Written Answers Nos. 453-467
453. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education when an upgrade of broadband can be expected for a school (details attached) in County Dublin; and if broadband plans can be accelerated due to the increased demand placed upon the school and others to provide blended learning and internal streaming of lessons between two locations in the same school. [28301/20]
View answerThrough the Schools Broadband Access Programme the Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for all recognised primary and post primary schools, and some 98% of schools are included in this scheme. The Department's High Speed Broadband Programme, provides all recognised post-primary schools, high speed broadband with a minimum broadband speed of 100mbs. There are 58 special schools also included in this programme, managed for the Department by HEAnet.
The policy of my Departments is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with the technical solutions available in the market and financial constraints. Broadband capacity can vary due to geographical location and local infrastructure, and thus impact on the service that can be provided.
The primary broadband scheme operates off existing infrastructure on the whole and the providers on the Primary Broadband Framework access this infrastructure to deliver the service to the schools. The Department does not put in place such infrastructure.
The school referred to by the Deputy has a high speed broadband connection of 100 Mbit/s which is uncontended and symmetrical, meaning this is a dedicated service to the school. Given that this is an uncontended service; the school should have 100Mbp/s connectivity. HEAnet is currently conducting an extensive upgrade programme for post primary schools that has already seen some 47% of schools upgraded to speeds greater that 200Mbp/s. A further 380 post-primary schools are now due a further upgrade. That will see over 80% of post-primary schools with connections of 200 Mbp/s or higher. This school has already been identified as part of the cohort to be upgraded in the current school year, with work underway to procure that upgraded service.
This upgrade programme is based on demonstrated requirements, and in the current circumstances the system is being closely monitored to prioritise those most in need of the higher speed connectivity, in line with contractual and procurement regulations.
The delivery of high quality internet connectivity for all schools is a key objective of my Department, to support the embedding of digital technologies in teaching and learning. The Schools Broadband Programme is operated by my Department at an annual cost of some €13m.
454. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if the special needs assistant, SNA, allocation for a school (details supplied) will be re-examined for the school year 2020/2021. [28362/20]
View answerThe NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. My Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations. Accordingly, the question has been referred to the NCSE for direct reply.
The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.
SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.
It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
Schools were notified of the arrangements for the allocation of SNA support in respect of students in mainstream classes for the current school year. The arrangements include the following provisions:
- 2019/20 mainstream class SNA allocations were frozen, from the date of issue of Circular 0030/2020, and have automatically rolled over into the current 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 were allowed to continue in these posts for the current school year in the normal way.
- A diagnosis of a disability, or a psychological or other professional report, is 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.
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, are dealt with by way of the exceptional review process.
In relation to Clonbonny National School, he NCSE have confirmed that the school submitted a request for an exceptional review of their SNA allocation for 2020/21 school year as they were of the view that their allocation was insufficient to meet the needs of their students for the year. The school was given an increase in SNA resources of 0.34 posts under the review process. However, the school appealed the outcome of this review. The appeal was not upheld and the school was advised of this in writing on Friday 21st August 2020.
455. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the status of a special needs unit for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28390/20]
View answerThe project at the school referred to by the Deputy has been re-tendered and the tenders are due back in the middle of October.
Subject to no issues arising during the balance of the tender process it is envisaged that the project will commence on site late in Quarter 4 of 2020 or early Quarter 1 of 2021 with a construction period of approximately 6 months.
456. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the amount spent by her Department on school minor works project in each of the years of 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28398/20]
View answerUnder Project Ireland 2040 the Minor Works Grant (MWG) is paid to primary schools in either December or January of each school year.
All primary schools receive a flat rate Minor Works Grant of €5,500 plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil attending a special school or special class.
|
Year |
Total |
|
2017 |
€28.949m |
|
2018 |
€28.984m |
|
2019 |
€29.138m |
|
2020 to date |
€100m * |
* In 2020 due to the exceptional circumstances arising from COVID-19, €29m was paid under the Minor Works Grant to primary schools in the free scheme in July 2020. There was also an additional funding of €75m under the July Stimulus programme allocated to cover an enhanced Minor Works Grant at Primary and a once off Minor Works Grant at Post-Primary schools. To date approximately €71m of these grants have issued to schools.
457. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education the reason two pupils (details supplied) in County Mayo are not being accommodated on the school bus in view of the fact that there is capacity on the bus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28403/20]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
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.
Under the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8kms from and are attending their nearest Post Primary School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who completed the application and payment process on time have been accommodated on school transport services for the 2020/21 school year where such services are in operation. The closing date for payment for the 2020/2021 school year was Tuesday 4th August 2020.
Bus Éireann have advised that the family the Deputy refers to applied for school transport for one child on 25th August 2019 for the 19/20 school year. This application was rolled over by Bus Éireann for the 20/21 school year. The family applied for school transport for a second child for the 2020/21 school year on the 7th September 2020. Payment was received from the family on 7th September 2020 and as such their payment is late.
Late applicants and/or families who pay late are not guaranteed a seat and will only be allocated a seat if capacity is available once seats are allocated to those families who applied and paid on time for transport services for the 2020/2021 school year.
In addition, payments or submission of medical card details for Post-Primary seats completed or made after 4th August 2020 will be only considered when 50% capacity, required by new Covid19 public health guidelines, is achieved on each route. In the event of not securing a ticket where no capacity exists, or on cancellation, a full refund will be issued.
458. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if the boundaries surrounding Belmayne, Balgriffan, County Dublin will be reviewed in view of the fact the area has undergone significant development recently which has not been reflected in the school boundaries or the number of school places available for the area. [28408/20]
View answerIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data in a way that takes account of the significant local and regional variations in demographic trends and enrolment projections, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas.
Using school planning area boundaries within my Department’s Geographic Information System (GIS) allows data within those boundaries, including data for enrolments in schools, child benefit and other relevant data to be added to the mapping information, grouped and analysed.
The school planning areas are used in the demographic exercise as a basis for the assessment of areas of growth and to inform recommendations on the establishment of any new schools required in that school planning area. In urban areas, in particular, data relating to adjacent school planning areas is also used to inform our consideration of requirements.
There are no current plans to revise school planning areas.
459. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education the reason a bus pass was refused for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28505/20]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
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.
Under the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8kms from and are attending their nearest Post Primary School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
The pupil referred to by the Deputy resides 16.7 km from home to their closest school and school of attendance and 6.2km from home to their closest pick up point.
The pupil was issued a mainstream eligible ticket which could be used on a scheduled service road passenger bus from their closest pick up point, however pupils who were facilitated on this service now travel on a new dedicated school transport service. If this pupil wishes to travel on this service the family should contact their local Bus Éireann office.
The service which the pupil wishes to travel on is a road passenger service which school transport tickets cannot be used on. The pupil can use this public service on a pay as you go basis but will need to purchase a weekly ticket. The pupil cannot be issued with a school transport ticket for this service as this is a public service bus.
460. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on a case in County Carlow (details supplied). [28509/20]
View answerKeeping schools open is a key priority at all levels of the Plan for Living with Covid-19. Alot of work has been undertaken to facilitate the safe reopening of schools in line with public health advice. The experience to date supports the current international position that schools are low risk environments for Covid-19.
My Department has published a suite of helpful guidance for the safe and sustainable reopening of schools. Each school is required to have a COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe operation through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in line with public health advice. This guidance is focused on the practical steps schools must take to minimise the risk of transmission of infection.
Increasing separation and decreasing interaction is the basis of which physical distancing is achieved in schools in so far as is practicable. My Department has published helpful templates for schools on classroom layout to increase separation to the greatest degree possible.
The objective is to limit contact between children in different class bubbles and pods as much as possible rather than to avoid all contact between pods as this will not always be possible. In this regard pupils in special classes should continue to interact, or integrate, with mainstream classes to ensure their integration needs for educational purposes are addressed.
However, the number of mainstream classes with which each special class pupil integrates should be minimised, in order to maintain pod grouping to the greatest extent possible, and to assist contact and tracing mechanisms, should this become necessary.
At primary school level this may mean each special class pupil integrating with one mainstream class only. At post-primary school level, this may mean special class pupils attending only those mainstream classes necessary for their subject participation.
I would encourage the school in question to contact my Department’s helpline if they have particular queries in relation to my Department’s guidance for the safe and sustainable reopening of schools.
461. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 373 of 21 July 2020, the status of the further submission under consideration in her Department; if the school is now operating in compliance with all Department circulars; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28515/20]
View answerThe matters referred to by the Deputy are being considered. My Department continues to engage with the school directly in relation to the matters raised, including the submission referenced by the Deputy.
462. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a situation at a primary school (details supplied) with an attached autism unit in which children in the unit are not being allowed to integrate with their mainstream classmates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28531/20]
View answerI am not aware of an issue with the inclusion of students enrolled in special classes in mainstream classes in the school referenced by the Deputy.
Special classes are part of a continuum of educational provision that enables students with more complex special educational needs to be educated, in smaller class groups, within their local mainstream schools. They offer a supportive learning environment to students who are unable to access the curriculum in a mainstream class, even with support, for most or all of their school day.
Students enrolled in special classes should be included in mainstream classes to the greatest extent possible, in line with their abilities.
This should continue, however in a Covid-19 context the number of mainstream classes with which each special class student integrates should be minimised, in order to maintain pod grouping to the greatest extent possible, and to assist contact and tracing mechanisms, should this become necessary.
At primary school level this may mean each special class pupil integrating with one mainstream class only whereas, at post primary school level, this may mean special class pupils attending only those mainstream classes necessary for their subject participation.
463. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost of increasing the capitation grant for post-primary schools by 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%, respectively in tabular form. [28538/20]
View answerThe capitation grant has increased in each of the last two budgets.
I understand the need for improved capitation funding and I am pleased that budget 2020 has been able to provide for a further 2.5% increase in standard capitation funding for post primary schools that applies from the start of the 2020/21 school year. This builds on the 5% increase in capitation announced in budget 2019.
The combined increases given in 2019 and 2020 mean that circa 40% restoration will be achieved.
All schools have received the benefit of the capitation increases awarded to date. It is my intention to seek funding for further capitation increases in future budgets.
In addition to the increases above the estimated cost of increasing the standard capitation for post primary schools by 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% is set out in the table below.
|
% increase |
€m |
|
10% |
9.8 |
|
20% |
19.5 |
|
30% |
29.3 |
|
40% |
39.1 |
|
50% |
48.9 |
464. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost of increasing the capitation grant for primary schools by 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%, respectively in tabular form. [28539/20]
View answerThe capitation grant has increased in each of the last two budgets.
I understand the need for improved capitation funding and I am pleased that budget 2020 has been able to provide for a further 2.5% increase in standard capitation funding for primary schools that applies from the start of the 2020/21 school year. This builds on the 5% increase in capitation announced in budget 2019.
The combined increases given in 2019 and 2020 mean that circa 40% restoration will be achieved.
All schools have received the benefit of the capitation increases awarded to date. It is my intention to seek funding for further capitation increases in future budgets.
In addition to the increases above the estimated cost of increasing the standard capitation for primary school by 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% is set out in the table below.
|
% increase |
€m |
|
10% |
10.6 |
|
20% |
21.2 |
|
30% |
31.8 |
|
40% |
42.5 |
|
50% |
53.1 |
465. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the plans in place to minimise the movement of SNAs in circumstances in which they currently care for many students in different classes making contact tracing very difficult. [28559/20]
View answerThe Roadmap for the Full Return to School published in July and significant funding was provided to schools along with a range of supports and guidance to enable schools to plan for their reopening.
Extensive guidance on procedures for the reopening of schools is provided on the back to school website which can be assessed at www.gov.ie/backtoschool
The website includes an FAQ section covering the most common queries received from schools, this is available at the following link, https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/389bd-topics-being-raised-on-the-back-to-school-helpline/ details of the supports provided for the special education sector is available at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c0243-supports-for-the-special-education-sector-in-the-reopening-of-schools/.
The guidance for schools will be updated as required and the Department will continue to work with the health authorities and implement as appropriate any changes necessary to support school reopening in line with any changes to public health advice to manage the spread of COVID-19.
In relation to the provision of SNA support, the role of the SNA remains unchanged and is to support the care needs of students with special educational needs in mainstream classes, special classes and special schools.
Special needs assistants (SNAs) will continue to be allocated to schools in accordance with existing criteria. There is no provision for schools to apply for additional temporary SNA or SET positions from September in order to support school reopening.
The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for students with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews.
DES Circular 0030/2014 in relation to the SNA scheme notes that the tasks of an SNA to provide for the care need of children with special educational needs include assistance with feeding, administration of medicine, assistance with toileting and general hygiene: (including catheterisation), Non-nursing care needs associated with specific medical conditions and assistance with moving and lifting of children, operation of hoists and equipment.
The nature of these tasks means that social distancing cannot be maintained and SNAs are therefore not required to maintain social distancing while performing their tasks, where it is not reasonably possible for them to discharge their duties from a physical distance.
Schools have been provided with additional funding to purchase PPE and SNAs whose work requires them to be in close contact with children should be prioritised for provision of PPE.
Education staff move routinely between schools in the context of substitute teachers, shared special education teachers and SNAs, and it is not possible to eliminate this movement entirely.
It is important that a staff member shared across class bubbles within a school should take particular care to maintain physical distancing and proper hand and respiratory hygiene in moving throughout the school.
In accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, it is the responsibility of school management authorities to have a safety statement in place in their schools. Schools are obliged to identify possible hazards, assess the risks to health and safety and put appropriate safeguards in place.
The Department is supporting schools implement these protocols by providing:
- Induction and tailored training programmes for school staff produced by the Department.
- Webinars on health and safety, returning to work safely, managing school return and wellbeing.
- An enhanced Minor Works Grant to support full implementation of COVID-19 response plans.
- Additional financial supports to provide for additional cleaning, hand hygiene and PPE costs under the COVID-19 response plans.
As part of the Back to School measures, a specific training segment for SNAs is available on https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/dd7fb-induction-training-for-reopening-schools/#sna-induction-training
Further information from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre which provides a range of guidance of infection prevention and control in educational settings is available at the following link: https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/educationguidance/
466. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education if her officials will engage with a school (details supplied) to expedite the provision of a permanent site for the school within the Ballybrack or Loughlinstown area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28580/20]
View answerMy Department met with representatives of the school referred to by the Deputy earlier this year and clarified the position relating to the school's accommodation.
It is intended that the school in question will relocate to an existing building currently occupied on an interim basis by another school while awaiting the construction of a building project for that school.
In this regard, the building project for that school is currently at Stage 3, tender stage of the architectural planning process.
467. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education the criteria for school transport to be provided to a Gaelscoil (details supplied). [28591/20]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
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.
Under the terms of the scheme, children are eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria (3.2km at primary and 4.8km at post-primary) and are attending their nearest school/education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Distance eligibility is determined by Bus Éireann by measuring the shortest traversable route from the child’s home to the relevant school.
Parents of a child wishing to avail of school transport services are required to apply on-line on Bus Éireann website at www.buseireann.ie.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application and payment process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and may be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated. Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for the spare seats using an agreed selection process.
It is understood that the Gaelcoláiste referred to by the Deputy is an Aonad within the Community College referred to. The procedure for applying to the Aonad, is that a family should apply to the Community College on the Bus Éireann Online Family Portal and once the application is made, the family should inform Bus Éireann that they are attending the Aonad part of the school. Eligibility will be re-assessed on the basis that the pupil is attending the Aonad.
If there are specific queries regarding eligibility or availability of services, families are advised to contact their local Bus Éireann office or School Transport Section of my Department.
