Parliamentary questions

549. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if it is permitted for a post-primary school to require parents to purchase a specific laptop model from a single designated supplier as a condition of a student’s participation in classroom learning; and if so, the statutory, circular or policy basis for same. [37796/26]

550. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the mandatory arrangements schools are required to have in place to ensure that students whose families cannot afford a compulsory laptop purchase are not excluded from full participation in teaching, learning and assessment; and if she will outline the minimum standard expected. [37797/26]

551. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the assessment her Department has made of the impact of compulsory laptop purchase schemes on educational equality and disadvantage, including the risk of students being singled out or excluded due to inability to pay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37798/26]

552. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that applications for exceptional needs payments are being refused by the Department of Social Protection in cases where families cannot afford compulsory school laptop costs, on the basis that schools should have funding available; and if she will clarify whether her Department accepts responsibility for ensuring t…

553. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the ICT-related funding streams provided to post-primary schools, including digital strategy and technology grants, and to clarify whether such funding may be used to provide devices directly to students who cannot afford compulsory laptop costs. [37800/26]

554. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the oversight and enforcement mechanisms that exist to regulate school policies which impose compulsory laptop purchases on parents, including where parents are directed to a single supplier; and the actions available to the Department where such policies cause financial hardship. [37801/26]

555. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will issue a national direction to all post-primary schools prohibiting compulsory laptop purchase schemes which require parents to buy devices privately as a condition of curriculum access; and if not, the reasons for same. [37802/26]

556. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of complaints, representations or queries received by her department in each of the past five years relating to compulsory laptop or digital device purchase schemes in post-primary schools; and the actions taken by the Department in response. [37803/26]

557. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will confirm whether requiring parents to purchase a laptop in order for a child to fully participate in classroom learning is consistent with the principle of free post-primary education; and if she will outline the steps she will take to ensure no child is excluded from education due to inability to pay. [37804/26]

558. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth in respect of funding provided to post-primary schools under the Digital Strategy for Schools and associated ICT and technology grant schemes, the checks and oversight mechanisms in place to ensure that such funding is being used to support student access to digital learning, including the provision of laptops or devices for studen…

559. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that a lack of SNA supports for children with additional needs in some Gaelscoileanna is leading to parents withdrawing children to English-language schools which are better resourced in this area; the steps she is taking to address this matter and ensure children with additional needs can remain in Gaelscoilean…

560. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a school (details supplied) will receive a determination on application for additional SNA supports; if she is aware that the school has still not received a response on its application despite being assured it would be processed before Easter 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37832/26]

561. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she is aware of the financial pressures faced by students and families arising from the cost of participating in extracurricular activities, including school sports, competitions and travel; whether additional funding or targeted supports are being considered to assist schools in reducing these costs and ensuring that al…

562. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if it is appropriate, and in line with Department policy, for a home school liaison officer or any member of staff in a DEIS post-primary school to advise parents to take out a loan from a credit union in order to meet the cost of a compulsory laptop purchase for a student; and if she will outline the guidance, instruction or overs…

563. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh den Aire Oideachais agus Óige an admhóidh sí go raibh claontacht san fhoclaíocht sa suirbhé a rinneadh chun measúnacht a dheanamh ar shuim tuismitheoirí sa tumoideachas lán-Ghaeilge; an dtabharfaidh sí gealltanas i dtaobh an suirbhé sin a dhéanamh arís le foclaíocht neamh-chlaonta; an dtabharfaidh sí gealltanas nach n-úsáidfear torthaí an tsuirbhé a …

564. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh den Aire Oideachais agus Óige an roinnfidh sí torthaí iomlána an tsuirbhé a mheas suim tuismitheoirí sa tumoideachas lán-Ghaeilge a déanadh le gairid. [37841/26]

565. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether youth services supported by her Department have raised concerns regarding nitrous oxide misuse among young people, including in Dublin; whether any guidance, awareness initiatives or cross departmental measures are in place to assist youth organisations in responding to this issue; and if she will make a statement on the…

566. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide the rationale for seeking union membership details from applicants in respect of a post (details supplied); the basis for the request and purpose for which the information in that regard is processed. [37871/26]

567. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 571, 583 and 592 of 12 May 2026, to please give a clear and detailed timeline for the opening of the special school in Balbriggan. [37912/26]

568. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school transport route is being considered for students attending a school from surrounding areas (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37928/26]

569. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of an issue (details supplied) impeding teachers using digital resources in the classroom; if her Department has plans to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37941/26]

294. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children in Dublin South West that are currently without a special class place; the way this shortage is influencing the Department’s prioritisation of the rebuild of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35853/26]

295. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the current Department policy and design guidance relating to the provision of unisex or gender-neutral toilet facilities in primary and post-primary schools; whether her Department requires the provision of single-sex toilets in all schools; whether unisex facilities may be provided in addition to single-sex toilets; an…

296. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated average cost for insurance per pupil in both primary and post-primary schools excluding community and comprehensive schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35833/26]

297. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Youth when immediate interim safety measures will be implemented at a school (details supplied) given the deteriorating roof structure and the risks identified to pupils and staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35855/26]