Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

321. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education given the new special education teacher allocation model which now excludes complex needs, if children with complex needs will remain eligible for the summer programme. [8097/24]

School Enrolments

Sorca Clarke

322. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education what arrangements are being made to ensure that the parents of children with autism in the Taghmon area of Westmeath will have an appropriate school place for September in light of the second autism class for a school (details supplied) not proceeding. [8098/24]

School Enrolments

Sorca Clarke

323. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she is considering actioning a section 67 of the Education Act 2018, to designate a school place to the children with autism who will not have a place in a school (details supplied) this September due to a proposed second autism class not proceeding. [8099/24]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

324. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the SNA allocations for the school year 2024/2025. [8109/24]

Local Authorities

Sorca Clarke

359. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant posts in local authorities, in tabular form per department. [8105/24]

Homeless Persons Supports

Sorca Clarke

360. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current members of the midlands regional homeless forum. [8106/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

636. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list, per area of need, for the Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [8100/24]

Hospital Staff

Sorca Clarke

637. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current level of vacancies per department in the Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [8101/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

638. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list per hospital in tabular form, for gynaecology for both inpatient and outpatient appointments. [8102/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

639. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 16 who are currently waiting on dental surgery per hospital, in tabular form. [8103/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Sorca Clarke

640. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of children on waiting lists in tabular form per county for dental treatment. [8104/24]

School Transport

Sorca Clarke

133. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when she intends to bring the school transport review to Cabinet. [6708/24]

School Transport

Sorca Clarke

65. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will carry out a full and comprehensive review of the pay and working conditions of school bus escorts. [6201/24]

State Examinations

Sorca Clarke

67. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education what engagements she has had with the State Examinations Commission with regard to the oral examinations due to take place over the Easter break. [6202/24]

School Transport

Sorca Clarke

79. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the school transport review. [6205/24]

School Funding

Sorca Clarke

89. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of requests to the financial support services unit by primary schools in 2023 for additional funding; and the value of the funding. provided. [6206/24]

Official Engagements

Sorca Clarke

140. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to invite his Swedish counterpart to Dublin in 2024. [6225/24]

Defence Forces

Sorca Clarke

182. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of qualified avionics technicians and cadet pilots in training currently within the Air Corps. [6213/24]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

279. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of autism and special education class spaces currently in Kilkenny; and the number of spaces expected to be in place in Kilkenny in August 2024. [6216/24]

Schools Building Projects

Sorca Clarke

280. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the school building programme in County Roscommon. [6217/24]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

281. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of special educational needs organisers currently in place in Kerry. [6218/24]

Schools Building Projects

Sorca Clarke

282. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will move to construction commencing on site. [6219/24]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

283. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of WTE educational psychologists attached to north-west/north midlands region in 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [6220/24]

Schools Building Projects

Sorca Clarke

284. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will move to construction commencing on site. [6221/24]

Schools Building Projects

Sorca Clarke

285. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will move to tender stage of works. [6222/24]

School Curriculum

Sorca Clarke

303. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a list of the new and revised subjects with regard to the senior cycle redevelopment (details supplied) that are intended to be rolled out in 2025. [6444/24]

School Curriculum

Sorca Clarke

304. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will explain in detail how the introduction and revision of nine subjects is intended to alleviate pressure for students sitting the Leaving Certificate. [6445/24]

School Curriculum

Sorca Clarke

305. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to explain in detail what the externally assessed components that are not a traditional written examination to be incorporated in the senior cycle will look like in practice; and when they are planned to take place, if not in June. [6446/24]

School Curriculum

Sorca Clarke

306. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when in 2026 the second tranche of revised subjects will be introduced, and what these subjects are expected to be. [6447/24]

School Curriculum

Sorca Clarke

307. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she can provide an update on the research that is being conducted by the SEC on the potential role and impact of generative artificial intelligence in teacher-based assessment; when she expects this research to be completed and published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6448/24]

School Curriculum

Sorca Clarke

308. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she can present a schedule of the phases or tranches over which all senior cycle subjects will be revised. [6449/24]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

355. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the reason for reducing the criteria for the allocation of SET hours to schools from five to three for the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6654/24]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

356. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to explain in detail the decision to remove gender and complex needs as a category when calculating the allocation for each school; what benefits she expects to see from this change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6655/24]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

357. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she can outline any problems that may arise as a result of not taking the complex needs of students into account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6656/24]

Education Policy

Sorca Clarke

358. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if the additional supports that may be required by children experiencing homelessness, children living in areas with high levels of crime, children in care or residential settings, new entrant pupils and other pupils who do not speak English as a first language were taken into consideration when revising this model. [6657/24]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

359. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the basis for the removal of the CDNTS’s recommendations. [6658/24]

Education Policy

Sorca Clarke

360. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the criteria for prioritising literacy and numeracy profiles of schools estimated from the results of standardised testing. [6659/24]

Culture Policy

Sorca Clarke

367. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she last met the CEO of the National Concert Hall; and when she is next scheduled to meet the CEO. [6227/24]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Sorca Clarke

393. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of WTE conservation rangers attached to the National Parks and Wildlife Service as of 6 February 2024; and if he will provide the same figures as of 1 February 2021, in tabular form. [6226/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Sorca Clarke

437. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost if the fuel allowance was increased by a further two weeks. [6214/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Sorca Clarke

438. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the maximum rate of disability allowance and State pension contribution by €14 per week from 1 September 2024. [6215/24]

An Garda Síochána

Sorca Clarke

462. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí, by rank attached to the Garda water unit as of 2 February 2024; and if she will provide same figures as of 1 March 2021, in tabular form. [6223/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Sorca Clarke

540. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider deferring the forthcoming referenda on family and care to permit further and better debate and discussion on the subject matter in view of the very short timeframe allowed for debate. [6468/24]

Period Poverty

Sorca Clarke

128. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on any recent engagements with the inter-Departmental Period Poverty Implementation Group; and the details of any progress that has been made to implement the recommendations of the discussion paper. [5463/24]

School Curriculum

Sorca Clarke

167. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education as per the Cycle Against Suicide campaign, if she will consider reviewing schools’ wellbeing curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4981/24]

Sports Organisations

Sorca Clarke

230. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the plans she has to reduce the inequalities that exist between male and female players in an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5415/24]

Sports Organisations

Sorca Clarke

231. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress that has been made to balance the total number of male and female athletes participating in gaelic games, balanced media coverage, the attendance levels at matches and equal representation across county boards; the amount of funding that has gone towards this in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5416/24]

Olympic Games

Sorca Clarke

232. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of women and men accredited to the Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games in key network operation centre leadership roles (details supplied) in 2016, and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5417/24]

Prison Service

Sorca Clarke

361. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the ratio of psychologists to prisoners, per prison at the end of 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5419/24]

Prison Service

Sorca Clarke

362. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners on waiting lists to access prison psychology services and addiction services in 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5420/24]

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Sorca Clarke

363. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the total number of women’s refuges across the island of Ireland, per county; the names of the services; the amount of funding that has been made available to these services in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5433/24]

An Garda Síochána

Sorca Clarke

364. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the total number of emergency phone calls received by An Garda Síochána relating to domestic violence in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5435/24]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

520. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health how many speech and language therapists are currently working in each health district; how many positions are currently vacant; and how current number compare to each of the past five years. [5221/24]

Health Services

Sorca Clarke

545. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the supports that are available to people who are dealing with sudden and traumatic deaths of a friend or family member. [5436/24]

Period Poverty

Sorca Clarke

547. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the HSE period poverty scheme. [5462/24]

Period Poverty

Sorca Clarke

548. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the supports and funding available to those who are experiencing period poverty, particularly those who are homeless, those living with addiction, minorities including Travellers, Roma and refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5464/24]

An Garda Síochána

Sorca Clarke

316. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice how many gardaí in County Longford have successfully completed the CBD2 competency-based driving training 2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4681/24]

Departmental Meetings

Sorca Clarke

59. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of requests for a meeting made to her Department by an organisation (details supplied), by year, in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and how many meetings have taken place, in tabular form, per year, for the same period. [4584/24]

Education Policy

Sorca Clarke

60. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education what representative groups were engaged with in the production of the new guidelines on restraint and seclusion. [4585/24]

Education Policy

Sorca Clarke

259. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of phasing out public subsidies to private schools. [3738/24]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Sorca Clarke

260. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of reducing class sizes in primary schools that will bring Ireland into line with our EU counterparts. [3739/24]

Education Policy

Sorca Clarke

274. Deputy Sorca Clarke 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. [3933/24]

Health Services Staff

Sorca Clarke

458. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many speech and language therapists are currently working in each health district in Ireland and how many positions are currently vacant; and how current numbers compare with each of the past five years. [3716/24]

Teacher Training

Sorca Clarke

242. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to extend teacher training in the Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone. [3553/24]

Departmental Data

Sorca Clarke

276. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of individuals and couples in Westmeath and Longford who are in State-supported homeless accommodation via their local authority but also on reduced rate of jobseeker's. [3457/24]

Teacher Training

Sorca Clarke

309. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to extend teacher training in the Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone. [2991/24]

International Protection

Sorca Clarke

514. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are any plans for the relocation of people seeking international protection to a building (details supplied) on the Main Street in Edgeworthstown, County Longford. [2584/24]

Student Accommodation

Sorca Clarke

101. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has undergone any research that explores the impact of accommodation (lack of) on student retention rate. [1923/24]

Education and Training Provision

Sorca Clarke

130. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what the increase is in PLC places for 2024 across Longford-Westmeath ETB; and what new areas in PLCs will be available for 2024. [1921/24]

Further and Higher Education

Sorca Clarke

346. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans he has in place to ensure that one-third of higher education teaching staff do not leave Ireland (details supplied). [1922/24]

Technological Universities

Sorca Clarke

358. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to extend teacher training in the Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone. [2685/24]

Legislative Measures

Sorca Clarke

36. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will enact the Occupied Territories Bill 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1000/24]

Middle East

Sorca Clarke

37. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will invoke the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in relation to the activities of Israel in Palestine since October 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1002/24]

Legislative Measures

Sorca Clarke

339. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Finance if he will enact the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1001/24]

Legislative Measures

Sorca Clarke

441. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 in relation to fertility treatment and miscarriage leave. [1462/24]

Departmental Meetings

Sorca Clarke

513. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of times an organisation (details supplied) has requested a meeting with her; and the number of meetings that have actually taken place. [56831/23]

School Textbooks

Sorca Clarke

576. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of introducing free school books to fifth and sixth year students, in tabular form. [57350/23]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

577. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a list of where the funding allocated for SEN in Budget 2024 is being spent, in tabular form. [57352/23]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

578. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she plans to ensure that data will be collected on the educational outcomes for people of the deaf and of the hearing communities. [57354/23]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

579. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will consider publishing centralised data every year on the number of children with SEN without an appropriate school place. [57356/23]

National Educational Psychological Service

Sorca Clarke

580. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of increasing the number of educational psychologists by 40%. [57357/23]

School Staff

Sorca Clarke

581. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of employing a full-time guidance counsellor in every secondary school and an additional position for schools over 500 pupils. [57359/23]

School Funding

Sorca Clarke

597. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to explain in detail how the allocation of STEM funding for schools was conducted and decided; and if a school's application (details supplied) was considered. [1148/24]

School Funding

Sorca Clarke

598. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when the ICT grant will be paid to primary schools for 2023/2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1149/24]

School Funding

Sorca Clarke

599. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the reason funding for the ICT grant was not paid to schools for the school year 2022/2023 despite it being listed as a grant that was due to schools. [1150/24]

School Funding

Sorca Clarke

610. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she has plans to read and accept further applications for STEM funding in 2024; and if an application by a school (details supplied) was considered. [1305/24]

School Curriculum

Sorca Clarke

611. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she plans to introduce the Brain Calm Programme to the curriculum in primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1319/24]

School Facilities

Sorca Clarke

619. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will consider developing new school playground guidelines and undertake an analysis of spaces and funds for schools to create different outdoor areas to address the different needs of children, based on the playground initiative introduced by a school (details supplied). [1332/24]

School Facilities

Sorca Clarke

620. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will consider funding playground initiatives similar to the one introduced by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1333/24]

Schools Building Projects

Sorca Clarke

638. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when her Department expects the refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed; and the estimated cost for these works. [1464/24]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

639. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of spaces by ASD units in primary schools in Sligo, by school, in tabular form. [1465/24]

School Staff

Sorca Clarke

640. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of teachers on the substitute supply panel in Cavan at present; and the number in 2020, in tabular form. [1466/24]

School Funding

Sorca Clarke

641. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of ICT grants awarded to post primary schools in County Kerry. [1467/24]

Schools Building Projects

Sorca Clarke

642. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when the construction works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [1468/24]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

646. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education what supports have been put in place for students who require the support of an SNA during oral examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1480/24]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

647. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education her plans to ensure that students with special educational needs (SEN) receive the necessary accommodations for the oral examinations due to take place this Easter; her plans to ensure that students with SEN have equity of access to and participation in assessment and examination activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1481/24]

School Staff

Sorca Clarke

655. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 614 of 21 March 2023, the status of the work referred to relating to school caretakers; and when this work will be progressed and completed. [1568/24]

School Staff

Sorca Clarke

656. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education what plans are in place to ensure school caretakers will be afforded the opportunity to avail of a similar deal as school secretaries. [1569/24]

School Staff

Sorca Clarke

657. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on any recent engagements her Department has had with a union (details supplied) with regard to school caretakers. [1570/24]

Residential Institutions

Sorca Clarke

660. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when a survivor (details supplied) will receive housing supports and the owed services as promised; if she can provide an update on this particular case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1590/24]