I am pleased the Deputy has brought this matter to my attention because there seems to be some confusion. In order to respond to the issue raised, it is important to clarify the distinction between a sensory room, which serves a whole school, and a calming space within a classroom, which may be used by students within a specific classroom. I say this only for the record because I know the Deputy is well aware of it. A sensory room in a school can enhance and promote the health and well-being of the whole school, wi…

I want to be very clear that there is a distinction between the two. The sensory room is a room open to the entire school. The quiet space is contained within a given classroom at a given time. It is supervised by the existing teacher and-or an SNA. With regard to the specific case raised by the Deputy, I emphasise that the Department has not refused a grant to equip a sensory room. The school applied for funding in relation to a calming space - not a sensory room - within a classroom, which does not qualify for th…

I will be very clear; my Department has engaged with the school and has communicated the information I imparted to the Deputy to the principal of the school in question. We would be more than pleased to engage with the principal on an ongoing basis to satisfy the needs presented. However, let me be very clear that there is no ambiguity. I visit schools all of the time and this has never been raised with me before. Schools are very clear on the distinction between calming spaces, which are located within classroom s…

Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Teachta Ó Muimhneacháin as a cheist. Tá céimeanna glactha ag mo Roinn chun an gealltanas atá i gclár an Rialtais maidir le polasaí agus straitéis don Ghaeilge sa chóras oideachais a chomhlíonadh le dúthracht. Tá an obair seo á cur chun cinn i gcomhthéacs chuspóirí na straitéise 20-bliain don Ghaeilge. Ó foilsíodh é, tá an polasaí don oideachas Gaeltachta tar éis oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge a neartú i gceantair Ghaeltachta. Faoin bpolasaí sin, tá tacaíocht láidir tug…

To give some detail on what is happening in the process, which is quite involved, SEALBHÚ, the research centre in Dublin City University, DCU, is currently carrying out an analysis of all of the information that has been gathered throughout the process. The reports will be shared with the steering committee and with the interdepartmental working group in due course. A number of actions are being taken to ensure that the new policy will be informed by current research. A review of national and international literatu…

Tá an-dul chun cinn déanta ó thaobh aitheantais do na scoileanna Gaeltachta. As the Deputy will be aware, the validation process commenced in October 2022. Recognition as a Gaeltacht school will be awarded to a school when it is confirmed that the school's practice has been developed in accordance with the language-based criteria. As the Deputy has outlined, the process involves a visit from the inspectorate to schools participating in the scheme to assess their progress in implementing the criteria. The visit incl…

The school transport scheme is a significant operation and, as the Deputy will be aware, it is managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2022-23 school year, over 149,000 young people, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country every day. In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 5,400 children who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine. The total …

I know Deputy O'Rourke has an enormous interest in this area, both from the climate action point of view and from recognising the importance of the benefit of the school transport scheme. He is quite correct that there was an interim review and a final review. Phase 1 of the review was completed in June 2021 and examined the impact of eligibility criteria for the scheme on mainstream pupils who were eligible for transport to their nearest school but attending their next nearest school. The steering group presented …

A key aspect of the review is that we would be very much within our climate action targets. The climate action plan includes a specific target to increase the number of journeys being taken using sustainable travel, whether it is cycling, walking or sustainable public transport by an additional 125,000 journeys by 2025 and a 30% shift in escort-to-education car journeys to more sustainable modes of transport by 2030. By that I mean people driving children to school or whatever. The plan also requires Ireland to ach…

Through Project Ireland 2040, over the period 2021-25, in excess of €5 billion will be invested in upgrading school facilities across the country for the almost 1 million students and more than 100,000 staff members who learn and work in our schools every day. The Department has approved a large-scale building project for the school to which the Deputy refers. He has advocated very strongly on an ongoing basis for this school. The project involves the provision of a new-build extension and alterations to the existi…

Tá an-dul chun cinn déanta againn go dtí an pointe seo. Tá dea-scéal againn ó thaobh Choláiste Ghobnatan inniu. Tá céimeanna eile ann anois. There are a number of next steps. The first and perhaps most important step has now been taken in that it has progressed to stage 2B, and that has been sanctioned. The next step will be for Cork ETB and its design team to obtain the requisite statutory planning approvals and to incorporate them into the detailed design and tender documentation for the new school project. The D…

An application for provision of additional capacity at the school in question was given initial approval in 2019 for delivery on a devolved basis under the Department's additional school accommodation, ASA scheme. This approval included provision for mainstream, specialist rooms and two special educational needs classes. The main focus of the Department’s additional accommodation scheme is on provision of additional capacity to meet the requirement for school places, including for students with special educational …

I would be delighted to, when I am in the Deputy's area. I will say that initial approval was granted but the school itself came back with a request for a full review of its application. The Department is working with the school in that regard. As I have said, the Department engaged directly with the school to seek information on a number of issues in order for it to make the fullest review of the application. When the Department is in full receipt of this information, the assessment process will be completed as qu…

I thank the Deputy and we look forward to receiving the information from the school and continuing to engage with it prior to the full review of the application.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House this evening on budget 2024, and in particular to highlight some of its key features for children, young people and their families. This is a hugely progressive budget, which has at its heart supporting individuals, families, communities and all sectors of society. In the short time I have, I will speak in particular to the budget benefits for children, young people and their families. Investment in our youngest generation begins with more than €1 billion in…

I am very pleased to be here to discuss the leaving certificate, and in particular the ambitious programme of reform involving senior cycle redevelopment, which I have recently announced will take place on an accelerated basis. Since my appointment as Minister, this House has always had a keen interest in education matters. That is why I was particularly pleased and happy to accept the Cathaoirleach’s invitation to be here early in the new term. Each year over 60,000 students sit their leaving certificate examinati…

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to make a statement to update the House on school transport provision for the current school year. Coming from a rural background, I know, understand, and appreciate the importance of school transport to parents and families around the country. I know there are lots of moms, dads, and guardians relying on the scheme to bring their children to and from school. To give a sense of the scale of the scheme, in the 2022-23 school year, more than 154,000 young people, …

I thank the Acting Chairperson and Senators. Again, I appreciate the invitation and opportunity to be here. I am very appreciative of the very positive and worthwhile engagement that always comes my way from all the Senators here and I know their absolute commitment to matters of education, which are close to their hearts. The education system, including teachers, students, parents and the sector's agencies continue to respond positively to new and evolving challenges. I am confident that progress is continuing tow…

Yes, that is one type of scheme that operates. Specifically, the Senator is talking about those who have the additional hours if they wish to work them, that they could be shared. I am happy to look at that with other measures. In conclusion, I thank Members for the courtesy, as always, that I receive here and for their ongoing interest in all matters to do with education.

As the Deputy has articulated, the SEC has specific responsibility for the operation, delivery and development of the State examinations. As part of its remit, the SEC provides the scheme of reasonable accommodations, which is known as the RACE scheme. This scheme facilitates access to the State exams by candidates who would have difficulty in accessing the exams or communicating what they know because of a physical difficulty, visual or hearing impairments or a learning difficulty. A physical difficulty could incl…