Written Answers Nos. 246-263
247. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the plight of a pupil with autism that will shortly complete primary school and whose parent has applied and been refused (details supplied); and the options available to this pupil and others on the autism spectrum. [49082/18]
View answerIt is the policy of my Department that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with Autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.
Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.
The greater proportion of children with Autism attend mainstream classes, but some require the environment of a special class or special school. This decision is based a recommendation contained within a professional assessment in consultation with the NCSE.
Students enrolling in specialised placements must have a report from a relevant professional or team of professionals stating that:
- S/he has a disability (in line with the designation of the special placement in question) and
- S/he has significant learning needs that require the support of a specialised setting and the reasons why this is the case.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for organising and planning provision for children with Special Educational Needs, including the establishment of special classes in mainstream primary and post primary schools.
Since 2011, the NCSE has increased the number of special classes from 548 in 2011 to 1,459 across the country now, of which 1,196 are Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) special classes.
124 special schools also provide specialist education for those students with complex special educational needs, including students diagnosed with ASD.
The NCSE is aware of emerging need in Dublin from year to year, and where special provision, including special class provision, is required, it is planned and established to meet that need. This process is ongoing.
The NCSE advises parents to seek to enrol their child, by applying in writing, to the school/s of their choice as early as possible.
Where parents have been unsuccessful in enrolling their child in a school placement, for the 2019/20 school year, they should update their local SENO to inform the planning process. Contact details are available on www.ncse.ie .
As the Deputy has not provided adequate details I cannot comment on the specific case to which you refer. I would advise the Deputy to refer the specific case, including details in relation to the child, to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) for their attention and direct reply.
My Department has acknowledged that in recent years the establishment of special class provision in some schools and communities has been challenging.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 when fully commenced will assist in addressing this issue in areas where the NCSE is of the opinion that there is insufficient capacity in relation to the provision of education for children with special educational needs.
Section 8 of the Act, which will commence from Monday 3rd December 2018, will provide the Minister with a power, after a process of consultation with the NCSE, the board of management and the patron of the school, to compel a school to make additional provision for the education of children with special educational needs.
The NCSE is engaging with the education partners and will finalise procedures in advance of this date. This new power will build on the work which has been done in recent years to facilitate schools to open special classes.
250. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills if special needs assistance access to a student (details supplied) will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49089/18]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school.
The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie , in order that students who have care needs can access SNA support as and when it is needed.
In considering applications for SNA support for individual pupils, the NCSE take account of the pupils' needs and consider the resources available to the school to identify whether additionality is needed or whether the school might reasonably be expected to meet the needs of the pupils from its current level of resources.
SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource.
SNA allocations to all schools can change from year to year as children with care needs leave the school, as new children with care needs enrol in a school and as children develop more independent living skills and their care needs diminish over time.
My Department’s policy is to ensure that every child who is assessed as needing SNA support will receive access to such support.
By the end of this year, there will be a total of 15,000 Special Needs Assistants working in our schools, a 42% increase on 2011.
As this question relates to a particular child, I have referred the question to the NCSE for their direct reply. I do not have a role in making determinations in individual cases.
252. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school places there are available in the Dublin 24 area at both primary and post-primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49091/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not hold the specific information to which he refers.
More detailed information relating to enrolment levels in all primary and post schools nationwide is available on the Department's website at the following link:
https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Data-on-Individual-Schools.
In relation to school admissions, parents can choose which school to apply to and where the schoolhas places available, the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. The Deputy will note however that the selection process procedures and enrolment policy are the responsibility of the individual school authorities.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, which was signed by the President on the 18th July 2018, is an important piece of legislation which will introduce a more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school admissions policy operates for the almost 4,000 primary and post-primary schools in this country and a fair and balanced school admission process for all pupils.
The Deputy will be aware that a new post-primary school for the Firhouse, Dublin 24 area opened in interim accommodation in September 2018. I can confirm that the school opened with an enrolment of 43 pupils.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's capital investment programme provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for existing schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified.
253. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of progress on the renewal of a lease held by a school (details supplied) to secure permanent stabilising tenancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49106/18]
View answerI can confirm that there is a lease in place up to 2024 for the school building occupied by the school referred to by the Deputy. There are no plans to change the current arrangements regarding the use of the school building.
254. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 9 October 2018, when a school transport service will be provided for a person (details supplied); when contact will be made with the family as they have received no correspondence from Bus Éireann regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49148/18]
View answerSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
In the 2017/18 school year over 117,000 children, including over 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually at a total cost of almost €190 million in 2017.
School Transport Section has reviewed the background to this case and has requested Bus Éireann to issue a school transport ticket to the pupil in question.
255. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of funding for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49150/18]
View answerMy Department has not received any direct communication from the Patron or Board of Management of the school referred to by the Deputy.
My Department has been made aware that the Patron has written to the Board of Management relating to the matter. My Department awaits a communication from the Board of Management in this regard.
256. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the schools building unit has considered a proposal from a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49153/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included in my Department's 6 year Construction Programme. My Department is currently considering the school's proposal as well as the demographic need in the area and will be in further contact with the school authority when this process has been finalised.
257. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider introducing a pilot programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49154/18]
View answerMy Department has published a National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development which aims to ensure that education contributes to sustainable development by equipping learners with the relevant knowledge, the key dispositions and skills and the values that will motivate and empower them throughout their lives to become informed active citizens who take action for a more sustainable future.
The EU Commission published its European Strategy for Plastics in January 2018. This strategy focuses on plastics production and use and sets a goal of ensuring all plastic packaging produced in the EU is recyclable by 2030. I understand that my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment is working with the EU and other Member States to see how this country can play its part in meeting the ambition of this Strategy.
Schools at primary and post primary level can apply to be a part of the Green Schools Programme. This promotes long-term, whole-school action for the environment. Green-Schools is a student-led programme with involvement from the wider community. The programme is operated and co-ordinated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce (FEE member for Ireland).
I understand that my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment is working with Local Authorities to roll out an education programme on the recycling of all waste, including plastics. This Recycling Ambassadors Programme will comprise of 650 workshops on how to recycle properly for community groups and workplaces and information on this programme can be found at www.voiceireland.org/rap/
258. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Education and Skills the school principals of a school (details supplied) since the foundation of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49171/18]
View answerThe principal teachers of the school referred to by the Deputy were recruited and employed by the managerial authority of the school. They have been paid on payrolls operated by my Department on behalf of the managerial authority. The information required for their payment is provided by the managerial authority on standardised forms submitted to my Department.
The main purpose for which my Department requires the personal data provided is the correct payment of the salary. It is also required for the correct payment of pension at retirement.
Under the terms of the General Data Protection Regulation, the information as requested by the Deputy cannot be provided by my Department.
259. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to extending the school year for children with special needs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49173/18]
View answerMy Department's July Provision Grant Scheme provides funding for an extended school year for children with severe/profound general learning disabilities or children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The scheme was developed to reduce potential regression in learning associated with these specific categories of special education needs over the summer holidays.
Under the scheme, the school year of participating schools is extended by four weeks in July.
Each year eligible schools are invited to participate in the Programme. Participation in the scheme by the school is voluntary and subject to the availability of suitably qualified personnel in July. Staffing resources for the JEP, i.e. teachers and SNAs are the same as those provided for the participating children during the normal school year.
Where school-based provision is not feasible, eligible students may be granted 40 hours home-based tuition (10 hours for each of the four weeks). The qualification standard for home based tuition reflects that required in a school environment.
The Deputy may be aware that the National Council for Special Education’s Policy Advice on Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (2016) included a review of the July Provision Grant Scheme.
In the course of preparing the advice, the NCSE consulted widely with a range of stakeholders including parents, teachers, academics, experts, psychologists, HSE officials and others.
The NCSE also reviewed relevant national and international research.
The Policy advice is available on the NCSE’s website.
My Department has convened an Implementation Group with representatives of the NCSE, NEPS, the Inspectorate and representatives from other Departments and agencies to ensure that the Report’s recommendations are fully and appropriately considered.
There are no plans to change the July provision scheme until this work is complete.
260. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of junior infants places available in the Ballincollig catchment area for 2019; the projected enrolments; and the plans to accommodate a shortfall in places. [49176/18]
View answer261. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of junior infant places planned to be available for the next school year in each of the schools in the Ballincollig catchment area in tabular form. [49177/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not hold the specific information to which he refers. More detailed information relating to enrolment levels in all primary and post-primary schools nationwide is available on the Department's website at the following link:
https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Data-on-Individual-Schools.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure.
In addition to the new schools announced, there will be a need for further school accommodation in other areas in the future. I have highlighted that the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular would have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
While the announcement did not include a new primary school in the Ballincollig school planning area, two new primary schools were announced for the adjoining school planning areas as follows:
- a new 8 classroom primary school to serve the Glasheen/Cork City/Pouladuff school planning area to be established in 2019; and
- a new 16 classroom primary school to serve the Carrigaline school planning area to be established in 2020.
My Department's responsibility is to provide sufficient accommodation to meet 20,000 new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place. It is open to an individual school to apply for accommodation under the additional accommodation scheme if the school does not have sufficient capacity to meet school places.
262. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused a place at a local national school which the person had been enrolled in prior to commencement particularly when this school has a special unit for special needs; his views on whether this decision is discriminatory and entirely unfair refusing this young person a place to begin primary school education in view of the facts provided; and if he will review this case accordingly with the school. [49240/18]
View answerIt is the policy of my Department that all children with Special Educational Needs can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.
Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.
Some children with special educational needs attend mainstream classes, but some require the environment of a special class or special school. This decision is based on a recommendation contained within a professional assessment in consultation with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
Students enrolling in specialised placements must have a report from a relevant professional or team of professionals stating that:
- S/he has a disability (in line with the designation of the special placement in question) and
- S/he has significant learning needs that require the support of a specialised setting and the reasons why this is the case.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) plans and co-ordinates the provision of educational support services to children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The enrolment of a child in a school is a matter, in the first instance, for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools and it does not maintain details of waiting lists in schools.
Accordingly, the NCSE advises parents, to seek to enrol their child, by applying in writing, to the school/s of their choice as early as possible. Where parents need advice or are experiencing difficulties in locating a school placement, including a special class placement, they should contact their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) who can assist in identifying an appropriate educational placement for their child. Contact details are available at http://ncse.ie/seno-contact-list
The NCSE also works in collaboration with the Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency which is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child or can offer assistance where a child is out of school.
The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO). Contact details are available at http://www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/
It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. The selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to publish its enrolment policy.
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to either the relevant Educational Training Board or to the Secretary General of my Department.
Where there is no placement available for a child with Special Educational Needs, my Department will consider applications under the Home Tuition Grant Scheme, where a student can receive up to 20 hours home tuition per week as an interim measure until a placement becomes available.
The NCSE have advised my Department’s officials that they have no record of an application for support in respect of the student named by the deputy. On this basis, the student’s parents should, as outlined above, contact their local SENO for guidance.
263. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether it is acceptable that a parent has been turned down by 24 different schools in terms of providing a place for their child that is on the autism spectrum (details supplied). [49246/18]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of Special Needs Organisers, for the development and delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with Special Educational Needs, including the establishment of special class and special school placements.
Since 2011, the NCSE has increased the number of special classes from 548 in 2011 to 1,459 across the country now, of which 1,196 are Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) special classes.
The enrolment of a child to a school is a matter, in the first instance, for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools and it does not maintain details of waiting lists in schools.
Parents/guardians who may need advice or are experiencing difficulties in locating a school placement should contact their local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) who can assist in identifying an appropriate educational placement for their child. Contact details are available on www.ncse.ie.
The NCSE works in collaboration with the Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency which is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child or can offer assistance where a child is out of school. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO). Contact details are available at http://www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/.
In circumstances, where there is no school placement available for a child with Special Educational Needs, my Department will provide the Home Tuition grant towards the provision of 20 hours tuition per week as an interim measure until the NCSE confirms that a placement is available.
It is suggested that the parents in this particular case get in touch with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) as soon as possible.
