Parliamentary questions

228. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the number of new special schools and special classes that have been sanctioned in Dublin bay north for the 2025-2026 school year; if all of these will be open and operational by September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16467/25]

229. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education the reason a school (details supplied) was not previously awarded DEIS status, given that DEIS status was already secured by the town’s two other secondary schools; when DEIS status will be awarded to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16476/25]

113. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs in primary and post-primary schools in both Counties Kilkenny and Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15879/25]

114. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Education for an update on the application for building works for a school (details supplied) and when these essential works will be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15883/25]

115. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a place in a designated special school will be secured for a person for September 2025 for (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16000/25]

116. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of a case (details supplied) in which a child with additional needs in Tallaght is unable to get a place in a special school; if she will instruct her Department to take all necessary steps to ensure that more resources to schools in the area to made available to facilitate new places; and if she will make a statement on the …

117. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education the current status of the counselling in primary schools pilot (CSP-P); if the CSP-P scheme will continue through into the 2025-2026 school year; the plans to develop the CSP-P programme into a nationwide scheme and permanent fixture in primary schools given the high demand and essential service it provides; and if she will make a statement…

118. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Education the general pupil ratio in Kilkenny and Carlow schools in 2024, and how it is aimed to reduce this ratio to 19; the targeted measures that will be introduced in schools with large classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16018/25]

119. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a school building works application (details supplied) following approval last year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16149/25]

120. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education if the former DIT building in Rathmines is owned by her Department or a body under the control of her Department. [16169/25]

121. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education if the former DIT building in Rathmines is owned by his Department or a body under the control of his Department. [16170/25]

122. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education if she plans on establishing a citizens’ assembly on the future of education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16174/25]

123. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education in light of the OECD's 'Review of Resourcing Schools to Address Educational Disadvantage in Ireland' published in 2024, which highlights ongoing disparities in educational outcomes despite existing support mechanisms, if she will commit to a comprehensive policy review of the current resource allocation model for schools (details supplied);…

124. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education the actions she is taking to expand mental health supports in primary and secondary schools, including the provision of structured training and resources for teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16177/25]

125. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education if, given concerns from educational bodies about the adequacy of resources for inclusive education, she will commit to conducting a policy review on resource allocation in schools to ensure that adequate classroom space, flexible learning environments, and assistive technology are provided under the universal design for learning framework; …

126. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education if she will address the challenge faced by teachers in both mainstream and special schools who are expected to provide differentiated learning but are not allocated sufficient time to plan, gather resources, and adapt materials due to restrictive special education teaching hours; if she will consider introducing dedicated planning time or a…

127. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education acknowledging concerns from educators regarding the limited time available for planning and delivering differentiated instruction due to restrictive special education teaching hour allocations, and recognising that effective differentiation is crucial for inclusive education, if she will initiate a policy review to explore mechanisms for pr…

128. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education given her Department’s recent decision to reduce the criteria for allocating special education teaching hours from five to three for the upcoming academic year, thereby excluding factors such as student gender and the complexity of individual needs, if she will conduct an immediate policy review to assess the impact of these changes on the …

129. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education the dates and attendees of all MinMAC meetings in her Department since she took office. [16198/25]

130. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education when it is intended to appoint an education welfare officer for County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16215/25]

131. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education the number of ASD places in primary and secondary schools in the Dublin Bay north area for each year from 2021 to date in 2025, in tabular form; the plans to increase capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16258/25]

132. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education for a list of all primary and secondary schools in Dublin Bay north including their full address, in tabular form. [16259/25]

133. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education to examine the funding crisis faced by a school (details supplied); if her Department will contact the school and offer them meaningful solutions to this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16289/25]

134. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education to examine the funding crisis faced by a school (details supplied); if her Department will contact the school and offer them meaningful solutions to this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16290/25]

135. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education to consider allowing a school (details supplied) receive its capitation grant early so they can address the funding shortfall they are facing on an interim basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16291/25]