Wednesday, 21 Apr 2021

Written Answers Nos. 1066-1083

State Examinations Commission

Questions (1066)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1066. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she plans to amend the State Examinations Commission's reasonable accommodations at the certificate examinations scheme to broaden the criteria for accessing a reader and to allow readers to explain the meanings of words, phrases and sentences to students who struggle with reading comprehension due to dyslexia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20196/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. The Commission in this regard operates a scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the Certificate Examinations.In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (1067)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1067. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education her views on an issue raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20197/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. The Commission in this regard operates a scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the Certificate Examinations.In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1068)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

1068. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if there is a procedure in place to deal with cases in which a person receives contradictory information regarding their Covid-19 risk levels from Medmark and the HSE. [20214/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The general principles to apply to the management of COVID-19 includes the safety and welfare of teachers, Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) and other school staff and the minimisation of the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning. The current COVID-19 arrangements in place for teachers and SNAs are outlined in my Department’s Circular Letter 0021/2021.

My Department has an enhanced Occupational Health Service (OHS) in place, to provide employers with occupational health advice in relation to an SNA’s fitness for work. The current OHS provider (Medmark) 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 SNA to the OHS, along with detailed medical evidence to provide clarity with respect to the medical issue 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 SNA 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 SNA is categorised into one of three COVID-19 risk categories. These are ‘Normal Risk’, High Risk’, and ‘Very High Risk’. The outcome of the risk categorisation is governed by the latest HSE guidance.

Where an SNA considers the OHS "Covid-19 Health Risk Categorisation report" places him/her in an incorrect risk category, he/she may request review. The SNA may provide additional medical evidence as part of the review process.

Based on HSE advice, an SNA categorised by the OHS as ‘Very High Risk’ currently must not attend the workplace. However he/she remains available for work and the employer should prioritise alternative working arrangements to the maximum extent possible e.g. working from home. An SNA in the ‘High Risk’ group who is not ill must attend the workplace.

Based on the information provided by the Deputy, the SNA in question has been categorised by the OHS as in the ‘High Risk’ group.

With regard to priority groups for the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations, this is a matter for the Department of Health.

School Management

Questions (1069)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

1069. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the processes and procedures in place to identify and address bullying, harassment and employment discrimination complaints in schools by direct employees of the boards of management in which members of the board of management or senior management of the school are the subjects of the complaints; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20219/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Complaints of this nature are matters for individual schools, as employers, under relevant legislation and procedures, and my Department has no direct role in managing such complaints.

Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Acts employers have a duty to ensure the health and safety of their employees in the workplace including “prevent any improper conduct or behaviour likely to put the safety, health and welfare of employees at risk”. The Code of Practice for Employers and Employees on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work sets out detailed procedure for dealing with formal and informal complaints.

The Health and Safety Authority provides information and advice on such issues and the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) also offers a mediation service to help resolve issues informally before a formal process is initiated. The WRC is also the place to bring a discrimination claim under the Employment Equality Acts as it investigates or mediates claims of unlawful discrimination under equality legislation.

Employees in schools have the same rights and access under these processes as other employees.

School Accommodation

Questions (1070)

David Stanton

Question:

1070. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education if she will consider establishing a new second-level school in east County Cork to open in September 2022 in view of the fact that second-level schools in the area are oversubscribed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20266/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

As the Deputy is aware, 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, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

The most recent analysis undertaken by my Department projects that over 60% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level have stable or decreasing projected enrolments for the period to 2024, whereas some 90% of the school planning areas at post-primary level are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2027.

The level of demand volume across school planning areas with an increasing net requirement ranges from small to medium increases that are likely to be accommodated by existing schools through to significant projected growth that may require additional provision. This Department’s most recent projections indicate continued increasing demand for post primary school places in East County Cork, particularly in the Midleton_Carrigtwohill school planning area.

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.

Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.

Question No. 1071 answered with Question No. 1058.

School Accommodation

Questions (1072)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

1072. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if special consideration will be given to the additional school accommodation scheme application made by a school (details supplied). [20350/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department has recently approved capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, for the provision of specialist permanent additional accommodation to cater for increased needs at the school in question.

As the Deputy is aware, the main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on the provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The second half of the NDP (from 2023 onwards) will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. This will include a PE Hall build and modernisation programme to ensure that students in all post-primary schools have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision. The immediate priority of the Department is providing new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place. The school authority, in question. has been informed that their application for PE Hall facilities will be considered as part of the NDP roll out.

I wish to confirm that my Department previously approved significant funding for the provision of a Special Educational Needs Base inclusive of a Central Activities Space, this project was completed in 2020.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1073)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

1073. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if it is planned to restore the three school days (details supplied) that were missed prior to the commencement of remote learning in order to ensure that children are not disadvantaged any further as a result of the closure of schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20438/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The Government decision, taken on 30 December 2020, on foot of public health advice to reduce mobility in the community, was to extend school holidays by 3 days.

The scheduling of the school holiday periods during the academic years is agreed between the managerial authorities of schools, the teacher unions and my Department for the purposes of standardising breaks at Christmas, Easter and mid-term. This is important to ensure certainty for the school community about the dates of school holidays and these arrangements are set out in Department circular 0005/2020. There are no plans to extend the school year beyond the arrangements set out in this circular.

School Staff

Questions (1074)

Sean Fleming

Question:

1074. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education the position in relation to teachers who are in the high-risk category and have received their vaccination and wish to return to work if Medmark does not take the vaccine into account in the context of its back-to-work strategy for teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20444/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

With regard to the ‘Very High Risk’ teachers who have received the COVID-19 vaccination, my Department awaits HSE/NPHET advice before any changes are made to their current remote working arrangements.

The general principles to apply to the management of COVID-19 includes the safety and welfare of teachers and other school staff and the minimisation of the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning. The current COVID-19 arrangements in place for teachers are outlined in my Department’s Circular Letter 0021/2021.

My Department has an enhanced Occupational Health Service (OHS) in place, to provide employers with occupational health advice in relation to teacher’s fitness for work. 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 teacher to the OHS, 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 a teacher suffers from more than one health condition. The risk categorisation is comprehensive and follows the same process that is being applied across other sectors. A teacher is categorised into one of three COVID-19 risk categories. These are ‘Normal Risk’, High Risk’, and ‘Very High Risk’. The outcome of the risk categorisation is governed by the latest HSE guidance.

Based on HSE advice, a teacher categorised by the OHS as ‘Very High Risk’ currently must not attend the workplace. However he/she remains available for work and the employer should prioritise alternative working arrangements to the maximum extent possible e.g. working from home. A teacher in the ‘High Risk’ group who is not ill must attend the workplace.

School Accommodation

Questions (1075)

Richard Bruton

Question:

1075. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will provide information in relation to each of the school planning areas covering an area (details supplied). [20496/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Dublin Bay North constituency is comprised of the following school planning areas:

- Killester_Raheny_Clontarf

- Darndale_D17

- Donaghmede_Howth_D13

- Part of Beaumont_CoolockD5

- Part of Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin1

The following primary schools are located in the Dublin Bay North constituency area.

Roll_Number	School_Planning_Area	School_Name	Enrolments	Ethos_Religion	Patron
09642P	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	BURROW N S	216	Church Of Ireland	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI
13815T	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	HOWTH RD MXD N S	102	Presbyterian	Joint patronage between the Kirk Session of Clontarf and the Scots Presbyterian Church
15895H	Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin1	DRUMCONDRA N S	58	Church Of Ireland	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI
16753P	Beaumont_CoolockD5	ST VINCENT DE PAULS GIRLS SENIOR SCHOOL	336	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
16754R	Beaumont_CoolockD5	ST VINCENTS CONVENT INF N S	380	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
16759E	Beaumont_CoolockD5	S N MHUIRE NA MBRATHAR	349	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
16792C	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	ST BRIGIDS CONVENT N S	415	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
17104G	Darndale_D17	ST FRANCIS JUNIOR NATIONAL SCHOOL	190	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
17148D	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	S N EOIN BAISDE GIRLS SENIOR	432	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
17730I	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	S N NA LANAI GLASA	286	Church Of Ireland	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI
17732M	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	SCOIL CHIARAIN	130	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
17936F	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	SN EOIN BAISDE BOYS SENIOR SCHOOL	320	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
17976R	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	SCOIL ASSAIM BOYS SENIORS	297	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
17977T	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	SCOIL AINE CONVENT SENIOR	347	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
17978V	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	SCOIL ASSAIM	377	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
18080A	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	SCOIL MHUIRE MXD	417	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
18360G	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	SCOIL BHREANDAIN	163	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
18361I	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	SN CAITRIONA GIRLS	191	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
18362K	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	S N CAITRIONA NAIONAIN	221	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
18646B	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	SPRINGDALE N S	242	Church Of Ireland	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI
18726W	Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin1	S N SEOSAMH NA MBRATHAR	112	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
18968A	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	ST MALACHYS B N S	146	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
18969C	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	ST EITHNES SENIOR GIRLS NS	102	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19006Q	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	EOIN BAISDE B SOIS	339	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19007S	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	EOIN BAISDE C NAOIDH	243	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19037E	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	ST MONICAS N S	41	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19297H	Beaumont_CoolockD5	CROMCASTLE GREEN B N S	210	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19298J	Beaumont_CoolockD5	SCOIL NAIS IDE CAILINI	159	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19308J	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	ST BRIGIDS BOYS N S	329	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19309L	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	SCOIL NEASAIN	249	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19393D	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	MHUIRE IOSEF JUNIOR	403	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19406J	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	HOLY TRINITY SEN N S	394	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19454U	Darndale_D17	DARNDALE NS JUNIOR	199	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19471U	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	ST PAULS JUNIOR NATIONAL SCHOOL	220	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19473B	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	SCOIL BHRIDE	414	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19496N	Beaumont_CoolockD5	SCOIL FHIACHRA SOISIR	646	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19524P	Darndale_D17	OUR LADY IMMAC SEN N S	202	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19533Q	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	S N MUIRE AGUS IOSEF	419	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19538D	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	ST KEVINS JUNIOR N S	200	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19549I	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	ST FINTANS NS	454	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19611K	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	SCOIL NAOMH COLMCILLE	250	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19618B	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	ST PAULS SEN NS	231	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19628E	Beaumont_CoolockD5	ST FIACHRAS SEN N S	720	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19668Q	Darndale_D17	ST FRANCIS SENIOR N S	217	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19777V	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	GAELSCOIL MIDE	240	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19913D	Darndale_D17	ST JOSEPHS NS	348	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19919P	Beaumont_CoolockD5	ST DAVIDS N S	289	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19920A	Beaumont_CoolockD5	ST JOHN OF GOD N S	168	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19935N	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	SCOIL EOIN	157	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
19954R	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	NORTH BAY EDUCATE TOGETHER NS	208	Multi Denominational	The North Bay National School Project
19981U	Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin1	ST MARYS N S	202	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
20052H	Beaumont_CoolockD5	GAELSCOIL CHOLMCILLE	261	Catholic	An Foras Pátrúnachta
20064O	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION NS	300	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
20281W	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	St Benedicts and St Marys National School	143	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
20304I	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	St. Francis of Assisi National School	458	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
20308Q	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	Belmayne Educate Together National School	442	Multi Denominational	Educate Together
20437E	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	St Laurence's National School	463	Catholic	Archbishop of Dublin
20486R	Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin1	Grace Park Educate Together National School	232	Multi Denominational	Educate Together
20519G	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	Stapolin Educate Together National School	42	MULTI DENOMINATIONAL	Educate Together
20525B	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	Killester Raheny Clontarf Educate Together National School	18	MULTI DENOMINATIONAL	Educate Together

The following post primary schools are located in the Dublin Bay North constituency area.

Roll_Number	School_Planning_Area	School_Name	Enrolments	Ethos_Religion	Patron
60021U	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	St Marys Secondary School	246	CATHOLIC	Religious Sisters of Charity
60290B	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	St Pauls College	630	CATHOLIC	Congregation of the Missions (Vincentians)
60291D	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	Árdscoil La Salle	182	CATHOLIC	Le Chéile Schools Trust Company Limited by Guarantee
60300B	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	Manor House School	687	CATHOLIC	Le Chéile Schools Trust Company Limited by Guarantee
60370W	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	St. Fintan's High School	704	CATHOLIC	Edmund Rice Schools Trust
60380C	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	Santa Sabina Dominican College	684	CATHOLIC	Le Chéile Schools Trust Company Limited by Guarantee
60381E	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	Sutton Park School	396	CHURCH OF IRELAND	Board of Governors of Sutton Park School
60390F	Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin1	St Josephs C.B.S.	230	CATHOLIC	Edmund Rice Schools Trust
60420L	Beaumont_CoolockD5	Árdscoil Rís	555	CATHOLIC	Edmund Rice Schools Trust
60471F	Beaumont_CoolockD5	St. David's C.B.S.	469	CATHOLIC	Edmund Rice Schools Trust
60550B	Beaumont_CoolockD5	Chanel College	548	CATHOLIC	Marist Education Authority
60690R	Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin1	Dominican College	760	CATHOLIC	Le Chéile Schools Trust Company Limited by Guarantee
60750J	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	Holy Faith Secondary School	655	CATHOLIC	Le Chéile Schools Trust Company Limited by Guarantee
60791A	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	St Marys Secondary School	327	CATHOLIC	Le Chéile Schools Trust Company Limited by Guarantee
60840K	Beaumont_CoolockD5	Maryfield College	583	CATHOLIC	Le Chéile Schools Trust Company Limited by Guarantee
60870T	Beaumont_CoolockD5	Our Lady Of Mercy College	372	CATHOLIC	CEIST Company Limted by Guarantee
60871V	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	Mercy College Coolock	416	CATHOLIC	CEIST Company Limted by Guarantee
68346T	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	Dublin North East Educate Toether Secondary School	90	MULTI DENOMINATIONAL	Educate Together
70020B	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	Grange Community College	334	INTER DENOMINATIONAL	City of Dublin ETB
70250S	Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin1	Marino College	236	MULTI DENOMINATIONAL	City of Dublin ETB
70330Q	Beaumont_CoolockD5	Coláiste Dhúlaigh	144	MULTI DENOMINATIONAL	City of Dublin ETB
76085N	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	Gaelcholáiste Reachrann	489	INTER DENOMINATIONAL	Dublin & Dún Laoghaire ETB
81002K	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	Mount Temple Comprehensive School	892	CHURCH OF IRELAND	Minister for Education & Skills
91318U	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	The Donahies Community School	464	INTER DENOMINATIONAL	JP: Dublin & Dún Laoghaire ETB / Marist Fathers / Sisters of St. Clare
91342R	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	Pobalscoil Neasáin	787	INTER DENOMINATIONAL	JP: City of Dublin ETB / Congregation of Christian Brothers / Religious sisters of charity
91344V	Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin1	Rosmini Community School	102	INTER DENOMINATIONAL	JP: City of Dublin ETB / Rosminian Fathers

Since 2011, four new primary schools and one new post primary school have been established for demographic purposes to serve school planning areas which are partly or fully within the Dublin Bay North constituency area.

Roll_Number	School_Name	School_Planning_Area	Enrolments	Patron	Ethos	Size
20486R	Grace Park ETNS	Drumcondra/Marino/D1	232	Educate Together	Multi-denominational	P+16
20519G	Dublin 13 ETNS - Stapolin ETNS	Donaghmede_Howth_D13	42	Educate Together	Multi-denominational	P+16
20517C	Gaelscóil Áine	Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin1	42	An Foras Pátrúnachta	Multi-denominational	P+8
20525B	KRC ETNS	Killester_Raheny_Clontarf	18	Educate Together	Multi-denominational	P+8
68346T	Belmayne ETSS	Donaghmede_Howth_D13/Belmayne/Clongriffin	90	Educate Together	Multi-D	1,000

In addition to those new schools which have already been established, the below schools have also been announced to serve school planning areas in the Dublin Bay North constituency area:

- A new Gaelscoil to serve the Donaghmede_Howth_D13 school planning area to be established in 2021

- A new post primary school to serve Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin1 school planning area to be established in 2022

New schools established since 2011 to meet demographic demand are required, in the first instance, to prioritise pupil applications from within the designated school planning area(s) which the school was established to serve. This does not preclude schools from enrolling pupils from outside of the school planning area where they have sufficient places, rather it reflects the need to accommodate in the first instance the demographic for which the school was established. The planned new schools referenced above were announced to serve the identified school planning areas. It is not intended that these schools will be required by this Department to prioritise enrolments from any defined catchment area within that school planning area.

Apart from the obligation on new schools to prioritise enrolments from within the relevant school planning area, as described above, the question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the Board of Management on behalf of the school Patron and my Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools in such matters.

In respect of accommodation challenges, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.

School Admissions

Questions (1076)

Richard Bruton

Question:

1076. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if the provisions within the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 governing the termination of waiting lists and preference in admission to Gaelscoileanna for those who speak Irish in the home are yet in place; and if so, the way in which they are now influencing admissions. [20497/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Acts, 1998-2018.

On 14th January 2020 a number of sections of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 were commenced introducing new laws around admission to schools which became operational on 1 February 2020. These provisions will apply to admission processes for the 2021/2022 school year onwards. The sections commenced include those referenced by the Deputy.

They include an exemption for those waiting lists that were in existence prior to the 1 February 2020 and which will be phased out in the 5 years following that date. A further provision commenced on 1 February requires a school which is oversubscribed in a particular year to compile a waiting list of unsuccessful applicants for that year only and to fill any further places arising during that school year from that list.

The act also makes a provision for an Irish Language school to give priority in admission to students who have attained a level of fluency in the Irish language, where the said fluency would be at risk of regressing if the student were not admitted to an Irish language school. It is at the discretion of the school should they wish to utilise this protection for pupils applying to the school. My Department does not seek to intervene in the selection criterion that is applied by schools.

School Accommodation

Questions (1077, 1078)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

1077. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in sanctioning a new primary school in Santry, Dublin 9 given the 3,600 new dwellings in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20519/21]

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

1078. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in sanctioning a new secondary school in Santry, Dublin 9 given the 3,600 new dwellings in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20520/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1077 and 1078 together.

As the Deputy may be aware, 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, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level. Santry is located in the Whitehall_SantryD9 school planning area.

The most recent analysis undertaken by my Department projects that over 60% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level have stable or decreasing projected enrolments for the period to 2024, whereas some 90% of the school planning areas at post-primary level are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2027.

The level of demand volume across school planning areas with an increasing net requirement ranges from small to medium increases that are likely to be accommodated by existing schools through to significant projected growth that may require additional provision.

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.

The most recent projections for Whitehall_SantryD9 school planning area indicate increased requirements at primary and post primary levels. My Department is currently working to examine the capacity of the schools in the area to meet this projected demand.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (1079, 1080)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

1079. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if further progress has been made with regard to the planning application for a permanent school (details supplied) to be located on the Mill Road, Drogheda, County Louth; if further updates will be provided in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20552/21]

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

1080. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if further progress has been made in relation to the urgent need for additional accommodation ahead of the new academic year on the site of a school (details supplied) since her Department confirmed it would remain on Mill Road, Drogheda, County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20553/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1079 and 1080 together.

My Department is fully aware of the additional accommodation needs of the school to which the Deputy refers and work is currently ongoing to ensure delivery of same for the 2021 academic year.

As the Deputy may be aware, agreement in principle has been reached to acquire a site for the permanent location of the school referred to. This agreement is subject to contract, conveyancing and satisfactory grant of full planning permission. The location of the permanent site (circa 11 acres in size) will incorporate the current temporary site at Mill Road, Drogheda at which the school is located.

The school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will be delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme. The project will proceed into early architectural planning which involves site surveys, school design stages and the preparation of statutory applications. A pre planning meeting with be arranged with the local authority in advance of preparing a Planning Application. Once statutory approvals have been secured, the project will proceed to tender and construction stages.

DEIS Scheme

Questions (1081)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

1081. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of DEIS primary schools and secondary schools, respectively by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20563/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools is the main policy initiative of my Department to address educational disadvantage at school level.

The renewed DEIS Plan published in 2017 sets out the vision for future interventions in the critical area of educational disadvantage policy and builds on what has already been achieved by schools who have benefitted from the additional supports available under the initial DEIS programme introduced in 2005

My Department's total spend on DEIS in 2021 is over €150 million, which includes over €26 million for the School Completion Programme. In the 2020/21 academic year there are 887 schools in the DEIS Programme serving over 185,000 pupils - 689 Primary and 198 Post Primary. The county breakdown is as follows:

County	Number of DEIS Schools	County	Number of DEIS Schools
Carlow	9	Longford	15
Cavan	11	Louth	20
Clare	17	Mayo	77
Cork	67	Meath	9
Donegal	119	Monaghan	14
Dublin	227	Offaly	16
Galway	56	Roscommon	21
Kerry	27	Sligo	17
Kildare	17	Tipperary	26
Kilkenny	10	Waterford	17
Laois	7	Westmeath	14
Leitrim	11	Wexford	28
Limerick	24	Wicklow	11

A detailed list of schools participating in the DEIS Programme can be found on my Department's website under "DEIS School List 2020-21 School Year" at the following link;

https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/

DEIS Scheme

Questions (1082)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

1082. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of DEIS primary schools and secondary schools, respectively by county which are provided with a home school community liaison coordinator; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20564/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Currently, all DEIS Urban Primary and DEIS Post Primary schools are included in the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Scheme.

The scheme is delivered by 415 full-time HSCL Coordinators who are teachers assigned to HSCL duties across DEIS Urban Primary and DEIS Post Primary schools either in individual schools or clusters of schools.

The table below shows the number of schools by county who have access to a HSCL Coordinator under the DEIS programme.

County	Number of Schools with HSCL	Primary	Post-Primary
Carlow	5	3	2
Cavan	5	3	2
Clare	8	5	3
Cork	52	31	21
Donegal	18	6	12
Dublin	224	161	63
Galway	20	11	9
Kerry	9	4	5
Kildare	14	7	7
Kilkenny	7	2	5
Laois	7	5	2
Leitrim	0	0	0
Limerick	21	14	7
Longford	8	4	4
Louth	19	14	5
Mayo	9	2	7
Meath	7	3	4
Monaghan	7	3	4
Offaly	11	8	3
Roscommon	4	2	2
Sligo	7	4	3
Tipperary	15	8	7
Waterford	14	10	4
Westmeath	8	5	3
Wexford	16	8	8
Wicklow	8	4	4

A detailed list of schools participating in the DEIS Programme can be found on my Department's website under "DEIS School List 2020-21 School Year" at the following link:

https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/

In addition to the above under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS), a pilot project to support Traveller and Roma pupils is in operation in 4 locations (in Galway, Wexford, Dublin and Cork) with 1 HSCL assigned in each of the pilot locations to support schools involved in the NTRIS pilot project.

DEIS Scheme

Questions (1083)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

1083. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the funding allocated to DEIS schools in each of the academic years 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 in the form of a DEIS grant to support learning in the context of DEIS for the academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20565/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

As the Deputy is aware, my Department issues the DEIS Grant to Primary and Post-Primary schools on an annual basis.

This is an annual grant to support learning in the context of DEIS for the academic year. Guidelines are issued by my Department to schools in relation to how the DEIS grant can be spent. It is a matter for each individual school to determine how best to use this funding, but it is intended to support the objectives of the DEIS programme.

In recognition of the difficulties faced by some students to engage with remote learning, at the time the grant issued last year all DEIS schools were informed by letter that they could consider using some of their DEIS funding to support pupils’ learning, for example to arrange access to additional materials of supports for students during the move to remote teaching and learning caused by Covid-19.

Total DEIS Grant funding for the years requested is as follows:

ACADEMIC YEAR	PRIMARY	POST PRIMARY
2017/2018	€12.1m	€4m
2018/2019	€12.1m	€4m
2019/2020	€12.2m	€4m
2020/2021	€12.2m	€4.1m