88. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of notifications through the NCSE's parent notify portal by the 1 October 2025 deadline; the number of parents who have contacted the NCSE after the deadline with a recommendation for a special class or a special school place; the way in which both categories of applications, pre- and post 1 October, will be progressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71048/25]

Sentiment score: 0.24

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit, but he did not answer the question I asked. If he had done, he would have given me some numbers. He would have given me the numbers notified through the portal by 1 October and the numbers that have contacted the NCSE. Does he have those figures? It is a terrible reflection on the system if he does not have them because the whole point of this new procedure is that we have a system that accounts for demand. Does the Minister of State have those figures, and if so, what are they? That will give us a clear picture of the demand that has been indicated and the impact. There is lots of concern that people missed the deadline because they did not have a recommendation or were not aware of the deadline. It is the first year of it. I ask the Minister of State to give us some indication of that if he can.

Sentiment score: -0.06

This has been the experience for a couple of years now but I must say that I absolutely despair at the lack of basic information for Opposition TDs and the general public on this point. Earlier this week, another curveball or grenade - call it whatever you want - was thrown into the system and has caused major concern. That is the issue of what is now a recommendation. What does it mean for children and assessments of need this year and next? The Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO, said yesterday that it was deeply disappointed. It said this was an act of bad faith and that the Departments of education and children and equality did not consult the INTO. It seems that the Department of children and its Minister are saying that in the future, the Department of education will reach an agreement. What exactly is the state of affairs there? Teachers and principals contact us regularly. They are deeply concerned that they will have an additional responsibility that many feel they are not qualified to deliver.

Sentiment score: -0.09

90. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools referred to the financial service support unit in 2023-24, 2024-25 and to date in the 2025-26 school year; the measures she is taking to support schools financially through the winter in the absence of a cost-of-living package this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71049/25]

Sentiment score: 0.23

I wish to ask the Minister of State the number of schools referred to the financial support services unit in the academic year 2023-24, 2024-25 and to date in 2025-26 and the measures he is taking to support schools financially through this winter in the absence of a cost-of-living package.

Sentiment score: 0.81

I thank the Minister of State for those figures, but they paint a picture that is a very stark one in terms of the financial challenge schools are going through. Regarding those numbers, we are not at Christmas yet and we have 18 schools referred to the FSSU so far this year and nine that have needed advanced payments. A number of schools, including Darver in neighbouring County Louth, have been high-profile in terms of the financial challenge they are facing. Regarding the Minister of State's figures on the capitation and the funding, schools are worse off in real terms because of the lack of a cost-of-living package this year. There is a net reduction in the funding for them when we take out the cost-of-living package. Will the Minister of State look at introducing a cost-of-living package for schools this year in light of the cost of energy, insurance and heating?

Sentiment score: 0.05

Costs are increasing and, in real terms, last year capitation per student in primary schools was €236 and €400 per student in post-primary schools. That is when we take the capitation and the cost-of-living aspects into account. This year, it is €224 per student at primary level versus €236 last year, while at secondary level, it is €386 per student compared with €400 last year. That is a net decrease in real terms at a time when costs are increasing. Is it any wonder increasing numbers of schools are being referred to the FSSU? In addition, €23 million is being raised through voluntary contributions to subsidise so-called free education. That is not evenly distributed, so we know there are many schools that do not have access to that option and are in deep, deep trouble. I do not get a sense that there is a recognition from the Government in this regard. It needs to introduce a cost-of-living package for schools.

Sentiment score: 0.01