Results 7,261-7,280 of 7,314 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (17 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: We waited a long time for the review. To be clear, it stated that reducing the distance criteria would enable more children to be eligible for transport, increasing uptake and thus facilitating greater access to the labour market for working parents. This is mainly women. There are obvious benefits in terms of the environment, socialisation and meeting our climate action targets. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Information and Communications Technology (17 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 95. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she recognises that the introduction of one-to-one digital policies in schools can put an impossible financial burden on some parents; the measures she is taking to support parents and students who are unable to afford digital devices in one-to-one digital schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40113/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Information and Communications Technology (17 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: I have heard the response repeatedly. There needs to be an acknowledgement by the Minister and within the Department that there are two things happening here. The first is a funding crisis in our schools overall. There is a massive shortfall. There is an expectation, because the Government is saying it will not bring in a cost-of-living package, that next year will be worse than this...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Information and Communications Technology (17 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: The Minister and I share a constituency. She must be aware of what is happening and she must have been contacted. Earlier, she referenced a school that is moving to digital. I have been contacted by parents with children in that school and by parents across the State who have been part of a consultation but whose opinion is not reflected in the policy of the school. They simply cannot...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Development Plan (17 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 34. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on the review of the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38945/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (17 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 102. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on plans to roll out senior cycle redevelopment in light of the rejection of the implementation plan by an organisation (details supplied); the level of engagement and progress with the ASTI and other second level stakeholders since that ballot; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40115/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (17 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 166. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to invest in and expand early intervention classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40114/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (17 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 146. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures she is taking to address the teacher supply crisis in advance of September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40112/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Irish Language (17 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 149. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children attending Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí, including in Gaeltacht areas, in each of the past three years; the indicative number for 2025-2026; her plans to increase the number of children who complete their primary and second level education through Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40116/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (17 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 321. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated first and full year cost of providing an additional nurture room to every DEIS school with a special educational class. [40347/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (17 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 322. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated first and full year cost of providing an additional nurture room in one school. [40348/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (17 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 323. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of nurture rooms there are in schools across the State. [40349/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (17 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 324. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing a nurture room to all DEIS primary schools that do not currently have one. [40350/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Data (17 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 325. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing a nurture room to all DEIS secondary schools that do not currently have one. [40351/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Employment Support Services (17 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 389. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports available from his Department to help people with disabilities into employment, and to sustain employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40620/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Employment Support Services (17 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: 404. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports available from his Department to help people with disabilities into employment, and to sustain employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40619/25]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: School Transport Scheme: Discussion (16 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: The €58 million cost-of-living support package has been mentioned. If the Department cannot find that money in the budget this year, are school transport fees or charges likely to increase from next September?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: School Transport Scheme: Discussion (16 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: The Parliamentary Budget Office, PBO, has supplied the committee with a note that says it is projected the Department will transport 180,800 students this year. Is that the Department's figure as well?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: School Transport Scheme: Discussion (16 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: How many applications has there been overall?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth: School Transport Scheme: Discussion (16 Jul 2025)

Darren O'Rourke: Does the Department know what the trajectory to 2030 will look like year on year? It is great to see an increase in recent years and to hear there is a hope we might get beyond that this year, but the aim is 260,000 by 2030. Can the Department officials indicate what that will look like year on year?