Parliamentary questions

473. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures arising from the school transport scheme review which were intended to increase flexibility for families in choosing schools; and if these measures have been implemented. [45457/26]

474. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth to review the rules governing concessionary school transport, in particular the prohibition on increasing capacity where additional demand exists; and if changes are being considered. [45458/26]

475. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if Bus Éireann is permitted to reallocate existing transport resources, including vehicles from underutilised routes, where such changes would not result in additional cost to the State. [45459/26]

476. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason the option for parental contributions towards extended or enhanced school transport services was removed; and if there are plans to reintroduce such flexibility. [45460/26]

477. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she acknowledges that the eligibility criteria under the school transport scheme may disproportionately affect rural families where alternative schools lack services such as afterschool care; and if a review is planned. [45461/26]

478. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will sanction an autism unit at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45496/26]

479. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost to reduce the pupil teacher ratio by one point in primary schools, and in post-primary schools, respectively, from September 2027 to December 2027; and the estimated cost for a full year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45542/26]

480. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of increasing the capitation grant for primary schools by €75 from September 2027 to December 2027; and the estimated cost for a full year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45543/26]

481. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of increasing the capitation grant for post-primary schools by €50 from September 2027 to December 2027; and the estimated cost for a full year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45544/26]

482. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of increasing the capitation grant for Urban Band One DEIS primary schools by €75 from September 2027 to December 2027; and the estimated cost for a full year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45545/26]

483. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of increasing the capitation grant for special schools by €75 from September 2027 to December 2027; and the estimated cost for a full year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45546/26]

484. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated individual costs of increasing the capitation funding for primary schools, post-primary schools, special schools and DEIS schools by 10%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45547/26]

485. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students registered in transition year in 2026; the estimated cost of increasing the transition year grant by €100 from September 2027 to December 2027; and the estimated cost for a full year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45548/26]

486. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the Student Absence Reports (SAR) 2024/2025 will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45568/26]

487. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Education and Youth to respond to matters raised in correspondence by a school (details supplied); the reason the criteria relating to the allocation of teaching posts for English as an additional language has changed; if specific communication was given to schools of the changes in the application for these posts; and if she will make a statement on…

488. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the loss of a teaching post in a school (details supplied); if she will provide clarification on the basis for the staffing allocation decision; and whether any flexibility exists to prevent a significant increase in class sizes for this cohort. [45570/26]

489. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on emergency works at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45572/26]

490. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 81 of 27 May 2026, the breakdown of the 40 new on time mainstream applications received, by school planning area or town (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45573/26]

491. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of educational psychologists currently working in NEPS; and the estimated cost of providing an additional ten educational psychologists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45662/26]

492. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of SNAs currently employed; the estimated first and full-year cost of providing an additional 100 SNAs in primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45663/26]

493. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special education teachers currently employed; the estimated first and full-year cost of providing an additional 100 special education teachers in primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45664/26]

494. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated in budget 2026 for the minor work grant, ICT grant, solar PV grant and climate action summer works scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45665/26]

495. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the first year and full-year estimated cost to cut school transport fees by 50%; the first year and full year estimated cost to abolition school transport fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45661/26]

496. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost to abolish Junior and Leaving Certificate exam fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45666/26]

497. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated saving yearly for the abolition of the private school subsidy over five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45667/26]