Wednesday, 3 Jun 2020

Written Answers Nos. 192-215

DEIS Scheme

Questions (192)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

192. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will announce DEIS status for schools; and if he will confirm the inclusion of a school (details supplied). [8671/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy is aware, my Department is in the final stages of refinement of the DEIS identification model, based on school enrolment data and the latest data available from Census 2016 under the HP Deprivation Index.

This work is at an advanced stage and the initial phase of the consultation process with education stakeholder representatives on the technical aspects of the refined DEIS ID model has commenced. It is envisaged that this model will then provide the basis for development of a DEIS resource allocation system to match resources to identified need.

I am confident that the culmination of this work will facilitate the ultimate aim of matching resources to identified need and will allow us to target extra resources at those schools most in need. Until this work is complete, it is not intended to extend the DEIS programme to any further schools.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (193)

Seán Haughey

Question:

193. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consult with parents and children on decisions to be taken in respect of the reopening of schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8680/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

On 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 representatives of both students and parents, 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.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (194, 196, 203, 207, 216, 250, 306, 317, 318, 322)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

194. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department and the Teaching Council will make allowances for school days lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic for those that in the 2019/2020 academic year were in the process of completing the Droichead framework process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8685/20]

Brendan Griffin

Question:

196. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8692/20]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

203. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on Droichead training for teachers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8754/20]

Willie O'Dea

Question:

207. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason online teaching is not being counted for the purpose of the Droichead process for persons who had all other aspects completed prior to school closures on 12 March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8796/20]

Norma Foley

Question:

216. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason newly qualified teachers who have not completed the required 60-day block teaching requirement by 12 March 2020 are being disadvantaged (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8854/20]

Seán Sherlock

Question:

250. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address an issue that has emerged regarding Droichead training and newly qualified teachers (details supplied). [9036/20]

Gary Gannon

Question:

306. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the decision by the Teaching Council to not allow virtual teaching to be included in the probationary period, Droichead, of newly qualified teachers (details supplied). [9503/20]

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

317. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures being considered for trainee teachers who were unable to complete their NQT 60 days due to Covid-19 restrictions closing schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9582/20]

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

318. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the engagement by trainee teachers looking to complete their NQT 60 days but disrupted by Covid-19 restrictions who are continuing to participate in the school environment with online teaching and staff meetings will be considered as part of their NQT 60 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9583/20]

Cormac Devlin

Question:

322. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the arrangements that have been put in place for student teachers undergoing the Droichead process to ensure that they qualify in time to contribute fully to the 2020/2021 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9743/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 194, 196, 203, 207, 216, 250, 306, 317, 318 and 322 together.

The Teaching Council is the statutory body with responsibility for professional standards at all stages of the teaching career. It has established standards for post-qualification professional practice, as set out in Droichead, the integrated professional induction framework for newly qualified primary and post-primary teachers.

Due to Covid-19 and the unprecedented situation of school closures, on May 22nd last the Teaching Council announced revised arrangements which provide additional flexibility to support newly qualified teachers (NQTs) engaging in Droichead in 2019/2020 to complete the process. These arrangements balance the core principles of the policy which is the school based supportive process coupled with engagement in additional professional learning activities.

The Council has made a significant concession for NQTs who had not completed the full Droichead process within the minimum period of time by 12 March. This includes the recognition of all elements of Droichead which have been completed up to that date i.e. additional professional learning activities, observations, professional conversations, cluster meetings, Taisce (the professional learning portfolio) and days/hours taught. In normal circumstances this would not be the position.

Droichead as a process is not simply about teaching time. From a professional standards point of view, it requires the agreement of the NQT and the Professional Support Team in the school that a quality induction process has occurred over the minimum period of time specified.

I am, however, also aware of concerns raised regarding a smaller group of NQTs who had not met the minimum time requirement by 12 March. I understand the Teaching Council intends to further review their situation i.e. how the Professional Support Teams and any NQTs who may be potentially affected can verify that a quality induction process has occurred throughout the period since 12 March in the context of remote teaching and learning.

The Teaching Council will communicate the outcome of this review to all concerned within the next two weeks.

School Transport

Questions (195)

Pat Buckley

Question:

195. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason there is such a disparity between private school bus operators who have received no payments after the Covid-19 restrictions were introduced and private school bus operators such as in the case of a company (details supplied). [8689/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (John Halligan)

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

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 current school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, are 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 €219m in 2019.

Following the initial announcement that schools would be closed from the 13th to the 29th March to support efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19, and in light of the exceptional circumstances, it was agreed that school transport contractors operating on the School Transport Scheme would be paid at the normal rate for the period up to 29th March 2020.  It was further decided that a payment of 50% would be afforded for the week commencing Monday 30th March until Friday 3rd April 2020. Thereafter, the normal arrangements applied for the period of scheduled school closures associated with the Easter Holidays (6th April – 17th April inclusive). It was subsequently agreed that contractors should be paid for a further 5 days at 50% to cover the period Monday 20th April to Friday 24th.

In light of the most recent announcement that schools will remain closed until the end of current school year it has been decided that contractors will continue to be paid at 50% while schools are closed in the current school year.

My Department is not in a position to provide funding for private bus contractors not contracted to operate on the Department’s School Transport Scheme.

Question No. 196 answered with Question No. 194.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (197)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

197. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the new school building project for a school (details supplied) which is due to be completed by 2021; if the school is being prioritised due to the continued deterioration of the prefabs which make up the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8720/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The major building project to which the Deputy refers is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan.

This project is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents.

The Design Team is currently in the process of securing statutory approvals.  Upon completion of the Stage 2(b) report, it will be submitted to my Department for review.

Upon receipt and review of the completed Stage 2(b) report my Department will revert to Board of Management with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (198)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

198. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of works following an inspection at a school (details supplied). [8722/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware from my response to similar questions in recent weeks that an internal inspection of the building to assess the extent of 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.

English Language Training Organisations

Questions (199, 200)

Bríd Smith

Question:

199. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure that representatives of teachers in English language teaching colleges are represented and heard at the Covid-19 working group for the English language education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8732/20]

Bríd Smith

Question:

200. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the Department responsible for the Covid-19 working group for the English language education sector has sought or will seek the opinions and input of teachers in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8733/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 200 together.

I am aware of the challenges that are being encountered in the English language education sector and the substantial impact that the Covid-19 outbreak has had on students, teachers and providers in this sector.   

My Department recognises the important role that teachers play in this sector and the support they have provided and continue to provide for students at this time. Following the outbreak of Covid-19, officials from my Department have had engagement with teacher representatives where they outlined a number their concerns.  

The working group for this sector has been established with a remit to address the issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic with a priority and focus placed on those issues affecting students. The working group is comprised of key sectorial stakeholders including officials from my Department, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Enterprise Ireland, the lead sectorial representative bodies of providers and learner advocates. The coordination of the response of the wider education system to the Covid-19 outbreak is a substantial challenge. In this context, the Department has found the current structure of the working group to be effective on delivering on its remit. To date, it has facilitated an appropriate level of engagement with stakeholders alongside the ability to focus on specific issues and ensure delivery as needed.

While the Department remains open to views, there are no current plans to expand membership.  To date, the Group has facilitated an appropriate level of engagement with stakeholders alongside the ability to identify and help resolve issues as they arise.  The Department and the members of the working group will continue to engage with external parties, to seek to exchange information where relevant and address queries where possible.

School Transport

Questions (201)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

201. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the changes that will be introduced in the school transport scheme. [8734/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (John Halligan)

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

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 current school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, are 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 €219m in 2019.

The decision taken by the Government to close schools with effect from 13th March 2020 was taken in the interest of protecting our pupils, their families, teachers and those members of the wider community and is one of the many measures taken to support efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19.

On the 1st 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. The Department is currently working with the education partners and relevant stakeholders in planning for this phased re-opening which will be based on public health advice and which will put the best interests of our school population first.

The operation of school transport services in September 2020 will be informed by the outcome of this planning for re-opening schools.

In October 2019, I announced a review of the school transport scheme with a view to ensuring funds are being spent in the most effective way  to meet the objectives of the scheme.  Terms of reference and the scope of the review have been drafted and a Steering Group has been established. In parallel to our contingency planning for September, my Department will commence the necessary analysis set out as part of the review of the scheme previously and prepare a background paper for consideration of the Steering Group to inform further progress of the review of the scheme.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (202)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

202. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of building works for a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [8735/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to the school for delivery under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme. As such, it is a matter for the school to progress it.

However, I can confirm to the Deputy that, in February this year, my Department approved this project to proceed to construction.

Question No. 203 answered with Question No. 194.

School Staff

Questions (204)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

204. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the position regarding teacher numbers for a school (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8756/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

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 has not submitted a staffing appeal to date.  The Primary Staffing Appeals Board will next consider appeals in June.  The closing date for the receipt of staffing appeals is 15th June.

School Admissions

Questions (205)

Thomas Gould

Question:

205. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the commencement order for new laws under the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018 signed on 15 January 2020, has had a negative effect on children with special needs and disabilities and prevents them going on school waiting lists (details supplied); if he will review the legislation to ensure that such children will not be excluded from applying for schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8766/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 is an important piece of legislation which strives to introduce a more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school admissions policy operates.

The provisions of the act aim to make it easier for parents to more easily access local schools and to enrol their children in a school that meets their needs. The act requires schools to be fair and transparent in deciding how to prioritise children for admission to the school.

On 14th January 2020 a number of sections of the act were commenced introducing new laws around admission to schools which became operational on 1 February 2020. These provisions apply to admission processes for the 2021/2022 school year onwards.

The most recently commenced sections of the act include a provision for waiting lists in existence on 1 February 2020 to be phased out five years from that date. The rationale behind this is that the use of waiting lists can give rise to discrimination, in particular in relation to people who have newly moved into an area, people who are renting, and those that have returned home from overseas. Schools planning to use historical waiting lists to fill their all of their school places must set this out in their annual admission notice which will notify parents that there are no available places for that school year.

My Department has provided a FAQ document with information for schools and parents on this and other related matters. This document and other relevant information on school admissions is available on my Departments website at the following link:

  https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Information/School-Enrolment/

Schools Building Projects

Questions (206)

Jack Chambers

Question:

206. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the development of a secondary school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8788/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The permanent project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department's Design & Build Programme. 

It is anticipated that the project will proceed to tender shortly as part of a larger bundle of projects. 

My Department has informed the school and it’s patron body that it will be working to have the first phase of the school's permanent accommodation handed over for occupation as early as possible in the 2021/22 school year.

Question No. 207 answered with Question No. 194.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (208)

Noel Grealish

Question:

208. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the July provision will be provided in a school-based setting for children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8798/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department is aware of concerns that the closure of schools has impacted hardest upon families who have children with complex needs whose well-being 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 well-being 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.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (209)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

209. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the construction of the new primary school in Kanturk, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8804/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy is aware, the project to which he refers has been devolved to the OPW for delivery.

The project is in the final stages of the tender process. My Department has been engaging with OPW with respect to some issues that have arisen with respect to that process, including issues related to Covid-19 restrictions. I can confirm that a preferred tenderer has been identified and it is hoped that the tender process can conclude in the coming weeks in that respect.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (210)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

210. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the construction of the new ASD unit approved for a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8805/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware that the project to which he refers has been devolved for delivery to the school authority under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme.

An initial stage report has been received in my Department and this is currently being reviewed by relevant officials. My Department will be in contact with the school directly once this review is completed.

School Staff

Questions (211)

Peter Burke

Question:

211. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a teacher will be retained in a school (details supplied) in County Mayo due to the difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. [8815/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

In  February 2018 my Department introduced the “Temporary Re-Assignment Scheme For Primary Teachers”.  This Scheme was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC). The Council is comprised of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Education & Skills and is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.

The purpose of the Temporary Re-Assignment Scheme is to facilitate an arrangement between two eligible teachers who, with the approval of their respective employers, wish to apply for temporary re-assignment to a different school for educational purposes.

The provisions of the Scheme are set out in Chapter 9 of Circular 0054/2019.

Paragraph 1.3 of the Circular states:

“A  teacher may apply for temporary re-assignment to a different school for educational purposes which includes enabling teachers in primary schools to enhance their professional experience by teaching in different types of settings and enrich their personal knowledge which can then be shared with colleagues. For example, a teacher could seek a temporary re-assignment between:

- an urban school and a rural school or vice versa

- a large school with a single class per teacher and a smaller school with multi-grade classes

- a junior school, that is infants to second class and a senior school where they would teach third to sixth class

- a single gender school and a mixed gender school

- a mainstream school and a special school

- a DEIS school and a non-DEIS school

- a multi-medium school and a Gaelscoil/school in a Gaeltacht area or vice versa”

In accordance with the terms of the scheme, the minimum period for which a re-assignment may be facilitated is one school year and the maximum is three school years. I understand that the teacher referred to by the Deputy is currently in the second year of re-assignment.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (212)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

212. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which he plans to financially support schools and education centres to put in place social distancing facilities and sanitation units ahead of their reopening in autumn 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8827/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

On the 1st 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.

The Department is currently working with the Education Partners and relevant stakeholders in planning for this re-opening which will be based on public health advice. A core objective will be to ensure that schools and other education settings can re-open and operate in a safe manner that is consistent with public health advice.

School Accommodation

Questions (213)

James Browne

Question:

213. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the need of a school (details supplied) for the provision of temporary prefabricated accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8829/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has recently engaged with the school authority, in question, in relation to their accommodation needs. Ongoing engagement is to take place in relation to this matter in the coming weeks.

Question No. 214 answered with Question No. 150.

Third Level Education

Questions (215, 274)

Robert Troy

Question:

215. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a request by a person (details supplied) on third-level education. [8851/20]

Norma Foley

Question:

274. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will engage with third-level institutes and universities to seek clarification regarding their plans for online courses for the 2020/2021 academic year (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9252/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 274 together.

Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes. Therefore the timelines for re-opening, and the manner in which courses are conducted, 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.