I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for raising this on behalf of the students and parents of Scoil Dairbhre. That is a very unusual circumstance. It is one that certainly I have not heard of. Obviously, I am not in the Department of education. Perhaps the Minister has heard of such a case, but it is extraordinary. I certainly would have said it is not the norm around Ireland for parents to be asked by the school to bring in toilet rolls and other essential supplies. In this instance, officials from the Department have made contact with the school, and the school has been referred to the financial services support unit, FSSU, which is a dedicated support service for schools funded by the Department of Education and Youth. This is the usual practice where any school presents as being in difficulty. The FSSU will now work with the school directly to assist it in resolving the financial difficulty. Schools in financial difficulty are encouraged to contact the Department of Education and Youth for advice and support. The Department is committed to offering all available and appropriate supports to schools, which may include an advance in capitation grant funding or other measures. Any school with financial concerns is then encouraged to engage directly with the FSSU and the school’s patron in order to work to address the financial challenges at the school. The Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day-to-day running costs and the ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. The Department has secured €39 million in budget 2026 towards increased capitation funding for primary, post-primary and special schools to provide additional financial support towards their running costs. This will see an increase in the standard capitation rates paid to schools of €50 per pupil for primary schools from €224 to €274 and of €20 per student for post-primary schools from €386 to €406. This will also allow for an increase of €20 in capitation rates for urban band 1 DEIS primary schools, increasing the mainstream pupil rate in these schools to €294. The increased capitation rates will also see special schools now receive the same rates of capitation for young people aged 12 and over, as their peers in mainstream post-primary schools. The financial support service unit funded by the Department is an important source of advice and support to schools on financial matters, including budgeting and cash flow management. The contact details for the FSSU can be found on www.fssu.ie There was an acknowledgment in this budget that many schools needed an increase in the capitation grant for day-to-day running. Many schools were reaching out and highlighting that it was a struggle. The instance the Deputy has referenced is highly unusual where parents have been asked to bring in those types of essential materials. I would have thought students' personal hygiene would have been a basic provision that schools would be making. I understand the FSSU in the Department has been in touch. The capitation rates have been increased in this budget and I hope that will relieve some of the pressure on many primary schools in particular. I again thank the Deputy for raising the matter.

Sentiment score: 0.36

The Minister, Deputy Naughton, is new in the role. I wish her the best of luck in that role and I am sure she will do a wonderful job. I will ensure she is aware of the situation in Darver National School. Many improvements have been made right across the country. In my constituency I have seen some great work done in older schools that may have been built in the 50s or 60s, which were deteriorating and becoming dilapidated. They have brand new extensions. Children are in most cases attending school in much more comfortable, warmer and dryer conditions compared with when I was in primary school. Significant improvements have been made in that regard. I agree that the increase in capitation has been too long coming, but it is here now. I am sure that what is happening in the school the Deputy referenced may be a legacy of being underfunded from a capitation point of view and I hope this increase will help that. I know the school has been in touch with the FSSU. The Department has been in touch with the school. We need to get through this to ensure that we can avoid situations where parents are having to get their children to bring these essential hygiene products into school with them. I again thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I am sure it is a fantastic school as he has just highlighted. The important thing now is to ensure that its finances are in order so that it can provide the absolute basics.

Sentiment score: 0.40

I thank the Deputy. What I have in the reply is more of a rationale for the change and for the earlier date in terms of trying to have everything in place so places can be allocated in a timely manner and be in position. In terms of reopening the portal, according to the response I have it sounds unlikely. To be fair, the Deputy's suggestion about immediate communication with the parents and guidance for the SENOs does not seem like a big ask, and it is something I will certainly go back to Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, with. This is an area he is passionate about and he really has grabbed the bull by the horns in a sector that needs more support and more resources. I will certainly bring that back, but what I am going to outline here is the rationale for the change. For children and young people with more complex needs, a special class can be provided and for children and young people with the most complex needs a special school place can be provided. Over 2,700 new special education places were provided for the 2025-26 school year, meaning there are now 3,741 special classes nationwide. The Department of Education and Youth will build on this figure next year by providing at least 3,000 new places, placing provision in locations where it is best placed to meet existing and future demand. In addition, 16 new special schools have been established in recent years. Special school capacity has also been expanded across a number of special schools nationwide. These schools are supported by the Department and the NCSE. The NCSE will have a clear picture of local demand for special class and special school places for the 2026-27 school year after staff review and assess all the information that has been provided through the parents’ notification process, which was closed on 1 October, as the Deputy referenced. The new timeline was published widely and communicated with schools, special education advocacy groups and parent representative bodies. The NCSE also undertook a lot of work at local level to ensure that families were aware of the timeline and process. There was an undertaking in terms of public awareness, but with any of these new systems there are always gaps. It is inevitable and it always happens in the first year. The earlier notification deadline was introduced this year to support forward planning and to earlier equip the NCSE with local information as to what students would be leaving school, transitioning to post-primary specialist places or those seeking specialist placement and entering the education system for the first time. This information is critical when examining where provision needs to be placed to meet demand. This earlier date in October coincides with when schools begin enrolment processes so affords parents the opportunity to enrol in existing classes. Many mainstream schools, particularly at post-primary level, commence admissions processes for the following school year on 1 October annually. The NCSE is also working on sanctioning the majority of new special classes for the 2026-27 school year by 31 December 2025. This is four months earlier than last year and will bring clarity and certainty for both parents and schools as to where classes will be located. It will also afford greater lead-in times for schools that require repurposing or major building works to get works complete and allow schools to recruit staff and undertake the training needed so that children are fully supported in these placements. Once the NCSE has fully collated and assessed the information received from the Parents Notify process, it will engage with schools across the country to open new special classes. The council will also have due regard to any vacant places in existing special classes in any area and any places that will become available through the normal movement of children leaving a primary or post-primary school. The council advises that the majority of children and young people coming to it through the Parents Notify process are already enrolled in school and are being supported by existing special education teachers and special needs assistants. With any date for applications for supports, it is important that those who come forward after that date are assured that they are not forgotten or excluded from the system. I would like to stress that NCSE staff will continue to support all children made known to them after 1 October.

Sentiment score: 0.40

If the Deputy is seeking a meeting with the Minister of State, I will certainly mention that to him. We have seen this before with other changes in systems or structures; when something that is intended to make something more efficient and help with forward planning, people are left behind in the initial phases. That should not be the case. It needs to be addressed if that is the case. Put simply, I will mention it to the Minister of State and make sure he knows the Deputy is seeking a meeting. At the very least, parents who for whatever reason did not see the notifications or the social media campaign that was undertaken to improve knowledge of this new system and did not get the messages or the communications - I have seen it happen before and school transport is an obvious example - should be communicated with and given some type of reassurance that they will be catered for and that efforts will be made. That is a very fair and straightforward ask. I will ensure that is communicated back to the Minister of State.

Sentiment score: 0.35

I thank Deputy Ellis for raising this issue. The extension of the Luas line to Finglas is something everyone can get behind. It is great to hear it has support right across the board. In fairness, the decision was made in October 2025, when the sanction was given for the project. It is a bit early to say that we are delaying anything. I genuinely feel that there is an urgency about delivering this. Improving public transport services and infrastructure is central to improving citizens' quality of life and achieving our decarbonisation goals. Achieving these goals has been set out in the programme for Government. The National Transport Authority, NTA, has statutory responsibility for transport planning in the greater Dublin area. The Luas Finglas project is one of four proposed Luas tram network extensions identified in the NTA transport strategy for the greater Dublin area 2022-2042, approved by the Minister for Transport and published in January 2023. The most advanced of the Luas schemes in this transport strategy is the Luas Finglas extension. Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, submitted a planning application to An Coimisiún Pleanála in November 2024 for this project. Thankfully, An Coimisiún Pleanála granted the Luas Finglas railway order in October 2025. The project involves a 3.9 km extension to the Dublin Luas tram network from Broombridge to Finglas. The route will serve an estimated population of 56,000 by 2035, at four new tram stops for communities in the Finglas area: St. Helena’s; Finglas Village; St Margaret’s Road; and Charlestown. The Luas Finglas project will facilitate a number of medium to longer-term opportunities for transport orientated development, TOD, identified at sites in Broombridge, Dunsink, Jamestown and Charlestown, with an estimated capacity for over 10,000 new residential dwellings. The project will also serve people beyond those communities through interchanges with the bus network and rail services at Broombridge train station, which is on the planned DART+ west line. In addition, the project provides for a 350 vehicle park and ride facility at St. Margaret’s Road stop, close to the M50 and M2 interchange. In the transport strategy, Luas Finglas is identified as a medium-term proposal in the strategy, scheduled for delivery within the 2031-2036 timeframe. The Government fully understand the merits of the project. As a result, it is one of a number of projects that have been highlighted by the Minister for Transport for possible acceleration as part of the review of the national development Ppan, NDP, which was completed by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in July this year. The review of the NDP has confirmed the Department of Transport’s annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030. The Department is currently reviewing key programmes and projects in the transport sector, including Luas, in the context of that capital funding envelope and a decision on a programme of delivery within the available funding will be made shortly. A related sectoral plan for transport is expected to be published in the coming weeks and this will include a clear indication on plans for Luas Finglas, which I look forward to. The Deputy can see the NDP identifies accelerating the extension of the Luas to Finglas. That is very much welcome. As I said, An Coimisiún Pleanála made a decision last month. It is a project we can start getting excited about. I understand the concerns because we have been here before with many transport projects which have been delayed for various reasons. If the community wants it and the political will is there, I do not see why it cannot be delivered at pace.

Sentiment score: 0.18

In the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, we have a Minister who has highlighted the project as being one he considers as meriting acceleration. My reply states that it is one of the projects highlighted by the Minister for Transport for possible acceleration as part of the review of the NDP which was completed recently. It has clearly been identified as something that can be brought forward, possibly ahead of the usual timelines for the delivery of projects such as this. As I said, something like a Luas extension is far less controversial and easier for communities to buy into than other forms of transport. We have seen issues with BusConnects. Metrolink has not been smooth sailing. The extension of a Luas has many benefits and is something everyone can get behind. I take the point of the Deputy on various playing pitches and the opportunity to see benefits. In the grand scheme of the cost of a project like this, an all-weather pitch is probably a small price to pay. I am not sure how that would work out in the long term. It is something the Minister will have to consider. It is all good. Deputy Byrne has tabled a Topical issue which seeks something similar to this. What the Deputy is looking for is probably far more realistic and can be delivered within a short period of time. Many areas would love to have the type of timelines we are talking about. We talk about large projects and how quickly they can be delivered. I think we will all be alive to see this project delivered.

Sentiment score: 0.25

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, desperately wanted to be here to take it because he feels so strongly about it. Unfortunately, at the last minute, he had to step away and I stepped into his place. I wanted to relay that message. My heart goes out to the communities the Deputy mentioned. I have sat in this Chamber and in council chambers many times listening to people crying out for amenities such as public toilets and playgrounds. The amount of community effort that goes into delivering a playground in a community is extraordinary. Sometimes, fundraising is done within the community and, other times, community groups come together, working with the local authority and with LEADER funding, to deliver playgrounds. To see the pointless destruction of these incredible community facilities is really disappointing. Fair play to the Deputy for raising it. I hope my reply will be useful in highlighting possible solutions. Damage to community facilities is not only unacceptable; it is reprehensible. Every playground, park and public space represents considerable investment not only in financial terms but also in terms of time and effort from the community, the local authorities and their staff and the contractors who build these wonderful facilities. Setting playgrounds or parks alight is not harmless fun. It is a sign of disrespect to one's neighbours and one's community. It prevents the wider community, including children, from using amenities that are often the heart of the local area. At the end of September 2025, the Garda workforce was at its highest in history, standing at over 18,000 people. This comprises 14,325 members, 3,483 staff and 293 reserves. As of the same date, 3,836 Garda members were assigned to the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, with 471 Garda staff also working across the region. Of these, 766 Garda members and 70 Garda staff are assigned to DMR north. The greatest demand from the public to the Minister for justice is for more gardaí on our streets and in our villages and towns. People want to see more gardaí throughout their communities, as does the Minister and every Member of this House. Nearly 200 new gardaí attested last Friday. On Monday, more than 220 Garda recruits entered Templemore to commence their training. This is the largest intake of Garda trainees in over ten years. Gardaí work tirelessly to keep our city safe for residents and visitors alike. When incidents occur, they respond quickly, effectively and with a graduated response. The Minister is conscious of the damaging impact on quality of life that crime can have in our communities. The Government is committed to tackling crime and building safer streets and stronger communities through a number of ongoing measures, including: the introduction of local community safety partnerships around the country to develop tailored community safety plans for every area; continued expansion of youth justice and youth diversion measures; new laws to criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime; and the deployment of body-worn cameras by gardaí in Dublin city centre, Waterford and Limerick in 2024, with nationwide roll-out to follow. Other actions are contained in the programme for Government to reduce instances of antisocial behaviour and help people to be safe and feel safe in their local communities. These include a commitment to enact legislation to combat antisocial behaviour through enhanced use of antisocial behaviour warnings and antisocial behaviour orders. Work to progress these commitments has commenced. That covers the general approach in terms of tackling antisocial behaviour. However, there seems to be a specific issue in the Dublin area. There is almost a type of copycat activity happening where it is becoming the done thing to target community facilities. The Deputy gave a large number of examples. It is saddening to see. I am sure the Minister will work with the Dublin local authorities and An Garda Síochána to ensure the issue is tackled in some way. I commend the fire crews who had to respond to these incidents very quickly.

Sentiment score: 0.08

The local community safety partnerships build on and replace the existing joint policing committees, bringing together gardaí, local representatives, community organisations and representatives of local authorities and other State bodies to draft a community safety plan tailored to community needs. No one knows better what is needed by a community than those who live in it. The Minister signed the regulations to establish the safety partnerships and they came into operation on Monday, 30 June. This paves the way for a total of 36 partnerships to be established across the country, with partnerships in each local authority administrative area. There will be one in each of the Dublin City Council administrative areas, with five in total. I am not sure on the ground if that has come to realisation yet. That could be an opportunity to try to crack down on this. The Deputy eloquently highlighted the importance of these amenities. I imagine the Dublin city councillors, parents and community activists involved in getting toilet facilities or playgrounds up and running must be disheartened and gutted to see this happen. It is easier said than done to stop it. I question the mindset of anybody who goes out with the intention of targeting an amenity like this. In the towns in my constituency, if a playground was closed for whatever reason, the community would feel such a loss especially families. We are getting bigger towns and bigger urban areas. They need these types of amenities. I will reflect and report back the Deputy's comments to the Minister for justice.

Sentiment score: 0.14

I have known Deputy Byrne for a while and what a proponent he is of public transport and improving it, reducing congestion and emissions. It has always been something he has believed in. It is hard to dispute what he presented. Even if half of those 6,500 could be gotten into train carriages, the difference it would make on the M11 would be significant. I will outline some of the infrastructure and plans for expansion of rail services. In Wexford, the N11 or N25 Oilgate to Rosslare Harbour project, which has received an allocation of €4 million for 2025 is currently in the design and environmental evaluation phase. This would deliver safety improvements to the N11 and N25 corridors in addition to improving regional connectivity and ensuring that the increased volume of freight traffic using Rosslare Europort can be accommodated. Some €2 million has also been allocated for the Rosslare Europort access road - Rosslare port adds to the M11 traffic and issues. In Wicklow, €1.45 million has been allocated to the N11 bus priority interim scheme which would deliver improved safety and bus priority measures on a section of the N11 in the Bray-Kilmacanogue area. Work is continuing on the DART+ programme which will double the peak-hour capacity and triple the length of the existing DART network. As part of this programme, DART+ coastal south involves an improvement to DART services on the existing DART line south of Dublin city with the current focus on enhancing services between Bray and Greystones. Stage 1 of the project will increase train frequency from two to three trains per hour from Bray to Greystones, while stage 2 will boost train frequency from six to 12 trains per hour between Dublin Connolly and Bray. Last month, Iarnród Éireann commenced a non-statutory public consultation on the emerging preferred option for stage 1 of DART+ costal south which will run until December. The NTA greater Dublin area transport strategy 2022-2042 adopted in 2023 included a recommendation to extend the DART service to Wicklow town. Extending the DART to Wicklow is also supported in the all-island strategic rail review published in July last year. I understand this extension can be facilitated through utilising the new battery-electric DART carriages which arrived in Ireland in late 2024 and are currently undergoing testing. The new battery-electric DART carriages will first be deployed on the busy northern commuter line from Dublin Connolly to Drogheda from 2027. As more carriages arrive, they can be deployed to extend DART services to and from Wicklow from around 2029 onwards. This should provide an improvement in capacity to the people of Wicklow. In relation to overcrowding currently being experienced on the Rosslare line, Iarnród Éireann is operating all available fleet at the busiest times to meet record demand it is experiencing on all routes. As a result, there is currently no additional fleet available to further increase capacity on the Gorey-Wicklow to Dublin commuter services. There is potential to examine the deployment of new rail fleet as it becomes available, including fleet released as a result of the entry into service of the new DART+ fleet. Iarnród Éireann will keep options for future fleet deployment under review subject to NTA approval. It is not the answer the Deputy is looking for. It is easy for me to say this; I am not the Minister for Transport. I am here representing him today. It sounds like the addition of a few carriages, if that could be accommodated, would make a whole of difference to commuters from that area and also for those who continue to use the M11. It is certainly something I will go back to the Minister with and I know the Deputy has talked to him about it as well.

Sentiment score: 0.21

I fully understand the Deputy's frustration in terms of the answer. I also appreciate the frustration of the people he represents in Wicklow-Wexford who have to make this journey in the context of the time of the morning they have to get up in order to make it to work on time. The reply did not give them the comfort that the Deputy would like to give them. The Deputy referred to Carlow having a service 11 times per day. I do not know the engineering restrictions or the restrictions that apply in respect of the track from Rosslare. I also do not know what is constraining Iarnród Éireann from increasing the frequency of services on the Rosslare line to 11 per day. If that was a target or was something that could be worked on or teased out, it would provide a lot of relief in terms of capacity on the line. Perhaps there is some type of engineering or capacity issue that I am not aware of. It is something worth exploring further. I do not see why it can be done in respect of Carlow but not Rosslare. I will ensure that the Minister for Transport is made aware of the details of this matter. I know the Deputy will not be shy and will not retreat from trying to obtain a meeting with him. However, I will ensure that he knows how important a project this is for the Deputy.

Sentiment score: 0.17