1. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the concerns raised by school leaders in relation to the accelerated roll-out of senior cycle reform; if she accepts that the accelerated timeline does not allow enough time for essential preparations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8924/25]
Sentiment score: 0.06
As this is the first ministerial questions session, I wish the Minister and Minister of State the best of luck in their roles. This is a very important time and I hope we can make progress. Is the Minister aware of the concerns raised by school leaders with regard to the accelerated roll-out of senior cycle reform, if she accepts that the accelerated timeline does not allow enough time for essential preparations and if she will make a statement on the matter?
Sentiment score: 0.61
I welcome the fact that the Minister has met stakeholders. It is important that she meets all of the stakeholders in the sector at the earliest opportunity. If she has met them, she must surely have heard their concerns. I have not heard that reflected in her response thus far but they will have detailed them to her. They relate to a range of areas, principally capacity and preparedness, whether in terms of the development of curriculums, the readiness of schools in terms of IT, laboratories and the capacity to take on these changes. The Minister said there is a commitment, as I believe there is, to make this happen in the right way but that takes time and capacity. Is she hearing that from the stakeholders and, if so, how is she responding?
Sentiment score: 0.27
We have spent more time identifying those issues than on spelling out exactly what the timeline will be between now and September for teachers, in the main, and, related to that, for school communities, parents and, most important, students embarking on this new programme from September, if that is the timeline. That detail has to be spelled out to school communities and school leaders at the earliest possible opportunity. If that timeline is not there or there is no schedule to roll it out for this September, the pause button will need to be pressed. I am not convinced from what I have heard so far this morning that such a necessary and detailed plan is there or that a plan for its implementation is in place. If it is not going to be ready, there is a real and continuing risk that this is going to be a very negative experience for all concerned.
Sentiment score: -0.09
3. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education what additional demand for special class and special school places for September 2025 is now anticipated at primary and secondary school level; what measures she is taking to ensure the necessary school buildings, staff and resources are in place to meet that demand; if emergency measures are expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8925/25]
Sentiment score: 0.18
I ask the Minister about school places in south County Meath. We will need additional places in Dunshaughlin for this September. What additional demand for special class and special school places for September 2025 is now anticipated at primary and secondary school level? What measures is the Minister taking to ensure the necessary school buildings, staff and resources are in place to meet that demand, if emergency measures are expected, and if she will make a statement on the matter?
Sentiment score: 0.12
That is the point, and I have not heard from the Minister of State that they will be. The question was about what additional demand for special class and special school places for September 2025 is now anticipated on the back of that new process. The Minister of State did not answer that question. In fact, he spelled out what we knew already, which is what the Department is planning. How does what the Department is planning match with, or not match with, what the actual demand is? We have repeatedly heard from all quarters a real frustration as to how the Department, its agencies and the Government do so poorly at planning despite the fact that we have CSO data, AIM data, reports on children and now the new NCSE forms. Where stands the demand at this stage? How does it relate to the Department's planned roll-out of capacity?
Sentiment score: -0.02
There is a protest at the Department of Education scheduled for tomorrow. It is a 24-hour sleep-out by parents who are demanding appropriate places for their children. They should not have to do that. It is disgraceful and shameful that they have to. I send them solidarity and tell them that I will certainly do everything I can to keep this on the agenda and to push for an appropriate place for every child. That includes a place for this September. The question is then on appropriate places. There are not 126 but 177 children who are on home tuition because they are waiting on a special education placement. I asked whether emergency measures will be needed to deliver this capacity in the timely manner the Minister of State has talked about. For example, will the school buildings be in place? What measures are going to be taken to ensure they are?
Sentiment score: 0.01
5. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education to outline her assessment of the teacher recruitment and retention emergency at primary and secondary school level; the measures she intends to address it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8926/25]
Sentiment score: -0.12
Will the Minister outline her assessment of the teacher recruitment and retention emergency at primary and secondary levels and the measures she intends to take to address it?
Sentiment score: -0.38
Will the Minister give us a timeline for those proposals and outline the nature of them? I appreciate that some may require funding. The picture is one of a crisis and emergency. At primary level, there has a shortage of more than 2,500 teachers for the 2024-25 academic year. There are many unfilled posts, and a large number of schools have had to use unqualified staff to cover absences. At secondary level, it was reported in a recent survey that 64% of schools have unfilled vacancies due to recruitment and retention difficulties and that 20% have been forced to drop subjects as a result. One of the measures that was previously introduced, but there seems to be a delay in relation to it this time round, is the likes of a time-bound provision for people who could do their droichead or induction in Ireland if they trained elsewhere. I know from the Teaching Council that this was due to happen in quarter 1 but that it been delayed slightly. Is that something the Minister would like to introduce?
Sentiment score: -0.12
The recognition of experience abroad is important. I encourage the Minister to engage with her colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne, on the housing crisis, which is a major issue for teachers and a major driver when it comes to people leaving the country and not taking up teaching here. In responding to the situation relating to recruitment, we must continue to increase the number of training places and look at alternative pathways into the sector. However, we must also look at the position in respect of retention. I ask the Minister to consider two points in that regard and to come back to me on them. One relates to investment in leadership at school level. I refer to posts of responsibility. These are positions that were hollowed out during the years of austerity. A related matter that has come up a number of times at both primary and secondary level is the likes of issues such as parental leave and the lack of flexibility in that regard. Surely parental leave should be able to be taken one or two days at a time. It would be more attractive for teachers and it would also provide continuity for students.
Sentiment score: 0.24