Questions

613. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of applications received in each of the past five years seeking permission for students in special schools to remain for an additional year where they reach 18 years-of-age before 1 September; the number of such applications approved and refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11899/26]

614. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the basis for the current rule that prevents students in special schools from returning once they reach 18 years-of-age before 1 September, particularly where students in mainstream settings may complete transition year or an additional year of education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11900/26]

615. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department is reviewing the criteria and decision making processes for granting an additional year in special schools, including Circular M02/95 and the exemption from the Rule 64 application process; and whether consideration is being given to allowing schools submit fuller supporting educational and clinical documentation; and if she …

616. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the engagement her Department has had with the National Council for Special Education regarding supports for students who are not yet ready to transition to adult services but are ineligible to remain in special schools due to current age related rules; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11902/26]

617. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether consideration is being given to introducing a structured additional transition-type year for students in special schools following completion of senior cycle, to better support progression into adult services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11903/26]

618. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which she intends to ensure equity of opportunity between students in mainstream and special school settings in accessing an additional year of education where this is educationally and clinically recommended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11904/26]

638. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number and details of early intervention classes for students with ASD or ASD pre-school places in Waterford, for each school year 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and 2026-2027 by location; the approved and existing staffing for each; the approved and existing number of students enrolled in each; if any are due to end this year; if she is aware that som…

661. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will allocate an additional class to a school (details supplied) given the number of students in the area still awaiting a school place for the upcoming academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12347/26]

113. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to address overcrowding in schools in Louth, and not-fit-for purpose school buildings, given the increasing population in the county. [10849/26]

126. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 543 of 4 February 2026, if she will provide the data as requested; and if not, the reason for this. [10508/26]

552. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the case of a child (details supplied); and the changes her Department will implement going forward to ensure this does not happen for 2026-2027. [9264/26]

560. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth on behalf of a person (details supplied), when the parents notify process was changed or introduced; the measures that were taken to ensure that families of children with additional needs were fully aware of the requirement and its implications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9287/26]

568. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the requirement for professional reports as part of the enrolment process for students seeking placement in special educational settings could be reinstated (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9515/26]

588. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the number of students assigned to the school in the National Rehabilitation Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9831/26]

589. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the number of staff assigned to the school in the National Rehabilitation Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9832/26]

590. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the location of all schools that are located within hospitals to accommodate children in longer term medical care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9833/26]

591. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students currently assigned to schools that are located within hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9834/26]

592. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of staff that are currently assigned to schools located within hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9835/26]

639. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department is aware of pressures for school places at primary school level in an area (details supplied); if she is aware there is children on waiting lists as a result of oversubscription of junior infant places; the actions her Department plans to take to ensure a school place is available to every child in the area; and if she will make a s…

648. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide guidance for parents unable to secure a primary school placement for their children in their locality. [10360/26]

659. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures in place to protect and support small schools in rural areas; the way In which demographic change and enrolment thresholds are taken into account in education policy and school planning; the steps being taken to ensure the long-term sustainability of rural schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10428/26]

660. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth the specific measures being taken to protect small schools in rural areas from closure or forced amalgamation; the way in which adjustments to enrolment thresholds and staffing schedules can be made to ensure the long-term sustainability of rural schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10429/26]

486. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to a shortage of primary school places in Shankill, County Dublin; the steps she is taking to address the concerns of parents in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7582/26]

487. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding a short-term plan to address the shortage of primary school places in Shankill, County Dublin due to a significant increase in population in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7583/26]

490. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding a long-term plan to address the shortage of primary school places in Shankill, County Dublin due to a significant increase in population in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7586/26]