Written Answers Nos. 337-357
337. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new places that will be required at second level in 2020 by county; the current provision of places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13267/19]
View answerMy Department’s publication, Projections of Full-Time Enrolment (July 2018), includes the following information on national enrolments at second level, based on the annual returns of post-primary schools for 2017, and the projected enrolments at second level for the following three academic years.
|
Year Beginning |
Second Level |
|
2017 (final) |
357,408 |
|
2018 |
363,495 |
|
2019 |
369,673 |
|
2020 |
377,118 |
Trends in demand for additional places are not spread evenly across or within counties. For school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 geographic areas known as school planning areas which facilitates the orderly planning of school provision and accommodation needs. In identifying the requirement for additional school places, the Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places will arise. The GIS uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Department of Social Protection, in addition to the Department’s own databases. Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date data on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes as there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development, including additional residential developments arising from the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF).
With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.
Where 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 recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including 26 new schools announced at primary level and 16 new schools announced at post-primary level. 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. The requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular will have regard for the increased roll out of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
338. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans to deliver a new school building for a school (details supplied) in Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13281/19]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s 6 year Construction Programme.
The project will be delivered via the Design & Build Programme, which uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning and construction.
Planning Permission was lodged with Cork County Council in August 2018. Additional information was requested by the Local Authority in October 2018. The Project Manager is currently in the process of completing the necessary information and it is envisaged that the additional information will be submitted to Cork County Council in the coming weeks.
339. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the location of the permanent site for a school (details supplied); if the acquisition of the site has been completed; the number of classrooms proposed for the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13300/19]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, with the assistance of officials in Fingal County Council, agreement in principle has been reached with the landowner in respect to the acquisition of a permanent site at Broomfield, Malahide to accommodate the school to which he refers. A project to deliver a 16-classroom school plus 2-classroom SEN base at this location is included on my Department's capital programme.
The project to deliver the permanent accommodation for this school at this location is on my Department's Design and Build Programme and is currently at architectural planning stage.
In the interim my officials continue to work to complete the transfer of the site into my ownership.
340. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a request for additional classroom space by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13313/19]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that an application for additional permanent accommodation is currently under consideration.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that interim prefabricated accommodation has been approved in principle for the school in question. My Department awaits further information from the school.
341. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 204 of 26 February 2019, the reason SOLAS continues to place additional conditions above and beyond the regulations when a person wishes to renew his or her safe pass card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13345/19]
View answerSafe Pass is a one day health and safety awareness programme, which aims to provide those that work in construction environments with a level of basic knowledge and awareness of evolving health and safety standards and practices. The Safe Pass programme is administered by SOLAS and operated by a network of mainly private SOLAS-approved training providers.
The Safe Pass Programme is continually adapted and developed in line with international best practice to ensure the content of the programme is current, fit for purpose and keeps abreast of changes in safety legislation and meets current regulations. Developing best practice in safe behaviour on site and the ever changing profile of the workforce and work environment in the construction industry. The primary objective of the Safe Pass programme is, over the course of time, to reduce construction related fatalities, injuries and illnesses by decreasing the number and frequency of construction site accidents by raising the level of health and safety knowledge and awareness across the construction sector.
A valid Safe Pass card can only be obtained upon successful completion of the Safe Pass Safety Awareness training programme. It is a condition of renewal of the registration card that participants must update their safety awareness training every four years, which is fully supported by all partners within the construction sector.
342. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to make it mandatory to have SNAs on school management boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13354/19]
View answerIn accordance with section 14 of the Education Act, 1998 it is the duty of a school patron to appoint, where practicable, a board of management the composition of which is agreed between patrons of schools, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations, recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers and the Minister.
Under the existing agreed arrangements, there are no provisions for the appointment of non-teaching staff representatives on Boards of Management.
343. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the need for a new school (details supplied) on foot of increased demand due to recent demographic changes will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13388/19]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, 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 already announced, there will be a need for further school accommodation in other areas in the future.
The demographics of an area must support the need for the establishment of a new school.
While the announcement did not include a new post-primary school in Kinnegad (which is located in the Killucan school planning area), 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.
344. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) can be placed on a panel for SNA positions. [13404/19]
View answerThe supplementary assignment arrangements for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) were established on foot of proposals brought forward by the Labour Relations Commission when the Haddington Road Agreement was being agreed. These supplementary assignment arrangements for SNAs continue to operate under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 - 2020, and both unions representing SNAs, namely SIPTU and FÓRSA, have signed up to that agreement.
As set out in the LRC proposals, the supplementary assignment arrangements for SNAs only apply to current SNAs who are notified that they are to be made redundant. Accordingly, the purpose of these arrangements is to facilitate eligible SNAs who are being made redundant by one employer in filling SNA vacancies that may become available in another school / ETB.
Once an SNA with a minimum of one year's service (service in a substitute capacity i.e. covering for maternity leave, sick leave, career breaks, job-sharing etc. does not count) is notified by his/her employer that s/he is to be made redundant then s/he shall be deemed to be a member of a supplementary assignment panel for SNAs.
The detailed supplementary assignment arrangements for SNAs for the 2018/2019 school year are set out in Departmental Circular 0034/2018 which issued on 17 May 2017 and which is available on the Department's website at the following address:
http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0034_2018.pdf
The operation of this panel is described and outlined in Circular 0034/2018 and it is designed to be as flexible as possible which enables all eligible SNAs, who have the requisite Panel Form 1 completed by their former employer, to apply for any SNA position that is advertised by a school or an ETB with no sectoral, diocesan or geographical limitations imposed.
Every eligible SNA will remain on the panel for two years with a view to getting further employment. If they are not successful over that period of time in obtaining a further SNA position then they will be eligible for a redundancy payment. Furthermore, an SNA may opt out of this supplementary assignment panel at any point in time triggering the processing of his/her redundancy payment in line with the terms set out in the SNA redundancy scheme (DES Circular 58/06) or any revision of same that is applicable at that time.
It should be noted that this does not prevent any person, including newly qualified SNAs, from applying for SNA vacancies but employers are obliged to give precedence to applicants who are members of the SNA Supplementary Assignment Panel.
The Supplementary Assignment Panel arrangements are reviewed by my Department on an annual basis in conjunction with an independent Supplementary Assignment Manager, the school management bodies and the two unions representing SNA staff (FÓRSA and SIPTU).
My Department has set up a dedicated e-mail address to deal with all queries in relation to the SNA Supplementary Assignment Panel and any queries in respect of the operation of the Panel can be directed to this dedicated e-mail address:
snasupplementpanel@education.gov.ie.
345. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to open new ASD units in the Fingal area of County Dublin. [13406/19]
View answerI am aware of the demand for additional special class placements in the Fingal area of Dublin.
The National Council for Special Education, (NCSE), an independent agency of my Department, is responsible for planning, coordinating and advising on education provision for children with special educational needs. The Council ensures that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
Individual school boards of management are responsible for the establishment of special classes. It is open to any school in the area to make application to the NCSE to establish a class.
In deciding where to establish a special class in an area, the NCSE take account of the current and projected demand and the available school accommodation both current and planned. In this regard, the SENO may approach individual schools to discuss the matter with a view to finding the optimal location in terms of convenience and sustainability. This work is currently underway in the area concerned.
When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation.
My Department is aware that the establishment of special provision in some schools and communities can be challenging.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 will assist in addressing this issue in areas where the NCSE is of the opinion that there is insufficient education provision for children with special educational needs.
Section 8 of the Act provides 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.
346. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated number of children that will commence national school in September 2019, by year of birth and local authority. [13431/19]
View answerIt is estimated that 65,743 children will commence attending national school in September 2019. A further breakdown of this figure, by year of birth and local authority, is not available at this time.
347. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated number of children that commenced national school in September 2018, by year of birth and local authority. [13432/19]
View answerThe number of Junior Infants who started in mainstream primary schools in September 2017 is shown in the table following. The 2017 data is the latest available as 2018 data is still being finalised and will be published in June.
Junior Infants by County, by Year of Birth, 2017/2018
|
- |
Year of Birth |
- |
|||
|
Administrative County |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
Total |
|
Carlow County Council |
195 |
717 |
17 |
929 |
|
|
Cavan County Council |
197 |
958 |
32 |
1,187 |
|
|
Clare County Council |
270 |
1,283 |
30 |
1,583 |
|
|
Cork City Council |
462 |
1,242 |
30 |
1,734 |
|
|
Cork County Council |
933 |
4,913 |
122 |
3 |
5,971 |
|
Donegal County Council |
470 |
1,661 |
24 |
2,155 |
|
|
Dublin City Council |
2,064 |
3,992 |
64 |
1 |
6,121 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
753 |
1,829 |
24 |
2,606 |
|
|
Fingal County Council |
1,146 |
3,528 |
84 |
1 |
4,759 |
|
Galway City Council |
236 |
689 |
15 |
940 |
|
|
Galway County Council |
424 |
2,282 |
48 |
2,754 |
|
|
Kerry County Council |
310 |
1,589 |
49 |
1 |
1,949 |
|
Kildare County Council |
796 |
2,719 |
47 |
3,562 |
|
|
Kilkenny County Council |
297 |
1,042 |
14 |
1,353 |
|
|
Laois County Council |
249 |
1,066 |
27 |
1,342 |
|
|
Leitrim County Council |
109 |
323 |
5 |
437 |
|
|
Limerick City and County Council |
654 |
2,099 |
37 |
2,790 |
|
|
Longford County Council |
150 |
491 |
18 |
659 |
|
|
Louth County Council |
613 |
1,391 |
20 |
2,024 |
|
|
Mayo County Council |
317 |
1,371 |
33 |
1,721 |
|
|
Meath County Council |
603 |
2,468 |
59 |
3,130 |
|
|
Monaghan County Council |
312 |
640 |
9 |
961 |
|
|
Offaly County Council |
211 |
853 |
26 |
2 |
1,092 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
202 |
709 |
16 |
927 |
|
|
Sligo County Council |
238 |
701 |
18 |
957 |
|
|
South Dublin County Council |
1,397 |
3,036 |
59 |
4,492 |
|
|
Tipperary County Council |
465 |
1,636 |
28 |
2,129 |
|
|
Waterford City and County Council |
455 |
1,208 |
26 |
1,689 |
|
|
Westmeath County Council |
247 |
1,117 |
41 |
1,405 |
|
|
Wexford County Council |
374 |
1,720 |
28 |
1 |
2,123 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
485 |
1,672 |
26 |
2 |
2,185 |
|
Total |
15,634 |
50,945 |
1,076 |
10 |
67,666 |
348. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to establish a new primary school in a location (details supplied) in County Cork; when the school will be established; the position regarding the patronage of the school; the location of the school in the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13445/19]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022) including a new 16-classroom primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Carrigaline school planning area. 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.
A patronage process is run after it has been decided, based on demographic analysis, that a new school is required. This patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons. Parental preferences for each patron, from parents of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of diversity currently available in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of this process.
An Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) has been developed by my Department to provide objective information to all parents which will allow them to make an informed choice about their preferred model of patronage for their child’s education. Parental preferences will be collected based on direct engagement with patron bodies.
The patronage process for new schools is overseen by an external independent advisory group, the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG). Following their consideration of my Department’s assessment reports, the NSEG will submit a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision.
The patronage process for schools due to be established in 2020, including the school referred to by the Deputy, will be run later this year. Updates in relation to further patronage processes will be announced on the OPPS website and the Department’s website (www.education.ie).
The school was announced as a 16 classroom school and will open September 2020 in suitable interim accommodation.
In relation to the permanent school site, my Department are currently identifying site options and a determination regarding the permanent location for the school will be made as soon as possible.
349. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for an amalgamation of two schools in a town (details supplied) in County Cork; if a new school building will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13446/19]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the schools to which he refers is included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme.
My Department is currently finalising the project brief and in this regard has recently written to the school authority seeking clarification in relation to certain associated matters.
My Department is aware that both schools have agreed to amalgamate with the consent of the schools Patron.
351. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the findings of the review of the governance, funding and accountability arrangements of his Department for education centres conducted in 2016 by a company (details supplied) will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13482/19]
View answerEducation Centres are independent statutory bodies under Section 37 of the Education Act (1998) and are managed by voluntary management committees elected annually and comprised mainly of teachers.
My Department is the main funder of Education Centres through direct budget allocations for administrative staff pay and operating costs. The Education Centres also receive significant funding from the support services which are funded entirely by my Department for the purpose of designing and delivering continuing professional development courses and other professional support for teachers throughout the country.
In general, the Department is undertaking significant efforts to further develop and implement consistent and robust governance arrangements across the education sector. This work is guided by a management board committee on sectoral governance chaired by the Secretary General and supported by a sectoral governance unit which undertakes work which supports the enhancement and standardisation of governance and accountability oversight across the Department, including implementation of the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies.
With regard to Education centres, the Department has embarked upon a programme of governance modernisation to complement and update the previous requirements that Education Centres are required to observe, and in line with a desire to continually improve the governance and accountability structure in the sector. This programme is being informed by the Mazars Review of the Department’s Governance, Funding and Accountability arrangements for Education Support Centres. The Mazars report has been circulated to all Education Centres. In addition, there have been developments in governance requirements for state funded bodies as outlined in the Code of Practice for State Bodies which need to be reflected in the sector.
A Steering Group has been established to lead on the development of a programme of actions for the modernisation of governance and accountability arrangements for Education Centres and to oversee its implementation. The work of this group is supported by an Implementation Group and a number of Working Groups.
352. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills when corrections will be made to the employment record of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal to allow the Revenue Commissioners to issue a correct tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13484/19]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy changed employment status within the school which resulted in her being assigned a new employment ID. This resulted in zero tax credits being assigned to the employment record of the person.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that this issue has been rectified for the payroll issue of the 4th April and my officials have been in contact with the person referred to in relation to the matter.
353. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when emergency repair works will commence at a school (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13508/19]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that roof remediation works are due to commence during the Easter Holidays. The school has been informed.
354. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) will receive learning support measures. [13509/19]
View answerThe National Council for Special education (NCSE), an independent agency of my Department, is responsible for planning, coordinating and advising on education provision for children with special educational needs.
The NCSE have informed my officials that they are not in receipt of any recent application from a school for supports for the student referred to by the Deputy.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) team of locally based Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise parents and identify available specialised school placements. They also support and advise schools in this area.
Parents who are need assistance/advice or who are experiencing difficulties in locating a specialised placement, should contact their local SENO. All local SENO the contact details are available on the NCSE website at http://ncse.ie/seno-contact-list
355. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if in-class supports and learning support hours are being provided for students in need at a school (details supplied); the reason a SNA was not provided for a person when it was recommended for them on professional advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13522/19]
View answerInformation on how additional teaching resources to support children with special educational needs are allocated to primary and post schools are outlined in circulars 0013/2017 and 0014/2017 issued by my Department. Revised allocations for 2019/20 recently issued to schools and Circulars 0007/2019 for primary schools and 0008/2019 for post primary schools provide the details.
The Special Education Teaching allocation provides a single unified allocation for special educational support teaching needs to each school, based on each school’s educational profile.
Under the allocation model, schools have been provided with a total allocation for special education needs support based on their school profile.
The provision of a profiled allocation is designed to give a fair allocation for each school which recognises that all schools need an allocation for special needs support, but which provides a graduated allocation which takes into account the level of need in each school.
Schools, including the school the Deputy has referred to are frontloaded with resources, based on each school’s profile. The allocations to schools include provision to support all pupils in the schools, including where a child receives a diagnosis after the allocation is received by a school, or where there are newly enrolling pupils to the school.
Both my Department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) are committed to ensuring that all schools are treated equally and fairly in the manner in which their school profiles have been calculated.
The 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.
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.
356. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost to date of establishing a redress scheme for victims of sexual abuse in primary schools; the number of applicants that have been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13526/19]
View answerThe legacy of sexual abuse against children and young people, whether in residential institutions, in day schools, or in any other setting, is appalling. Everything that can be done should be done to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice and to ensure that those responsible provide redress to the victims.
The State Claims Agency (SCA) is mandated to deal with litigation arising from abuse in schools but there isn't a redress scheme as such for victims of abuse in primary schools.
If the Deputy is referring to the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights judgment in the Louise O'Keeffe case, the Government agreed in December 2014 that out of court settlements be offered in those extant cases of school child sexual abuse being brought against the State where the cases come within the terms of the judgment and satisfy the Statute of Limitations. The SCA, who manage such cases on behalf of the State, has made settlement offers which have been accepted in 6 cases.
In July 2015, the Government approved proposals to offer ex-gratia payments up to a maximum of €84,000 to those who initiated legal proceedings in such cases against the State but who subsequently discontinued their claims against the State where, similarly, the circumstances of the claims come within the terms of the European Court’s judgment and where the claims were not statute barred prior to the proceedings being discontinued. Persons who believe that their cases come within the criteria can contact the SCA and provide supporting evidence. Where there is a disagreement between the SCA and the individual as to whether their circumstances come within the terms of the European Court’s judgment, the application can be reviewed by an independent assessor.
357. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in providing funding for the emergency works at a centre (details supplied); if funding has been approved by his Department for the works; and when the funding will be released in order that works can be carried out. [13537/19]
View answer359. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in providing funding for emergency works at a centre (details supplied) in County Dublin; if funding has been approved for these works; when the funding will be realised in order that these works can be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13606/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 359 together.
I am aware of the request for funding referred to by the Deputies. Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) has agreed to assist the Centre with addressing these issues. Officials from my Department have been in contact with DDLETB in that respect. A report on the project has been provided to the Department and is being reviewed. Further information is also now being sought from DDLETB. We will work with DDELTB to progress the resolution of the issues with the project as quickly as possible.
