Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)

There is constant engagement between school authorities and the Department. A number of schools have been in contact with the financial unit in the Department and issues have been resolved. I assure the Deputy we have moved to have the funding in place for the 2025-26 school year for the ICT and minor works grants.

These grants are hugely important. When it comes to engagement we are not isolated from what is happening at schools. The senior Minister, Deputy McEntee, and I are acutely aware of the massive work being done at the school gate and by school leaders, school teams and boards of management, all of which have a hugely important role, which they take on diligently. We understand the challenges. The Department has provided record investment over the past five years, with more than €6 billion spent on schools to bring up standards. There is a growing population and challenges remain in many communities to ensure we have adequate school places.

In respect of special schools, there is a huge amount of work to be done in my Department with regard to school places and so forth. We are working as hard as we can to ensure that work is done. The announcement of this funding today is welcomed by school authorities the length and breadth of the country. They are delighted to be getting it. It is important we acknowledge the amount of funding put into schools. We will continue to support schools in every way we can into the future.

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