Colm Brophy
Dublin South-West · Fine Gael · Ireland
“The Minister has outlined very clearly our intention in relation to this matter. We have always been very clear that the ARP would be a temporary provision. It was introduced in 2022 as a response to a crisis, always with the view that it would be phased out. That remains the case.”
“It is important to look at the ARP in the context of what is happening here. We are reducing the payment back to the original rate in order to fulfil the original intention. We thank the people for the generosity they showed in opening their homes to Ukrainians who came to live with us here in Ireland.”
“It is important, as the Minister has mentioned, to recognise and thank all of the people who participated in the scheme, and to recognise the work of the Irish Red Cross and the many people who have made the scheme a success. We recognise that there are difficulties with schemes, and that is why this one has been under constant review.”
“What we want to work towards is a solution which recognises that contribution and which examines how, in the longer term, we can work with the Ukrainian people in our country and with the Government of Ukraine in order to ensure that a pathway exists for them to either continue to live here or, if they so choose, to return home.”
“lreland ratified the convention on International Women's Day, 8 March 2019. Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence 2022-2026 is structured around the four pillars of the convention, namely, prevention, protection, prosecution and policy co-ordination.”
“Some of the treaty provisions relate to the justice sphere and, therefore, Title V of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. In light of Ireland’s position under Protocol 21, the court determined that two decisions were necessary, one to cover areas coming within scope of Protocol 21 where an opt-in is required and another t…”
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“We will also ensure the Department of Education and Youth continues to engage with key stakeholders on the reconfiguration process and to support the school communities when schools are transferring patronage. The focus of the Department of Education and Youth is on maximising the use of existing school estate by facilitating the transfer of patronage of existing denominational schools rather than establishing new multidenominational schools where that is the preference of local school communities. This provides the most cost-effective method for delivering on the programme for Government commitment to increase the choice for parents by ensuring that families can access both multidenominational and nondenominational and faith-based education.”
“We will therefore establish the level of parental demand for primary schools their children attend now or will attend in the future and to change to a multidenominational ethos by commencing the planned survey of primary school communities. We will take any necessary steps to ensure patronage transfers are facilitated where parents and school communities support this. We will continue to progress the reconfiguration process with the goal of establishing a strong process that has the support of patrons and local communities and which will enable us to continue to increase the number of multidenominational primary schools across the country.”
“It is also important we reflect on how best to provide for what is working well in education, what challenges are beginning to emerge and what actions we need to take to address these challenges and examine what needs to be changed. The Government's goal with the convention is to develop an ambitious vision and programme of work for education that will deliver both over the coming years and in the medium-term future. The Government recognises the importance of parental choice and is committed to seeking to increase the choice for parents by ensuring families can access both multidenominational and nondenominational and faith-based education in line with the programme for Government commitment.”
“The paper encourages school authorities to consider their policies and practices and to review whether they are taking the steps necessary to welcome all pupils and make them feel included. The Catholic schools partnership has also published guidelines for Catholic schools on the inclusion of all pupils. This also contains suggestions on how such schools can manage requests to attend school without attending religious instruction. The Government has committed to holding a convention that will bring together all stakeholders in education. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, has committed to ensuring the convention will reflect the Ireland of today in all its diversity and, in particular, the voices of children and young people, their parents, their guardians, education stakeholders and the voices of wider society.”
“Each school must determine the particular arrangements that are appropriate in its individual circumstances, having regard to local issues such as available space, supervision requirements and how the school concerned organises classes. The Department of Education and Youth is working with education partners to assist schools to strengthen their approach in providing for diverse enrolments in a changing society. Guidance for good practice is available to schools in the follow-up paper to the report of the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector, which was published in 2014. The paper provides an overview of the different types of arrangements that schools have put in place to facilitate parents who do not wish for their children to attend religious instruction activities.”
“It is expected that this right will be upheld by schools on foot of a parental request. The provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 requires that where schools provide religious instruction, they must clearly set out their admissions policies and the "school's arrangements ... [for] student[s], where the parent ... or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, has requested that the student attend the school without attending religious instruction". The manner in which any school ensures that right to not attend religion instruction classes is upheld is a matter for the school concerned.”
“Denominational schools have played an important role in primary education in Ireland for more than a century. They, along with other primary schools, have a strong history of inclusivity in serving their local communities and have accepted children of all faiths and none. As the Minister referenced, the provisions of Article 44 of the Constitution recognise the rights of children to attend school without attending religious instruction at that school. Furthermore, the provisions of section 30(2)( e ) of the Education Act 1998 provide that a school "shall not require any student to attend instruction in any subject which is contrary to the conscience of the parent [or guardian] of the student or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student".”
“It is recognised, including by Catholic patrons, that more diverse provision is required to cater for our changing society. Patrons have a legal right to design their own programmes in accordance with the ethos of their schools. Religious education is one of the seven curricular areas of the primary school curriculum. However, unlike other subject areas, the content of the religious curriculum provided by primary schools is not set by the Department of education. Section 30 of the Education Act provides that time will be made available in the school day to teach curriculum that arises from the ethos of the school. This means that the content of a religious instruction programme in a particular primary school is determined by the patron of that school.”
“In tandem with the proposed survey, the Department of education will be providing clear information for parents and guardians to enable them to make an informed decision about the different types of primary school patronage options. As the Minister has set out, the schools reconfiguration for diversity process has been developed to support the transfer of schools to multidenominational patrons in response to the wishes of local communities. That is key. The wishes of local communities are what matters here. When a school transfers from the patronage of one patron to another, the school remains open, retains the same roll number and continues operating from the same school property with the same school staff and pupils.”
“This represents 5.5% of primary schools. However, at primary level, we need to do more. This is why I very much welcome that the Minister has set out that she and her Department are developing a framework and an action plan to increase the number of multidenominational primary schools to meet parental demand and the commitment in the programme for Government. As part of delivering on the programme for Government commitment, the Minister intends to launch an online, school-specific survey of parents and school communities on what type of education they would like to see for their children and schools. A separate survey will be made available to school staff and board of management members.”
“At post-primary level nationally, 48.6% of students are enrolled in multidenominational or interdenominational schools; 47.6% are enrolled in schools with a Catholic ethos; and 2.9% are enrolled in schools with a Church of Ireland ethos. The remaining 0.9% is accounted for by post-primary schools with an ethos other than Catholic, Church of Ireland or interdenominational or multidenominational. Progress has been made toward increasing the number of multidenominational primary schools. As the Minister set out, there has been a large increase of 87.5%, albeit from a relatively low base of just under 24,000, to more than 44,000 in student enrolments in mainstream multidenominational and interdenominational primary schools over a ten-year period. There are currently 172 primary schools with a multidenominational or interdenominational ethos.”
“Today's debate has been beneficial. I have listened carefully to contributions made by all Deputies, each important and warranting consideration. The Minister, Depute McEntee, who was in the Chamber until just now, has given particular updates and outlines of current work happening within the Department and the planned work to increase the number of multidenominational schools where parents and school communities want this. In response to the issues raised, and adding to the earlier contribution made by the Minister, it is clear that parental choice is key. It is recognised that more diverse provision is require to cater for our changing society. I am conscious that, as well as parents and guardians, teachers and school staff in our schools are a reflection of modern Ireland.”
“I will, of course, take the case to the Minister. In the Senator's contribution, she highlighted the important point that a humane approach should be taken in the devising, development and implementation of services. It is so important we take account of how an individual service in a smaller community can have an impact. This is something the Senator has campaigned and worked on very passionately in her role as Senator. I will be more than happy to bring the matter to the Minister on the Senator's behalf, as I am sure she will do directly as well.”
“There were 23 new places in the CHO 3 area, which covers Clare, Limerick, north Tipperary and east Limerick. While residential services can be an appropriate response to a person’s needs, it is worth pointing out that it can be more appropriate to support people to remain in their homes with their families. The specialist disability budget also supports a range of measures to this end, including home support and respite services.”
“This number does not include those who might be prioritised for decongregation, those who are under the age of 65, are in nursing homes and require a residential place, and young people with disabilities who are ageing out of Tusla and who require residential services. All applications for residential services are managed by the HSE, taking into account the needs of the individual. However, the nature and level of demand is such that the placements delivered can tend to be in response to emergency needs and often only those with the highest priority can be placed. Over recent years, the number of residential places delivered has exceeded what was initially envisaged in the HSE national service plan. In 2024, 220 new residential places were delivered.”
“We have seen significant increases in investment in specialist disability services, with a budget increase from €1.7 billion at the close of 2017 to in excess of €3.2 billion in 2025. Supporting residential services accounts for approximately 58% of the total specialist community-based disability services budget. In this year's budget, €107 million was provided to residential services, €79 million of which will meet the incremental cost of 2024 new residential services and €28 million is additional funding for 2025. This funding will also support additional moves from nursing homes and decongregation to community settings. As of January 2025, approximately 90 service providers supported more than 8,600 residential places. As of mid-2024, however, there were in excess of 1,400 applications for residential services.”
“I join Senator Byrne in acknowledging my friend and former colleague, Damien English, who was a source of great wisdom and advice to me in all my years in public life. It is lovely to see him here today with his guests. I thank Senator Byrne for raising this important issue and affording me the opportunity to respond. We know there are many reasons people seek residential supports. For some it is by way of services to allow them to remain in their homes with family, while for others, it is a residential service. The aim has been to facilitate living and inclusion in the community. Increasing the provision of disability residential services is a key priority area for this Government and the HSE and there has been significant investment in residential services over recent years.”
“That is no problem at all. I am sure the breakdown is worth chasing. The Senator's points are well made. As I said in my contribution, it is something that needs to be examined because cybersupport for parents to tackle these issues is important.”
“I agree with her 100% that we need to target resources at parents. I will, of course, take the opportunity, on foot of the Senator's contribution, to raise this with the Minister. I have no doubt the Senator will raise it directly with her, and probably has on previous occasions. It is important, considering the totality of the other measures around health, the risk of alcohol abuse and the overall health measures for children, that part of the integrated approach should also take account of cybersafety. Safety is part and parcel of parental awareness of what is happening. I will be very pleased to take the comments of the Senator back to the Minister.”
“On supporting increased physical activity levels and child obesity prevention, the Department of Health works closely with Sport Ireland and the Department of Education to promote physical activity in schools through the active school flag and cycling safety supports. A core objective of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 is to address young people's relationship with alcohol, delaying the age at which they begin. These are some of the measures to reduce access to alcohol for young people and create an environment free from alcohol. I listened to the Senator's contribution, and heard her raise some valid points around the importance of cybersafety. She spoke of the need for programmes not only targeting children, who may already have an awareness level, but also engaging with parents.”
“Learning about health and well-being across the life course is included in the well-being and SPHE curriculums in our schools, supported by the HSE which works with the education system. Healthy Ireland collaborates with local authorities and committee partners through the healthy city and counties and Sláintecare healthy communities programmes, and supports Ireland's most disadvantaged areas. The period dignity programme supports women and girls living in period poverty. The Sláintecare healthy communities programme includes parenting, cooking and diet support programmes for families with children aged up to 12 years and engages with families and children living in disadvantaged areas.”
“I thank the Senator for the opportunity to present to her on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor. Apologies for her absence today. The Healthy Ireland framework and action plan form our national road maps to support good physical, mental and sexual health well-being, including children's health priorities such as preventing obesity, increasing physical activity levels and minimising underage tobacco and alcohol use. The national sex health strategy contains information on educational measures to support children in learning about their bodies, reproduction, safe sex, the importance of sexually transmitted infections, contraception and consent in an age-appropriate way from primary school to senior cycle.”
“I fully hear Senator Kyne and the excellent and valid points he has made. I will, of course, take his remarks back to the Minister and I know the Senator will engage with him further on this matter. It is important to reassure the Senator that the Government will continue to prioritise policies to protect and enhance farm incomes, including those in the sheep sector. Under the programme for Government, the Government is committed to increasing supports for those sheep farmers over a five-year term in office, ensuring straightforward measures to encourage uptake. I will bring back the Senator's specific point to the Ministers, as I have said, and I have no doubt the Senator will as well.”
“However, as is the case with all severe storms, we must review the lessons learnt with a view to better planning for such events, business continuity management and building resilience and readiness across all the sectors.”
“The sheep welfare scheme is separate from but complementary to the sheep improvement scheme, which is funded until 2027 under the CAP strategic plan. The sheep improvement scheme, SIS, supports farmers in carrying out actions that improve animal health and welfare on their sheep enterprises. That has a budget allocation of €100 million. Approximately 16,000 farmers received payments totalling €18 million for participating in the first year of SIS. Under the 2024 national sheep welfare scheme, just over €15 million was paid to 16,300 farmers who completed the required actions. It is positive that market conditions for sheep farmers are currently buoyant and expected to remain so, at least in the short term, because of supply constraints in both the domestic and overseas markets.”
“Helping farmers with income resilience gives them the tools to cope with extreme weather events in the best way on their own farms. On Monday, the Minister, Deputy Heydon, announced the opening of the new national sheep welfare scheme, which is worth €22 million to farmers this year. The budget for the scheme is €7 million more than the budget for its predecessor scheme in 2024 and will allow participants who fully complete the required actions to claim up to €13 per breeding ewe. The scheme's actions are practical, easy to implement and suitable for both upland and lowland flocks. The closing date for applications is 15 May and the Minister strongly encourages all sheep farmers to read the scheme's terms and conditions on the Department's website and to submit an application by that date.”
“However, no forecast can fully cover the effects of unpredictable weather on local topography. I understand that the Maam and Leenane areas of County Galway were seriously affected. Senator Kyne has described the severe rainfall and thawing snow that led to major flooding and landslides in the affected areas. It is recognised that the drystock sector is vulnerable to losses arising from extreme weather events. Sheep farming is clearly no exception to that. There are existing supports that are specifically targeted at the sector in recognition of its vulnerability and regional importance, particularly along the western seaboard. These supports include multi-annual schemes co-funded under the CAP strategic plan along with annual schemes fully funded by the Exchequer.”
“I thank the Senator and apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Heydon. I know the Senator has spoken to and engaged with him directly on this issue in the past. He sends his apologies that he cannot be here to deal with the matter in person today. I will make a few points on his behalf. Like the more recent Storm Éowyn, Storm Bert is part of a pattern of extreme weather which can result in flooding which will affect the country and has done so. Last November, Storm Bert became the second storm of the 2024-25 season, bringing with it the high winds and heavy rains the Senator mentioned in his contribution. Fortunately, its impact was not as persistent and severe as that of Storm Éowyn in late January. Nevertheless, wind and rainfall warnings were issued for affected areas, alerting people to the possibility of severe flooding.”
“I thank Senator Collins for her contribution. The Minister of State, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, is committed to supporting those forest owners who have been so adversely affected by ash dieback. He encourages all to avail of the financial help and very generous support in the programme the Department has put in place.”
“To promote awareness of supports available for ash dieback, we have placed clear and accessible information in the farming media and will continue to do so, with a renewed awareness campaign also planned. Department staff will also be in attendance at the Tullamore Show and the National Ploughing Championships and will speak to owners about the financial assistance available. The Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae, encourages ash forest owners who have not yet applied for the enhanced reconstitution scheme to do so. This would give them the financial support to clear and reconstitute affected sites and also enable them to apply for the climate action performance payment of €5,000 per hectare.”
“This task force comprises officials from the Department and stakeholders, including ash forest owners. The role of the task force is to ensure the plan is implemented in an effective way, with a co-ordinated response and a resolution of obstacles to its implementation. The task force has met four times and is scheduled to meet again in June. Some useful clarifications have been made in those meetings and actions agreed to progress the implementation of the plan. The Department has been receiving applications for the CAPP first instalment since late August 2024. The applications received so far have paid out nearly €3.5 million. There are obviously many more ash owners eligible to apply for the first instalment, and the Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae, encourages them to do so through the Department’s agfood facility.”
“In May 2024, the ash dieback action plan, which was based on the review group’s report, was approved by the previous Government. The action plan addresses all 13 of the review group’s recommendations. It provides for, among other things, an additional €79.5 million in funding to pay for a new climate action performance payment, CAPP, scheme. This payment of €5,000 per hectare is available to forest owners who fully engage with the Department’s reconstitution schemes and carry out replanting. This brings to more than €230 million the overall financial package available to ash plantation owners who are dealing with or have dealt with ash dieback. As part of the action plan, a task force was established with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the plan.”
“For example, there is a grant of nearly €4,000 per hectare for conifer forests. If one chooses to replant with native trees, that grant goes to €6,744 per hectare, and for agroforestry it is €8,555 per hectare. Furthermore, grants of €2,888 per hectare are available to cover deer fencing. We are also paying annual premiums due to those whose forests have been affected by this awful disease. In addition, farmers whose plantations were impacted by ash dieback and who are still in premium now receive a top-up to bring them in line with the new increased premium rates under the new forestry programme. Notwithstanding the introduction of a new scheme in 2023, questions about the impact of the disease remained. To address these in a fair manner, an independent review group has been set up.”
“On behalf of the Minister for State, Deputy Healy-Rae, I thank Senator Collins for this question on supports for ash dieback. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the supports in place to assist affected forest owners. The Minister of State is keenly aware of the impact this devastating disease has had on forest owners who planted ash. The need for support is well recognised by Government, which is why we have a new reconstitution scheme for ash dieback in the forestry programme. The scheme has a new site clearance grant and enhanced replanting rates. The site clearance grant is being doubled, going from €1,000 to €2,000 per hectare. Improved replanting rates have been reintroduced as well to reflect the increased rates for planting under the new programme.”
“That is why the programme for Government builds on the initiatives we had in recent years. For the first time, the Government is committing to introducing an element of public provision with State-led facilities to add capacity. Taking a more strategic approach to forward planning and the option of public delivery options, there is a much greater scope to influence the types and number of places available and to better align those with families’ needs. Importantly, we are committing to progressively reducing the cost of early learning and childcare to €200 per child over the lifetime of this Government. Officials are examining this ambitious commitment and exploring approaches on how to most effectively achieve this objective.”
“Early learning and childcare is an area that has seen rapid and significant developments and has had a substantial increase in investment in recent years. In particular, we have made good progress in affordability for parents, pay for staff and the inclusion of children with disabilities. However, we need to go further in the coming years. We need to support parents and educators and make provision right across the early learning and childcare sector, with a focus always on ensuring there is a positive experience for children. The national childcare scheme has increased subsidy rates paid to families, which, along with fee controls and other reforms to the scheme, are delivering much greater affordability for parents. Out-of-pocket costs for some families remain much too high, though.”
“The building blocks extension grant scheme was launched on 4 November 2024. Applications for this scheme have now closed and an appraisal process is under way. The primary focus of the extension grant scheme is to increase capacity in places for one- to three-year olds, with early childhood education range for full day care. Some €25 million will be made available this year to deliver additional capacity under the scheme, and the Minister expects to announce the outcome of the application process in the coming weeks. The Department funds 30 city and county childcare committees, which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers. Parents experiencing difficulty with early learning and childcare needs should contact their local city and county childcare committee for assistance.”
“Capital funding has been allocated to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised national development plan. This will enable significant investment in early learning and childcare. The building blocks capital grant schemes are operating over 2024 and 2025. The primary focus of these schemes is to increase capacity in the one- to three-year-old, pre-ECCE, age range for full day care. The building blocks expansion grant scheme was operated by the Department last year. Twenty-three services were awarded capital grants of between €25,000 and €100,000 for projects to undertake renovation of or upgrades to existing space to cater for more children. This funding has delivered almost 300 affordable new places for one- to three-year olds, with approximately 100 of those places in Dublin.”
“The Government continues to support the ongoing development and resourcing of core funding, which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. Core funding funds services based on the number of places available regardless of whether they are filled. This provides stability to services and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service. For the current programme year, the allocation for core funding allows for a 6% increase in capacity. Additional funding was secured in budget 2025 to facilitate a further 3.5% increase from September 2025, in the fourth programme year. The Government is also supporting the expansion of capacity through capital funding.”
“However, it appears that demand for early learning and care and school-age childcare remains higher than available supply, particularly for younger children and in certain parts of the country. Demand for early learning and childcare beyond sessional preschool provision is highly elastic and shaped substantially by families' individual composition, circumstances and preferences; employment patterns and income; and the price and availability of services. A forward planning model is in development, which will be central to the Minister’s plans to achieve the policy goals set out in the programme for Government to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early childhood education and care system, with State-led facilities adding capacity.”
“I thank Deputy Gannon for raising this important issue and offering me the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister. Improving access to quality and affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare is a key priority for the Government. Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. An annual sector profile demonstrates an 8% increase in enrolments between the 2021-22 and 2022-23 years. Within the Dublin city local authority area, enrolments grew by 2,235. Core funding application data shows that, between year 1 and year 2 of the scheme, the annual place hours increased by almost 8%. The Tusla register of services demonstrates a net increase in the numbers of registered early learning and childcare services in 2024.”
“The Government approved new housing targets up to 2030. Some 303,000 homes are expected to be delivered from 2025 to 2030. This equates to an average of approximately 50,500 homes, building up to 60,000 homes in 2030. To meet these very ambitious targets, it is necessary to use many different ways of delivery. Modern methods of construction are a key pillar in this housing delivery programme. This year, the accelerated social housing delivery programme and the Government initiatives described will continue to support the delivery of housing using modern methods of construction. Additionally, under the programme for Government, further initiatives will also be implemented to support the key pillar that accelerates the delivery of quality housing. I take on board all the comments the Deputy made about modular housing, too.”
“It is intended to expand the use of the design and build procurement approach to enable greater use of modern methods of construction in social and affordable housing delivery. Separately, the Department is engaging with Wexford local authority on piloting several three-dimensional modular units, which are expected to tender in the first half of 2025. A standardised design approach is key in facilitating the ease of adoption of modern methods of construction. To support this standardised approach, the Department has identified a number of designs from the design manual for quality housing, adjusted to allow for ease of delivery utilising different forms of modern methods of construction, including three-dimensional modular systems.”
“In December 2022, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage approved funding of €94 million to address legacy land debt. The funding was contingent on the local authority committing to the early development of a housing proposal that would commence construction in 2023 or no later than 2024 and utilise modern methods of construction. A total of 26 sites received funding as part of an accelerated social housing delivery programme. This programme is being led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and will see the delivery by 13 local authorities of at least 1,500 social homes using modern methods of construction across approximately 36 sites.”
“The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Government’s commitment to modern methods of construction has been clearly outlined in the new programme for Government, including binding targets for its use in at least 25% of all State-backed housing and an innovation fund via the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, ISIF. Initiatives already in place under Housing for All to promote modern methods of construction include: the accelerated social housing delivery programme, the Roadmap for Increased Adoption of Modern Methods of Construction in Public Housing, the Construct Innovate technology centre, the National Demonstration Park, the Build Digital project, the built to innovate initiative, the development of standardised approaches to the design of housing and training for industry and public sector professionals.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and providing the opportunity to update the House on this important matter. Modern methods of construction are a key measure to support the delivery of housing under Housing for All and the programme for Government and have the potential to boost productivity, increase efficiency and improve sustainability in the construction sector. Modern methods of construction is the term used to describe a range of compliant manufacturing and innovative construction including modular systems as alternatives to traditional construction.”
“As already outlined, budget 2025 provides funding for another 400 new special classes, up to 300 additional special school places. The NCSE continues to assess what additional provision is required in local areas and which schools have capacity to accommodate the required provision. As the NCSE progresses the sanctioning of new special classes in the coming days, it will in turn advise parents of the location of any new special classes for the 2025 to 2026 school year.”
“I thank the Deputy again for raising the question. I will of course convey back to the Minister the additional points he raised here. I thank him for giving me the opportunity to reassure the House that the Department of Education and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that all children have access to education suitable to their needs. The Department of Education continues to engage intensely with the NCSE on forward planning for new special classes for the 2025 to 2026 school year and future years. More than 28,000 children are now being supported in special schools and classes with the number of special classes increasing by 100% since 2020. It is the statutory responsibility of the NCSE to work with schools to provide sufficient special education provision each year.”
“The Minister for Education, Deputy McEntee, and the Minister of State with responsibility for special education, Deputy Michael Moynihan, both meet the NCSE and senior Department of Education officials on a weekly basis to track the progress being made on securing additional classes and special school places. I will raise the other issues the Deputy mentioned here.”
“The council is confirming this directly with the school now to avoid any confusion. As new special classes are sanctioned in other schools, it will inform parents and provide advice and support on how to apply. Of the 400 new special classes to be sanctioned for the next school year, the NCSE has sanctioned more than 350, with classes provided in every county. A total of 66 of these classes are in Dublin, with a number in the Lucan and broader west Dublin area. The council continues to sanction classes. These will be added to in the coming days.”