Results 1,301-1,320 of 17,498 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: That is the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. There is an element that is still within the Department but the funding of that is all through the Department of children. It is the early intervention classes.

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: In the interim, just to say transitions are really important, so working closely with the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality and the Minister, Deputy Lawless, as well.

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: It is reflected in the figures here. About €90 million has transferred over. I will find the section. If the Deputy looks at A.10, where there are the figures 150 and 169, it is an increase, and the transfer of youth services of €87 million overall.

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: Yes.

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: Absolutely. We have to take on board any budget submission and then put it in as part of our overall bid. I mentioned to the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, last weekend the proud spaces model, which we both visited, and its importance for young people. We must ensure we invest in buildings. Many of them are old and not fit for their current use or what was originally intended for...

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: It is my ambition to expand the school transport scheme. That means more bus drivers. The Deputy will know this is a policy Bus Éireann has in place in general. Obviously, it applies to the school transport scheme as well. We are looking at an independent assessment. While a review has been conducted, which recommended no change, the Government gave a clear commitment to do an...

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: I do not have an exact timeline, but work is under way at the moment. I will come back to the Deputy as soon as we have some clarity on that.

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: No. It is my understanding that it will not be before September. I will clarify that for the Deputy. I do not think it will be before September.

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: Absolutely. That work is being chaired by the Department of Transport, although between the two Departments we can ensure the outcome of that work is shared with the committee.

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy. There is a commitment on the issue of school uniforms in the education plan I published recently. As she said, there was a circular relating to parents getting best value for money as well as that link between schools. There have traditionally been links with particular providers in rural areas. It is about ensuring there is value for money for parents without...

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: That is absolutely where we want to get to. That is why we need to make sure the capitation grant covers the basics. We must also try to reduce, where we can, the basics for schools as well, such as through reducing electricity costs with the investment in solar panels and the retrofitting that is happening. New school buildings have much lower energy bills because of their rating. The...

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: We saw in recent weeks through other Departments that funds are being provided and supported for the back to school allowance, which are welcome. We had foster families included in it more recently as well, and there is also the child bonus. There has been an attempt to try to make sure with any increases or double payments that they are at times when parents need that support the most. We...

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: There are a number of elements to that. On the capital side and physical space, approximately 90% of our secondary schools have PE halls and they are generally much bigger than the Chair outlined and allow for the adequate provision of PE and any other type of sports in the school. I appreciate that some of our smaller primary schools do not have PE halls. How we support them and provide...

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: It is very few schools you pass that do not have an active flag at this stage.

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: On the previous point, we always have to balance to make sure children have access to school places. That is always the number one intention and objective, and that we can provide those spaces for PE and physical activity. I fully support and agree with the Chair on libraries. The earlier children can start reading the better it is for them, for so many different reasons. I support the...

Select Committee on Education and Youth: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 26 - Education (Revised) (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: Okay.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Schemes (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: The organisation in question is an independent voluntary organisation governed by an independent Board. As such, the compensation of abuse survivors or the establishment of a redress scheme are matters for the organisation to determine. It receives some of its funding from the Department of Education and Youth and raises other funding through member subscriptions and fundraising. My...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Inquiries (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: I am glad to inform the Deputy that the pay related matter referred to has been resolved and the teacher concerned can expect payment of arrears with the salary due on the 7th July 2025. The payroll section of my Department can be contacted using the online contact form available on my Department's website at

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: Ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified, engaged teachers available to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government. Housing policy is a priority matter for Government, led by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.Housing for All, Ireland's housing plan to 2030, contains a suite of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (26 Jun 2025)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for the Department of Education. In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my department divides the country into 314...