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| TD | Party |
|---|---|
 John Connolly | Fianna Fáil |
 Mairéad Farrell | Sinn Féin |
 Noel Grealish | Independent |
 Seán Kyne | Fine Gael |
 Hildegarde Naughton | Fine Gael |
Written answer ›
John Connolly
Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if there are any proposals under consideration to review, revise or expand the current statutory Gaeltacht boundaries; whether any assessment has been undertaken of communities located…
Written answer ›
John Connolly
Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to address the reported waiting times of up to eight-weeks for appointments at the BreastCheck clinic serving Galway; the reasons for these delays; the extent to which staffing shortages, capacity…
Written answer ›
John Connolly
Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health if it is standard procedure in the assessment of a medical card application that should the applicant not be a property owner and is renting, that they must produce rent receipts and a lease agreement for the assessment to be…
Written answer ›
Mairéad Farrell
Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the regulations for deer hunting licenses issued by Coillte; the way in which license holders are required to engage with privately owned land and neighbouring landowners; the steps that…
Written answer ›
John Connolly
Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in the case of a member of the local government superannuation scheme who entered local authority service prior to 1 April 2004, who is entitled to professional added years under the local…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The provision and use of digital technologies in schools is a matter for the board of management, having regard to their unique circumstances, educational programmes and the needs of their students. Schools are best placed to determine how technology can support teaching and…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
I propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 295 together. The provision and use of digital devices and software in schools is a matter for the board of management, having regard to their unique circumstances, educational programmes and the needs of their students. Schools are best…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The function of the Inspectorate as set out in the Education Act 1998 is to support and advise recognised schools, centres for education and teachers on matters relating to the provision of education. The Inspectorate evaluates a range of educational settings. These include…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The purpose of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis that, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The terms and conditions of the Maternity leave scheme for teachers are contained in the department’s Circular Letter 0054/2019 (Chapter 2). The Maternity Leave Scheme is regulated by the Maternity Protection Act, 1994 as amended. A teacher absent on Maternity Leave may not…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
I propose to take Questions Nos. 268, 269, 271 and 272 together. The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my Department’s pipeline to provide one science laboratory and prep area, one graphics room, one art room and project store, a two-classroom special…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my Department’s pipeline of school building projects to provide a two?classroom Special Education Needs (SEN) base and central activities room, four Special Education Tuition (SET) rooms, two general classrooms, one…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my department's pipeline of projects under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme. The project will provide one Science laboratory with preparation area, one Construction Studies room with preparation area, one…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all schools. Due to a national shortage of suitably qualified educational psychologists not all schools have an assigned educational psychologist. For those schools without an…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
Addressing educational disadvantage in all schools remains a key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth. The DEIS Strategy to 2035, published in March this year, is the first long-term, whole-system approach to addressing educational disadvantage. This strategy…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
In relation to School Buildings, the Planning and Building Unit (PBU) of the Department of Education and Youth publish technical design guidance on requirements for indoor air quality and ventilation in new school buildings. This guidance is included across several documents…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
I propose to take Questions Nos. 258, 259, 261, 262, 263, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 280 and 281 together. Section 26 of the Education Act 1998 provides for the establishment and operation of parents' associations. The Act does not contain any provision conferring on a principal…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
I can confirm that an application for capital funding under my department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme was received from the school in question. The school's application is currently under consideration. My department has published the NDP (National Development…
Written answer ›
John Connolly
Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority intends to cascade or redeploy the existing side-mounted Leap card validators currently in use on Dublin bus services to Galway city services following the rollout of the Next…
Written answer ›
John Connolly
Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority has undertaken any research or assessment of the impact that the absence of Leap card validators on Galway city bus services has on passenger boarding times, bus dwell times, service…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
Modular accommodation is one of the delivery mechanisms used by the department to provide permanent accommodation in schools. Today’s modular buildings represent a major advancement from earlier prefabricated forms, meet very high standards of energy efficiency and sustainability…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
A joint major building project for Le Chéile Secondary School and Gaelscoil an Chaisleáin Ballincollig is currently being delivered as part of the Departments Adapt 4 programme - Programme Innovate. Programme Innovate will be delivered by Integrated Project Teams consisting of…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
I thank the deputy for his question regarding payments made to the Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) by my department. Payments were made to TENI for training provided between 2020-2026. In 2022, TENI’s Family Support and Education Officer provided CPD to educational…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
Addressing educational disadvantage and ensuring that every child and young person can reach their full potential is a key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth and for the Government. Overall, approximately €230 million is invested in the DEIS programme. This…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
In recent years the department has delivered significant expanded school capacity in Dublin Mid-West and continues to progress further important projects through the pipeline. Since 2020, the Department of Education has provided over €410 million in capital funding for Dublin…
Written answer ›
Seán Kyne
D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Kyne den Aire Oideachais agus Óige cad é an scéala is déanaí maidir leis an bhfoirgneamh scoile nua atá beartaithe do Choláiste Chroí Mhuire gan Smál, an Spidéal, Co. na Gaillimhe; cad é céim reatha an tionscadail; cathain a bhfuiltear ag súil leis go…
Hildegarde Naughton
Léiríonn an tionscadal tógála scoile ag Coláiste Chroí Mhuire gné thábhachtach de chlár tógála scoile foriomlán na Roinne Oideachais agus Óige. Déantar an tionscadal seo a chineachadh chuig Bord Bainistíochta na scoile lena sheachadadh. Déanann an treoir cheadaithe soláthar do…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The projects referred to by the Deputy are currently at various stages of the Department's project delivery pipeline, ranging from the early planning and design phases through to construction and project completion. My Department is committed to progressing school building…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
I can confirm that the department is in receipt of an application from the school in question under the additional school accommodation scheme (ASA) for a mainstream classroom and a special education teaching room. Given the general downward direction of overall enrolments in the…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The project referred to by the Deputy represents an important element of our overall school building programme. This project is being delivered under the Department's Major Devolved Programme which works with external delivery partners to progress the project through the relevant…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The rollout of my Department’s Climate Action Summer Works Scheme is a key part of our commitment under the National Development Plan to support investment in the existing school estate while also delivering on the climate action agenda. Through the scheme, schools can undertake…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The AI in Education External Advisory Taskforce has been established to support the Department in developing a coherent national approach to the safe, responsible and effective use of AI across the school system at primary and post-primary level. Two AI Taskforce meetings have…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The project referred to by the Deputy represents an important element of the Department of Education and Youth’s overall school building programme. This project is being delivered under the Department's Major Devolved Programme which works with external delivery partners to…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
I can confirm that an application for capital funding under the department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme was received from the school in question. The school's application is currently under consideration. The department has published the NDP (National…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The Department outlined its priorities for NDP funding in the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan published last January. This included 105 projects scheduled to progress to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027. As of mid-October, 56 of these projects (54%) had either been completed…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The Department of Education and Youth was made aware on Wednesday 14 October, that a number of schools across the country received a threatening email. In line with standard practice, my department consulted with An Garda Síochána regarding this matter. An Garda Síochána advised…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
I can confirm to the Deputy that my department has received correspondence from a number of schools in recent months indicating that they would like to consider transitioning to the status of a Gaelscoil. A meeting took place in September between officials of my department and…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The Department of Education and Youth was made aware on Wednesday 14 October, that a number of schools across the country received a threatening email. In line with standard practice, my department consulted with An Garda Síochána regarding this matter. An Garda Síochána advised…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
Factors affecting primary and post-primary students’ confidence in speaking Irish have been examined extensively in research and consultation with stakeholders during the development of policy initiatives and new curricula for Irish. This includes research and consultation that…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The Celbridge campus project referred to by the Deputy, comprising of Scoil Naomh Padraig, St Raphael’s Special School and Celbridge Community School, represents an important element of the Department of Education and Youth’s overall school building programme. This project is…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
Addressing educational disadvantage in all schools remains a key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth. The HSCL scheme is a core element of the DEIS programme and forms part of the wider Tusla Education Support Service (TESS). HSCL coordinators are teachers…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The brief for the project referred to by the Deputy is to provide a new permanent school building for the school. This project is designed to be delivered in 2 phases; Phase 1 will deliver accommodation for 425 students and Phase 2 will deliver the remaining accommodation to…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my Department’s pipeline to provide two mainstream classrooms (one prefab), two special educational needs (SEN) classrooms, two special education tuition (SET) rooms, and ancillary under my Department's Additional…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The project referred to by the Deputy is a campus project and is devolved for delivery to Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB). The approved brief for Gaelscoil Riada provides for a new 16 classroom primary school building including a 2-classroom SEN…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The project referred to by the Deputy represents an important element of the Department of Education and Youth’s overall school building programme. This project is being delivered under the Department's Major Devolved Programme which works with external delivery partners to…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
Scoil Chronain The major building project for the school referred to by the deputy is part of my Department's Employer Led Design programme and will deliver a 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including 2 classrooms, for children with special educational needs on the…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department’s budget currently stands at over €14.1 billion for 2026, comprising €12.4 billion in current expenditure and €1.7 billion in capital expenditure. This includes an additional €646 million approved by Dáil Éireann to support the continued…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
Demographic shifts and increasing demand for both mainstream and special class provision for students with special educational needs have placed growing pressure on school admissions processes across the country. Complexities in the admissions process can cause unnecessary stress…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
A campus project was delivered for three schools - Carrigtwohill Community College, Scoil Mhuire Naofa Carrigtwohill, and Scoil Cliodhna Community National School – as part of my department's Design and Build programme. The project was completed in Q4 2023. The schools on the…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The government’s updated National Digital and AI Strategy, www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/campaigns/digital-ireland-connecting-our-people-securing-our-future/, sets out a clear vision and ambition to 2030. Foundational digital skills and digital literacy skills are the…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
My department is currently reviewing the long-term educational infrastructure requirements for County Louth in consultation with Louth County Council arising from the proposed Variation No. 4 to the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027, which seeks to adopt revised housing…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
In recent years the department has delivered significant expanded school capacity in County Clare and continues to progress further important projects through the pipeline. Since 2020, the Department of Education has provided in the region of €173 million in capital funding for…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The school referred to by the Deputy is included in a major capital project for the provision of a new 600-pupil school building, together with all associated ancillary accommodation. The project will also provide additional classrooms for children with Special Educational Needs…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
This Government is committed to ensuring that every child has a positive school experience, with access to qualified and engaged teachers who are dedicated to supporting their learning. As of November 2025, there were over 75,000 teachers employed in schools across the country…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
I can confirm that an application for capital funding under the department's Additional School Accommodation scheme was received from the school in question. The scope of the proposed project was for the repurposing of existing accommodation for the relocation of an existing…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
Addressing educational disadvantage in all schools remains a key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth. The DEIS programme is targeted at schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage. Schools that were included in the most recent expansion of the…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
Addressing educational disadvantage and ensuring that every child and young person can reach their full potential is a key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth and for the Government. Overall, approximately €230 million is invested in the DEIS programme. This…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
I can confirm that an application for capital funding under my department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme was received from the school in question. The school's application is currently under consideration. My department has published the NDP (National Development…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
Addressing educational disadvantage in all schools remains a key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth. The HSCL scheme is a core element of the DEIS programme and forms part of the wider Tusla Education Support Service (TESS). While HSCL Coordinator posts are…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
Addressing educational disadvantage in all schools is a key priority for the Department of Education and Youth. The HSCL scheme is a core element of the DEIS programme and forms part of the wider Tusla Education Support Service (TESS). HSCL coordinators work directly with…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The primary staffing schedule has improved from an average allocation ratio of 26:1 five years ago to 23:1 for the current school year, the lowest ever at primary level. Average class sizes have fallen from 24.1 to 21.9 pupils, while the overall pupil : teacher ratio improved…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
I can confirm that an application for capital funding under the department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme was received from the school in question. The school's application is currently under consideration. The department has published the NDP (National…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The school to which the Deputy refers have been granted capital funding for Two x special education classroom plus ancillary accommodation under my Department’s SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. This programme involves the use of Project Management supports…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The schools referred to by the Deputy form part of a major campus project involving the phased construction of two 16-classroom primary schools, together with a PE hall for the existing post-primary school, on a shared campus. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that this project…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The purpose of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis that, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
It is important to note that this is the first year of the current National Development Plan (NDP) period, which runs from 2026 through to 2030. The Department of Education and Youth has an approved capital allocation of €7.55 billion over that five-year period. The department’s…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The Government is investing a record €14.4 billion into education and schools through Budget 2027. This record level of investment includes €646 million funding to place education and youth services on a more sustainable basis; a further €712 million in current funding for 2027…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under the Department's Design and Build Programme which uses a professional external Programme Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender, and…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
This Government is committed to ensuring that every child has a positive school experience, with access to qualified and engaged teachers who are dedicated to supporting their learning. As of November 2025, there were over 75,000 teachers employed in schools across the country…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The Blessington Community College capital project referred to by the Deputy has been devolved for delivery to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB). The project brief provides for the construction of a new three-storey post-primary school to accommodate 1,000…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under the Department's Design and Build Programme which uses a professional external Programme Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender, and…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
In May 2026, Minister Naughton communicated directly with all schools and boards of management, clarifying the department's position that there is no requirement for a personal device for junior or senior cycle. Minister Naughton requested schools to be cognisant of the views of…
Written answer ›
Hildegarde Naughton
The capital allocation available to the Department of Education and Youth in 2027 is €1.6 billion, representing a very significant level of investment in the school estate. This will support the delivery of many important projects in County Kildare, an area of demographic growth…
Written answer ›
Seán Kyne
Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his plans to review capital expenditure allocation; and whether consideration is being given to increasing the level of capital funding available to the Department…
Written answer ›
Mairéad Farrell
Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to give an update on the impact of Budget 2027 on infrastructure investment in the west of Ireland.
Written answer ›
Mairéad Farrell
Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he intends to build upon the national procurement strategy, released in August 2026, with legislative action that delivers real reform to the public…
Written answer ›
John Connolly
Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the Clifden flood relief scheme.
Seán Kyne
Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on the current status of the Clifden flood relief scheme, County Galway.
Written answer ›
Mairéad Farrell
Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on the impact of increased AI use within the public service, as encouraged through his Department's publication, Guidelines for the…
Written answer ›
Mairéad Farrell
Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on which departments will require supplementary estimates to cover any expenditure above their allocation in Budget 2026.
Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate ›
Noel Grealish
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. As he knows, I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it gives me the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, to…
Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate ›
Noel Grealish
I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. As she said herself, I am taking this on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Naughton, who is grateful for the opportunity to set out the next steps in relation to work on the primary school survey. The…
Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate ›
Noel Grealish
I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, as it provides me with an opportunity on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, to provide an update to the House regarding the Celbridge campus school building project. The Celbridge campus project…
Seán Kyne
The integrated design team for a 300-bed block project for University Hospital Galway was appointed and approved last May. Ward blocks A and B, each comprising of 150 beds, are the first two phases of the capital programme for University Hospital Galway, which will be followed by…
Mairéad Farrell
Hear, hear.
Noel Grealish
Sit down.
Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions ›
Seán Kyne
I hope that the Bish can progress to the 2027 tranche of schools to go to construction. It is imperative. It is planned for a 1,000-pupil school. The redevelopment will be on a site at Dangan. The school has planning permission. It is very important in terms of catchment in…
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters ›
Noel Grealish
I thank the Senator. The Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, thank her for raising this important matter. I am taking it on their behalf. Like the Members of this House, both the Minister and the Minister of State are deeply conscious of the…
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters ›
Noel Grealish
I thank Senator Ruane for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, who is on paternity leave. I wish him and his wife well on the birth of their new child. The Government recognises that access to a vehicle can be…
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters ›
Noel Grealish
I thank Senator Scahill for raising this topic. I spoke to the Minister for Transport this morning. As the Senator will know, he is caught up with EU business. He asked me to acknowledge the representations the Senator has made with him along with his colleague, Councillor Liam…
Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions ›
Mairéad Farrell
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. I am glad he changed his mind. I was looking at this from the sidelines, but it did not seem to me that there was a shift in his views. At the eleventh hour, two hours before the strike was to begin, it seemed that he committed to pay being the…
Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions ›
Mairéad Farrell
The Minister can talk about my priorities but I will talk about his. The ESRI was in front of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight this week. A key thing it speaks about is child poverty. We keep hearing that child poverty is a core objective of this Government. If it is one of…
Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions ›
Mairéad Farrell
My question remains: does the Minister think it is appropriate? Does he think a €392,000 salary is appropriate? Does he think that an increase of €118,000 is appropriate? Is it appropriate at any period in time, but in particular is it appropriate when we have a situation where…