Search the record

Department's special education section applied for funding in 2022 to the EU, which manages the EU's Technical Support Instruments programme. This programme will enable member states to apply for support in managing large-scale system reforms. The application was successful and €500,000 has been sanctioned … spent in the last while to make sure we have the best possible system. There are a number of other issues. On the summer programme, this is going on in some schools this week or next week. I compliment all the schools that have taken on the summer

great emphasis in the programme on well-being, wellness and connection. I hope that all the children who are participating in the summer programme are enjoying it. It was a great measure to take. It highlighted the fact that we have come a long way in terms

also SENOs, and parents are trying to deal with all of these different agencies, which is extremely difficult. Another proposal relates to the summer programme, previously the July provision. It does not fit into the mix for kids going through special education. I appreciate that the summer provision

duplex defects remediation Bill is progressing. Various issues requiring legal advice are under consideration. The Bill is included in the Government legislation summer programme and I intend to seek Government approval to publish it shortly. The general scheme will be made available to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny

thank the Minister of State for his statement, although, unfortunately, I did not hear it. The Bill is not in the summer legislative programme. We have not had any pre-legislative scrutiny, which is a missed opportunity. We should have had more time to hear from the planning

across secondary schools. The back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance will be available before the summer. We have rolled out a summer school meals programme. Action has been taken to reduce the PSO obligation in respect of renewable energy. Eligibility for the fuel allowance has been expanded

Cabinet is duly minded, I would hope that we would be able to introduce the legislation before the summer recess, recognising a commitment in the programme for Government. We would not have been able to move it at the pace we have moved it were

post-primary schools and from September all primary schools are eligible for the free hot school meals programme. A school meals holiday pilot project has started this summer. Free public transport for children aged five to eight will be introduced later this year. Far from the Deputy

about. We need to have a serious conversation about it. The Glen Resource Centre has a good programme for the families of those in prison. It has held a summer camp in the past few weeks. I am happy to sit down and discuss this with the Deputy

particularly for families on low incomes. In addition, the hot school meals programme is now in virtually all schools. Again, it is a structural change provided for in the base budget. We have a summer meals scheme for children as well. I could add more. There is free … footwear allowance will be paid over the summer months. Childcare costs have reduced this year and for September, and fee caps will be in place. Some 96% of children aged between three and five are now in the early years programme. That demonstrates significant investment in childcare over

expected there will be clarity on these allocations over the course of the summer period and this will allow the Department of Education and Youth to plan its capital investment programme for the 2026-2030 period, in line with prioritised needs and reflecting, as appropriate, wider Government priorities

proposals and strategies to remedy any issues impacting the programme, realigning the full project team roles and agreeing the project delivery timelines and goals. Good progress was initially made following the project manager’s intervention in the summer of 2024 to the end of the year, with significant

over the summer. I met with the previous executives of student unions. I understand new executives will be coming in around this time. I look forward to meeting them over the coming weeks. I reiterate my absolute commitment to all of the commitments of the programme for Government … honour every single commitment insofar as I can. However, it is also important to realise that it is not feasible to deliver every programme for Government commitment in full in year one. That is important to realise. There are commitments that are spread over the lifetime

employment. The programme for Government includes a commitment to publish and implement a new Our Rural Future policy, which will take effect from 2026. Public and stakeholder consultations are already well under way in respect of the new policy. They will continue throughout the summer. I hope

Central Bank (Amendment) Bill and previously championing it in the Seanad, are to be noted in the House. While this is a programme for Government commitment, I wanted to prioritise it on taking office in the Department of Finance at the end of January. It is legislation … Government has taken the right decision to progress the Bill in Government time, subject to amendments that will be worked on over the summer. Why does the Bill matter? This Bill is about fairness, dignity and recognising the resilience of individuals who have overcome one of life

step-down facilities and community-based alternatives to imprisonment. Promoting restorative justice is a priority for this Government, as set out in our programme for Government. Earlier, I mentioned some of the progress we have made so far. We are committed to ensuring that this continues apace … Deputies for submitting their proposals to the Dáil for this evening's debate. As this is the last piece of business before the summer recess, like previous speakers I will take the opportunity, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Government and the Fianna Fáil Party

Their generation during this time is huge, and more so since they are closed during much of the peak solar times in the summer. The other issue is that the 10 kW roll out is too small for many schools. They require a much greater coverage of solar … will save schools large amounts of money. A small 10 kW system is not appropriate for a large school. We should have a programme appropriately sized for the schools. The one-size-fits-all model is not the best

Will the Minister today commit to honouring the programme for Government promise to continue to reduce the student contribution fee during the lifetime of this Government? The policy has had a real impact, reducing the cost of education and easing pressure on families. This Government must stick … with regard to this €1,000? It is putting 100 hours extra work on all young students who are working hard during the summer in fast food takeaways and shops, milking cows or driving tractors. That is what this €1,000 is doing. Not every student, indeed

schemes, including Castlemartyr, Youghal and Rathcormac. The OPW is funding nine staff in Cork County Council to support its delivery of this programme of schemes, and other schemes across the county, including in Mogeely and Killeagh. The OPW is piloting a new delivery model in counties Donegal … these properties, is scheduled for submission as a Part 8 application later this year with construction planned to commence in late summer-early autumn 2026. Cork County Council has begun to engage with landowners on environmental surveys and assessments required to inform the environmental impact assessment report

process constructively and I welcome that. I would ask that we continue that engagement. When I publish the cost-of-education paper this summer, I would invite both of the Deputies and their parties to make submissions to it. Let us make them evidence based. Let us have … engage on that, honestly and robustly, and have the debate because it is important. Let me, again, reiterate my 100% commitment to the programme for Government in all its forms. It includes multiple commitments. It includes a commitment to continue to reduce the student contribution fee, of course

climate objectives but also help reduce costs. In the time I have left, I will outline what exactly is being funded under the programme to date. Schools will fund up to 6 kW of roof-mounted solar PV - approximately 14 solar panels - and all associated inverters and cabling … allow unused solar energy to feed into the grid from schools when closed, which is really important because we are coming into the summer period. Schools are closed now so it is important they can feed into it. To the Deputy's specific point, I will work with

their priorities. Obviously, bringing affordability to public services, whether in education, childcare or health, is an important component of many aspects of the programme for Government, including the student contribution fee. The Minister, Deputy Lawless, has engaged extensively with the third level representative bodies and directly with representatives … protection and many other areas of expenditure. As part of budget 2026, we are engaging in a negotiation, in the aftermath of the summer economic statement, and affordability for students will form part of that overall discussion. The Minister, Deputy Lawless, will engage with everyone across the Government

meant to be enjoying their summer holidays and getting a summer job. While many students and their families are stressing over the summer to try to secure whatever is left of the extortionately priced student accommodation, they now face the prospect of having to come up with … students in Maynooth this year. For many, it will decide whether they can afford to go to college. It is completely unacceptable. The programme for Government promised fair and equal access to further and higher education, regardless of socioeconomic status, to ease the financial burden on students

system in the long run. Along with my colleagues across both parties and the Independents, I am fully committed to our programme for Government commitments. We will make progress in the coming college year but we have to be straight with people. To govern is to choose. Every … with students' unions and I look forward to meeting with more of them in the weeks and months ahead. Over the summer months, I will continue the consultation I started with an event in Croke Park in April that brought together all the key stakeholders, including the students

children in Gaza. What a collective failure of the European project of peace and solidarity. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael committed in their programme for Government 160 days ago to progress legislation on the occupied Palestinian territories. That is 160 opportunities they have had to implement the Bill … there and this is a critical juncture in our international humanity's history. The Government needs to pass the Bill before the summer recess. The latest United Nations report names hundreds of corporations, banks, technology firms, universities, pension funds and charities that are profiting from the Israeli occupation

Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department is taking any steps to streamline the application process for the summer programme for parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40215/25

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the first- and full-year estimated cost of expanding the summer programme by 2% up to 10%. [39859/25

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the first- and full-year cost of expanding the summer programme by 2% up to a maximum of 20%. [39934/25

Minister for Education and Youth when a decision will be made on an appeal for a child (details supplied) for the home-based summer programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36384/25

Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when funding will be approved for a small-scale local festival and summer schools programme 2025 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42361/25

Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Education and Youth the names of schools that are providing the summer education programme in the Dublin 5, 13 and 17 postcode areas, in tabular form. [36509/25

Kenny asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to enhance support for Mná Tí at Gaeltacht summer colleges, as of July 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38904/25

visas for all the applicants for the joint undergraduate accounting programme established between colleges (details supplied), which has been in preparation since 2O21, with this first group of students set to complete two semesters, commencing in the summer of 2025. [38574/25