Dáil debates

Thursday, 23 April 2026

• Prelude (0 speeches)
  Chuaigh an Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Deputy David Maxwell) i gceannas ar 8.47 a.m.
• Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions (0 speeches)
  • School Admissions (7 speeches)
    1. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children in Dunshaughlin, County Meath on waiting lists and still without an offer of a junior infants place for September 2026; the...
  • Special Educational Needs (8 speeches)
    2. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a memo has been sent to Cabinet in relation to the way in which her Department plans to deliver enough special class places and special school...
  • Schools Building Projects (7 speeches)
    3. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been brought to the long and complex planning history of a new school building project (details supplied); that ten-year...
  • Special Educational Needs (8 speeches)
    4. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether she will implement the alternative circular drafted by the Save our SNAs campaign group (details supplied) to ensure that all school...
• Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions (0 speeches)
  • Special Educational Needs (6 speeches)
    6. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the report of the Dublin 15 special education task force will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29032/26]
  • Special Educational Needs (7 speeches)
    7. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the level of engagement her Department has had with the request by a school (details supplied) for modular accommodation that can facilitate the...
  • School Transport (7 speeches)
    8. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the expansion of the school transport service to reduce the distance criteria to recognise feeder schools; and if she will make a...
  • Teacher Training (7 speeches)
    10. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the training available for teachers to support them in their AI literacy skills; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29161/26]
  • School Transport (7 speeches)
    12. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has considered the particular challenges associated with the current school transport criteria in rural areas such as County...
  • Schools Building Projects (7 speeches)
    11. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to explain the process around School Building Projects; the project process and if there are currently delays in the process. [29148/26]
  • Schools Building Projects (6 speeches)
    18. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the rationale her Department has in choosing particular schools for priority building lists, to outline the denomination of each of the 105...
  • School Facilities (7 speeches)
    19. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 211 of 12 February 2026, the progress made to date in ensuring the use of a green area by schools (details...
  • Education Costs (7 speeches)
    21. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in light of the cost-of-living crisis and cost-of-doing-business crisis, if she will reverse the reintroduction of leaving certificate and junior...
  • School Transport (7 speeches)
    16. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in relation to the introduction of e-ticketing as part of the school transport scheme; if there are plans to expand...
• Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions (0 speeches)
  • Disability Services (7 speeches)
    121. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of staff assigned to each regional single point of access referral pathway for children's disability and mental health...
  • Mother and Baby Homes (8 speeches)
    With the permission of the House we will revert to Question No. 120 in the name of Deputy Claire Kerrane. Is that agreed? Agreed.
  • Guardians Ad Litem (6 speeches)
    122. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of serious concerns raised in relation to the new national service for guardians ad litem; and if she will make a...
  • Childcare Services (7 speeches)
    123. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she has identified sites for the Government’s pilot for public childcare facilities, and if she has considered Kildare...
  • Childcare Services (6 speeches)
    124. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the building blocks grant. [29531/26]
• Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions (0 speeches)
  Questions Nos. 125 and 126 taken with Written Answers.
  • Mother and Baby Homes (7 speeches)
    127. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of applications made to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme to date in 2026; the number processed; and if she...
  • Child and Family Agency (7 speeches)
    128. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether Tusla has completed any monitoring visits to hotels used to provide separated children seeking international protection,...
  • Childcare Services (6 speeches)
    129. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress to reduce the cost of childcare to €200 per month per child through the national childcare scheme, as set out in...
  • Disability Services (7 speeches)
    131. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is considering additional funding for disability organisations, particularly those in the voluntary sector, to help them cope...
  • Care Services (7 speeches)
    134. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to open special care beds that are closed in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28749/26]
  • Child and Family Agency (10 speeches)
    145. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason the caseload management system at Tusla has been paused; the protocols in place to ensure that Tusla social workers are...
  • Disability Services (8 speeches)
    137. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being taken by her Department and the HSE to ensure continuity of care for young people with disabilities transitioning...
• Gnó na Dála - Business of Dáil (1 speech)
  Before we move to Leaders' Questions, I have a note with regard to electioneering in the Chamber. Now that the writs have been moved and issued for the by-elections in Galway West and Dublin...
• Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 speeches)
  The rules today are the same as always. All contributions should be through the Chair and all Members should receive a fair hearing without interruption. Under Standing Order 38, I call Deputy...
• Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (7 speeches)
  Menopause has recently begun to receive the recognition that it deserves in this country. The introduction of the free HRT scheme was a significant and welcome step forward. However, the policy...
• Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (40 speeches)
  What we saw on "RTÉ Investigates" last night was absolutely shocking. It went to the heart of any parent out there. Children in the care of the State are being placed in really dangerous...
• Valuation (Amendment) Bill 2026: First Stage (6 speeches)
  I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Valuation Act 2001 in order to provide that property occupied for the provision of early childhood care and...
• Ábhair Shaincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Matters (1 speech)
  I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Shane Moynihan - To discuss...
• Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate (0 speeches)
  • Schools Building Projects (4 speeches)
    I will give the Minister of State some of the context in a moment but the simple ask is that the children, staff and parents connected to Owenabue Educate Together National School want to know...
  • Special Educational Needs (4 speeches)
    Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as ucht a bheith anseo tráthnóna. I start by acknowledging the significant strides made in recent years, especially in the expansion of...
  • Schools Building Projects (4 speeches)
    I am glad to get the opportunity to raise the proposed extension of Gort Community School in south Galway. The principal of the school, Brian Crossan, is passionate about this project and the...
  • Traveller Education (4 speeches)
    I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this Topical Issue for discussion. Every child is innocent and should have the opportunity to reach his or her full potential but the education system...
  • Library Projects (4 speeches)
    Will the Department provide the necessary funding to Cork City Council to enable building work to be carried out on Mayfield library and community centre in view of the fact the council has...
  • Food Prices (4 speeches)
    I welcome the opportunity to raise this issue which has been felt in households right across Roscommon-Galway and, indeed, across the country. People are very clear about what they are...
  • Land Development Agency (10 speeches)
    The Land Development Agency, LDA, is building up a great head of steam now in starting to produce homes at scale all around the country, but particularly in the urban areas where they are badly...
  • Renewable Energy Generation (4 speeches)
    I will give a little context in advance. It is in the same vein as Deputy Daly’s Topical Issue in relation to the cost of living. The current electricity pricing is between 28 cent and...
  • Primary Care Services (4 speeches)
    The Minister of State has heard me say many times before that Fingal is the youngest, fastest-growing area in the country. Balbriggan is the youngest large town in the country and the...
• Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions (1 speech)
  We will begin with Deputy Ó Snodaigh's Other Question, Question No. 223.
  • Oideachas Tríú Leibhéal (8 speeches)
    223. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills an bhfuil sé i gceist aige aon mhaoiniú ar leith a chur ar fáil chun tacú le hinstitiúidí tríú...
  • Student Accommodation (6 speeches)
    211. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of purpose-built student accommodation beds that will be available in the State for the coming academic year; the amount that this has...
• Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions (0 speeches)
  • Third Level Education (7 speeches)
    220. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the engagement there has been with his Department, Dundalk IT and Queen’s University Belfast in relation to their...
  • Apprenticeship Programmes (7 speeches)
    228. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of apprenticeships the State has taken on each year from 2020 onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22012/26]
  • Earcaíocht agus Soláthar Foirne Tríú Leibhéal (7 speeches)
    229. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills an bhfuil sé ar an eolas faoin imní atá léirithe nach mbeidh inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge anois ag Uachtarán,...
  • Education and Training Boards (7 speeches)
    217. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on funding cuts to the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
  • Proposed Legislation (7 speeches)
    219. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of the draft legislation to amend the Technological Universities Act 2018 to facilitate a partnership between Dundalk...
  • Third Level Fees (7 speeches)
    221. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if supports or grants are available for Irish students undertaking specialist artistic third level training abroad that is not available in...
  • Oideachas trí Ghaeilge (6 speeches)
    222. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps his Department is taking to support and encourage the provision of adult and community education programmes through the medium of...
  • Third Level Education (9 speeches)
    241. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the level of demand for specific courses particularly in health services, inclusive of medicine, nursing and dentistry; the number of applicants...
  • Employment Rights (8 speeches)
    251. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to resolve employment issues of personal assistants who work in some education and training boards and further and higher...
  • Further and Higher Education (9 speeches)
    255. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to restore funding for the postgraduate and graduate scholarship scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29176/26]
  • Community Training Centres (7 speeches)
    259. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the pay negotiations of community training centre staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19513/26]
  • Further and Higher Education (6 speeches)
    269. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding his plans to bring Marino Institute of Education under the remit of his Department rather than the Department of...
• Message from Select Committee (1 speech)
  The Select Committee on Health has completed its consideration of the Health (Amendment) (Home Support Providers) Bill 2025 and has made amendments thereto.
• Education (Medical Emergencies in Schools) Bill 2026: Second Stage (7 speeches)
  I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I thank the Minister of State for being here and Deputies Darren O’Rourke and Jen Cummins for being in the Chamber. As I speak on this...