Thursday, 26 Nov 2020

Written Answers Nos. 266-285

Water Services

Questions (266)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

266. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to improve water supply to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39356/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

As the Deputy is aware the provision of water does not lie within the remit of my Department; however, the Emergency Works Team is prepared to consider any reasonable alternative to a water tank that the school in question may suggest.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (267)

Steven Matthews

Question:

267. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if a new ASD unit in a school (details supplied) is on track to open for September 2021; and if so, if the new unit will operate at full capacity in its first year. [39372/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I can confirm to the Deputy, that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has approved the opening of a special class, in St. Kevin's National School, for September 2021.

Officials from my Department are in contact with the school authorities in relation to the necessary steps, should additional accommodation be required for this class. To date no applications have been received for capital funding, from the school in question.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (268)

Steven Matthews

Question:

268. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if the new ASD unit in a school (details supplied) will be offering places exclusively to children already in the school; and if applications will be accepted for new students. [39373/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has advised that a new special class for children with autism was sanctioned for the school referred to by the Deputy in October 2020. It is planned to open the class at the start of the 2021/2022 school year. I understand the school are taking applications for the class this year.

It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act 1998. In schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary.

The selection process used by schools and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, it may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in their school of first choice.

In accordance with the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools have drafted new policies to be published on the school’s website.

The Act requires schools to clearly set out their selection criteria, for application in the event of oversubscription, in their admission policies. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for schools themselves.

Further information on the new admission process is available on the Department’s website at the following link: https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Information/School-Enrolment/.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (269)

Steven Matthews

Question:

269. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the number of students currently on waiting lists for an ASD unit place in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39374/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Next year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs.

This investment will support the provision of over 1,200 additional special class places.

Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country, including the area referenced by the Deputy, where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. Through better planning at both national and local level, it is my objective that specialist education places should come on stream to meet emerging demand on a timely basis.

The NCSE is actively working with primary and post primary schools in the North Wicklow area, including Greystones, in order to establish special classes in the area. It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE to open a special class. The active collaboration of school communities is vital to the effective inclusion of students with special educational needs.

I should clarify that the NCSE does not maintain waiting lists for ASD classes. Boards of management of individual schools are responsible for such enrolment matters.

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.

School Transport

Questions (270)

Michael Ring

Question:

270. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education the reason incorrect information was provided in response to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 4 November 2020, in view of the fact that this payment has not been made to date in this case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39376/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

School 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 the 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.

The child referred to by the Deputy is in receipt of a Special Transport Grant under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs. School Transport Section had processed the payment for the family in question as outlined previously. However due to an error, details relating to the payment were not picked up by the Department's financial system. This error has now been rectified and the payment will be processed in the coming days.

Teaching Council of Ireland

Questions (271)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

271. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education if a Teaching Council registration will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39413/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.

The Teaching Council inform me that the person referred to by the Deputy is registered with effect from the 06th of November 2020. Should the individual have any queries regarding their registration I would advise they liaise directly with the Teaching Council.

DEIS Scheme

Questions (272)

Richard Bruton

Question:

272. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the reason improvements in staffing were provided to DEIS band 1 senior schools but not to junior schools or integrated schools in the same category; and if it has been decided the way in which the planned €5 million for such schools will be allocated. [39428/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Thank you for your recent correspondence in relation to the additional allocation in Budget 2021 to support children experiencing educational disadvantage.

DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools is the main policy initiative of my Department to address educational disadvantage at school level. In the 2020/21 school year there are 887 schools in the DEIS Programme serving in excess of 185,000 pupils. This represents approximately 20% of the overall school population. My Department will spend in the region of €125 million in 2020 on the DEIS Programme.

Under Budget 2021 I announced a general reduction in the mainstream staffing schedule to 25:1, which will also apply to DEIS Rural and Urban Band 2 schools. While there has been a reduction in mainstream class size in recent years, there has not been a corresponding reduction for those Urban Band 1 DEIS schools who are already allocated a preferential staffing schedule of 20:1 for schools catering for junior classes only and 24:1 for schools catering for senior classes only. Most DEIS Urban Band 1 schools operate vertical schools with a ratio of 22:1.

As an initial step in addressing this, I have focused on a reduction in the Senior DEIS Urban Band 1 primary schools and therefore there will be a one point reduction in their staffing schedule from 24:1 to 23:1. The reason for this is due to the fact that the differential has narrowed further following the announcement of an overall reduction in the mainstream staffing schedule to 25:1.

The total Budget allocation of additional funding of €2 million in 2021, with a full year allocation of €5 million in 2022 provides for further supports to be allocated as part of the DEIS programme to those schools catering for the highest concentrations of educational disadvantage. My Department continues to support those schools most in need and I am considering options on how best to achieve this.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (273)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

273. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the progress made to date in providing a new school building for a school (details supplied) that has been in inadequate accommodation for a long time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39442/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan.

The project is currently at Stage 1 of Architectural Planning which includes site surveys and reports, and producing initial sketch scheme options to be submitted to my Department for consideration.

Upon receipt and review of the Stage 1 submission, a Stage 1 stakeholders meeting will be held between the Board of Management, Project Manager, Design Team and officials from my Department.

Public Sector Pay

Questions (274)

Francis Noel Duffy

Question:

274. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Education if the payroll division will give the choice to employees and retired teachers to receive their payslips electronically; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39455/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The option of receiving online payslips for serving and retired staff paid on payrolls operated by my Department is not currently available.

An interim upgrade of the payroll system is currently underway and is due to be completed in the latter part of 2021. The primary purpose of this upgrade is to receive continued support from the Department’s vendor. On completion of this upgrade it is intended to explore the introduction of an online payslip solution.

School Staff

Questions (275)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

275. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education if cleaners are considered as critical staff in the running of schools; her plans to provide pension rights to long service cleaners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39457/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I recognise the important role that cleaners play in the successful operation of our schools. Each school is required to have a COVID-19 Response Plan for safe operation through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in line with public health advice. Cleaning is an important aspect of infection prevention control measures in schools to minimise the risk of transmission of infection.

However, I wish to clarify to the Deputy that cleaners in primary and post-primary schools are not contracted to or paid by the Department of Education. Cleaners are employed by these schools directly, using the ancillary grant to schools, which allows them the flexibility of hiring cleaner/s in the most locally useful manner. The provision of a pension is therefore a matter for the respective, individual schools. Schools as employers are obliged to provide access to a PRSA.

The Deputy may be aware that, in line with the ‘Roadmap for Pension Reform 2018 – 2023’, the Government has committed to develop and implement a State-sponsored ‘Automatic Enrolment’ supplementary retirement savings system by 2022. Under Automatic Enrolment, employees without personal retirement savings and who meet certain age and earnings criteria will be automatically enrolled into a State-sponsored quality assured supplementary retirement savings system, with freedom of choice to opt-out.

School Accommodation

Questions (276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress to date or in hand in meeting the school place, replacement of facilities, new school requirements and special needs provision at primary and post-primary levels in Maynooth, County Kildare; the extent to which each project is on target in line with projections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39482/20]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress to date or in hand in meeting the school place, replacement of facilities, new school requirements and special needs provision at primary and post-primary levels in Kilcock, County Kildare; the extent to which each project is on target in line with projections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39483/20]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress to date or in hand in meeting the school place, replacement of facilities, new school requirements and special needs provision at primary and post-primary levels in Celbridge, County Kildare; the extent to which each project is on target in line with projections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39484/20]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress to date or in hand in meeting the school place, replacement of facilities, new school requirements and special needs provision at primary and post-primary levels in Prosperous, County Kildare; the extent to which each project is on target in line with projections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39485/20]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress to date or in hand in meeting the school place, replacement of facilities, new school requirements and special needs provision at primary and post-primary levels in Naas, County Kildare; the extent to which each project is on target in line with projections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39486/20]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress to date or in hand in meeting the school place, replacement of facilities, new school requirements and special needs provision at primary and post-primary levels in Clane, County Kildare; the extent to which each project is on target in line with projections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39487/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 to 281, inclusive, together.

In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (GIS). The GIS uses data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Department's own school enrolment databases, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise.

The process has been strengthened this year through three specific initiatives:

1. enhanced engagement with local authorities in relation to the information on residential development incorporated in the analysis process;

2. additional engagement with patron bodies in relation to their local knowledge on school place requirements. Education and Training Boards, Diocesan offices and national patron bodies such as Educate Together, An Foras Pátrúnachta etc. can also be an important source of local knowledge. This will add to information also provided to the Department by local authorities or individual schools.

3. utilising the information gleaned from schools under the national inventory of school capacity completed by individual schools last year as part of POD, P-POD returns process.

Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:

- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,

- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,

- Provision of a new school or schools.

Under project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands.

The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in County Kildare may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.

The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including accommodation for pupils with special educational needs, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need, has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme (Additional Accommodation Scheme) can be found on my Department's website www.education.ie and this information is also updated regularly.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (282)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

282. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education her plans to offer streamed remote and blended learning options to high-risk families that wish to avail of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39493/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre and HSE has published guidance in relation to the return to school for at risk groups. The advice confirms that for the vast majority of children, including those who are high risk, can return to school and it is important for the overall health and wellbeing for children to attend school. This is consistent with public health advice internationally. Live streaming of classes does not arise where categories of students are expected to be in school. The guidance is available at the following link.

https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/educationguidance/HSE%20advice%20on%20return%20to%20school.pdf

My Department has also published guidance to support schools in making adapted education provision for students with an underlying medical condition who cannot return to school because they are medically certified as being at very high risk to COVID-19.

The guidance for primary and post schools on supporting such students is available via the following link https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/a128d-back-to-school/.

Schools Data

Questions (283)

Holly Cairns

Question:

283. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the number of students on the waiting list for a secondary school place in secondary schools in Bandon, County Cork for the 2021-2022 school year; and the steps she is taking as a result. [39505/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing enrolments in Bandon and has planned capital projects to provide the required accommodation. It is intended that demand in Bandon will be addressed by increasing capacity at St Brogans College to a Long Term Projected Enrolment of 1,000 pupils. In this regard, capital funding has been approved and the project has been devolved to the school authority (CETB) for delivery. There is also a project for Hamilton High school included on the Capital programme which is currently under consideration. Department officials are in communication with the school authority of Coláiste na Toirbhirte with a view to increasing capacity in order to meet projected demand.

Further to this, and similar to the process adopted for September 2020 readiness, my Department will be engaging further with patron bodies shortly in advance of identifying specific September 2021 capacity pressure points priorities which will necessitate specific action.

I also wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not hold records of students on school waiting lists.

School Admissions

Questions (284)

Marc MacSharry

Question:

284. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education the reason a student (details supplied) is being refused a place in three schools; the assurance she can provide to allay the fears and upset of the student's parents that there will be a place in a local school for the next school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39508/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

It is the responsibility of my Department to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. Parents/guardians can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted.

It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to draft, publish and implement a school admission policy in accordance with the Education Acts 1998 to 2018. In schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in their school of first choice.

The admission policy, including the selection criterion to be used where the school is oversubscribed, must comply with the Education Acts 1998 to 2018, be non-discriminatory and be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.

Where a board of management make a decision to refuse admission, a parent/guardian can appeal that decision under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, and an independent appeals committee will be appointed to consider the appeal. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a student, except in circumstances where an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 has been allowed and the appeals committee direct that the school admit the child concerned.

A section 29 appeal must be made no later than 63 calendar days from the date of the school’s decision to refuse admission.

If a student has been refused admission due to the school being oversubscribed, and the parent/guardian of the student wishes to appeal this decision they must firstly make a written request to the board of management requesting a review of the school’s decision. This request for a review to the board of management is time bound and must be made within 21 calendar days from the date of the decision by the school to refuse admission of the student.

If a student has been refused admission for a reason other than the school being oversubscribed, and the parent/guardian of the student wishes to appeal the decision, they may, but are not required to, firstly make a written request to the board of management requesting a review of the school’s decision. This request for a review to the board of management is time bound and must be made within 21 calendar days from the date of the decision by the school to refuse admission of the student. Where the decision by the school to refuse admission of the student is for a reason other than the school being oversubscribed and the parent/guardian does not wish to request a review by the board of management of this decision, an appeal may be made to an independent appeals committee no later than 63 calendar days from the date of the school’s decision to refuse admission.

Full details on the section 29 appeals process are available on my Department’s website at the link below:

https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/Appeal-against-Permanent-Exclusion-Suspension-or-Refusal-to-Enrol/Appeals.html

In addition, Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) is the legal body which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school placement for their child. Contact details for TESS in your region can be found at: https://www.tusla.ie/tess/get-in-touch/

School Accommodation

Questions (285)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

285. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the position regarding accommodation for a secondary school (details supplied) in January 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39509/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department has been in contact with the club to which the Deputy refers with regard to extending the current lease arrangements.

My Department will keep the school authorities and it's patron body informed.