Written Answers Nos. 383-402
383. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reason all schools were not accepted to the recent STEM grant competition which was held for funding for a core curricular area and a key priority of the Government; if he accepts that schools such as a school (details supplied) were unfairly penalised due to the lottery system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11824/24]
View answer384. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to direct management of a school (details supplied) to the legislation that governed how the recent STEM funding competition was run and managed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11825/24]
View answer400. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education how the staff and students at a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary will engage in STEM activities in the school to the same standard as their neighbouring school that received €10,000 in funding; if the inspectorate will be cognisant of the disparity in funding when assessing schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11863/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 383, 384 and 400 together.
I can advise the Deputy that we have provided this information to Drom National school on a number of occasions.
The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) grant scheme was an action in the new STEM Education Implementation Plan published in 2023. The grant was to support schools in carrying out projects to stimulate an increased interest in STEM and included an application process as with other STEM initiatives in the past such as the STEM clusters project. Support for curriculum is provided separately.
When the grant scheme was announced the Department indicated that it had funding of €1.5m available. There was a phenomenal demand from schools with around 3,000 applications received. Every application received by the deadline of 5pm on the 30th November was read and processed, leaving 2,727 schools, including Drom National School, with an ask amounting of over €25m.
Given the very high number of valid applications and the budget available for the scheme, a decision was made by the Department to run a lottery, where a random number generator was used to pick out schools based on their line on the spreadsheet. The application for each school was then assessed on a case by case basis with the applications read again by the evaluation team, to ensure they met the requirements as set out in the grant call. Any school deemed not to have met the requirements was removed. The procedure was then repeated until all the budget available was allocated.
As the initial funding available at the time of call for applications was €1.5m, the Department worked to secure as much additional funding as possible, bringing the total available to €4.7m. Unfortunately, on this occasion, this additional funding fell short of the ask of over €25m. The Department is front loading the grant scheme in 2023/2024 school year and it is hoped that a further round of funding can be run this year. This means that eligible schools that were not successful this time may receive funding in the future.
It should be noted that the Department also supports STEM through other areas such as teacher professional development and the development of resources, as well as through supporting initiatives such as SciFest, ESB Science Blast, the Discover programme with Science Foundation Ireland and BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.
The Department continues to provide support in relation to the redevelopment of the Primary curriculum. In the STEM area the new Primary Mathematics Curriculum (PMC) was published in September of this year. A suite of high-quality professional development supports is being provided by the Department, together with Oide and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to support the engagement, collaboration and professional learning of school leaders and teachers to become familiar with, and implement, the PMC. The support includes a comprehensive range of face-to-face and online supports to introduce, implement and embed the Primary Mathematics Curriculum over the course of an extensive three-phase continuous professional development (CPD) framework. This follows on from the support provided for the Primary Language Curriculum. Support for the other areas which will be introduced to schools in the coming years will provided by the Department.
I am aware of the time and effort that was put in by schools including Drom National School, to the application process and the frustration felt by the schools. However, there was limited money available to my Department and we had to work within that budget. As mentioned previously the grants were to stimulate an interest in STEM in schools.
Drom National School has been engaged with Microsoft DreamSpace for several years, which has had a significant impact on STEM in the school. This is a resource that is not accessible to all schools. When visiting schools the inspectorate is mindful of the diverse programs and resources available that are available to each school.
The Department will be in contact with schools in relation to any future funding that becomes available.
385. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education what oversight measures were in place for the recent STEM grant competition; if the records of how this competition was conducted are available to school management to review and if so, how does one access the same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11826/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) grant scheme was an action in the new STEM Education Implementation Plan published in 2023. The grant was to support schools in carrying out projects to stimulate an increased interest in STEM and included an application process as with other STEM initiatives in the past such as the STEM clusters project.
Monies for the STEM grant scheme was from the Department of Education budget. The schools which have received grants have been paid eighty-five percent of the funding in 2023 with the remaining fifteen percent to be paid following a reporting and evaluation process in 2024.
When the grant scheme was announced the Department indicated that it had funding of €1.5m available. There was a phenomenal demand from schools with around 3,000 applications received. Every application received by the deadline of 5pm on the 30th November was read and processed, leaving 2,727 schools with an ask amounting of over €25m. The Department work hard to secure additional funding which brought the monies available to €4.7m.
Given the very high number of valid applications and the budget available for the scheme, a decision was made by the Department to run a lottery, where a random number generator was used to pick out schools based on their line on the spreadsheet. The application for each school was then assessed on a case by case basis with the applications read again by the evaluation team, to ensure they met the requirements as set out in the grant call. Any school deemed not to have met the requirements was removed. The procedure was then repeated until all the budget available was allocated.
I can advise the Deputy that the promotion of STEM and digital learning within our education system is a key priority for the Department of Education, and is reflected in multiple strategy documents, such as the STEM Education Policy Statement, Digital Strategy for Schools, Action Plan for Education, Ireland’s National Skills Strategy, Arts in Education Charter, and the National Strategy: Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life.
The Department is front loading the grant scheme in 2023/2024 school year and it is hoped that a further round of funding can be run this year. This means that eligible schools that were not successful this time may receive funding in the future. The amount of funding available will depend on the priorities and demands on the Department’s allocated budget. In relation to any future funding that becomes available, the Department will be in contact with schools.
386. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education her views that the lottery system used in the recent STEM grants were the fairest way to divide the available resources; if it is his intention to continue to fund essential educational services in this manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11827/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) grant scheme was an action in the new STEM Education Implementation Plan published in 2023. The grant was to support schools in carrying out projects to stimulate an increased interest in STEM and included an application process as with other STEM initiatives in the past such as the STEM clusters project.
When the grant scheme was announced the Department indicated that it had funding of €1.5m available. There was a phenomenal demand from schools with around 3,000 applications received. Every application received by the deadline of 5pm on the 30th November was read and processed, leaving 2,727 schools with an ask amounting of over €25m. The Department secured additional monies to bring the funding available to €4.7m but this still fell short of the asks.
Given the very high number of valid applications and the budget available for the scheme, a decision was made by the Department to run a lottery on this occasion. The application for each school was assessed on a case by case basis with the applications read again by the evaluation team, to ensure they met the requirements as set out in the grant call. Any school deemed not to have met the requirements was removed. The procedure was then repeated until all the budget available was allocated.
My Department is front loading the grant scheme in 2023/2024 school year and it is hoped that a further round of funding can be run this year. This means that eligible schools that were not successful this time may receive funding in the future.
I am aware of the time and effort that was put in by schools the application process and the frustration felt by the schools, however there was limited money available to my Department. The Department will be in contact with schools in relation to any future funding that becomes available. A lottery system will not be used.
388. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education her plans to regularise or provide guidelines for the assessment of needs process vis a vis regulation of interpretation of diagnoses; if there are guidelines for SENO; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11843/24]
View answerThe Assessment of Need (AON) is a statutory process under the Disability Act (2005) whereby the Health Service Executive (HSE) reports on the health and education needs of a child/young person. The provision of Guidelines for the assessment of needs process is a matter for the HSE.
With regards to the education aspect, if within the AON process the HSE Assessment Officer forms the opinion there may be a need for an education service to be provided to an applicant, they will request the NCSE to nominate persons with the appropriate expertise to assist in carrying out the assessment of education needs. The NCSE is obliged to nominate a person with appropriate expertise to assist in the carrying out of the assessment of education needs. Where the child is enrolled in a school, the Education of Persons with Special Education Needs Act (EPSEN) 2004 identifies the principal as one of the person(s) the NCSE can nominate. In turn, the principal may nominate a teacher in the school to assist in carrying out an assessment of education needs.
The NCSE provides comprehensive supports for schools as outlined as follows:
• Detailed guidance
• An FAQ document
• Email support at aon@ncse.ie
• Phone support or further access to online and in person specialist support
NCSE have specialist trained advisors to aid in the completion of the education assessment. The education assessment report is returned to the HSE where the HSE Assessment Officer will compile and finalise the AON report .
389. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the number of special education teacher posts per annum for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11844/24]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question.
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers.
In 2023, my department spent over €2.6 billion on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113m will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
The following table outlines the growth in Special education Teachers in mainstream classes
|
Year |
No of SET teachers (Mainstream classes only) |
|
2020 |
13,529 |
|
2021 |
13,620 |
|
2022 |
13,765 |
|
2023 |
14385 |
|
2024 |
14,590 |
390. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the number of special needs classes per annum in 2020, 2021,2022, 2023 and 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11845/24]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
In 2023, my department spent over €2.6 billion on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113 million will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2024, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
Over the last number of years, my department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with almost 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over the last four years.
My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, two new special schools have been established for this current school year in Cork and Dublin, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
In December 2023, I was also very happy to announce with my colleague Minister Foley, the establishment of a further four new special schools for the 2024/25 school year in Meath, Kildare, Wexford and Limerick. This will bring to 11 the number of new special schools established in recent years.
Along with the two new special schools opening this school year, 390 new special classes – 254 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening this current school year.
As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes.
My department has communicated to all post-primary schools of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next 2 to 4 years, with an approximate average of 4 special classes in each school.
The following table provides a breakdown of special classes for the school years 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24:
|
School Year |
2020/21 |
2021/22 |
2022/23 |
2023/24 |
|
Primary level |
1,323 |
1,545 |
1,808 |
2,048 |
|
Post-Primary level |
517 |
608 |
742 |
873 |
|
Total |
1,840 |
2,153 |
2,550 |
2,921 |
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at:ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at: www.ncse.ie/special-classes.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.
391. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the number of SENOs per annum in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11847/24]
View answer392. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the number of SENO vacancies in Cork city and Cork county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11848/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 392 together.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of Special needs Organisers (SENOs), for fulfilling the functions of the Council within a designated area in relation to the identification of and delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with disabilities.
The Council employs SENOs to provide a nationwide system of local services. Locally based SENOs consult widely with parents/guardians, teachers, health care professionals, school authorities, HSE and other relevant government agencies.
It is a priority that the NCSE is properly resourced to have a visible and effective presence in our schools and to guide and support our parents and children on their educational journey. In Budget 2023, the government provided an additional €13 million for the expansion of services within the NCSE. This will mean an increase of up to 161 additional staff in the organisation, a workforce increase of 50%. Within this, provision has been made to increase the number of SENOs nationally by 47, to give a total SENO complement of 120. These SENOs will be organised and targeted into the areas of greatest need and organised on a county basis.
The first intake of new SENO grades has already commenced and 12 additional SENOs joined in February. There will also be a further 20 SENO posts added by end March and an additional 20 posts added by the end of May. The recruitment process allows for training, induction, back-filling and the equitable distribution of cases on a county basis to new SENOs, without disrupting existing service to schools & children.Cork City and county fall under South West Team 1 which currently comprises of 7 SENOs and a team manager. The recent SENO recruitment competition has led to the NCSE extending offers of employment to a further 2 SENOs for this area with more to follow in the coming weeks. East Cork fall under South West Team 2 which currently has 8 SENOs and a team manager.Should any vacancy arise, a SENO point of contact is assigned to the area to assist schools, parents, and local services until the position is filled. Essential services are maintained through cover provided from available staffing resources. Parents should consult the regional contact list on the NCSE website to ensure they have the most up-to-date contact details of their SENO, or the SENO covering for their area.
The following is breakdown of serving SENOs from 2020 to 2024.
|
YEAR |
NUMBER OF SERVING SENOS |
|
2020 |
67 |
|
2021 |
61 |
|
2022 |
65.5 |
|
2023 |
67 |
|
2024 (as of March 24) |
81 |
393. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the number of children with special education needs that were not offered a school place in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11849/24]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
In 2023, my department spent over €2.6 billion on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113 million will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2024, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
Over the last number of years, my department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with almost 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over the last four years.
My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, two new special schools have been established for this current school year in Cork and Dublin, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
In December 2023, I was also very happy to announce with my colleague Minister Foley, the establishment of a further four new special schools for the 2024/25 school year in Meath, Kildare, Wexford and Limerick. This will bring to 11 the number of new special schools established in recent years.
Along with the two new special schools opening this school year, 390 new special classes – 254 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening this current school year.
Parents have the right to choose the school they wish their child to enrol. Enrolments to schools are a matter for each board of management and parents apply directly to schools, therefore, my department does not hold records in relation to the information requested by the Deputy.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.
394. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the number of NEPS psychologists per annum in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11850/24]
View answerMy Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary and special schools.
The NEPS service provides access for all schools to:
• Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident
• A Casework Service for individual children where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment.
• A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and
• Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
I can inform the Deputy that the number of educational psychologists currently employed in NEPS stands is 227 across the eight NEPS regions.
In 2023, the whole time equivalent number of Psychologists was 225,
In 2022, the whole time equivalent number of Psychologists was 225,
In 2021, the whole time equivalent number of Psychologists was 221, and
In 2020, the whole time equivalent number of Psychologists was 201.
The Public Appointment Service (PAS) is currently running a competition to recruit additional educational psychologists.
395. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the reason a child (details supplied) has not been sanctioned for home tuition hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11851/24]
View answer396. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will engage with the NCSE regarding the urgent need for a school place for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11852/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 395 and 396 together.
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
In 2023, my department spent over €2.6 billion on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113 million will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2024, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
Over the last number of years, my department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with almost 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over the last four years.
My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, two new special schools have been established for this current school year in Cork and Dublin, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
In December 2023, I was also very happy to announce with my colleague Minister Foley, the establishment of a further four new special schools for the 2024/25 school year in Meath, Kildare, Wexford and Limerick. This will bring to 11 the number of new special schools established in recent years.
Along with the two new special schools opening this school year, 390 new special classes – 254 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening this current school year.
Of these 76 are in Cork, 52 at primary and 24 at post-primary level. This brings to 496 the number of special classes in County Cork, 351 at primary level and 145 at post-primary level.
In relation to the student referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my department that the NCSE regional team continues to work closely with the family regarding special education placements options. A number of state agencies have been involved in supporting efforts to reintegrate the student into their existing school placement.
In relation to home tuition support, the department's Home Tuition Grant Scheme provides funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. By its nature, it is intended to be a short term intervention.
The scheme is governed by annual circulars which set out the details, purpose and eligibility criteria. Circular 0024/2023 provides information in relation to the 2023/24 Home Tuition Grant Scheme and can be accessed on the departments website at www.gov.ie.
My department can confirm that to date, no application has been received to the 2023/24 Home Tuition Grant Scheme on behalf of the student referred to by the Deputy. My Department will follow up with the NCSE on this matter.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
397. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education for an update on the review of the second tender report for a school (details supplied); when the school can expect to be contacted on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11856/24]
View answerThe project referred to by the Deputy, is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which will be delivered under the National Development Plan (NDP) as part of Project Ireland 2040 framework.
My Department’s planning and building unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2024 in the context of overall requirements. The school campus project remains a priority for delivery, in line with the accommodation issues present at the schools.
The tender process was undertaken and a contractor identified.
The project is at Architectural Planning Stage 3 - Tender Action and award. The next steps for the project will be the completion of the tender process and progression to Stage 4 – Construction.
My Department want to reassure the Deputy and the school community that the school building project will be progressed and delivered.
My Department will update the school authorities when there is a further update on the progression of the major project.
398. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reason a lottery was held when the number of applications for the STEM grant exceeded expectations; if she will point to the relevant area in the documentation issued to schools prior to the competition, where it states that a lottery would take place if the number of applications passed a certain threshold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11861/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) grant scheme was an action in the new STEM Education Implementation Plan published in 2023. The grant was to support schools in carrying out projects to stimulate an increased interest in STEM and included an application process as with other STEM initiatives in the past such as the STEM clusters project.
The grant scheme was announce on 6th November 2023 with an initial closing date of 27th November 2023. The closing date was subsequently extended to 30th November 2023. When the grant scheme was announced the Department indicated that it had funding of €1.5m available. There was a phenomenal demand from schools with around 3,000 applications received. Every application received by the deadline of 5pm on the 30th November was read and processed, leaving 2,727 schools with an ask amounting of over €25m.
Given the very high number of valid applications received and the budget available for the scheme, a decision was made by the Department to run the lottery. The application for each school was then assessed on a case by case basis with the applications read again by the evaluation team, to ensure they met the requirements as set out in the grant call. Any school deemed not to have met the requirements was removed. The procedure was then repeated until all the budget available was allocated.
My Department is front loading the grant scheme in 2023/2024 school year and it is hoped that a further round of funding can be run this year. This means that eligible schools that were not successful this time may receive funding in the future.
I am aware of the time and effort that was put in by schools the application process and the frustration felt by the schools however there was limited money available to my Department. The Department will be in contact with schools in relation to any future funding that becomes available.
399. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education what criteria, if any, applied to the reading of the application by a school (details supplied) for the STEM grant; if she will provide feedback to school management on the application and where it did not meet the criteria outlined to the school in documentation received from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11862/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) grant scheme was an action in the new STEM Education Implementation Plan published in 2023. The grant was to support schools in carrying out projects to stimulate an increased interest in STEM and included an application process as with other STEM initiatives in the past such as the STEM clusters project.
When the grant scheme was announced the Department indicated that it had funding of €1.5m available. There was a phenomenal demand from schools with around 3,000 applications received. Every application received by the deadline of 5pm on the 30th November was read and processed, leaving 2,727 schools, including Drom National School, with an ask amounting of over €25m.
Given the very high number of valid applications and the budget available for the scheme, a decision was made by the Department to run a lottery, where a random number generator was used to pick out schools based on their line on the spreadsheet. The application for each school was then assessed on a case by case basis with the applications read again by the evaluation team, to ensure they met the requirements as set out in the grant call. Any school deemed not to have met the requirements was removed. The procedure was then repeated until all the budget available was allocated.
Drom National School submitted a strong application as did many other schools. Unfortunately, the school did not come through the lottery system.
I am aware of the time and effort that was put in by schools to the application process and the frustration felt by the schools however there was limited money available to my department. The Department will be in contact with schools in relation to any future funding that becomes available.
401. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if the additional STEM grants that will made available in 2024, will be of lower or higher value than those awarded in December 2023; if so, the level of funding that can be expected; if it will be made available exclusively for the remaining approximately 2,000 unsuccessful schools; if so, when; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11864/24]
View answerWhen the grant scheme was announced the Department indicated that it had funding of €1.5m available. There was a phenomenal demand from schools with around 3,000 applications received. Every application received by the deadline of 5pm on the 30th November was read and processed, leaving 2,727 schools with an ask amounting of over €25m.
My Department worked to secure as much additional funding as possible, bringing it to a total of €4.7m. Unfortunately, the funding fell short of the ask of over €25m. Given the very high number of valid applications and the budget available for the scheme, a decision was made by the Department to run a lottery, where a random number generator was used to pick out schools based on their line on the spreadsheet. The application for each school was then assessed on a case by case basis with the applications read again by the evaluation team, to ensure they met the requirements as set out in the grant call. Any school deemed not to have met the requirements was removed. The procedure was then repeated until all the budget available was allocated.
My Department is front loading the grant scheme in 2023/2024 school year and it is hoped that a further round of funding can be run this year. This means that eligible schools that were not successful this time may receive funding in the future.
I am aware of the time and effort that was put in by schools the application process and the frustration felt by the schools however there was limited money available to my Department. The Department will be in contact with schools in relation to any future funding that becomes available. The amount of funding available will depend on the priorities and demands on the Department’s allocated budget.
402. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education if a child (details supplied) can get accepted into a school in Letterkenny, County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11866/24]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
In 2023, my department spent over €2.6 billion on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113 million will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2024, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
Over the last number of years, my department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with almost 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over the last four years.
My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, two new special schools have been established for this current school year in Cork and Dublin, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
In December 2023, I was also very happy to announce with my colleague Minister Foley, the establishment of a further four new special schools for the 2024/25 school year in Meath, Kildare, Wexford and Limerick. This will bring to 11 the number of new special schools established in recent years.
Along with the two new special schools, 390 new special classes – 254 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening this school year.
Of these 18 are in Donegal, 11 at primary and 7 at post-primary level. This brings to 115 the number of special classes in County Donegal, 68 at primary level and 47 at post-primary level.
There are two special schools in Donegal. One school provides for students with mild to moderate learning disabilities and the other for students with moderate, severe and profound learning disabilities.
The NCSE has advised my department that, on the basis of the level of need, the student referred to should seek enrolment to Little Angels Special School which is dedicated to students with moderate, severe and profound general learning disabilities.
The local special educational needs organiser (SENO) is available to provide support and advice to the family and can be contacted directly using the contact details available on the NCSE's website at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.
