issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50330/25]

329. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of concessionary ticket applications which were refused in 2025 to date on bus route 770 to Coláiste na Coiribe in Galway; the figure for each of the past five years, in tabular form; if a larger bus has been requested for this route and the outcome of that request; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50331/25]

330. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on an NCSE matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50365/25]

331. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth the supports available to student teachers who are on placement given the cost of these placements has risen substantially; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50372/25]

332. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider reducing primary school class sizes as outlined in the pre-Budget 2026 submission by an organisation (details supplied), specifically the proposal for a two-point reduction, to ensure more individual attention for students, particularly those with diverse educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50399…

333. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider increasing the capitation grant for primary schools, specifically a €75 increase per pupil, as proposed by an organisation (details supplied) in its pre-Budget 2026 submission, to help schools manage rising costs and avoid the need for excessive fundraising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50400/25]

334. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth the specific measures her Department will support to enhance inclusive education across primary and special schools, as outlined by organisation (details supplied) in its pre-Budget 2026, in order to ensure every child receives the support they need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50401/25]

335. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider expanding the small schools pilot project to a national level, as recommended by the INTO, to support rural schools and reduce the administrative burden on principals in these communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50402/25]

336. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth the Government’s strategy for addressing the underinvestment in primary and special education, particularly in relation to overcrowded classrooms, insufficient resources, and the increasing demands placed on teaching staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50403/25]

337. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to reduce the workload of teachers in primary and special education settings, particularly in schools with large class sizes or those located in rural areas, given concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50404/25]

338. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will prioritise investment in primary and special education for Budget 2026, in line with the proposals put forward by an organisation (details supplied) to ensure that all pupils have access to the resources and support they need to succeed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50405/25]

339. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there are plans to address the growing teacher shortages and improve retention rates, particularly in primary and special education settings, where the workload is often particularly challenging due to under-resourcing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50406/25]

340. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has consulted with education stakeholders, including teachers' unions, school principals, and rural school representatives, on the way to effectively allocate resources and investment in Budget 2026, particularly given concerns in relation overcrowded classrooms and insufficient funding; and if she will make a statement on the mat…

341. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of school bus tickets issued to children nationwide for the 2025/2026 school year for which no corresponding bus service was available. [50428/25]

342. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of school bus tickets issued to children in County Meath for the 2025/2026 school year for which no corresponding bus service was available. [50429/25]

343. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there is a formal protocol or process in place to facilitate home-schooled students, particularly those with additional educational needs such as ADHD, to sit the Leaving Certificate examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50442/25]

344. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider a proposal (details supplied) which could help alleviate the shortage of NEPS psychologists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50475/25]

345. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the amount of expenditure on off-site storage solutions for the past five years to date; if she will provide a breakdown of items (details supplied) not stored in her Department on annual basis. [50490/25]

223. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review correspondence regarding school transport (details supplied); if she will issue tickets for the children concerned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49373/25]

224. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review correspondence (details supplied) regarding a school pick-up point; if she will address the concerns raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49393/25]