Tuesday, 30 Jun 2020

Special Educational Needs

Questions (134)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

134. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if second-level students with Down's syndrome can avail of the July provision. [12855/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department published details of Summer Provision 2020 – Reconnecting with Education including a programme for children with complex special educational needs.

The programme is a significant expansion on the July Provision programme of previous years with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional primary aged children with complex needs.

The programme aims to ensure, in so far as possible, that these children 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 complex special educational needs.

The eligibility criteria includes the following categories of children:

1. Pupils with a diagnosis of Autism

2. Pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties

3. Any child in special school or a special class in a Primary 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

Funding for summer provision is not available to in respect of children who are not covered by the programme criteria. I have asked my officials to review the programme having regard to the need to ensure equity as far as possible. A child must meet at least one of the eligibility criteria.

If a Parent is in doubt about their child’s eligibility, they should consult their child’s school or contact my Department. Contact details are available on my Departments website https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/summerprovision/summer-education-programme-2020.html.

Special Educational Needs Staff

Questions (135)

John McGuinness

Question:

135. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an increased number of special needs assistants will be approved for a school (details supplied) to support the current extra needs of students and the new students enrolled; if the various needs of the students requiring supports will be examined in view of the fact extra training will be required to support their needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12867/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The allocation and coordination of SNA support for schools are the responsibility of the NCSE and my Department has no role in making individual determinations.

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.

Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) are employed by the managerial authorities of individual schools or by Education and Training Boards (ETBs). The Board of Management is the SNA's employer and the recruitment and deployment of SNAs within schools are matters for the individual Principal/Board of Management, subject to Departmental guidelines.

When appointing an SNA, it is a matter for the Board of Management to ensure that SNAs are in a position to effectively meet the care needs of the pupil(s) for whom SNA support has been allocated in the school. Where additional training is required in order to carry out the assigned duties, the school authorities should arrange for the appropriate training to be provided to enable SNAs attend to the pupil’s care needs.

Where specific training is required, the Board of Management should liaise with the Health Service Executive (HSE) in order to ensure that the HSE provides guidance and training that enables the SNA to meet the care needs of the pupil in an appropriate manner. It is a matter for individual school authorities to make such arrangements locally.

School Funding

Questions (136)

John McGuinness

Question:

136. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the request for funding to lease an established outdoor facility for physical education purposes by a school (details supplied) will be approved as a matter of urgency in view of the fact that the facilities of the school are operating beyond a safe capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12868/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy will be aware, a major capital project to construct a new school building and PE Hall for the school in question is included in my Department's building programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan.

In this regard, the procurement of the Design Team and Project Manager to deliver the project has commenced.

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's current focus is to prioritise funding for essential classroom accommodation and accordingly, my Department is not in a position to provide funding to lease an outdoor sporting facility. The school has been advised accordingly.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (137)

Seán Haughey

Question:

137. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some schools have decided not to proceed with the July provision in 2020; her views on whether the renumeration given to teachers and special needs assistants and the existing arrangements for the taxation of this income to be the main reason that schools have decided not to provide these services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12874/20]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department published details of Summer Provision 2020 – Reconnecting with Education including a programme for children with complex special educational needs.

The programme is a significant expansion on the July Provision programme of previous years with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional primary aged children with complex needs.

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.

My Department issued guidance to these schools to support management and staff in the delivery of summer programmes for children with special educational needs and those experiencing educational disadvantage as we continue to operate in line with public health advice to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This guidance includes information in respect of hand hygiene, physical distancing, use of PPE and a risk assessment template.

The programme is reliant on schools, teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) choosing to participate on a voluntary basis.

It is therefore a matter for the Board of Management of the school having regard to the resources available whether or not it will participate in the programme. My Department does not have specific information on the reason individual schools opt against participating in the programme.

To date 231 have indicated they intend to provide the school based summer provision.

Home-based provision is 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.

A dedicated online registration system for families of children with complex 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 guidance on my Departments website.

Both teachers and SNAs working on the programme receive additional remuneration under thr programme for the work done and this is taxable in the normal way.

A programme for DEIS schools for this Summer was also announced.

Full information on summer provision and its various strands, including guidance information for parents, is available at Gov.ie/summerprovision.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (138)

Frank Feighan

Question:

138. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a matter regarding a school (details supplied); if the matter will be concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12879/20]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question received capital grant approval for an extension to their school building and this project is due to commence construction shortly.

The Deputy will be aware that under the National Development Plan (NDP), increased funding has been provided for the school sector capital investment programme. This funding allows for a continued focus on the provision of a new permanent school places to keep pace with demographic demand and also provides for an additional focus on the refurbishment of existing school buildings to include the building and modernisation of PE facilities in post-primary schools.

Under the Ireland Project 2040, we will invest €8.4 billion (compared to €4.9 billion in the previous decade) in primary and post primary school buildings.

The immediate priority of my Department is providing 20,000 new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place. The government will focus in the medium term on the provision of PE facilities in schools. The school in question will be considered in this context.

School Transport

Questions (139)

John Lahart

Question:

139. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the arrangements being made in terms of the school transport providers whose fleet or individual buses have been tied up since the commencement of Covid-19; and the communications made with them regarding payment and with regard to physical distancing requirements on school buses subcontracted for the purpose of transporting children and children with special needs or disabilities to school. [12880/20]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

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 school closures in March in an effort to conatin the spread of Covid 19 it was decided that contractors would continue to be paid at 50% while schools remained closed in the current school year.

With regard to the re-opening of schools for the 2020/21 academic year, my Department is currently engaging intensively with Bus Éireann, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the National Transport Authority on the logistical considerations that arise from public health advice in planning for the reopening of schools. The operation of school transport services in September 2020 will be informed by the outcome of this planning for re-opening schools.

English Language Training Organisations

Questions (140, 149, 156)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

140. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the English language industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12883/20]

View answer

Niall Collins

Question:

149. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to assist a sector (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12957/20]

View answer

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

156. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a document (details supplied); if she is considering introducing the measures outlined; her plans to engage with the groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12969/20]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department is conscious of the issues in the English language education sector arising from the Covid-19 outbreak and has established a specific Working Group for this sector. This group is comprised of representatives of relevant Government Departments and representatives of both students and English language education providers.

As part of this process, the representative bodies for English language education providers have engaged with the Working Group surrounding their proposals for supports to aid the recovery of this sector. In this forum, the providers have been advised of the measures introduced by Government, as part of the wider Covid-19 response, to support businesses at this time. These measures include the temporary wages subsidy scheme to facilitate employers to keep employees on the payroll throughout the Covid-19 pandemic in order to retain this link for when business increases after the crisis. This scheme is administered by the Revenue Commissioners and is available to providers in the English language education sector. Additionally for those staff in this sector who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic, they are eligible to apply for the Government’s Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

Further to the above, the provider representatives have been advised of the eligibility of businesses in this sector to apply, where appropriate, for further business supports made available by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation via Enterprise Ireland and through its network of Local Enterprise Offices. A full list of these supports and related information is available for providers here: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.

My Department will continue to engage with provider representatives as we move forwards and the sector re-opens.

English Language Training Organisations

Questions (141)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

141. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the consideration given to the scheduled reopening of language schools; the engagement she has had with the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12901/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

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 its students, teachers and providers.

My Department has been engaging with the representatives bodies of English language education providers across a range of issues over the course of the Covid-19 outbreak to date. These engagements have included discussions and information exchanges surrounding the reopening of this sector.

The timeline and arrangements for the safe re-opening of English language education providers is guided by public health advice and by the Government's Roadmap for the gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. Following its re-phasing, the re-opening of all adult education facilities is now part of Phase 3 of the Roadmap, which allows these facilities to re-open from June 29th .

While my Department will not be issuing guidelines specifically for the re-opening of the English language education sector, guidance to assist the tertiary education sector more generally in planning for reopening is being prepared at present and will be available shortly. My Department will further engage with the provider representative bodies within the English language education sector in relation to their detailed plans for the wider re-opening of their premises and as they seek to provide greater clarity for their member providers. It is to be expected that ensuring the health and safety of staff and students will be central to the provider's plans and that necessary consultations are undertaken as part of their development and implementation. It is anticipated that the "Return to Work Safely Protocol" recently published jointly by the Department of Health and the Department of Enterprise, Business & Innovation, and designed to support measures being put in place that will prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace will inform these plans, supplemented by any guidance issued by the Department for the tertiary education sector when available. This protocol envisions close engagement between staff and their employers during the planning, development and implementation of these new workplace measures. The experience of the re-opening of educational facilities in other areas and jurisdictions will also be shared as part of this process.

Teaching Council of Ireland

Questions (142)

Chris Andrews

Question:

142. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the resources will be put in place to allow the Teaching Council prioritise registration for soon to be qualified primary school teachers in order that they can deliver home tuition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12909/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Teaching Council have informed me that owing to the extenuating circumstances brought about by COVID-19 the Council has 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.

I am assured that the Teaching Council is acutely aware of the importance of ensuring that the summer NQTs are registered by the start of the school year and that it is actively working towards a timely and efficient registration process.

Home Tuition Scheme

Questions (143)

Chris Andrews

Question:

143. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are delays in the registration of home tutors. [12910/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Departments Home Tuition Grant Scheme provides funding towards a compensatory educational service for children with special educational needs seeking an educational placement. Provision is also made for early intervention for children with autism.

By its nature, the grant is intended to be a short term intervention and should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a school placement.

As tuition takes place outside the usual school structure it is important that the educational programme provided generally reflects that which would be provided in a school environment.

It is appropriate therefore that the qualification standard for Home Tuition generally reflects that required in a school environment. Accordingly, it is a condition of the scheme that parents/guardians must recruit a tutor who is qualified in the relevant sector, and is registered with the Teaching Council, similar to the requirement for teachers in schools.

In addition, tutors engaged must be vetted by the National Vetting Bureau via the Teaching Council of Ireland’s online vetting process, prior to the commencement of the delivery of tuition.

My Department has no flexibility in this regard.

The same conditions apply whether Parents use the grant to engage tutors to deliver tuition in their home or private providers to deliver tuition in a group setting.

The Teaching Council of Ireland outlines that it will endeavour to process applications for registration within 4-6 weeks. For people holding overseas qualifications it is within 12 weeks. The Council has confirmed that it is currently meeting these processing times.

School Staff

Questions (144)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

144. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will remain a two-teacher school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12912/20]

View answer

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 appeal from the school submitted by the Deputy was considered by the Primary Staffing Appeals Board and has been upheld, pending confirmation of enrolments in September. The school has been notified of this decision.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (145)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

145. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if clarity will be provided regarding the July provision for parents of children that ordinarily avail of a combination of school-based provision and home help and now must choose between them, therefore leaving them with less support than in previous summers. [12944/20]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department published details of Summer Provision 2020 – Reconnecting with Education including a programme for children with complex special educational needs.

The programme is a significant expansion on the July Provision programme of previous years with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional primary aged children with complex needs.

The programme aims to ensure, in so far as possible, that these children 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 complex special educational needs.

The eligibility criteria includes the following categories of children:

1. Pupils with a diagnosis of Autism

2. Pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties

3. Any child in special school or a special class in a Primary School

4. Children transitioning into a special class or special school from early year’s setting

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

Funding for summer provision is not available to in respect of children who are not covered by the programme criteria. A child must meet at least one of the eligibility criteria.

If a Parent is in doubt about their child’s eligibility, they should consult their child’s school or contact my Department. Contact details are available on my Departments website https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/summerprovision/summer-education-programme-2020.html.

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 scheme does not provide for movement between the home and the school strands of the scheme.

Question No. 146 answered with Question No. 119.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (147)

Steven Matthews

Question:

147. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding schools (details supplied); and the status of the plans for these schools. [12947/20]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

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

The project is currently on site and being progressed, anticipated handover is prior to the start of the next school year.

The post primary school to which the deputy refers will open in interim accommodation for the next academic year in the Primary School.

Emergency Works Scheme

Questions (148)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

148. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the decision not to grant emergency aid to a school (details supplied) in view of the fact that there are genuine concerns that the school may not reopen in September 2020 due to health and safety concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12955/20]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The procedures relating to the Emergency Works Scheme provide that a school authority can issue an appeal of any initial decision under the scheme. The school can simply write to emergency_works@education.gov.ie requesting this appeal be considered. Any such appeal will be treated as a matter of urgency.

Question No. 149 answered with Question No. 140.

School Transport

Questions (150)

Colm Burke

Question:

150. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the procedures and support available to school bus operators following Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12958/20]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

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 school closures in March in an effort to conatin the spread of Covid 19 it was decided that contractors would continue to be paid at 50% while schools remained closed in the current school year.

With regard to the re-opening of schools for the 2020/21 academic year, my Department is currently engaging intensively with Bus Éireann, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the National Transport Authority on the logistical considerations that arise from public health advice in planning for the reopening of schools. The operation of school transport services in September 2020 will be informed by the outcome of this planning for re-opening schools.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (151)

Joan Collins

Question:

151. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of DEIS schools and special schools, respectively that have to date opted in to provide the July provision; and the number of teachers and SNAs that have opted to provide home schooling July provision for special needs children. [12961/20]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department published details of Summer Provision 2020 – Reconnecting with Education including a programme for children with complex special educational needs.

The programme is a significant expansion on the July Provision programme of previous years with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional primary aged children with complex needs.

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.

To date 231 schools have indicated that they intend to run a school based programme involving approximately 3,700 children. 9,781 families have registered for the home based summer programme involving 9,820 children.

A programme for DEIS schools for this Summer was also announced. To date 71 schools have indicated that they intend to run this programme.

Full information on summer provision and its various strands, including guidance information for parents, is available at Gov.ie/summerprovision

Special Educational Needs

Questions (152, 161, 196, 205)

James Browne

Question:

152. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the decision to withdraw school bus transport for the July provision programme; if her attention has been drawn to the impact on schools that cover a large area across an entire county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12962/20]

View answer

Jack Chambers

Question:

161. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department is providing transport for the July provision for those that have previously needed it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12998/20]

View answer

Verona Murphy

Question:

196. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to provide school transport to support the summer provision programme for children with special needs and students in DEIS schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13256/20]

View answer

Brendan Howlin

Question:

205. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if transport will be provided for children with intellectual disabilities and other children that cannot avail of the summer provision without transport in July and August 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13302/20]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

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.

With regard to transport arrangements for the July Programme my Department will provide grant funding to support parents with the cost of transport arrangements for those children who are eligible for school transport and who have been approved to participate in the school based July Programme.

Schools are required to identify children who are on a School Transport service or who are in receipt of a grant. School Transport Section will be in contact with schools and families in regard to the arrangements for payment.

Grant payment is based on the distance that a family reside from their child’s school of attendance. The calculation is based on four trips per day (home to school and school to home, morning and afternoon) multiplied by the number of days a child attends school for the programme. The current rate of grant is 39.12 cent per kilometre for the first 6,437 kilometres travelled and 21.22 per kilometre for each kilometre travelled thereafter.

School Transport

Questions (153)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

153. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is considering allowing an extension to the age of vehicles operating school transport services; if she is considering increasing the limit to 25 years subject to six monthly CVRT testing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12966/20]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

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.

Bus Éireann sets the standard it requires in relation to services operating as part of the School Transport Scheme. In the interest of maintaining the highest standards of safety it is not permitted to operate any bus older than 20 years on school transport services. This standard applies to both vehicles operated by Bus Éireann and those procured from private operators. There are no plans at present to change the current age profile of vehicles operating services as part of the School Transport Scheme.

School Transport

Questions (154)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

154. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she is considering the introduction of grant aid for the initial costs associated with returning the school transport fleet to full roadworthiness on the return of school transport services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12967/20]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

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 school closures in March in an effort to conatin the spread of Covid 19 it was decided that contractors would continue to be paid at 50% while schools remained closed in the current school year.

With regard to the re-opening of schools for the 2020/21 academic year, my Department is currently engaging intensively with Bus Éireann, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the National Transport Authority on the logistical considerations that arise from public health advice in planning for the reopening of schools. The operation of school transport services in September 2020 will be informed by the outcome of this planning for re-opening schools.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (155, 158)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

155. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if children with Down's syndrome, autism and other disabilities that are finishing sixth class in June 2020, will be included in the July provision in advance of going on to secondary school in September 2020; if not, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12968/20]

View answer

Catherine Murphy

Question:

158. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools taking up the July provision in 2020; the number of pupils involved; the number of pupils in a home setting as opposed to a school setting; the number that were provided with the July provision in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12987/20]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department published details of Summer Provision 2020 – Reconnecting with Education including a programme for children with complex special educational needs.

The programme is a significant expansion on the July Provision programme of previous years with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional primary aged children with complex needs.

Approximately 15,000 children were eligible for July Provision in 2019 of which 10,563 or 70% accessed the scheme. There were two strands to the July Provision scheme, a school-based scheme and a home-based scheme. In 2019, 7,158 accessed the home based scheme and 3,405 accessed the school based scheme in 232 participating schools.

With regard to Summer Provision 2020, to date 231 schools have indicated that they intend to run a school based programme involving approximately 3,700 children. 9,781 families have registered for the home based summer programme involving 9,820 children.

In-school or home-based supports by teachers and SNAs will help to prevent regression among children with complex special educational needs.

The eligibility criteria includes the following categories of children:

1. Pupils with a diagnosis of Autism

2. Pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties

3. Any child in special school or a special class in a Primary 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

Funding for summer provision is not available to in respect of children who are not covered by the programme criteria. I have asked my officials to review the programme having regard to the need to ensure equity as far as possible. A child must meet at least one of the eligibility criteria. Sixth class pupils are eligible for the programme.

If a Parent is in doubt about their child’s eligibility, they should consult their child’s school or contact my Department. Contact details are available on my Departments website https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/summerprovision/summer-education-programme-2020.html .

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.

A dedicated online registration system for families of children with complex 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 guidance on my Departments website.

A programme for DEIS schools for this Summer was also announced.

Full information on summer provision and its various strands, including guidance information for parents, is available at Gov.ie/summerprovision.

Question No. 156 answered with Question No. 140.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (157)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

157. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the restrictions being put on July provision in terms of disabilities or DEIS as opposed to non-DEIS schools; the reason schools were not given guidance; if that impacted on the number of schools providing provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12986/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department published details of Summer Provision 2020 – Reconnecting with Education including a programme for children with complex special educational needs.

The programme is a significant expansion on the July Provision programme of previous years with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional primary aged children with complex needs.

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.

My Department issued guidance to these schools to support management and staff in the delivery of summer programmes for children with special educational needs and those experiencing educational disadvantage as we continue to operate in line with public health advice to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This guidance includes information in respect of hand hygiene, physical distancing, use of PPE and a risk assessment template.

The programme is reliant on schools, teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) choosing to participate on a voluntary basis.

It is therefore a matter for the Board of Management of the school having regard to the resources available whether or not it will participate in the programme.