Parliamentary questions

769. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education if it is her intention for further school retrofits to be funded in 2026 under the school sector decarbonisation pathfinder programme; if she will clarify if there is an application process to be considered for this scheme; the way in this this process is accessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18725/25]

770. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education if she will consider amending the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 where a ‘child’ is currently defined as six years old for the purpose of compulsory education, but now many children are attending school before the age of six and the existing legislation limits the ability of schools to undertake early intervention strategies with these c…

771. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education if she will consider amending the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 where a ‘child’ is currently defined as six years old for the purpose of compulsory education, but now many children are attending school before the age of six and the existing legislation limits the ability of schools to undertake early intervention strategies with these c…

772. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education if new schools (primary and secondary) under construction will be automatically furnished with photovoltaic panels on completion, particularly relating to Greystones Community College; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18731/25]

773. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education the way in which she will address the issue of school caretakers and secretaries not receiving a state pension, in view if the fact that their wages are paid by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18732/25]

774. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Education if her Department will review policies regarding mandatory foreign language learning in schools, particularly in cases where students who have severe dyslexia and anxiety, are unable to engage in such learning due to their specific educational needs; and if she will ensure that schools accommodate these students by allowing them to work on …

775. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Education if she will investigate the implementation of inclusive practices in schools to ensure that students with special educational needs, such as severe dyslexia, are supported appropriately; and if she will issue guidance to schools on the provision of assistive technology to facilitate their learning. [18734/25]

776. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Education if her Department will address general concerns raised about insensitive remarks made by school staff regarding mental health challenges faced by students with special educational needs; and if she will ensure that schools receive training on how to sensitively handle such situations to avoid causing further distress to students or their fa…

777. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Education if she will consider introducing a policy whereby students with Irish exemptions due to dyslexia or other learning difficulties are not required to take foreign languages as part of their curriculum; and if she will ensure that schools provide flexibility in such cases to support the mental health and academic progress of these students. [1…

778. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Education if her Department will consider introducing measures to monitor school policies that may deter parents of children with special educational needs from enrolling their children; and if she will ensure that all schools foster an inclusive environment that supports diverse educational needs without discrimination. [18737/25]

779. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil den Aire Oideachais an féidir léi a dheimhniú go bhfágfar an scrúdú cainte Gaeilge don Ardteist i mbliain a 6, ar scrúdú é atá seanbhunaithe, mar atá sé faoi láthair, chun a chinntiú go mbeidh tosaíocht ag an nGaeilge labhartha go deireadh na sraithe sinsearaí. [18742/25]

780. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education the status of the additional accommodation project for a school (details supplied); whether her Department has assessed the schools application for extra temporary accommodation while the new permanent classrooms are being built; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18743/25]

781. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education if she will meet with a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18754/25]

782. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education when school transport will be made available to a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18758/25]

783. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education her plans on expanding the school bus routes currently serving Kildare north; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18759/25]

784. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education if shed will consider providing an additional bus service to transport students from Maynooth, County Kildare to two primary schools (details supplied), as the current bus services are at full capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18760/25]

785. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education her plans to review the criteria for awarding incremental credit for primary and secondary school teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18761/25]

786. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education the number of special classes for children with intellectual disabilities in each primary school in Kildare north; the number of available spaces for children with intellectual disabilities in primary schools in Kildare north; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18762/25]

787. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education if she will give permission for a school (details supplied) to install temporary accommodation until its extension for extra classrooms is built. [18782/25]

788. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if she will urgently review Circular 80/2024 which prioritises medium to large schools for the opening of new special classes at primary level (details supplied); if small rural schools should be reconsidered as an ideal setting for special classes as they generally have space and provide a suitable environment for children with autism; a…

789. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Education when the 5th autism class will open in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18788/25]

790. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education the position regarding negotiations with trade unions representing school secretaries and caretakers in relation to pension parity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18798/25]

791. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if her Department has engaged with Uisce Éireann regarding the proposed special school in Carraig na bFhearr. [18816/25]

792. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education if students sitting their Leaving Certificate in 2025 will be at a disadvantage as grades are to be adjusted back to pre-pandemic level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18851/25]

793. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if an MSc in nursing education obtained from UCD can be assessed for the purpose of removing the teacher education qualification condition currently attached to a route 3 further education registration (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18854/25]