Parliamentary questions

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

103. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of participants under the tillage capital investment scheme; the total area of land; and the average farm size of those partaking. [16913/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

104. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of participants under the tillage incentive scheme; the total area of land; and the average farm size of those partaking. [16914/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

105. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of extending the tillage capital investment scheme to farmers with less than 15 ha of owned, leased or rented lands. [16915/24]

Departmental Schemes

Claire Kerrane

106. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a breakdown of the total number of applications for the reconstitution scheme for ash dieback; the number of approvals to date; and the total area and the average size of plantations affected by ash dieback that have applied for the reconstitution scheme, in tabular form. [16916/24]

Departmental Schemes

Claire Kerrane

107. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a breakdown of the capital and current funding allocated to the reconstitution scheme for ash dieback in 2023 and 2024, respectively, in tabular form. [16917/24]

Departmental Schemes

Claire Kerrane

108. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of increasing the site clearance grant rates and replanting grant rates under the reconstitution scheme for ash dieback by 10%, 20% and 30%, respectively. [16918/24]

Departmental Schemes

Claire Kerrane

109. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual cost of a 10%, 20% and 30% increase in the area of plantations approved for aid under the reconstitution scheme for ash dieback, in tabular form, for each of the years 2025 to 2029. [16919/24]

Departmental Schemes

Claire Kerrane

110. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of increasing funding for the reconstitution scheme for ash dieback by 1%, 2% and 10%, respectively. [16920/24]

Animal Diseases

Peadar Tóibín

111. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many herds in Ireland have been struck with Johne's disease; if he is aware of any supports for farmers facing this issue; and if he plans to introduce a scheme to help farms keep afloat during this devastating health issue time period. [17036/24]

Aquaculture Industry

Brendan Griffin

112. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when decisions will issue on the renewal of aquaculture licences at a location in County Kerry (details supplied); if licences will be further extended pending decisions on these renewals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17038/24]

Disability Services

Kathleen Funchion

113. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied). [16898/24]

Departmental Reports

Pauline Tully

114. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeframe for the publication of the report on the Demonstration Project on Personalised Budgets; if the accompanying evaluation process will be completed in quarter 2, 2024, as reported in July 2022; the numbers currently involved in the project; and if he will give an update on the brokerage models frameworks proposed. [16779/24]

Disability Services

Jennifer Whitmore

115. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether those with a disability from birth have the same qualifying criteria for access to speech and language therapies as those with an acquired disability; if not, if he will outline the different criteria for such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16793/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Jennifer Whitmore

116. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware that the Mother and Baby Home Commission of Inquiry has called on the Government to grant redress to residents (details supplied); if these calls are to be addressed by his Department, either through the current redress schemes or by another means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16799/24]

After-School Support Services

Niamh Smyth

117. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to review a case (details supplied); if a similar funding application can be made in Cavan by the child development team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16812/24]

International Protection

Mattie McGrath

118. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide all communication with regard to an offer of accommodation for international protection applicants in a property in Clonmel, County Tipperary (details supplied); if this property has been rejected; the current status of this offer; the dates this property was inspected by Department officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16842/24]

Disability Services

Niamh Smyth

119. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be reviewed and a follow-up with the HSE arranged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16927/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Michael McNamara

120. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount expended by his Department in 2022 on the accommodation of pets and other animals. [16928/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Michael McNamara

121. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the lawful basis for any expenditure by his Department on the accommodation of animals in 2022. [16929/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Michael McNamara

122. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown of the sums paid to each provider of accommodation to beneficiaries of temporary protection in respect of the accommodation of animals in 2022. [16930/24]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

123. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of residential disability respite centres in use by December 2018, December 2019, December 2020, December 2021, December 2022 and December 2023; the total number of overnight residential respite places available at each of these dates; and the total number of day-only residential respite places available at each of these dates, in tabular form. [16947/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Róisín Shortall

124. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children and young persons on waiting lists for an assessment of need, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [16953/24]

Disability Services

Róisín Shortall

125. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons on a waiting list for initial contact from a CDNT, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [16960/24]

Childcare Services

Niall Collins

126. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can help a playschool (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16971/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

127. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can confirm with regard to the IPAS contract signed with a hotel (details supplied), if the contract is being paid at a rate of 500 beds, which was the original stated figure provided under the initial Department briefing issued on 13 February, or if the State is funding the maximum allowable number of applicants under the current fire safety certificate, which is approximately half of the quoted 500 in the original brief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17000/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

128. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person will get an appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16778/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

129. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person will receive an appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16780/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Robert Troy

130. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for an outpatient physiotherapy appointment at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore. [16781/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

131. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16783/24]

General Practitioner Services

Jennifer Whitmore

132. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if his Department has any responsibility for the monitoring of medical card patients' access to appointments in private GP facilities; specifically, if there is a practice of longer waiting times for patients in primary care on medical cards as opposed to for those paying full fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16796/24]

Mental Health Services

Duncan Smith

133. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his Department’s plans to develop a dedicated pathway for adult ADHD assessment services in Fingal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16808/24]

Mental Health Services

Duncan Smith

134. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health any initiatives he plans to introduce to increase resources for adult mental health assessments in the Fingal region, including a focus on ADHD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16809/24]

Mental Health Services

Duncan Smith

135. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time for adult mental health assessments within Fingal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16810/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

136. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health how many adults are currently waiting for audiology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16815/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

137. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce waiting times for audiology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16816/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

138. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if the development of any future national hearing care plan will include consideration for adult medical cardholders to be assessed and treated by community audiologists, who currently provide care to working age adults under the Department of Social Protection’s treatment benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16817/24]

State Properties

Robert Troy

139. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the future plans the HSE has for the old GP building on the Galway Road, Kinnegad (details supplied). [16818/24]

Hospital Services

Mark Ward

140. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he was aware that the phone service for families of immunocompromised children in Crumlin hospital has been stopped (details supplied); the reason for same; if the service will return; and, if so, when. [16820/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Brendan Griffin

141. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be called for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16826/24]

Medical Internships

Willie O'Dea

142. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will amend the internship placement allocation to allow Irish graduate medical students who trained in Derry or Belfast equal status to other Irish graduate medical students, as this will offer those graduates the opportunity to return to the State as doctors, to continue speciality training here and serve our local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16838/24]

Dental Services

Bernard Durkan

143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if orthodontic treatment can be offered to a person (details supplied); the options available in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16863/24]

Abortion Services

Gino Kenny

144. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health for an update on the implementation of the independent abortion review with respect to recommendations concerning necessary legislative amendments, including the ambiguity for clinicians interpreting section 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16864/24]

Health Strategies

Gino Kenny

145. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health for an update on the timeframe for the next women's health action plan; if it will include actions relating to the improvement of abortion services in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16865/24]

Health Services

Niamh Smyth

146. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a case (details supplied) regarding a speech and language service being stopped due to staff shortage will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16871/24]

Health Services Staff

Jim O'Callaghan

147. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if an Irish citizen who graduates with a medicine degree from a Northern Ireland University can be funded and return to work in the HSE notwithstanding the fact that they are classed as a tier 2 applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16875/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Niamh Smyth

148. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and an appointment for rehabilitation expedited. [16877/24]

Nursing Homes

Duncan Smith

149. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health for an update on the Cashel community nursing unit, following previous indications that a decision on the unit would be made in quarter 1 of 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16894/24]

Health Services

Mark Ward

150. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health what measures are in place to contact parents and advise them that their newborn children are not receiving their developmental checks in Dublin Mid-West due to a lack of public health nurses in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16903/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Denise Mitchell

151. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if a response will issue in relation to the case of a person (details supplied). [16907/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Róisín Shortall

152. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for speech and language therapy, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [16950/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Róisín Shortall

153. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for physiotherapy, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [16951/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Róisín Shortall

154. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for occupational therapy, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [16952/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Róisín Shortall

155. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for ophthalmology, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [16954/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Róisín Shortall

156. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for audiology, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [16955/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Róisín Shortall

157. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for podiatry, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [16956/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Róisín Shortall

158. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for community psychology services, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [16957/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Róisín Shortall

159. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for counselling services, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [16958/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Róisín Shortall

160. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for CAMHS, by CHO, age category and time waiting in tabular form. [16959/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Róisín Shortall

161. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for dietetics, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [16961/24]

Departmental Data

Róisín Shortall

162. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of delayed discharges, by hospital, in tabular form. [16962/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Róisín Shortall

163. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for home care packages in each month in 2023 and to date in 2024, by CHO and LHO, in tabular form. [16963/24]

Tobacco Control Measures

Róisín Shortall

164. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he intends to legislate to raise the legal age of the sale of tobacco from 18 to 21 this year; if so, the timeline he is working towards in progressing the necessary legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16964/24]

Departmental Meetings

Róisín Shortall

165. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1360 of 9 April 2024, to clarify his Department's definition of an "informal" meeting; to outline the difference between a "formal" and "informal" meeting when engaging with lobbyists; if any records are kept of such "informal" meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16965/24]

Departmental Funding

Steven Matthews

166. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to funding shortage concerns by an organisation (details supplied); the actions he will take to ensure the long-term continuity of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16966/24]

Medicinal Products

John McGuinness

167. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if all cancer drug therapies available to Irish patients are universally and equitably available on the public system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16969/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

168. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16972/24]

Health Services Staff

Mark Ward

169. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the amount the HSE has spent on salaries and fees for trainee clinical psychologists in each year of the past five years, in tabular form; the number of graduates from the programme; the number who went on to work for the HSE as qualified clinical psychologists in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16975/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Brendan Griffin

170. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17013/24]

Departmental Reports

Thomas Pringle

171. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will extend the deadline for sectoral input responses to a report (details supplied), as the request to ETBI on 22 March, with a deadline of 25 March, is a timeline that appears wholly inadequate to facilitate valid sectoral feedback and input; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16764/24]

Departmental Reports

Jennifer Whitmore

172. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the timeline for completion of a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16798/24]

Departmental Reviews

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

173. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the review of the status of PhD researchers, that is, their classification as either students or employees, will be published. [16843/24]

Period Poverty

Neasa Hourigan

174. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure all third-level educational institutions provide free period products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16892/24]

Period Poverty

Patrick Costello

175. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that higher education institutions are sufficiently resourced to be able to provide free on-campus sanitary products to their students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16948/24]

Departmental Funding

Rose Conway-Walsh

176. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total amount in the community recognition fund; the amount allocated to County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17010/24]

Library Projects

Seán Sherlock

177. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the capital envelope required for a library project proposed for Blackrock-Mahon in Cork city. [16926/24]

Community Development Projects

Thomas Pringle

178. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on an application under the 2024 local enhancement programme by a group (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16989/24]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

63. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education for an update on delivery of the new school build for a school (details supplied), and the planned building extensions for other schools in Greystones. [16426/24]

Special Educational Needs

Gary Gannon

65. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the reason funding for students in special classes for Summer Programmes has been reduced from €60 per student in 2022, to €45 in 2023 and €30 in 2024; and the reasons for and evidence used to inform this 50% cut. [16494/24]

Schools Building Projects

Paul McAuliffe

67. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education for an update on the new build for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16459/24]

School Staff

Paul Donnelly

68. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the progress made in relation to guidance counsellors for post-primary schools in the context of the public consultation on the national policy group on lifelong guidance. [16269/24]

Schools Building Projects

Paul McAuliffe

69. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education when approval will be granted for the redevelopment of a school (details supplied) as the current building is a fire hazard and more space is required. [16460/24]

Schools Building Projects

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

70. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education when she will meet the board of management of a school (details supplied) and urgently review the decision by her Department not to include the school in the school capital buildings programme; and if she has received correspondence from the board of management of the school, confirming that it can provide an alternative and appropriate site for a new school at no cost to the State. [16350/24]

Oideachas trí Ghaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

71. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cén uair faoina mbeidh an t-athbhreithniú ar chóras soláthair iar-bhunscoileanna nua i mBaile Átha Cliath Theas foilsithe, agus cén uair faoina mbeidh an Polasaí don Oideachas lán-Ghaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht foilsithe. [16352/24]

Schools Building Projects

Mark Ward

72. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education her plans to increase capacity of secondary school places in the Dublin mid-west area; the status of any proposed school building projects in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16365/24]

School Enrolments

Brian Leddin

73. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Education the status of offers of secondary school places in Limerick; the steps that have been taken since 2023 to ensure every student receives a place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16464/24]

School Staff

Paul Donnelly

74. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education for an update on a survey by her Department completed by 100% of the membership of an organisation (details supplied) in relation to providing a pathway to the appropriate route of registration for those who are working as guidance counsellors in post-primary schools without the specific qualifications required to register as a post-primary teacher. [16270/24]

School Transport

Aindrias Moynihan

75. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education what areas in mid Cork are being considered under the pilot scheme under the new school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16376/24]

Special Educational Needs

Richard Boyd Barrett

77. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that schools that are looking to open special classes and that have a waiting list for these classes are not inhibited from doing so because of lack of physical space; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16471/24]

Special Educational Needs

Claire Kerrane

78. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education how she will ensure that special classes meet demand and that every child who needs a special class place gets one; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15954/24]

Special Educational Needs

Richard Boyd Barrett

79. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if the method of calculating the allocation of special needs resources to schools that has seen a third of primary schools lose resources for 2024/2025 will be changed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16470/24]

School Transport

Christopher O'Sullivan

80. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if approval will be given to a pay increase for school transport bus escorts (details supplied) as they have not received any pay increase since 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16316/24]

Special Educational Needs

Niamh Smyth

81. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education what supports are provided for students with dyslexia and other learning difficulties in the classroom in primary and secondary level schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16152/24]

Departmental Properties

David Stanton

82. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 14 February 2024, if she will consider supporting the provision of a playing pitch at that location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16462/24]

Schools Building Projects

Matt Carthy

83. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 523 of 20 March 2024, in respect of the stated objective of delivering a ‘reasonable level of school transport’, what this means regarding the maximum timeframe that it is considered appropriate for any child to spend on a school bus to travel to and from a special school. [16301/24]

Schools Building Projects

Réada Cronin

84. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education to provide a detailed update on the situation in relation to the new schools (details supplied). [16268/24]

School Enrolments

Bernard Durkan

85. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which ongoing dialogue continues between her Department, the KWETB and the relevant school authorities in north Kildare at pre-primary, primary and post-primary levels with a view to ensuring that sufficient places are being made available to meet the demand of the current and subsequent years without interruption either in respect of continued building where required, the planning of any new schools, or the acceleration of ongoing work in all schools; if satisfactory results can be achieved before the new school year next year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16373/24]

School Staff

Niamh Smyth

86. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if she will report on the recent circular on domestic violence leave for teachers and special needs assistants; how this leave will operate in reality in school communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16151/24]

Schools Building Projects

Darren O'Rourke

87. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the building programme for a school (details supplied); when construction will commence; when the school will be notified with an update; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16227/24]

School Transport

Sorca Clarke

88. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the engagements her Department has had with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in relation to the school transport scheme. [16339/24]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Gary Gannon

89. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education how her Department plans to address teacher workload and class sizes following statements from an organisation (details supplied) that our education service is ‘delivering second-class services in a first-world country’. [16492/24]