Questions

441. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth to clarify the policy regarding transport provision for special schools; the reason a special school in County Mayo has had to fundraise for a school bus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33062/26]

442. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether schools operating under the block grant scheme are considered to be within the special education teaching (SET) allocation model for the purposes of Circular 0013/2026; if so, the reason such schools have not been allocated SET co-ordination hours in line with other schools within that model; if not, the basis on which they are considered ou…

443. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to clarify the anomaly between the fee for Leaving Certificate and the fee charged to repeat the Leaving Certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33136/26]

444. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if consideration can be given to universal access application to future proof a school’s access (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33137/26]

445. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of the review of the assistive technology scheme for primary and post-primary schools, as referenced in the WHO Assistive Technology Capacity Assessment in Ireland (2026); when revised arrangements are expected to be implemented; whether the revised scheme will move from a diagnosis-led model to a functional, needs-based model of p…

446. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will address the WHO report’s finding that assistive technology funded through schools is generally owned by the school rather than the pupil, resulting in loss of access during transitions, including from primary to post-primary education; if she will consider reforms to support student-centred continuity of assistive technology; and if she w…

447. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the actions she is taking, in conjunction with the Department of Health, to ensure that pupils who rely on assistive technology do not experience a loss of equipment, training or support during transitions, including progression to further or higher education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33150/26]

448. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth her Department’s role in the proposed cross-departmental National Assistive Technology Programme, recommended in the WHO report; the way such a programme will improve equity, consistency and timeliness of assistive technology delivery in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33151/26]

449. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures in place to ensure that assistive technology provided to pupils is supported by ongoing training, technical support and follow-up, rather than being limited to initial equipment provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33152/26]

450. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she supports the recommendation in the WHO report to establish regional assistive technology hubs, including loan libraries and specialist expertise; whether her Department will engage with this model to support schools dealing with complex assistive technology needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33153/26]

451. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will address the eligibility concerns relating to the (SEC) RACE scheme raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33156/26]

452. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the school building project for a school (details supplied); the current stage of the project within her Department’s capital programme, the expected timeline for progression to construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33184/26]

453. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Youth the supports her Department will provide to a primary school (details supplied) considering the large increase incoming for the junior infants in September 2026 and lack of accommodation available on site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33230/26]

454. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); if she will provide an update on an incremental credit application submitted to her Department; if she will outline the expected timeframe for processing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33232/26]

455. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update regarding the proposed building extension for a school (details supplied). [33310/26]

456. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update in relation to a new school building project (details supplied); and if the Stage 1 Addendum Report has been fully assessed. [33313/26]

457. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason the positive behaviour support (PBS) approach despite being the framework embedded in existing Irish legislation is not currently mandated for implementation within the education sector; if she is aware of reports from clinical professionals that the approach is not being applied in a meaningful or consistent way across schools; and if her…

458. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason specific and significant qualifications, equivalent to those required in adult services and other mandated sectors, are not mandatory for individuals providing guidance, training, and support regarding behaviours of concern within the education sector; the reason a level 9 Master's Degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and substantial…

459. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will provide the shortfall in funding to complete the construction of a school (details supplied), and to make it operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33322/26]

460. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of a school building project (details supplied) to bring the school which is spread over two sites onto one site; when the building project will commence; the reason for any delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33352/26]

461. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth the date on which she will visit a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33353/26]

462. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will outline whether any fee exemption or partial relief is available for families with more than one student sitting the Leaving Certificate in the same year, and if she is considering introducing such a measure. [33363/26]

463. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department is considering a review of the medical card only exemption for leaving certificate fees in light of concerns about its fairness, consistency; and the absence of any exemption or partial relief for families who do not qualify for a medical card. [33364/26]

464. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a detailed breakdown of all gifts received in her capacity as Minister; the nature of these gifts and potential monetary value; the procedures followed in accepting gifts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33378/26]

465. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his attention has been drawn to areas that are unable to get fibre broadband installed due to having direct buried leads; if this is under review within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31900/26]