Parliamentary questions

Educational Disadvantage

Michael Lowry

79. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reason a school (details supplied) was not awarded DEIS status, given that DEIS status was already secured by the town’s two other secondary schools; when DEIS status will be awarded to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23096/24]

School Accommodation

Michael Lowry

274. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the assistance being offered to a school (details supplied); when will this school be provided with an update and funding for these reconfiguration works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22341/24]

School Funding

Michael Lowry

287. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if correspondence from the management and principal of a school (details supplied) will be reviewed; if she will address the points raised; how she plans to address and resolve the serious financial situation and challenges this school and other national schools are facing; if she and her Department will engage directly with the management and principal of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22476/24]

School Funding

Michael Lowry

324. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will review correspondence from the management and principal of a school (details supplied); if she will address the points raised; how she plans to address and resolve the serious financial situation and challenges this school and other national schools are facing; if she and her Department will engage directly with the management and principal of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22961/24]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Lowry

325. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on what steps are being taken to address the urgent concerns raised by the staff of a school (details supplied); if she can ensure these concerns will be addressed promptly to provide the necessary resources and services to special schools like this one; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22963/24]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Lowry

326. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 313 of 14 May 2024, if she can review additional details (details supplied); if the Minister can provide assurance that these concerns will be addressed and confirm that this child will receive an ASD primary school place for the 2024-25 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22966/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Michael Lowry

499. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding or grants that can be obtained and provided to a playschool (details supplied); if the Department will contact this school and provide assistance to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22420/24]

Mental Health Services

Michael Lowry

578. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the current situation at the child and adolescent mental health services at Nenagh Health an Centre, County Tipperary, where there is currently no occupational therapist is in place (details supplied); the status of the recruitment process for this position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22462/24]

Road Safety

Michael Lowry

113. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the progress being made to improve a dangerous and busy junction on the outskirts of Thurles, County Tipperary, given that Turtulla Cross and this section of the N62 has been the location of a number of serious and fatal occurrences over the years; what safety works and junction redesign can be carried out at this junction on the N62 to improve safety for all road users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21915/24]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Michael Lowry

194. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the timeline for the establishment of the nature advisory council, as recommended in the 2021 strategic review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22297/24]

Wildlife Conservation

Michael Lowry

195. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way he plans to ensure rural interests such as those of farmers and game clubs are fully included in discussions and consultations regarding future policy on hunting and conservation, including discussions and consultations at ministerial-level meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22298/24]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Lowry

313. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will provide assistance to a person (details supplied) regarding the ongoing issue pertaining to this child’s ability to obtain an ASD primary school place for the 2024/2025 academic year; the steps being taken by her Department to address the issues highlighted; if she will confirm that this child will receive an ASD primary school place for the 2024/2025 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21510/24]

Departmental Programmes

Michael Lowry

329. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to explain the recent budget cuts to the national school summer programme, known as the July provision, which supports students with complex needs (details supplied); if she will outline, given that only a third of primary schools are offering this programme, the steps that are being taken to encourage wider participation and ensuring that the reduced budget does not deter schools from participating in the national school summer programme; if she will outline plans to address this disparity and ensure equal opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21662/24]

School Accommodation

Michael Lowry

331. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education for an update on the application for additional accommodation submitted by a school (details supplied) in November 2023; if the Department has considered the request for a new mainstream classroom and accommodation for this new autism class, given the significant demand indicated by the National Council for Special Education and the willingness of the board of management to facilitate such classes; if the Department can provide a timeline for the approval process, considering the urgency expressed by the school due to the approaching end of term and the need to plan for new classes and appoint a contractor for the necessary works; if the Minister will expedite the approval process to alleviate the concerns of the school and the board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21682/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Michael Lowry

503. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the level of funding available to private ECCE preschool providers; if he plans to review the funding allocation within this sector; if he is aware of requests for an increase in ECCE rates, in line with inflation from such private ECCE preschool providers (details supplied); his views on whether the level of funding is sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21207/24]

Disability Services

Michael Lowry

264. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth f he will provide an update on an application submitted in October 2023 to the children’s disability fund by an organisation (details supplied); when the organisation will receive a decision on its application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21056/24]

School Funding

Michael Lowry

199. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will provide assistance to a school (details supplied) regarding the payment of the 2024 ancillary grant and information that was forwarded to schools on Friday, 26 April 2024; the steps being considered to address the issues highlighted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20455/24]

School Accommodation

Michael Lowry

205. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if assistance can be provided to a school (details supplied) regarding the ongoing issue pertaining to this school's accommodation needs; what steps are being considered to address the issues highlighted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20495/24]

School Staff

Michael Lowry

208. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will provide assistance to a person (details supplied) regarding their ongoing issue pertaining to the supplementary panel for the 2023/24 school year under the terms of Circular 0074/2022; the reason this teacher was denied panel rights; what steps are being considered to address the issues highlighted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20528/24]

School Accommodation

Michael Lowry

212. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will provide assistance to a school in Tipperary regarding the ongoing issue pertaining to their accommodation needs for an additional ASD classroom; if she is aware that the delay in providing this additional accommodation has resulted in a number of children being denied an ASD place for September 2024 (details supplied); what steps are being considered to address the issues highlighted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20613/24]