Parliamentary questions

200. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on plans for senior cycle reform, in particular the practical steps that she has taken since previous Minister's Questions on 27 February 2025; the date on which sample papers will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16935/25]

201. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education if additional space will be provided at a Louth primary school (details supplied) to accommodate an extra classroom and additional ASD places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16890/25]

202. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education her criteria to define these new additional supports DEIS +. [14635/25]

203. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to keeping a teacher at a primary school in Louth (details supplied) as its projected pupil numbers will be higher in September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16889/25]

204. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education in order to alleviate the shortage of primary school places in Portlaoise, that the transport section of her Department would provide transport by minibus to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16470/25]

205. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education if her Department has examined initiatives to assist dyslexic students to study Irish at post-primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17226/25]

206. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education how the issue of grade inflation in recent years and the potential impact on Leaving Certificate students graduating in 2025 will be addressed by her Department to ensure that no Leaving Certificate 2025 student is disenfranchised by historic grade inflation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17220/25]

207. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the measures she is taking to ensure the full complement of special needs assistant posts are filled in September 2025 in order to adequately staff the 400 promised new special classes and 300 special school places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16934/25]

208. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to increase the capitation grant per child, for each school, to meet the growing demands on schools due to the rising cost of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17164/25]

209. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education the training and the type of training that has been provided to senior cycle teachers for senior cycle reform to begin in September of this year; if there has been training provided for the use of AI in the 40% AAC; and the extent of the communication with the teaching unions since January 2025. [17160/25]

210. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she intends on expanding the Dublin 15 autism class application trial across Ireland to introduce a centralised application system for autism classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16918/25]

211. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the measures she is taking to ensure fairness in Leaving Certificate 2025, particularly in comparison with previous cohorts, in light of grade inflation in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16933/25]

212. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education for an update on the status of the extension to a school (details supplied); if stage 1 has now completed; the timeline for the delivery of the extension; when the project is expected to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17119/25]

430. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education if there are grants available, outside of minor works grants, for schools to install accessible playgrounds on their site to encourage learning through play for all children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16888/25]

431. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education when her Department will reply to a school (details supplied) which wants to confirm a timeline with her Department with respect to a planned school extension which is urgently required, and to which it has not received a response since February 2025. [17468/25]

432. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education when her Department will reply to a school (details supplied) which wants to confirm a timeline with her Department with respect to a planned school extension which is urgently required, and to which it has not received a response since February 2025. [17468/25]

433. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education the total funding given to fifty private schools in current and capital funding between 2020-2024, breaking allocations down by current, capital, year and school. [16551/25]

434. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education if she will work with Bus Éireann to amend the rules to allow drivers over 70 years-of-age to continue to drive school buses, subject to annual medical examinations, to help alleviate the shortage of school bus drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16558/25]

435. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education when a school transport appeal decision will be made for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16559/25]

436. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education the reason foetal alcohol spectrum disorder is not recognised as a disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16563/25]

437. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in the education system, in tabular form. [16566/25]

438. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education the educational qualifications needed to become an SNA; whether this should be adjusted to reflect the experience and expertise needed to fully support the children and young people they work with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16567/25]

439. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education the number of primary schools that have working lifts in the school, in tabular form; and the plans to install lifts in schools to make buildings fully accessible. [16568/25]

440. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education the number of second level schools that have working lifts in the school, and the plans to install lifts in schools to make buildings fully accessible. [16569/25]

441. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education the number of education welfare officers there are in the country, and where, in tabular form. [16570/25]