I want to stress that enabling students with additional educational needs to receive an appropriate education is an absolute priority for this Government. I taught in the education system and taught students with additional needs, so I understand the issue. It is the Government's priority to ensure that all children have an appropriate school placement and that the necessary supports are provided to our schools to allow children with special educational needs to flourish and prosper. It is important to highlight that the majority of children with additional educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. For children with more complex needs, special classes are provided. For children with the most complex needs, special school places are provided. At present, as Deputy Currie outlined, there are 14 reading classes and four special schools to support students with severe dyslexia and I want to acknowledge the excellent work that they do. I take the Deputies' points that more reading classes for children with dyslexia would be a positive step to support their educational needs. Around 15,000 special education teachers are employed in mainstream schools to support students with additional needs. In practical terms, this means that schools get a substantial additional teaching allocation to support children with special educational needs who are in mainstream classes. The additional resources are intended to support students with the greatest levels of need, including those with dyslexia or severe dyslexia. Of course, the importance of building the capacity of teachers in mainstream schools to meet the needs of all students is recognised. To support this, we provide 338 funded places each year to teachers to attend postgraduate special educational needs programmes. The NCSE offers dedicated professional learning opportunities for teachers supporting students with additional needs. NEPS also provides professional learning opportunities that are available to all primary and post-primary school teachers on supporting children and young people with literacy difficulties, including dyslexia. Funding is also made available to schools for the purchase of specialised equipment such as computers or software to assist children with special educational needs, including children with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. Schools can apply to the NCSE through their local special educational needs organiser, SENO, for such support. The need for any additional provision or resources for schools to support students with dyslexia will be kept under constant review by the NCSE and the Department. I reiterate the point that I made at the outset. I take on board the points that the Deputies raised. I believe that more reading classes for children with dyslexia would be a positive step to support their educational needs.

Sentiment score: 0.47

I thank both Deputies for their advocacy in this area. As I stated in my opening remarks, I do understand it. I taught in the education system myself. I have met children who are similar to the children in the examples given by the Deputies. It is important to also put in context that the Department will spend €2.9 billion this year on special education, one quarter of the entire education budget - rightly so, because those students require the supports the Deputies advocate for on the floor of the Dáil. More than 28,000 children are being supported in special schools and classes and the number of special classes has increased by 100% since 2020 through investment by the previous Government, which will continue under this Government. It is the statutory responsibility of the NCSE to work with schools to provide sufficient special education provision each year. As already outlined, there is provision for a further 400 new special classes for the coming school year. A total of 336 of these new classes have already been sanctioned. I take on board the point specific points about the reading classes. I will bring them back to the Minister for Education. I hear the passion of the Deputies on the issue.

Sentiment score: 0.27

I apologise as I have a cold, but I will try to get through the reply. I thank Deputy Shane Moynihan for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport today. As the Deputy rightly points out, in 2022, the Department of Transport, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland sought to investigate the provision of pilot schemes to assess the feasibility of applying to the Irish context the experience of other countries where zebra crossings without flashing orange beacons are in place. The need for the pilot scheme, as the Deputy outlined, arose from the desire to increase the number of safe crossing locations for pedestrians and active travel use in a cost-effective and sustainable manner across the country. The proposals contained within the feasibility study were investigated in two pilot studies. The first study involved the NTA's cycle design office, in collaboration with the Department and the active travel teams in Limerick City and County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The NTA began a pilot scheme for a new type of zebra crossing. The new layout comprises the installation of eight new crossings, five in Limerick and three in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, without flashing orange beacons. The beacons were replaced by signage and used in low-volume traffic areas. The second study was undertaken by TII. This pilot study focused on a low-cost measure to improve pedestrian safety, using high-visibility uncontrolled crossing, HVC, markings instead of flashing orange beacons on a national road. Both pilot projects show there is a case for utilising zebra crossings without flashing beacons in certain situations, and subject to certain criteria. This does not eliminate the need for zebra crossings with flashing beacons, but does allow for the wider roll-out of zebra crossings without the need for more expensive electrical connections to the beacons, as outlined by Deputy Moynihan. The utilisation of a sign or no sign for these crossings is shown to be widely used across Europe. The results of the first pilot scheme have demonstrated that zebra crossings without Belisha beacons could be suitable in the Irish context. The report recommends that consideration is given to wider implementation of this type of zebra crossing in certain situations. A sign with a fluorescent yellow border is recommended as the only permitted sign type as it is more visible and recognisable. It is further recommended that this type of crossing should only be used where there is a posted speed limit of 50 km/h or lower, specified low traffic volumes, good pedestrian-driver visibility, and the crossing location to have adequate street lighting. In addition, the crossing should be on a flat-top ramp or raised platform. The second pilot and trial undertaken by TII at four sites in Donegal has demonstrated that zebra crossings without beacons are suitable in rural towns carrying national traffic. Therefore, the report recommends that the pilot and trial sites are retained as permanent pedestrian crossings and that additional crossings, where required, are implemented in line with certain criteria such as operational speeds being low and checked prior to site selection, the crossing area and approach being clearly visible to approaching drivers, only single lane two-way traffic, and the necessity for the crossing to be well lit. The visibility of the crossing can be further increased by providing raised tables or platforms to provide maximum visibility to drivers and additional comfort for visually impaired users. In addition, parking must not obstruct the visibility of the footpath on the approaches to the crossing. The study stated that this type of crossing could be implemented elsewhere on the national road network in towns and villages subject to certain site and layout parameters and recommendations. I take the Deputy's point about solar power and other matters he raised about further advance warning and I will bring his points to the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien.

Sentiment score: 0.22

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and I will take his points back to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. It is important to say the Government is committed to further increasing the number of safe crossing locations for pedestrians and vulnerable road users. We need to provide additional options that are not reliant on those connections because of the capacity constraints and the construction time and ongoing operational costs. I hear the Deputy's point about the solar element of this. There are now two options over and above the flashing beacon. I will reiterate that it is not that we will not have any flashing beacon areas into the future. It is important to highlight that. Of course these matters are always kept under review and if further guidance needs to be issued to the local authorities in that regard, that is something we can both take up with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, together.

Sentiment score: 0.18

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue, which I’m answering on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond. I am fully committed, as is the Department, to strengthening the bonds with all Irish communities overseas. Central to this work is the emigrant support programme, managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Since its inception in 2004, the programme has provided funding of over €250 million to 900 organisations in 51 countries. Supporting the most vulnerable and marginalised Irish emigrants across the world is at the heart of this programme. In 2025, almost €16,500,000 will be granted in support of strengthening ties with the diaspora and our communities overseas. Britain is our close neighbour and home to the largest Irish-born community outside Ireland. The 2021 census documents just over 500,000 people born on the island of Ireland living in England and Wales, with around 200,000 of those born in Northern Ireland. The Government has provided financial support to Irish community organisations in Britain since 1984. Last year, we allocated ESP funding of over €7.8 million to 112 organisations in Britain in respect of 202 projects. This represented just under half of the total ESP budget. We funded a range of projects from large welfare support in cities with traditionally large Irish communities such as London, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham to smaller events and cultural and heritage projects in places such as Bristol, Nottingham and York. Our engagement in Britain goes beyond financial support. Every year the embassy serves as a community hub, hosting events in collaboration with organisations that might not have the budget, space or networking connections to host alone. This includes supporting Irish artists but also hosting traditionally excluded and marginalised groups such as events for Pride and an annual St. Brigid’s Day event celebrating Irish women in Britain. Applications for the 2025-26 emigrant support programme are now being assessed and details on the grants will be made available over the coming months. Full details of all ESP funding to date in Britain can be found on the www.ireland.ie website. An important part of Ireland’s diaspora strategy is a commitment to heal the relationship with those who left Ireland in crisis and survivors of institutional abuse. Britain is home to the largest number of victims of institutional abuse, outside Ireland. It is estimated that 30% of all survivors live in Britain. The emigrant support programme provides funding to community organisations in Britain supporting survivors in Britain such as ICAP, the London Irish Centre, the Coventry Irish Society and Fréa in the north of England. We fund eight full-time posts and two part-time posts to ensure dedicated support is provided to the survivor community. We are working with relevant UK Government departments to ensure access to compensation schemes does not negatively affect other welfare supports. The Government is fully committed to delivering sustained investment in all our communities abroad, particularly in Britain. As we look to the future, we will ensure that we continue to prioritise projects that support a dynamic and diverse diaspora and address the needs of the most vulnerable.

Sentiment score: 0.30

I thank the Deputy for his advocacy in this area. Any time we get a chance to talk about the diaspora in this Chamber is welcome. We can see the value of sustained investment in our communities abroad. I had the opportunity to visit Thailand and the Philippines where I saw at first hand how our diaspora engages in its local communities and the value it adds in those countries, as well as bringing our sporting, cultural and heritage traditions to those areas. The Government will continue to support those endeavours because we see the value in it. The Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, is also committed to reducing the barriers for returning emigrants to Ireland and there is funding in that respect from the Department of foreign affairs. The Returning to Ireland portal on the citizens information website is very useful. I take on board the points the Deputy has raised. I will talk to the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, on the specifics of the issue. It is important to re-emphasise the value of the programme that is in place through the significant and sustained investment the Government has made. I reiterate that the 2025-26 applications under that will be notified in the period ahead.

Sentiment score: 0.42