Parliamentary questions

219. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there are plans to progress a special school for second-level age students in Cork. [54109/26]

220. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children eligible for a special school place aged 12 years or up availing of the Home Tuition programme in the 2025-2026 school year. [54110/26]

221. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children that received a NEPS assessment in Cork in 2025; and the number on the waiting list. [54111/26]

222. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools that applied for DEIS Plus status; the schools that were not accepted; and whether she intends to extend the scheme further. [54112/26]

223. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of SET hours allocated in Cork per student in the 2025-2026 school year; and the number for the 2026-2027 school year. [54113/26]

224. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the therapists in special schools pilot in Cork. [54114/26]

225. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the legal or contractual basis on which her Department has withdrawn the agreed local bargaining measures for SNAs; if her Department will identify the clause within the Public Service Agreement, Local Bargaining Agreement or other agreement that made the implementation of the local bargaining measures conditional upon acceptance …

226. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of NEPS psychologists employed in Cork in each of the past five years respectively, in tabular form. [54144/26]

227. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school (details supplied) and the need for a new school building. [54145/26]

228. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding provided through the ICT grant to Cork schools, or nationally, in each of the years 2019 to date in 2026, in tabular form. [54146/26]

229. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of applications received from schools in Cork under the emergency works scheme; and the number granted to date in 2026. [54168/26]

230. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason for the decision to withdraw the local bargaining agreement for special needs assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54188/26]

231. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current level of funding provided for youth work services in 2026; if additional funding will be allocated in Budget 2027 to support the expansion of youth services and address rising demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54189/26]

232. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has considered the timing of the issuing of circulars to schools; and if efforts will be taken to avoid sending circulars at the end of term time or late on Fridays. [54230/26]

233. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will ensure that additional funding is provided for youth services in 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54240/26]

234. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the City Connects Programme; if she plans to expand the scheme on a wider pilot basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54245/26]

235. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of applications, places available and waiting lists for each of the 14 reading classes nationwide for each of the past five school years; whether her Department has undertaken any assessment of unmet demand for specialist reading classes for children with severe dyslexia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. …

236. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth the progress being made through the NCSE Parents Notify online portal in supporting early identification of demand for special education places; the steps being taken to ensure that information gathered through the portal informs timely decisions on the establishment of additional special classes and special school places; and if …

237. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth how the Department and the NCSE are using the earlier notification process for special education places to plan for teacher, special needs assistant, accommodation and transport requirements for the 2027/2028 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54249/26]

238. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will outline the further actions being considered to address schools that continue to publish admission policies containing clauses contrary to Department and NCSE guidance; whether additional compliance measures or oversight mechanisms are planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54250/26]

239. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of premises in County Clare connected under the National Broadband Plan to date; the number remaining; the scheduled works for the remainder of 2026; and the projected completion timeline for the county. [53842/26]

240. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of post offices operating in County Clare, and to provide corresponding figures for 2016. [53843/26]

241. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of mobile phone coverage blackspots identified in County Clare and to outline any plans to address them. [53844/26]

242. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the range of topics covered and the outcome of his discussions in Cork with the Members of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53875/26]

243. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review correspondence from a person (details supplied); if he will clarify if this grant is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54229/26]