Written Answers Nos. 181-200
181. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details suppled) will have the same amount of teachers as 2019 in view of the fact it had been notified of a reduction in teachers and this will have a detrimental impact on the ability of the school to develop its pupils. [12062/20]
View answerThe 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. Details of the staffing appeal process are set out in Circular 18/2020, available on the Department website.
182. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a response will issue to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12063/20]
View answerThere are no plans to close the schools referred to by the deputy.
In September 2018, the NCSE was requested to develop policy advice on the educational provision that should be in place for students educated in special schools and classes and to make recommendations on the provision required to enable them achieve better outcomes.
It was agreed that the report would be completed and submitted to the Minister in 2020.
The NCSE was also requested to provide a progress report which was submitted to me on 5 November 2019.
The progress report provides an overview on the evolution of special education policy and provision in Ireland together with some preliminary analysis of emerging themes from a review of research literature and consultations with parents, teacher unions and education representative bodies, students, advocacy groups; school visits and relevant Government Departments and bodies. The Progress Report does not draw any definitive conclusions and the preliminary findings are tentative.
The NCSE is also examining implications following ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2018, Article 24(2) of this convention obliges states, inter alia, to ensure that children can access an inclusive, quality and free education on an equal basis with others in the communities in which they live.
The NCSE is currently engaged in a public consultation with parents, students, people with disabilities, educators and other educational partners and stakeholders. The focus of this consultation focuses on how best to move forward in the education of students currently being educated in special schools and classes. Special reading schools for pupils with dyslexia are included in this process.
Following this public consultation and further deliberations by NCSE, the policy advice will be finalised and submitted to the Minister by December 2020.
It is important to note that at this stage, the NCSE has not made any recommendations regarding the future of any special school.
An official response to the deputy's separate written correspondence on this will issue shortly.
183. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills when apprenticeship phases operated by SOLAS will recommence; the plans in place to communicate such recommencement with students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12065/20]
View answerThe Department of Education and Skills, SOLAS and the education and training providers are actively working to put in place alternative learning and assessment solutions for all apprentices, while maintaining the quality and integrity of the apprenticeship programme.
Alternative assessments for theory components of those craft apprenticeship programmes which were due to be completed in March this year have been delivered. Planning is well advanced to support the delivery of training within health and social distancing guidelines once public health considerations provide for the return to training for this cohort of learners. The issue of the timing of that return is under consideration at the current time, in the overall context of the reopening of the education sector.
SOLAS are putting a communications plan in place so that the relevant apprentices and employers will be informed in a timely manner of their off the job training. SOLAS will continue to provide ongoing updates for apprentices and employers in relation to the impact of Covid-19 on apprenticeship programmes. These may be found at www.apprenticeship.ie and also on Twitter @apprenticesirl.
184. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a response will issue to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12068/20]
View answerThe Emergency Works Application to which the Deputy refers was refused in December 2019. The school may appeal this decision by forwarding any additional information they wish to be considered for that appeal. This correspondence should be sent to my Department's Emergency Works Team at the email address provided in my response to the correspondence referred to by the Deputy.
185. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will request that schools in Dublin 2, 4 and 6 put in place classes for children with autism and make resources available for same if necessary. [12073/20]
View answerEnsuring that every child has a suitable school placement is a key objective of my Department. Significant resources are allocated each year to ensure that appropriate supports are available for children with special educational needs.
Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased almost threefold, from 548 to 1,618 for the 2019/2020 school year; with 1,353 of these catering for children with autism.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide; has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents; and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
The NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and school places nationally to meet identified need for next year. This process is ongoing.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school. My Department works closely with the NCSE in this regard.
Normally, special class and school places are established with the full cooperation of the schools in areas where they are required. However there are some parts of the country where the NCSE has faced challenges in getting schools and their patrons to voluntarily agree to provide special class or school places.
As Minister for Education & Skills, I have power under Section 37A of the Education Act 1998, to direct a school to provide additional provision where all reasonable efforts have failed. This legislation has been used to good effect in the recent past. This experience shows that real and practical challenges can be addressed by working together to provide additional special class and special school places.
The legislation was activated for a second time on 29 October 2019 following a report by the NCSE which identified children in South Dublin needing special education school places. Since then, the NCSE in consultation with the relevant education stakeholders, has been testing the capacity amongst schools in the South Dublin area.
On 21 April 2020 I received a report from the NCSE, pursuant to Section 37A(2) of the Education Act 1998 (as inserted by section 8 of the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018) in respect of South Dublin, as the NCSE Council remains of the opinion that there is an insufficient number of special class and special school places within the South Dublin area for September 2020.
The next steps in the process have been considered by my Department, in conjunction with the NCSE, and I understand a submission on this will be with me shortly.
186. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will assist a family (details supplied) in County Cork to secure an ASD unit place at second-level for their son; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12074/20]
View answerEnsuring that every child has a suitable school placement is a key objective of this Department. Significant resources are allocated each year to ensure that appropriate supports are available for children with special educational needs.
Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased almost threefold, from 548 to 1,618 for the 2019/2020 school year; with 1,353 of these catering for children with autism.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide; has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents; and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
The NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and school places nationally, including Cork, to meet identified need for next year. This process is ongoing.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school. My Department works closely with the NCSE in this regard.
Normally, special class and school places are established with the full cooperation of the schools in areas where they are required. However there are some parts of the country where the NCSE has faced challenges in getting schools and their patrons to voluntarily agree to provide special class or school places. I know that this can cause much anguish for parents and families involved.
As Minister for Education and Skills, I have power under Section 37A of the Education Act 1998 to direct a school to provide additional provision where all reasonable efforts have failed. This legislation has been used to good effect in the recent past.
The NCSE has advised that they have experienced difficulties in securing special class or school placements in certain areas in Co Cork, but that they are continuing to work as a matter of urgency in accommodating students who require such placements.
The NCSE's Local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise both schools and the parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: https://ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list
I understand that the NCSE will be engaging with the family of the pupil named by the deputy, in relation to his special educational needs.
187. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when secondary schools will reopen for the 2020-21 academic year; and the date for enrolment. [12085/20]
View answerOn 12 June, my Department published the report to Government “Planning for reopening schools in line with the Roadmap for reopening society and business” https://www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Announcements/framework-for-reopening-and-operating-schools.html.
The report sets out the clear ambition to develop a sustainable plan to fully reopen post primary schools at the start of the next school year in late August/September in line with normal timeframes.
The report also sets out in brief the contingencies that must be considered during the coming period in the context of Covid-19. These contingencies will be worked through in detail in the coming weeks with education partners and stakeholders to ensure that the return to school is safe for children and staff.
188. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether there will be issues regarding foreign students enrolling in secondary schools here for the 2020/2021 academic year (details supplied). [12086/20]
View answerThe Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school and is responsible for making decisions as to the types of activities in which the school gets involved including the admission of foreign students.
On 12 June, my Department published the report to Government “Planning for reopening schools in line with the Roadmap for reopening society and business” https://www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Announcements/framework-for-reopening-and-operating-schools.html.
The report sets out in brief the contingencies that must be considered during the coming period in the context of Covid-19. These contingencies will be worked through in detail in the coming weeks with education partners and stakeholders to ensure that the return to school is safe for children and staff.
189. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of building works at a school (details supplied). [12088/20]
View answerThe 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 recently approved this project to go to tender. The school has been informed accordingly.
190. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to SOLAS increasing the fees it charges for the safe pass, and if so, the reason for such increases in view of the fact that administration costs have not gone up in the past two months. [12092/20]
View answerSafe Pass training is delivered by private training organisations which have been approved by SOLAS. Course fees are determined by these Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) and SOLAS has no role in the setting of fees for Safe Pass courses or in influencing pricing structure within the market place.
ATOs and Safe Pass tutors are required to adhere to public health requirements, in line with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation’s Return to Work Safely Protocols, relevant HSE advice and as set out in the SOLAS’ Standard Operational Pandemic Containment Guidelines.
Under the terms of the SOLAS Guidelines, no more than ten people may participate on a Safe Pass course as from 8th June. This is a reduction from a maximum of 20 participants prior to the March 2020 closure. As public health guidelines are subject to change SOLAS’ Guidelines will reflect changes in advice as the Covid-19 response progresses.
191. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the pandemic unemployment payment is to be discounted for SUSI applications. [12103/20]
View answerThe Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment will not affect student grants in the academic year 2019/20. Students will continue to receive their maintenance grants as normal and the duration or value of the grant will not change.
For the 20/21 academic year student grant applications will be assessed based on gross income from all sources for the period 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2019.
The Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, administered by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) will be treated as reckonable income for the SUSI means assessment process in a similar fashion to other DEASP payments (e.g. Jobseekers Benefit & Allowance). This ensures a consistency of approach and an equitable treatment of students and their families in the SUSI means assessment process. This approach is entirely consistent with well-established practice by SUSI and is in accordance with the statutory provisions of the Student Grant Scheme.
However, if a student or party to their application experiences a change in circumstances that is not a temporary change and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, they can apply to have their application assessed under the change in circumstances provision of the relevant Student Grant Scheme. Following such a review, the applicant may fall within the thresholds to become eligible for grant assistance or be entitled to an increased rate of grant or the special rate of grant.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists full-time and part-time students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended. Institutions have the autonomy to maximise the flexibility in the Student Assistance Fund to enable HEIs to support students during the COVID-19 situation.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from students’ local Tax Offices or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
192. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills when 2020 graduating primary school teachers will receive their Teaching Council numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12110/20]
View answerThe Teaching Council have informed me that owing to the extenuating circumstances brought about by COVID-19 they have modified their existing processes and IT system to support the timely online processing of NQT registrations and help mitigate against delays. The Council has engaged with the HEIs and their final year student teachers regarding the initial stages of the modified process including the importance of completing the vetting process without delay.
It should be noted that the registration process cannot commence until the HEI exam boards sit to confirm the final results. The HEIs have indicated that the majority of exam boards are scheduled for late June- early July. Once the HEIs transfer the final results to the Teaching Council, the registration process can commence. The Council will then contact each NQT to confirm their details, complete a declaration and pay the registration fee. Following this, the Teaching Council will finalise the registrations and issue Registration Numbers.
193. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an additional primary school teaching post will be provided to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12111/20]
View answerThe 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 Department has received a staffing appeal from the school referred to by the Deputy which will be considered by the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The school will be notified of the decision shortly.
194. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schools that will lose teachers as a result of a decrease in their pupil numbers in 2020, by county in tabular form; the number and location of schools which will see an increase in their allocation of teachers as a result of an increase in pupil numbers; and the number of teachers in the primary sector working as whole-time equivalents. [12118/20]
View answerThe criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary schools is published annually on the website of the Department of Education and Skills. 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 process for primary schools is ongoing and the final allocation of teaching posts will not be known until the Autumn after confirmation of enrolments on 30th September and the conclusion of the staffing appeals process in October.
I can advise the Deputy that the number of whole time equivalent primary teachers paid by my Department as of 18th June 2020 is 37,075. This figure does not include teachers currently availing of unpaid maternity leave or parental leave.
195. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schools thath appealed a reduction in their allocation of teachers in 2019; and the number of appeals which were successful. [12119/20]
View answerThe 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 30th September.
The staffing process includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board.
For the 2019/20 school year, 80 schools appealed the loss of a teaching post. Of these, 35 were successful in retaining the post.
196. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the decision not to award temporary accommodation to a school (details supplied) will be reviewed. [12125/20]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department received an application, from the school in question, for capital funding and was given approval in principle to submit costs for interim accommodation.
Upon assessment by my officials, it was found that the school will have sufficient permanent accommodation on site to cater for their enrolments and the approval in principle for interim accommodation was withdrawn as the school is losing a teaching post with effect from September 2020. This decision was conveyed to the school authority.
I wish to advise that my Department's Capital Programme provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. In this regard, it is open to the school in question to apply for funding under my Department's Additional School Accommodation Scheme, if their enrolments increase and they are unable to manage within their existing accommodation in the future.
197. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if children with Williams syndrome are eligible for the July provision in 2020. [12126/20]
View answerMy Department has published details of a summer programme for children with special educational needs enrolled in special schools, special classes and mainstream classes. The programme incorporates some aspects of the July Provision of previous years.
Summer Provision 2020 – Reconnecting with Education, is a significantly expanded programme for children with complex special educational needs which aims to re-establish the child’s relationships and connection with school and their peers as a basis for learning and participation and to help the child to re-engage in learning and social activities and help them adapt to new routines and changes. The programme aims to ensure, in so far as possible, that the child can reintegrate/transition into their planned education setting for the next school year with their peers. In-school or home-based supports by teachers and SNAs will help to prevent regression among children with special needs.
The eligibility criteria has been widened to include the following categories of children:
1. Pupils with a diagnosis of Autism
2. Pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties
3. Any child in a special class or special school
4. Children transitioning into a special class or special school from early year’s settings
5. Pupils in primary school mainstream classes who present with the following disabilities:
- Children with Down syndrome
- Children who are Deaf or most severe hard of hearing
- Children who are blind or have a most severe visual impairment
- Children who have a moderate general learning disability
- Children with severe emotional behavioural difficulties
It is a matter for the school principal to determine a student's eligibility for the scheme having regard to the published criteria.
All special schools and primary schools with special classes are invited to provide the school based summer provision for their students. This programme will run for a minimum of two weeks and can extend up to four weeks where the schools, teachers and Special Needs Assistants are willing to participate.
Home-based provision will be available where a child’s local school is not providing a programme or does not have the capacity to accommodate a child in a planned programme this year. In this situation my Department will provide grant funding towards the engagement by Parents of a registered teacher/SNA to provide home based support for 10 hours a week for 4 weeks.
The programme will be reliant on schools, teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) choosing to participate on a voluntary basis.
A dedicated online registration system for families of children with special needs to access Summer Provision is now available on Gov.ie/summerprovision.
Parents are asked to register their participation online, providing some outline information of the extent of their participation in the programme e.g. number of weeks.
Once registered, the parent is then free to plan and organise the programme for their child by consulting with the child’s school and securing the services of a teacher or SNA.
I also announced a programme for DEIS schools for this Summer.
Full information on summer provision and its various strands, including guidance information for parents, is available at Gov.ie/summerprovision.
198. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the school building programme (details supplied). [12132/20]
View answerMy Department’s website shows the current position on all school projects on the Capital Programme, as well as listing the schools that have had large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date.
These are listed on a county basis. The information is available at www.education.ie and is updated regularly.
199. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review third level college fees in view of the impact of a lack of summer employment for students due to the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12137/20]
View answerUnder my Department’s free fees schemes, the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate students with students paying the student contribution which stands at €3,000 since 2014/2015. It is important to recognise that the exchequer pays this contribution (or part of it) on behalf of almost 50% of eligible undergraduate students as part of the student support grant.
The projected financial impact of Covid19 on Higher Education and the Tertiary Education system as a whole is being assessed by the Department of Education and Skills as part of its ongoing analysis of the impact of Covid19 on the education sector overall. The provision of additional financial support to support Tertiary Education to ensure that it can contribute fully to economic recovery and to meeting priority skill needs will be examined in the context of overall expenditure management and budgetary policy. The Department will continue to engage with key stakeholders to safeguard the recovery of the tertiary education sector.
My Department is undertaking a comprehensive economic review currently which is progressing under the European Commission DG Reform’s Structural Reform Support Programme. This review is focussed on Increasing the Future Sustainability of Higher and Further Education Provision in Ireland. The review encompasses an assessment of the funding options for higher education included in the 2016 (Cassells) Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding of Higher Education which includes the student contribution charge. The study is scheduled to be substantially complete in Q4 2020.
Where students do not meet the eligibility criteria of the Free Fees Initiative, for example full-time undergraduate students who do not qualify for the free tuition fees; fees for part-time undergraduates or; any post-graduate students, it is a matter for the higher education institution as an autonomous body to determine which fee rate is applicable for students.
I am conscious of the difficulties being experienced by students and their families as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and of the importance of the Student Grant Scheme and related supports, such as the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities. These supports have a fundamental role in assisting families who are putting their children through further and higher education.
Accordingly, the following arrangements have been put in place:
Student grant payments for academic year 2019/20 will continue as normal. The duration and value of the grant will not change.
Student grant applications for academic year 2020/21 will be assessed based on income earned in 2019.
If a student or party to their application experiences a change in circumstances that is not a temporary change and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, they can apply to have their application assessed under the change in circumstances provision of the relevant Student Grant Scheme. Following such a review, the applicant may fall within the thresholds to become eligible for grant assistance or be entitled to an increased rate of grant or the special rate of grant.
The Student Grant Scheme provides for different levels of income thresholds where families have (i) less than 4 dependent children (ii) between 4 and 7 dependent children and (iii) 8 or more dependent children. In recognition of the additional cost to families where more than one person is attending college, income thresholds may also be increased by up to €4,830 for each additional family member attending college at the same time. In this way, the Student Grant Scheme is responsive to the individual circumstances of particular families.
The income threshold for the special rate of grant has been increased from €24,000 to €24,500 for the 2020 scheme, so as to ensure that students from families dependent on welfare will continue to be eligible for the special rate of grant. (This reflects the Budget 2019 increase to the maximum point of the weekly State Contributory Pension, plus maximum Qualified Adult Allowance for a person over 66 years).
The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending third level. Students can be assisted towards the rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended. Institutions have the autonomy to maximise the flexibility in the Student Assistance Fund to enable HEIs to support students during the COVID-19 situation.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie
200. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a copy of all briefing documents provided to Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party for their programme for Government negotiations will be provided. [12147/20]
View answerI understand that the Department of the Taoiseach will be arranging for the publication of material provided by Government Departments in accordance with agreed procedures, via the Department of the Taoiseach, to Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party, as part of Government formation negotiations.
