Written Answers Nos. 388-412
388. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if the deferred payment of the leaving certificate examination fees announced by her Department in early 2020 also applies to cases in which students are repeating the leaving certificate. [39766/20]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission (SEC) has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
389. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the funding allocation for her Department by project for 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39772/20]
View answerA summary of the Department of Education's funding allocation for 2021 is set out in Chapter 8 (pages 79 to 82) of the 2021 Expenditure Report that was published on 13 October 2020 as part of 2021 Budget day documentation. This sets out the main areas identified for funding in 2021. The full details on the 2021 allocations for each Departmental Vote will be set out, as usual, in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which is due to be published in December 2020.
The Expenditure Report sets out a gross allocation of €8.862 Billion for 2021 which is allocated to the areas of first level, second level and early years' education. The bulk of the expenditure relates to the pay costs associated with some 91,000 teaching and other staff and the pensions of some 43,000 retired staff. Significant other areas of expenditure include grants to schools, school transport and the capital funding expended under the School Building Programme.
Extensive information is available on my Department's website https://www.education.ie/en/School-Design/Building-Works/ regarding the School Building Programme.
390. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the number of appeals by schools to retain their staffing levels and not lose a teacher in the 2020-21 academic year that were successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39773/20]
View answer391. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if Covid-19 is taken into consideration by the board of appeals when considering appeals of a reduction of staffing levels in a school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39774/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 390 together.
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 (teachers) 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. For the current school year, it operates on a general average of 26 pupils to every 1 teacher (26:1) which is historically the lowest ever allocation ratio at primary level. In DEIS schools, the staffing schedule operates at a more preferential allocation ratio.
The staffing process includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board under certain criteria as outlined in the staffing circular 18/2020.
This year the Department and the Primary Appeals Board are very cognisant of the impact of COVID-19 on schools and in that context has looked carefully at all decisions on the allocation of teaching posts where schools have reduced enrolments to ensure that all decisions are reasonable and all schools are treated fairly.
In relation to appeals dealt with by the Primary Appeals Board, 195 appeals were submitted by schools. These included schools that were due to lose a post and schools that sought to gain an additional teaching post based on projected enrolments. 14% of these schools were unsuccessful in their appeal with the main reason being instances where schools had forecasted a larger intake of pupils than materialised and in some cases the overall number of pupils returned on 30th September was lower than last’s years enrolment and did not warrant an additional teacher based on current staffing schedules.
392. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the way in which the €5 million investment for DEIS schools as announced in budget 2021 will be allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39775/20]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that under Budget 2021 I have announced a general reduction in the mainstream staffing schedule to 25:1. 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 total Budget allocation of additional funding of €2million in 2021, with a full year allocation of €5million 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. I expect to be in a position to announce details of this imminently.
393. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education the number of additional ASD places made available in Dublin 1, 7 and 9 respectively, in the 2020-21 academic year. [39781/20]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
NCSE is actively working with primary and post primary schools in the Dublin 1, 7 and 9 areas to establish special classes. At primary level, there are currently 2 ASD Early Intervention classes and 13 ASD classes in this area. NCSE has also confirmed that two further primary ASD classes are scheduled to open in January and September 2021.
At post primary level there is one ASD class currently.
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.
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.
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
394. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education the status of the development of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39810/20]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing permanent accommodation to meet the needs of the school to which the Deputy refers.
A number of potential site options have been identified and officials from my Department are currently appraising same. Once a preferred site option has been identified, negotiations with the landowner in respect of the proposed acquisition of this site will commence.
Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time.
395. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39816/20]
View answerMy Department has published a Roadmap to Support the Full Reopening of Schools, which is currently being implemented. The Roadmap includes specific guidance and a dedicated financial package for the Special Education Sector. There is extensive guidance available to assist and guide schools in relation to the decision making required during this pandemic period.
Pupils in special classes should continue to interact, or integrate, with mainstream classes and move between classes. The Guidelines do not prevent this. Schools continue to do their best in the interest of all students.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) team of locally based Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise schools in this area.
The NCSE advise that the local SENO will bring to the attention of the school the guidance contained in Paragraph 19 of the Department's publication on Reopening our Primary and Special School which can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c0243-supports-for-the-special-education-sector-in-the-reopening-of-schools/
396. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the status of a building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39840/20]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the building project for the school to which he refers has now been devolved for delivery to Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB).
The Service Level Agreement (SLA) has been issued to WWETB. The next step is for WWETB to procure a Design Team for the project to design the buildings, obtain the necessary statutory planning permissions, and move the project onward to tender and construction in due course.
As the project is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for its completion. Please be assured that the ETB will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
397. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the status of discussions to bring school secretaries' pay and conditions on a par with all other public servants; her views on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39858/20]
View answerI am keenly aware of the vital role contributed by school secretaries within school communities and I recognise the very important work done by these staff, and the other support staff in the running of our schools. I have met with Fórsa, who represent many of the secretaries working in schools.
In recognition of their role, I have put special arrangements in place for this school year whereby schools will be funded to employ a replacement secretary or caretaker in the event that staff who are at very high risk of contracting serious illness from COVID-19 cannot work on the school premises. I have also extended the Employee Assistance Service to all school staff including secretaries.
The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services under grant schemes. Where a school employs a staff member to support those functions those staff are employees of individual schools and responsibility for terms of employment rests with the school.
On foot of a Chairman’s Note to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, my Department implemented the 2015 recommendations of an independent arbitrator. The Arbitrator recommended a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 and that a minimum hourly pay rate of €13 be phased in over that period. This arbitration agreement covered the period up to 31 December 2019 and has been fully implemented.
The arbitration agreement was designed to be of greatest benefit to lower-paid secretaries and caretakers. For example, a secretary or caretaker who was paid the then minimum wage of €8.65 per hour in 2015 prior to the arbitration has from 1 January 2019 been paid €13 per hour which is a 50% increase in that individual’s hourly pay.
Fórsa trade union has tabled a follow-on claim from the 2015 agreement. Officials from my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and School Management Bodies have been engaging with Fórsa on the claim, most recently on 27 of October under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission.
At that meeting it was agreed that further discussions would be held under the auspices of the WRC with a view to assessing the individual elements comprising the totality of the union’s claims. It is noted that these WRC discussions are taking place within the context of recent Dáil comments concerning the regularisation of pay, conditions of employment and pension provision of School Secretaries and Caretakers.
I acknowledge the complex work that will now be involved in trying to develop all issues in order to reach an agreed outcome. In that regard an understanding has been agreed on a pathway to progress the issues, comprising of several key strands.
I welcome and support the continued meaningful dialogue between the parties with a view to reaching an agreed outcome.
398. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the difficult situation that pregnant teachers are experiencing due to differing advice from organisations (details supplied); the steps she will take to rectify the situation these teachers are in; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39859/20]
View answerMy Department has an enhanced Occupational Health Service (OHS) in place to provide employers with occupational health advice in relation to employees’ fitness for work. Medmark, the current OHS provider has a process in place for school staff with health concerns about their risk of serious illness from contracting COVID-19, through workplace attendance.
A detailed on-line questionnaire is submitted by the employee to Medmark, along with detailed medical evidence to provide clarity with respect to the medical complaint(s) in question. All of this information is reviewed by the OHS specialist occupational health physician, including the combined and cumulative risk that can arise when an employee suffers from more than one health condition. The risk categorisation is comprehensive and follows the same process that is being applied across other sectors. An employee is categorised into one of three COVID-19 risk categories. These are general population risk, higher risk, and very high risk. The outcome of the risk categorisation is governed by the HSE guidance.
Under the current HSE guidelines, a pregnant employee is not deemed to be at very high risk of serious illness from contracting COVID-19, unless suffering from a serious heart condition. A teacher who is well must therefore attend the workplace. The school has a responsibility as the employer to assess the school environment using the COVID-19 Response Plan for the school, to ensure that all the appropriate HSE recommendations for safe school operations during Covid-19 are being implemented in full.
If this, or any other relevant medical matter, is reviewed and updated by the HSE, Medmark will be informed as the occupational health service provider, by the HSE, and will adjust their decision making processes accordingly.
Where an employee considers the OHS ‘COVID-19 Health Risk Categorisation Report’ places him/her in an incorrect risk category, a review can be requested by the employee where Medmark will re-evaluate the medical evidence provided. The employee may provide additional medical evidence as part of the review process.
399. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education the status of the review of the ex gratia scheme for survivors of sexual abuse in day schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39872/20]
View answer401. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education if the review of the ex gratia scheme will be published and made available to the impacted survivors of sexual abuse in day schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39874/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 401 together.
As you are aware, the ex gratia scheme was established on foot of the specific circumstances arising from and in response to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) relating to Louise O'Keeffe.
The Department undertook a review of the scheme in response to a determination by the Independent Assessor, Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill that one of the criteria for eligibility is incompatible with the ECtHR judgement.
The issues involved are highly sensitive and complex and require careful deliberation before proposals can be finalised and brought to Government.
The review of the ex gratia scheme has yet to be concluded.
400. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education if there will be a need for further extensions to the deadline for the submission of the report to the Council of Europe on the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights judgment in view of the granting of an extension to the deadline for submission and the report of 8 December 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39873/20]
View answerI fully expect that the deadline of 8 December 2020, for the submission of Ireland's 12th report to the Council of Europe, will be met and that there will not be a requirement for a further extension.
402. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of an autism spectrum disorder class in a school (details supplied) in County Meath, which was awarded funding in February 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39898/20]
View answerI can confirm that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school authority referred to by the Deputy. Officials have been in recent contact with the school authority in order to progress the application. As soon as the assessment process is completed the school authority will be contacted directly.
403. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the plans in place to address the increased enrolment applications for a school (details supplied) in County Meath in which a large number of students from the catchment area were refused admission for the 2021-22 academic year due to capacity issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39899/20]
View answerI can confirm that my Department is in receipt of an application for additional school accommodation from the school referred to by the Deputy. This application is currently under assessment and, once completed, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.
My Department's capital investment programme provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for existing schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified. All projects that have been approved by my Department under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme may be viewed on my Department’s website: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/563cae-additional-accommodation-scheme/#additional-accommodation-scheme, which is updated regularly.
404. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education if she will direct school principals and teachers to allow students to wear additional layers of clothing, including coats, hats and scarves, to offset the effects of windows being opened to improve ventilation in classrooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39904/20]
View answerMy Department has published on Monday 30 November 2020, updated guidance for schools in line with public health advice in relation to the practical steps for the Deployment of good ventilation practices in schools.
The guidance sets out for schools good ventilation recommendations for improving room ventilation especially in classrooms without causing discomfort and encouraging where possible the opening of doors and windows to increase natural ventilation in particular where climate allows.
The overall approach for schools should be to have windows open as fully as possible when classrooms are not in use (e.g. during break-times, lunch-times and at the end of each school day) and partially open when classrooms are in use. Windows do not need to be open as wide in colder weather in order to achieve the same level of airflow into the classroom. This will assist in managing comfort levels in classrooms during periods of colder weather.
405. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education the reason for the lack of engagement at a technical level by her Department with a school (details supplied) in County Cork regarding a greenfield site for a new school; if she received further recent correspondence requesting such a meeting; the steps she will take to immediately confirm a time and date for such a meeting prior to the end of 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39916/20]
View answerMy Department is proposing to undertake a major project for the school referred to in the details supplied by the Deputy on the school's existing site.
The school authorities put forward a proposal to construct a new school on an alternative site owned by the patron. My Department considered the proposal and advised the school authorities that there would be significant challenges associated with the proposed site that would make it unviable.
My Department will make contact with the school authority to determine if any new information is available that has not already been provided to the Department.
406. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education if those who are studying in the UK for a postgraduate certificate in education but have not yet completed the course have any option of returning to Ireland and completing their qualifications here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39922/20]
View answerThe Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State. Any potential applicants transferring in to an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme must meet the registration requirements following completion of their programme to ensure that standards of entry to the profession are maintained. Registration with the Council is necessary in order to be recognised as a teacher for employment in a state funded teaching post.
At the outset, I wish to point out that it is solely a matter for the relevant Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to assess and make a decision on whether applicants wishing to transfer in to any of their programmes meet the entry requirements for that programme and are eligible for transfer.
ITE programmes for primary and post primary teachers are facilitated through a range of concurrent (undergraduate) and consecutive (postgraduate) programmes. Any potential applicants to these programmes must meet the entry requirements for their preferred programme, which varies depending on whether it is for primary or Post-Primary teaching.
I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to an individual wishing to transfer in to a post-graduate ITE programme.
The primary postgraduate programme is a two year course leading to a Professional Master of Education (PME). Applicants for this programme must hold a Minimum H2.2 Honours Bachelor Degree (Level 8). Entrants to this programme must also meet the required Minimum Entry Requirements (MERs) in Irish, English and Mathematics in the relevant year.
The post primary postgraduate programme is a two year course leading to a PME. It is a requirement of the Teaching Council that applicants for this programme must hold a Level 8 Degree in at least one post-primary curricular subject in order to be considered for registration as a teacher, upon completion of the PME. The Teaching Council set the requirements for qualifying subjects. The Postgraduate Application Centre (PAC) manages the application process for the PME for a number of the programme providers.
407. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if she will investigate the ongoing dispute between Bus Éireann and the family of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39958/20]
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.
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.
Children who apply for transport and who are not eligible under the terms of the scheme are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that the pupil to whom the Deputy refers is not attending their nearest post primary school and is therefore not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme.
Bus Éireann has also confirmed that a school transport application was received for this pupil on 11/08/2020 for the 2020/21 school year and as such was a late application and that no payment for transport was received for this pupil.
408. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education when parents can expect to receive payments under the school transport grant. [40026/20]
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 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.
Special Transport Grants under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs are processed throughout the year as and when they are received in the School Transport Section with the majority of grants being paid during the summer months.
With regard to transport grants for the Summer 2020 Programme, my Department committed to providing grant funding to support families with the cost of transport arrangements for those children who were eligible for school transport and who were approved to participate in the school based Summer Programme.
Schools were required to identify children who availed of a School Transport service or who were in receipt of a grant. School Transport Section issued correspondence to schools outlining what was required in order to process such payments.
School Transport Section has commenced processing payment of these grants to families who are eligible and payments will continue to be processed in the coming weeks.
409. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education if schools are assigned leaving certificate exam numbers that retain the same prefix numbers each year, which may affect the anonymous nature of the exam; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40032/20]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission (SEC) has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
410. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education her views on the need to enhance and facilitate further participation in the classroom for children with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40096/20]
View answerIt is my belief that children with special educational needs should receive their education in placements which are appropriate to their needs alongside their peers wherever possible unless such an approach would be inconsistent with the best interests of the individual child or other children in the school.
This approach is consistent with the provisions of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004.
My Department's policy is therefore to provide for the inclusive education of children with special educational needs in mainstream schools. The majority of children with special needs attend mainstream education with additional supports.
This policy is supported by significant investment by Government, €2bn or 20% of the total education spend. This funds the provision of additional teachers, special needs assistants and other supports required to enable children with special needs to access education.
Only where it has been assessed that the child is unable to be supported in mainstream education, are special class placements or special school placements recommended and provided for.
It is therefore not the case that special educational placements are required to support all children with special educational needs, nor is it intended that this should be the case.
My Department will continue to provide for a continuum of provision, which includes special class and special school places for children who have been assessed as needing such placements.
411. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if she is in discussion with the management of a school (details supplied) regarding the need for a new building programme at the school; her views on whether this matter now requires immediate attention; if she will provide assurances in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40102/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware a building project for the school in question is not included on my Department's capital programme. However, my Department has been in communication with the school in question and the school authority have been advised that it is open to them to apply under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, should they require essential classroom accommodation and under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) to address any immediate issues. An application for roof works has been received under the EWS scheme and the school authority have been requested to submit a scaled down scope of works as the level of funding currently sought is outside the scope of the scheme.
In the National Development Plan (2018-2027) €2.5bn is currently identified for the refurbishment and construction of schools. Part of this is intended for a deep energy retrofit of schools built prior to 2008 which is due to commence in 2022 as outlined in Project Ireland 2040. The school in question will be considered for upgrade as part of this programme.
Currently my Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve 372 large-scale projects and circa. 800 projects for delivery under the Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme.
While good progress continues to be made with the roll out of projects, the enhanced funding levels envisaged under the National Development Plan period will be key to ensuring the successful delivery of the remaining elements of the pipeline of projects during the NDP period 2018 to 2027.
412. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the degree to which provision has been made for extra accommodation required at a school (details supplied); if cognisance is taken as to whether extra places need to be made in the short-term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40112/20]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that the school in question was approved capital funding in 2020, for additional accommodation under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation scheme (ASA). This approval is to provide 2 mainstream classrooms, 3 Special Education Teaching rooms and the reconfiguration of existing classrooms to accommodate an Early Intervention class. Funding was also granted for additional interim temporary accommodation, to assist in addressing the school's current enrolment need, pending the delivery of the new build at which time the school will have permanent accommodation to cater for it's staffing needs in line with the school's recognition of a P+24 mainstream teacher school. The current project brief was agreed with the school authority prior to initiation.
I can also confirm to the Deputy, that there is capacity in other primary schools in the school planning area. Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including the patrons in question, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action.
