Parliamentary questions

399. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the planned upgrade for a school (details supplied); the actions she will take to progress this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32484/26]

400. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the basis for her Department’s decision to refuse access to a sales contract which was requested under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (details supplied); and if she will provide an update on the status of the outstanding contractual amendments and the expected timeline for finalisation. [32496/26]

401. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether there are plans to consider additional schools for inclusion in the DEIS programme; the timeframe for any such expansion, especially for schools that were established after the last review point; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32497/26]

402. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of an application by a school (details supplied) under the climate action summer works scheme 2026; if she is aware that the school; if she will ensure this application is prioritised for approval in the upcoming Tranche 2 of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32499/26]

403. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm which body has ultimate statutory responsibility to ensure that every child is provided with an appropriate school place, including access to a special class or special school placement where required; and to outline the escalation and enforcement mechanisms where a place cannot be secured. [32545/26]

404. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm which body has ultimate responsibility for ensuring that a child assessed as requiring a special class or special school placement is provided with a place within a reasonable timeframe; and the statutory enforcement mechanisms that exist where schools do not engage with the NCSE in providing such places. [32546/26]

405. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number and nature of regulations, made under section 67 of the Education Act 1998, in each of the past five years; the policy purpose and practical application of those regulations in the education system; the specific education functions or operational areas those regulations support; whether any review has been undertaken reg…

406. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she is satisfied that the use of regulation making powers, under section 67 of the Education Act 1998, continues to provide clear added value in the operation and oversight of the education system; whether any cost-benefit or effectiveness assessment has been carried out in the past five years; and if she will make a statem…

407. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide the total number of students who accessed the iScoil programme in 2025 and to date in 2026, with a breakdown by county; to confirm which authority makes the final decision on admission; to provide the number of students refused access or placed on a waiting list in 2025 and to date in 2026; the average time from referral…

408. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether the iScoil programme is available to students who are unable to secure a mainstream school place and currently on reduced timetables or receiving limited home tuition, including cases where students are receiving as little as seven hours per week; whether such students are eligible for iScoil as an interim educational provi…

409. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the role of the Tusla Education Welfare Service in the referral, approval and allocation of places on the iScoil programme; whether Tusla acts as the primary gateway for access or can other agencies directly initiate referrals; the criteria applied by Tusla when determining eligibility for iScoil; whether Tusla maintains a waiting …

410. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide the exact funding allocated by her Department to iScoil in 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, specifying the funding stream, and whether it is provided on a grant, contract or other basis; whether a written agreement, service level agreement or formal performance framework exists governing the delivery of services by …

411. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the provision that exists under the school transport scheme for children who have not secured a school place, including a special class or special school placement, by the closing date of the school transport application portal on 8 May; whether such children will retain eligibility for school transport once a place is subsequently…

412. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Education and Youth the mechanisms in place to address situations where a child with ADHD, ASD or other special educational needs is repeatedly disciplined for behaviours arising from their disability; whether her Department records suspension rates for neurodivergent pupils; if her Department has considered a review of reduced timetable arrangements…

413. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 838 of 18 March 2026, to provide clarity for when a school (details supplied) will receive further guidance on a report; if she is aware of the lack of communication the school has received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32559/26]

414. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department receives regular reports from the National Council for Special Education on the deployment, vacancy status and allocation of behaviour support practitioner posts across special schools; if so, the frequency, format and content of such reports; and if not, the reason no such reporting mechanism is in place. [3…

415. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether a centralised dataset is maintained by her Department, or on its behalf, recording the filling of behaviour support practitioner posts, including appointment dates, commencement dates and weekly hour allocations by school; and if so, if she will provide details. [32573/26]

416. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm, based on information available to her Department, whether the behaviour support practitioner post allocated to Carrigaline Community Special School, Cork has been filled; and if not, the current status of that post and the expected timeline for the delivery of supports. [32574/26]

417. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth what governance and oversight arrangements are in place to ensure that behaviour support practitioner posts approved for special schools are filled and operational within a defined timeframe; and whether any service-level targets or performance indicators apply. [32575/26]

418. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total number of behaviour support practitioner posts approved by the National Council for Special Education for special schools nationally; the number currently filled; the number vacant; and the average time from approval to commencement of service. [32576/26]

419. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider extending the temporary suspension of the 90-day subbing limit for teachers on career break, as currently provided for in Information Note TC/IN 0005/2025, to the 2026-2027 school year; if she is aware that the ongoing teacher shortage and recruitment challenges in primary and post-primary schools require the …

420. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason bus companies were asked to submit BAFO's when they were the only operator for a route; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32785/26]

421. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason the age of school bus drivers cannot be extended (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32786/26]

422. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth when construction will begin on a new school building (details supplied); the timeline for completion of the works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32801/26]

423. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Youth the known number of bus escorts in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32802/26]