Parliamentary questions

298. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth to explain comprehensively the rationale of the decision to omit one school out of a cluster of eight local schools, from the extension of HSCL provision (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35856/26]

299. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department or any bodies and agencies under its aegis use, or have in the past used, software and or products from a company (details supplied); the duration and cost of the contract; and the services they avail of from the company. [35863/26]

300. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a proposal can be examined (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35891/26]

301. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of the inconsistency between schools regarding autism class access and placement; if her Department intends to provide clarification regarding school admission practices for autism classes; if there is a plan to deal with the shortage of autism class placements and the growing number of SEN students unable to fully…

302. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether the tender stage for a new building for a school (details supplied) has been completed, as a delay in proceeding to construction may mean that the school's current lease expires before the new build is complete, causing an extremely difficult position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35928/26]

303. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth if two SNAs whose primary school is closing down (details supplied) will be redeployed to another school; when she expects this to happen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35931/26]

304. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to urgently examine and expediate the granted extensions for autism rooms at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36017/26]

305. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a copy of the recent correspondence issued by the Minister for Public Expenditure; National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to her Department referred to in media reports (details supplied); if she will provide details of the percentage reduction(s) in spending in her Department referenced in the correspondence; and if…

306. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the extent to which her Department is satisfied that there are sufficient numbers of teachers trained to support children with dyslexia and other literacy difficulties at primary level; and the measures being taken to expand access to specialist training for teachers in this area. [36416/26]

307. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has assessed externally developed programmes aimed at supporting children with dyslexia and struggling readers; the process by which such programmes can be considered for national rollout or support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36417/26]

308. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the plans to expand CPD opportunities for primary school teachers in the area of literacy difficulties, including dyslexia; and whether additional accredited programmes will be supported or recognised by her Department in order to address current gaps in provision. [36418/26]

309. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current provision for teacher training programmes in the area of dyslexia and literacy difficulties at primary level; the number of such programmes supported or recognised by her Department; and whether there are plans to expand or introduce further training programmes to address existing gaps. [36419/26]

310. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department is exploring the introduction of structured literacy approaches across primary schools; the current status of any such consideration; and whether plans are in place to support teacher training in structured literacy methodologies nationally. [36420/26]

311. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of the building project at a school (details supplied); the stage it is at within her Department’s planning and delivery process; the reasons for any delays in progressing the project; and the expected timeline for advancement to the next stage and delivery of the additional accommodation. [36422/26]

312. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current policy regarding assault leave for special needs assistants and teachers; whether her Department is satisfied that existing arrangements adequately support staff who are subject to workplace assaults; and if any review or changes to assault leave provisions are being considered. [36423/26]

313. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will confirm that all sanctioned additional special needs assistant (SNA) posts are being filled in a timely manner, including those additional posts allocated as part of the SNA review and the reason a school (details supplied) has not yet been able to recruit to an allocated SNA post. [36424/26]

314. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason for the delay in the payment of local bargaining monies agreed under the most recent public service pay agreement, which were due to be paid in September 2025; the revised timeline for payment of these monies to teachers; and the steps being taken to ensure prompt disbursement of the agreed funds. [36425/26]

315. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school (details supplied) was not included in the most recent allocation of DEIS Plus status; the criteria applied in assessing the school’s eligibility; and whether the decision will be reviewed. [36426/26]

316. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school (details supplied) was not allocated a Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) coordinator in the most recent announcement; the criteria used in determining HSCL allocations; and whether consideration will be given to including the school in future allocations. [36427/26]

317. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to set out the criteria by which DEIS Plus status was awarded in the most recent announcement; the methodology used to identify schools for inclusion; and if she will provide a breakdown of schools considered but not selected. [36428/26]

318. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide details of the allocation of Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) coordinators announced alongside recent DEIS Plus designations; the basis on which these allocations were determined; and the number of HSCL posts allocated to each school under this announcement. [36429/26]

319. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether an appeals process exists for schools that were not included in the most recent allocation of DEIS Plus status; the details of that appeals process; the criteria applied in reviewing appeals; and the timeline within which schools can expect a determination. [36430/26]

320. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether an appeals mechanism is in place for schools that were not allocated a Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) coordinator in the most recent announcement; the procedures and criteria governing such appeals; and if she will outline how schools can seek a review of decisions. [36431/26]

321. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm when the next tranche of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme will open for applications; to outline the eligibility criteria for schools applying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36442/26]

322. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she can give clarity around the rules and regulations of flying of flags/bunting in schools; and if she can outline what flags and on what occasions this is allowed. [36446/26]