Tuesday, 10 Dec 2019

School Services Staff

Questions (187)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

187. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full-year cost of bringing secretary pay in line with those employed directly by his Department. [51340/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I recognise the very important work done by these staff, and the other support staff in the running of our schools. I have spoken to a number of staff about their employment conditions and understand the issues they have raised.

In Budget 2020 I increased the number of secretaries and caretakers in certain schools, allowing schools with enrolments of 500-625 to fill secretary vacancies provided they have fewer than 1.5 secretaries; schools with enrolments of 626-699 to fill vacancies provided they have fewer than two secretary posts filled, and schools of 700 or more to fill caretaker vacancies provided they have fewer than two caretakers. These measures will take effect from September 2020.

Earlier this year I relaxed the moratorium for those C&C and ETB schools with enrolments of 700 and more which allow them to employ additional school secretaries up to a maximum of two per school. There are 91 schools in the C&C and ETB Sector who meet this criteria, based on the information currently available to this Department. This is an initial step and has taken immediate effect

Schemes were initiated in 1978 and 1979 for the employment of clerical officers and caretakers in schools. The schemes were withdrawn completely in 2008. These schemes have been superseded by the more extensive capitation grant schemes. The current grant scheme was agreed in the context of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, published in 1991.

The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools now receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services under these grant schemes. It is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs. Where a school uses the grant funding for caretaking or secretarial purposes, any staff taken on to support those functions are employees of individual schools. Specific responsibility for terms of employment rests with the school.

On foot of a Chairman’s Note to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, my Department engaged with the Unions representing school secretaries and caretakers, including through an independent arbitration process in 2015. The Arbitrator recommended a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 for staff and that a minimum hourly pay rate of €13 be phased in over that period. This arbitration agreement covers the period up to 31 December 2019.

The arbitration agreement was designed to be of greatest benefit to lower-paid secretaries and caretakers. For example, a secretary or caretaker who was paid the then minimum wage of €8.65 per hour in 2015 prior to the arbitration has from 1 January 2019, been paid €13 per hour which is a 50% increase in that individual’s hourly pay.

The increases recommended by the Arbitrator are binding and must be applied by all schools who employ staff to whom the Arbitrator’s recommendation applies. My Department receives informal correspondence by telephone in respect of grant-funded secretary and caretaker circulars, as regularly occurs with the publication of pay circulars. Advice is provided on the implementation of the circular and the appropriate steps to take. Secretaries and Caretakers who have queries regarding the application of the circular should raise queries directly with their individual employer / Board of Management.

In addition, the recent survey of Secretaries and Caretakers has identified some schools that are non-compliant with the provisions of the 2015 Arbitration Agreement, and my Department will be making contact with these schools to remind them of their obligations under the agreement, as implemented through various circulars. The links below will bring you to the most recent circulars in respect of the pay increases under the 2015 Arbitration Agreement.

www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0076_2018.pdf.

www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0077_2018.pdf.

Officials from my Department attended a meeting of the Joint Committee on Education and Skills on the 9th of April to discuss the status of non-teaching staff.

In May this year officials from my Department had discussions with FÓRSA trade union representatives as part of a planned meeting. FÓRSA took the opportunity to formally table a pay claim.

This was tabled as a follow-on claim from the current pay agreement for this cohort of staff which lasts until December 2019. The Department issued surveys on the 10th of July to establish the full current cost of the trade union’s claim. This is standard practice.

Officials from the Department met with FÓRSA representatives in September. Management Bodies representing the employers of schools impacted by the action were also in attendance at the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to further explore the details of the pay claim as presented by FÓRSA and the nature of the industrial action.

On 30 September FÓRSA requested the Department to agree to use the services of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to resolve the dispute. As is normal practice the Department has agreed to use the industrial relations machinery of the state in an effort to resolve this matter.

In order to address the various issues within the claim and to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution, the Department is in discussions with FÓRSA under the auspices of the WRC. Accordingly, the Department is not in a position to issue the figures requested by the Deputy.

School Transport Fees

Questions (188)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

188. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of waiving fees paid by students for school transport via the school transport scheme at primary and secondary level, respectively. [51341/19]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills. In the 2018/19 school year there were over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually at a cost of over €200m in 2018.

The purpose of the School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. Children are generally eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria and are attending their nearest school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

The annual charge for school transport services is €100 per annum for primary children and €350 for post primary children with a maximum family charge of €220 for primary children only or €650 overall.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who hold valid medical cards (GMS Scheme) are exempt from paying the annual charge. In addition, there is no charge for children who are eligible for school transport under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for children with Special Educational Needs.

In general the unit cost for transporting mainstream children is some €1,000 per annum, while the unit cost for transporting children with special educational needs is €7,000 or €9,000 when the provision of escorts are included.

In 2018, receipts from school transport charges amounted to some €15.9m or about 8% of the total cost of the scheme provided by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.

The school transport scheme is a demand-led service based on the number of eligible children who apply to avail of transport.

Education and Training Boards Staff

Questions (189)

Seán Crowe

Question:

189. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the staff shortage in the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the shortage is severely impacting on the service it provides and persons seeking to avail of its services are being directed to other DDLETB centres due to the shortages in south-west County Dublin; the reason for the staff shortage; the way in which he plans to ensure the shortage is ended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51343/19]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

I understand that this question relates specifically to the employment of Guidance Counsellors in Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB).

Guidance is provided in the Further Education and Training sector through the Adult Education Guidance Service (AEGS) and through the guidance allocations to Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) Colleges.

SOLAS provides funding to the 16 Education and Training Boards for the provision of an AEGS that provides a comprehensive, professional and quality guidance and information service to the returning adult learner. This service is open to those who;

- are currently on Literacy, BTEI, Community Education and VTOS programmes

- wish to return to learning but do not know what to do or where to start looking

- left school early and wish to continue with their education and training

- are in receipt of social welfare benefits or who are dependent on someone who is in receipt of social welfare benefits

My officials have contacted DDLETB in relation to your question. The ETB have stated that they are not aware of any referral to other services or areas as a result of a staff shortages.

The ETB reported that in Dublin South East, the ETB employs two Guidance Counsellors and one Information Officer. In Dublin South West, they employ 2 Guidance Counsellors and 2 Information Officers, one of which is currently vacant as a result of a very recent retirement. I understand a recruitment process is underway to fill this vacancy.

School Transport Eligibility

Questions (190)

Denis Naughten

Question:

190. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 210 of 26 November 2019, when Bus Éireann will commence liaising with the family in relation to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51347/19]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.

The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

In the 2018/2019 school year over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €200m in 2018.

Children are eligible for school transport where they reside 3.2 kilometres or over and are attending their nearest primary school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

The pupil referred by the Deputy is deemed eligible for transport under the terms of Primary School Transport Scheme. Bus Éireann have advised that they have been in contact with the family in regard to transport arrangements.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (191)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

191. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new secondary school for the Malahide and Portmarnock areas of County Dublin as announced in November 2015; if he has identified locations for the proposed schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51356/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The building project for Malahide Portmarnock Educate Together Secondary School is being delivered under my Department's Design & Build programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Management team to progress the project through the stages of architectural planning, tendering and construction.

The procurement process for a bundle of projects has commenced, with the publication of a contract notice to determine a short-list of interested contractors. The new school building for the school referred to by the Deputy is part of this bundle of projects. The procurement process (and the associated tendering to short-listed contractors) for this bundle of projects will be ongoing during Q4 2019 and Q1 2020. It is anticipated that construction of this school building project will commence in Q2 2020. The first phase is planned to facilitate occupation of the new permanent school building in the 2020/2021 school year. The site is located in Drinan, Swords.

Training Support Grant

Questions (192)

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

192. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person who is unemployed and wishes to undertake an ETB course is eligible for a social welfare payment while partaking in the course (details supplied). [51362/19]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Training allowances are available to social welfare recipients participating on most full time ETB further education and training programmes. The rate is generally the same as the rate of their social welfare payment. A training allowance is not paid on the Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programme but prospective participants in receipt of a social welfare payment can apply to their INTREO office for the Back to Education Allowance.

Details of ETB courses are available on www.fetchcourses.ie and social welfare recipients can also discuss their options with their INTREO case officer or with the ETB Adult Education Guidance Service.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (193)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

193. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the case of a person (details supplied) will be addressed in which a child has no place for school in September 2020. [51365/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The provision of education for children with special needs, including those with Autism, is an ongoing priority for Government.

Currently, almost 20% of the total Education Vote or €1.9bn is invested in supporting children with special needs.

Since 2011 investment in Special Education supports has increased by 50%, which is significantly above the 7% increase in total student numbers over the same period.

As a result the numbers of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.

The majority of children with Autism attend mainstream class, where they may access additional supports if required.

But some students may find it difficult to manage full-time placement in mainstream and so placement in a Special Class or Special School setting may be deemed appropriate where placement in mainstream class is not in the best interests of the child.

The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide and has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents. Accordingly, my Department is not involved in the placement of individual children in school.

The Council ensures that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.

Nationally, 167 new special classes opened this school year, which means there are 1,618 special classes in place, compared to 548 in 2011.

Of these 1,353 special classes cater for students diagnosed with ASD.

Provision in our 124 special schools has also increased from 6,848 placements in 2011 to 7,872 this year.

In Kildare alone, there are 75 special classes and 4 Special Schools providing specialist support to children with more complex special educational needs.

The NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and school places in Kildare to meet identified need for next year. This process is ongoing.

The NCSE has informed the Department that, in general, they are satisfied that they have planned sufficient ASD post primary special class placements to meet identified need in Kildare for next year.

I understand that the local Special Education Needs Organiser is working with the family and will continue to be available until a suitable placement has been secured.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (194)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Question:

194. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his officials have examined the lack of space at second-level schools in Edenderry, County Offaly, for children in the town and in the catchment area who will require access to special classes at post-primary level from June 2020 onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51378/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The provision of education for children with special needs, including those with Autism, is an ongoing priority for Government.

Currently, almost 20% of the total Education Vote or €1.9bn is invested in supporting children with special needs.

Since 2011 investment in Special Education supports has increased by 50%, which is significantly above the 7% increase in total student numbers over the same period.

As a result the numbers of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.

The majority of children with Autism attend mainstream class, where they may access additional supports if required.

But some students may find it difficult to manage full-time placement in mainstream and so placement in a Special Class or Special School setting may be deemed appropriate where placement in mainstream class is not in the best interests of the child.

The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide and has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents.

Nationally, 167 new special classes opened this school year, which means there are 1,618 special classes in place, compared to 548 in 2011.

Of these 1,353 special classes cater for students diagnosed with ASD.

Provision in our 124 special schools has also increased from 6,848 placements in 2011 to 7,872 this year.

In Offaly alone, there are 68 special classes and 1 Special School providing specialist support to children with more complex special educational needs.

The NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and school places in Offaly to meet identified need for next year. This process is ongoing.

All schools have the contact details of their local SENO, while Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs and to identify appropriate educational placements, using the contact details available on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie.

It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, there is a range of supports including capital funding available to the school.

As the Deputy's question relates to the NCSE planning for special class provision in a particular school area I have arranged for the question to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Questions (195)

Carol Nolan

Question:

195. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio in DEIS band one schools will be urgently prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51390/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The DEIS programme allows for a reduced class size in Urban Band 1 primary schools with the application of a preferential staffing schedule to these schools of 20:1 at junior classes and 24:1 at senior classes to support those students at the highest risk of educational disadvantage.

As the Deputy may be aware, DEIS Plan acknowledges the allocation of teaching resources to DEIS primary schools with the highest concentrations of children at risk of educational disadvantage has served to improve learning outcomes. It also commits to the evaluation of the level of teaching resources for schools participating in DEIS to be undertaken to inform future policy in this area.

In order to facilitate this a Class Size Working Group was established comprising representatives from the Education Partners, the Educational Research Centre and the relevant Business Units in my Department. This group has met on a number of occasions to consider class size in the context of improved learning outcomes of those most at risk of educational disadvantage.

A report on the work of this group is currently being finalised, and will take into consideration the feedback and observations of the working group members. It is intended that this will be finalised in the coming weeks and its findings will inform future policy direction in this area.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Questions (196)

Carol Nolan

Question:

196. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the actions taken to increase the number of ASD units at primary and post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51391/19]