92. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children notified to the NCSE before the October parent notification deadline; the number of children notified to the NCSE after the October deadline; the number of those children currently without an offer of a school place for September 2026; the measures she is taking to address this to ensure every child has an appropriate school place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11341/26]
Sentiment score: 0.19
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. He did not give the numbers in response to the question I asked - the number of children who had applied pre- and post-October and the number of those children who have an offer of a school place or, more importantly at this stage, do not have an offer. It is that question of unmet need. When I raised this with the Taoiseach last week, he said both the Minister and Minister of State had reported to Cabinet that there were huge numbers applying to the NCSE and that it was a significant increase on last year. What are those numbers? Will the system be able to respond to ensure every child has an appropriate school place for September? There is real concern, and I would be grateful if the Minister of State could outline the process. I very much welcome the fact that letters of eligibility are beginning to be reissued. I have a long list of people who will be eager to get those letters of eligibility and they are eligible for them. What do they do?
Sentiment score: 0.29
Another job for the Minister.
Sentiment score: 0.00
That is it. There are significant issues. In fact, I would say the crisis in special education is worse this year than it has ever been. We are hearing that there is a huge increase. The October deadline was seen as an opportunity, and rightly so, for many children in the school system to get an appropriate school place. A number of the people I am dealing with are in mainstream, for example, looking for a place in a special class or in a special class looking for a place in a special school. The issue of letters of eligibility remains a major one. There are a number of other things happening in special education that are of deep concern, for instance, the issue of the closure of early intervention classes and the redesignation in mild and general learning disability special schools. The slashing of SNAs is reported in schools across the State, including in the Minister of State's constituency, where there are proposals for a huge number of SNAs to be lost. What does the Minister of State say in relation to that?
Sentiment score: 0.18
94. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the work of the inter-departmental group considering the recommendation for a redress scheme arising from the scoping inquiry into historical sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders; the way in which this will be incorporated into the work of the Commission of Investigation into the Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11342/26]
Sentiment score: -0.28
Likewise, as this is my first exchange with the Minister in her new role, I wish her the best with it. There is a lot of work to be getting on with and we are dealing with many important issues this morning. I wish to ask the Minister the position regarding the work of the interdepartmental group considering the recommendation for a redress scheme arising from the scoping inquiry into historical sex abuse in schools run by religious orders, and the way in which this will be incorporated into the work of the Commission of Investigation into the Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Schools.
Sentiment score: 0.07
Can the Minister confirm it is the case that the IDG aims to report to her and subsequently to Government within 18 months? There was a previous indication in relation to that, but is that still that case? What measures will the Minister take to hold religious bodies financially accountable and to make them pay redress? Sinn Féin submitted amendments to the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2025 specifically on this issue. I know the Labour Party also has legislation on the books, with the Civil Liability (Child Sexual Abuse Proceedings Against Unincorporated Bodies of Persons) Bill 2023. There is a real eagerness among many of us in the Opposition to see this issue pursued. Many survivors say the legal obfuscation in redress payments is inherently criminal in its nature and that there may be opportunity there, for example, in terms of criminal assets to pursue these. What options will the Minister consider, and can she give assurances there will be justice in this scheme?
Sentiment score: -0.04
I agree with the Minister entirely and I welcome those words. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating, in terms of the action of it. Any time we speak of the commission, I have to make the point that there are concerns it is going to be restricted to sexual abuse and not to physical abuse. There is more than a grey area there in terms of the motivational intent of the evil carried out on people. I want to pick up on a point Deputy Cummins made earlier in respect of a related group of survivors. It is very important that the suite of measures is introduced at the earliest opportunity and that we have the apology. Deputy Cummins specifically mentioned the enhanced medical card as opposed to the HAA card. There are significant issues with the enhanced medical card as certain things that were expected to be covered are not being covered. It is why there is the argument around the HAA card. If Government is going to fall short of that, it is essential it reviews the enhanced medical card and ensures those additional supports it has committed to are delivered in a timely fashion.
Sentiment score: 0.10