Thomas Byrne
Question:153. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the meetings that have taken place to date on the reopening of schools in September 2020. [7230/20]
View answerCovid-19 Pandemic
Questions (153)
Written answers
On the 1 May 2020, the Taoiseach announced as part of the "Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business" that schools will commence opening on a phased basis at the beginning of the 2020/2021 academic year.
My Department is engaging and working with the education partners and relevant stakeholders on planning arrangements for the re-opening of schools in accordance with the timeframe outlined in the roadmap and all decisions on how schools are to safely re-open and operate will be consistent with public health advice. There has been a meeting of the primary education forum and a meeting with post-primary stakeholders which took place last week. The Department has also been engaging with management bodies on a weekly basis to prepare guidance for the school sector on a range of issues, and this guidance has been published on the Department’s website.
In addition as part of this engagement, each of the education partners were given the opportunity to outline the key issues that they would like to have considered in the context of re-opening schools.
These will now be worked through in detail as part of the development of the roadmap for re-opening schools. Ongoing meetings with stakeholders will be arranged as the Roadmap for Reopening Schools is developed.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (154)
Thomas Byrne
Question:154. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the recent statement that the reopening of schools is one of the safest things that can be done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7231/20]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that decisions in relation to schools re-opening and operating will be underpinned by the ongoing public health advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and the Department of Health.
On the 1 May 2020, the Taoiseach announced as part of the "Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business" that schools will commence opening on a phased basis at the beginning of the 2020/2021 academic year.
My Department is engaging and working with the education partners and relevant stakeholders on planning arrangements for the re-opening of schools in accordance with the timeframe outlined in the roadmap and all decisions on how schools are to safely re-open and operate will be consistent with public health advice.
As part of this engagement, each of the education partners were given the opportunity to outline the key issues that they would like to have considered in the context of re-opening schools.
These will now be worked through in detail as part of the development of the roadmap for re-opening schools. This work will also be informed by guidance and experience from other jurisdictions and from advice published by international bodies such as the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (155)
Thomas Byrne
Question:155. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will commission a report on the short, medium and long-term impact of school closures on the educational development of young persons. [7232/20]
View answerWritten answers
A key priority for my Department is to minimise the impact of school closures on the educational development of young persons due to the Covid 19 crisis, and we are currently undertaking a number of actions to ensure this.
Guidance has already issued to schools to help ensure the continuity of teaching and learning, to support those with Special Educational Needs, those in areas of educational disadvantage, and to help support the wellbeing of all learners.
Guidance will issue shortly which will include information to support learners at each of the key stages of transition. The aim of the distant learning approaches set out in this guidance is to ensure that children stay connected with learning to facilitate progression to the next level of their education.
This guidance has been developed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders – including teachers, parents and learners. There is also ongoing consultation with the management bodies and unions from both sectors on all matters relating to Covid 19, which will continue for the foreseeable future.
School communities have been learning to adjust and adapt to the challenges they face at this time and have taken up the challenge of staying connected with their students for teaching, learning and maintaining the social connections and supports that are so important for young people’s wellbeing. The aim of distant learning approaches is to ensure that children stay connected with learning to facilitate progression to the next level of their education.
A group has also been established within my Department to look at the reopening of schools in the Autumn. This involves two strands:
- the logistics of reopening; health and safety; hygiene; social distancing, etc. and
- curriculum considerations, i.e. what needs to be put in place to support ongoing progression for learners and addressing any shortfall that may result from school closures.
My department will keep this situation under review and will continue to issue advice and guidance to schools as appropriate, in accordance with the advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team, in order to mitigate any impact on the educational development of young persons.
School Staff
Questions (156)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:156. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the case of a school (details supplied) that lost the placement of a mainstream teacher due to falling short in projected enrolment numbers for September 2020 by one pupil; if he will review this decision in view of the potential for further enrolment between now and September 2020, the very small margin upon which this decision was made and the denial of an appeal by the primary staffing appeals board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7268/20]
View answerWritten answers
The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location. The staffing schedule includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board.
The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The Appeals Board has deemed the appeal ineligible under the criteria set out in Circular 18/2020 and the school has been notified of this decision.
The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
School Accommodation
Questions (157)
Neale Richmond
Question:157. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the planning and procurement for the installation of appropriate prefabs has been organised for a school (details supplied) to ensure that the school can open in line with other secondary schools when it is safe to do so, with appropriate space to facilitate social distancing and the teaching of a wide variety of subjects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7297/20]
View answerWritten answers
A planning application for the school to which the Deputy refers was lodged with the relevant local authority on 2 April 2020 and a decision is awaited. The tendering process for the procurement of prefabricated accommodation for the project is currently ongoing. It is envisaged that the school will open in suitable interim accommodation for the 2020/2021 academic year and that the accommodation to be provided will be in line with social distancing protocols.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (158)
John Brady
Question:158. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions that will be made for students in the third year of college studying social care and who have been unable to complete their 400 hours, ten-week work placements due to Covid-19 in view of the fact there is a requirement that they need to complete their placements to allow them to progress to the fourth year of college to obtain a degree. [7318/20]
View answerWritten answers
Since the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak, significant work has been undertaken by a stakeholder group chaired by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and including the representative bodies of education providers to address issues relating to the maintenance of the quality and standards of teaching and learning, assessment and qualifications. This group has focused on the implementation of alternative arrangements, where appropriate and necessary, to meet both these standards and, where applicable, the educational accreditation criteria established by Professional Recognition Bodies (PRBs).
In the case of Social Care, the awards standards established by QQI reflect the accreditation criteria that have been set out by CORU, Ireland's multi-profession Health and Social Care Regulator and consequently the relevant PRB for this profession. Engagement is ongoing between members of the stakeholders group, QQI and CORU to ensure that necessary arrangements are put in place to maintain standards of education and training in this area so that students can progress e.g. from third year into fourth year or, where relevant, graduate with the relevant professional competencies that have been set out by CORU and which are reflected in QQI’s award standards.
Question No. 159 answered with Question No. 123.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (160)
Jackie Cahill
Question:160. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the ASD unit at a school (details supplied) has been delayed in view of the fact all works have been completed at stage 2(a) in the process, including the obtaining of planning permission, fire certificates and disability access certificates; the way in which it will be progressed to stage 2(b) to allow the building go to e-tenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7321/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that the project to which he refers has been devolved for delivery to the school under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme.
I wish to clarify for the Deputy that my Department received a Stage 2b report from the school in question. My Department has sought clarification on the costings set out in that report and awaits the school's response to same.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (161)
Seán Haughey
Question:161. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the July provision will be sanctioned for a school (details supplied) attended by students with ASD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7325/20]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is aware of concerns that the closure of schools has impacted hardest upon families who have children with complex needs whose wellbeing and engagement with learning depend very much on the routine of school and their relationships with other students, teachers and Special Needs Assistants.
They have also lost out on specialist supports during this closure period.
My Department has taken a number of initiatives to support children and young people who are at risk of educational disadvantage during the period of school closures.
These include –
- Guidance issued to all schools to support the ongoing learning of children with special educational needs and children who are at risk of disadvantage;
- Guidance and resources developed by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) on supporting children with special educational needs
- €10m in ICT grant funding to schools towards the purchase of technology and devices to support students at risk of educational disadvantage.
- Continued funding of Home Tuition or, where this is not possible, flexibility to bank hours for use at a later time in the year
- Resources to support good mental health and wellbeing amongst students produced by the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)
- To help schools plan for the new academic year, schools have been informed that their SNA allocation is being frozen at this year’s level and there is provision for additionality where this might be required. No school will therefore have a lower allocation for the next school year.
- The Middletown Centre for Autism has developed a range of online resources for children and young people with Autism and their parents on education provision in the Home.
Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 health crisis, it is not possible to deliver the normal July Provision programme in the same way and at the same time as in other years.
However my Department is planning for a summer provision type programme for children with complex needs this year as soon as it is safe to do so and in accordance with public health advice.
The primary aim of the proposed programme would be to limit potential regression in learning thereby ensuring in so far as possible that these children can reintegrate and transition into their planned education setting for next year with their peers.
This may be done through a targeted level of supports to address regression of social skills and re-establish tolerance of routines paving the way for reintegrating full time into education when schools reopen in the autumn.
Planning is underway and consultations with stakeholders have commenced. The willingness of schools, teachers and SNAs to participate are key to the provision of a summer education programme.
An announcement will be made as soon as possible.
Public Sector Pensions
Questions (162)
Jack Chambers
Question:162. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a reply to correspondence (details supplied) regarding a pension issue will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7360/20]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is responsible for the administration of the pension schemes for teaching and certain non-teaching staff employed by Primary, Secondary and Community & Comprehensive schools who are paid on the payrolls operated by the Department. The individual concerned does not appear to have ever been on such payrolls, therefore would not be a member of any pension scheme administered by my officials. However, in an effort to assist this individual with her query, officials from my Department have contacted the person concerned and provided advice which I hope is of assistance to her.
Question No. 163 answered with Question No. 122.
Legislative Process
Questions (164)
Joan Collins
Question:164. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the planned reform of the Higher Education Authority Act 1971; the consultation process involved; and if a response has issued from a university (details supplied) in relation to same. [7373/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Higher Education Authority Act, 1971 established the Higher Education Authority (HEA), set out the functions of the HEA and provided for the governance of the HEA. The Act also provided that the HEA is the statutory funding authority for the universities, institutes of technology and a number of other designated institutions and provided for the financial monitoring of the designated higher education institutions by the HEA. The Act established the HEA as the advisory body to the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to the higher education sector.
An extensive consultation process has been undertaken by the Department of Education and Skills on the updating of the HEA legislation during 2018 and 2019. This consultation process commenced with a request for written submissions in July 2018. A consultation forum was held in November 2018 and those who participated in the consultation process and key stakeholders from the sector were invited to attend. A report of the 2018 consultation process and the response by the Department of Education and Skills to the views expressed and issues raised in the Consultation process was prepared. Following review by Government, this report of the Consultation process was published in July 2019. This report outlines the views expressed by participants in the 2018 written consultation process and at the consultation forum. It also provides the response by the Department of Education and Skills to the views expressed and issues raised in the consultation process and provides an overview of the proposed legislation. An outline of the Legislative Proposals for the reform of the Higher Education Act, 1971 was also published at the same time.
A further request for written submissions on the proposals for the development of the HEA legislation was issued in July 2019. The views of stakeholders on the consultation report and the legislative proposals were sought by the end of September 2019.
The university referenced participated in the consultation forum in November 2018 and also made a written submission as part of the July 2019 consultation process. The details of the consultation process and copies of all submissions are published on the Department of Education and Skills website.
https://www.education.ie/en/The-Education-System/Higher-Education/update-of-the-higher-education-authority-act-1971-public-consultation.html
The Government approved the preparation of a General Scheme of a Bill to replace the Higher Education Authority Act, 1971 in July 2019. Work is ongoing in the development of the legislation taking into consideration the views received from the consultation process and further consultation undertaken with key stakeholders.
Student Accommodation
Questions (165)
James Browne
Question:165. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the commencement of the 2020-21 college year; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that students will need to pay accommodation fees in July 2020 to cover the first semester; if he will instruct landlords on the way in which they should handle student accommodation for the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7376/20]
View answerWritten answers
Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes. Therefore the timelines for re-opening are a matter for each institution to decide.
The national co-ordination group for tertiary education is meeting on a regular basis to consider key issues impacting the tertiary sector, including arrangements for re-opening institutions. These arrangements will be dependent on public health advice, and will be communicated to learners as soon as possible.
Rental agreements between students and accommodation providers are a private matter, and neither I nor my Department have any remit to issue instructions in relation to the private rental market.
Question No. 166 answered with Question No. 123.
Special Educational Needs Staff
Questions (167)
Chris Andrews
Question:167. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education and Skills if additional special needs assistants will be allocated to a school (details supplied). [7386/20]
View answerWritten answers
Schools have been notified of the arrangements for the allocation of SNA support in respect of students in mainstream classes for 2020/21. The arrangements include the following provisions:
- 2019/20 mainstream class SNA allocations will be frozen, from the date of issue of Circular 0030/2020, and will automatically rollover into the 2020/21 school year. This means that no school will receive an allocation less than that which they have on the date of issue of this Circular and existing SNAs currently in standard SNA posts can continue in these posts for the next school year in the normal way.
- Schools may apply to the NCSE for additionality where they can demonstrate that the current allocation does not meet additional care needs within the mainstream classes in the school. Applications for additionality arising from significant new or emerging additional care needs, which cannot be catered within existing allocations, will be dealt with by way of an exceptional review process.
- A diagnosis of a disability, or a psychological or other professional report, will not be necessary for this process.
- The role of the SNA to support the care needs of students in mainstream classes, as set out in Circular 0030/2014, remains unchanged.
It is expected that schools will review and reprioritise the deployment of SNAs within mainstream settings and allocate resources to ensure those with the greatest level of need receive the greatest level of support. Providing access to SNA support continues to be based on primary care needs as outlined in DES Circular 0030/2014.
Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie.
The NCSE will endeavour to respond to all applications for exceptional review received prior to 22nd May 2020 by 30th June 2020 and in that regard, it will prioritise applications from schools with no current SNA allocation and developing schools.
Applications for an Exceptional Review received after 22 May 2020 will continue to be processed once all other applications have been completed.
The exceptional review process for mainstream allocations will be available to schools throughout the 2020/21 school year.
As this question relates to a particular school, I have referred the question to the NCSE for their direct reply. I do not have a role in making determinations in individual cases.
A new frontloading model for allocating Special Needs Assistants to primary and post primary schools for students in mainstream classes only was to be introduced in the 2020/21 school year as part of the phased roll out of the School Inclusion Model (SIM). Due to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 public health crisis, the introduction of the model has been deferred for one year.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (168)
John Lahart
Question:168. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new school building for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7395/20]
View answerWritten answers
The school referred to by the Deputy has recently been assigned for delivery under my Department's Design and Build Programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning and construction. The project will now enter the Architectural Planning phase.
Childcare Services
Questions (169)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:169. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the consideration being given to fund the wages of childcare workers to ensure reduced costs for parents and improve pay levels for childcare staff (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7411/20]
View answerWritten answers
The issue raised by the Deputy does not come within the remit of my Department. Issues relating to the funding of childcare are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
Question No. 170 answered with Question No. 122.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (171)
Seán Sherlock
Question:171. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school rebuilding project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7434/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware from my response to a similar question last week that an internal inspection of the building to assess the extent to any additional works required on the school building has taken place. A written report of this inspection is awaited and a decision on how to proceed will be made thereafter.