Skip to main content
Normal View

Tuesday, 11 May 2021

Written Answers Nos. 461-480

Schools Building Projects

Questions (461)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

461. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress to date regarding the provision of a new school at a site (details supplied); when the next stage in the process is likely to be reached; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24030/21]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, we have previously reached Agreement in Principle with a landowner in respect of the acquisition of a site at Donaghcumper, Celbridge. We are pleased to announce that significant progress has been made recently and we expect the acquisition to proceed to Legal Conveyancing stage in the near future. The acquisition will be subject to contract. The site is proposed to facilitate the permanent accommodation needs of the following 3 schools, on a campus type arrangement:

- St. Patricks NS RN 20257C

- Celbridge Community College RN 91614B

- St. Raphaels Special School RN 18988G

We are also informing the school patrons of this progress and intend to make further announcements in the near future. The matter will remain a priority.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (462, 471, 472, 473, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 486)

Pauline Tully

Question:

462. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education if there is guidance provided to home tutors employed to teach children with autism, especially children who are preschool age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24066/21]

View answer

Pauline Tully

Question:

471. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the estimated additional cost of extending the school-based summer education programme from four weeks to six weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24287/21]

View answer

Pauline Tully

Question:

472. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of schools that took part in the school-based summer education programmes in 2020; the estimated additional cost of introducing a grant of €1,000, €2,500 and €5,000 per school which takes part in the programme if the same number of schools participate in 2021; the estimated additional cost of introducing a grant of €1,000, €2,500 and €5,000 per school which takes part in the programme in 2021 if the number of schools participating increased by ten, 20 and 40, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24288/21]

View answer

Pauline Tully

Question:

473. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of teachers who participated in the school-based summer education programme 2020; the pay cost for teachers taking part in the programme in 2020; the average payment teachers received for taking part in the programme in 2020; the estimated additional cost of raising this payment by 5%, 10% and 15%, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24289/21]

View answer

Pauline Tully

Question:

476. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the full cost of supplying all staff involved in the school-based summer education programme 2020 with PPE; the average cost per staff member of supplying personal protective equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24292/21]

View answer

Pauline Tully

Question:

477. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the estimated additional cost of extending teaching hours during the home-based summer education programme from ten hours per week to 15 and 20 hours per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24293/21]

View answer

Pauline Tully

Question:

478. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the estimated additional cost of extending the home-based summer education programme from four weeks to five and six weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24294/21]

View answer

Pauline Tully

Question:

479. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the full cost of supplying all staff involved in the home-based summer education programme 2020 with equipment; the average cost per staff member of supplying equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24295/21]

View answer

Pauline Tully

Question:

480. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the numbers of places made available for children wishing to take part in the summer education programme for children with complex needs in 2020; the number of children who applied for the programme in 2020; the number of children who took part in the programme in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24296/21]

View answer

Pauline Tully

Question:

481. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the estimated additional cost of increasing the number of places available for children with complex needs on the summer education programme by 100, 200 and 300; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24297/21]

View answer

Pauline Tully

Question:

482. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of schools that took part in the summer education programme for children with complex needs in 2020; the estimated additional cost of introducing a grant of €1,000, €2,500 and €5,000 per school which takes part in the programme if the same number of schools participate in 2021; the estimated additional cost of introducing a grant of €1,000, €2,500 and €5,000 per school which takes part in the programme in 2021 if the number of schools participating increased by ten, 20 and 40, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24298/21]

View answer

Pauline Tully

Question:

483. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of special needs assistants who participated in the summer education programme for children with complex needs in 2020; the pay cost for special needs assistants taking part in the programme in 2020; the average payment SNAs received for taking part in the programme in 2020; the estimated additional cost of raising this payment by 5% 10% and 15%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24299/21]

View answer

Pauline Tully

Question:

486. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the full cost of supplying all staff involved in the summer education programme for children with complex needs in 2020 with personal protective equipment; the average cost per staff member of supplying personal protective equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24302/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 462, 471 to 473, inclusive, 476 to 483, inclusive, and 486 together.

The Government has approved the provision of significantly expanded summer education programmes for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, as a Covid-19 pandemic response measure, for summer 2021.

This is an incredibly important Government decision, which ensures that for first time all primary and post primary schools have the opportunity to provide summer programmes for students with complex needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.

The total funding available to provide the programme is up to €40 million, a one hundred per cent increase on the allocation for summer provision in 2020.

The programmes for mainstream students in primary and post-primary schools are new programmes for 2021, building upon previous summer programmes for pupils with complex special educational needs and those in provided in DEIS schools last year.

Enhanced measures have been put in place to encourage schools to offer the programme, including measures to reduce the administrative burden, provision of funding to schools towards preparation and overseeing of the programmes, earlier payment of school staff and provision to recruit newly qualified teachers graduating this summer to work on the programme.

The programme’s aims are to support students to re-engage with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote wellbeing and for some who are at key transition stages, help to ensure they can move on to their planned educational placement next September along with their peers.

A home-based summer programme will continue to be available for students with complex needs where their schools are not providing a school based programme.

The programmes were developed following extensive engagement with education and disability stakeholders. My Department is now working to ensure the necessary supports, guidance and information is made available to both schools and families.

I encourage the school communities to take full advantage of this opportunity and offer this valuable programme to their students.

14,000 children participated in the 2020 SEN Summer Programmes.

Approximately 6,100 teachers and 3,000 SNAs participated in the SEN summer provision programmes.

In 2020 the school based programme cost €6.5m, the home based programme cost 12.3m giving a total cost of €18.8m

The detailed costings requested by the Deputy are not readily available. My officials are currently compiling this information and it will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.

Departmental Funding

Questions (463)

Matt Carthy

Question:

463. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the funding allocated by her Department or agencies under her remit to An Taisce in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the expected respective allocations to An Taisce for 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24100/21]

View answer

Written answers

The National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) aims to ensure that

“education contributes to sustainable development by equipping learners with the relevant knowledge (the ‘what’), the key dispositions and skills (the ‘how’) and the values (the ‘why’) that will motivate and empower them throughout their lives to become informed active citizens who take action for a more sustainable future”.

This aim is aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Target 4.7. As stated by UNESCO “Education is both a goal in itself and a means for attaining all the other SDGs. It is not only an integral part of sustainable development, but also a key enabler for it. That is why education represents an essential strategy in the pursuit of the SDGs”.

The ESD strategy 2014 – 2020 made significant progress in integrating sustainable development themes and principles across the curriculum, into the inspection and assessment process and into both Initial Teacher Education and Continuing Professional Development for Teachers.

On 22 April, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris and I launched a public consultation on a joint National Strategy for ESD to 2030. It is proposed that the National Strategy will be based on UNESCOs Framework for ESD for 2030 which sets out the following five key priority areas: Advancing Policy, Transforming Learning Environments, Capacity Building for Educators and Trainers, Empowering and Mobilising Youth and Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level and engaging with the wider community. The public consultation will remain open until 30 June.

The Green Schools programme is a significant ESD resource for primary and post primary schools, 97% of whom engage with the programme. The Green Campus programme also delivers on ESD in the HEI sector. Green Schools recently launched the Safe Routes to School programme designed to encourage as many pupils and students as possible in primary and post primary schools to walk and cycle.

These Green Schools programmes help to deliver on the aims of the National ESD Strategy and on the commitment in the Programme for Government to “continue to work towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, aimed at ending poverty, reducing inequality and tackling climate change”. To support the work of Green Schools and the contribution it makes to ESD, the Department has provided funding of €10,000 to An Taisce – Environmental Education Unit in 2019 and 2020. Funding of €15,000 will be provided by the Department for Green Schools in 2021.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (464)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

464. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the status of progress on a building project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24148/21]

View answer

Written answers

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a devolved grant was approved to the school under the Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme 2020 to purchase one mainstream prefabricated classroom which I can confirm is currently at construction. The delivery of the project has been devolved to the School Authority.

With regard to the Major Project, I am pleased to advise that Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) has been appointed to deliver this project. The Department can confirm that a Design Team has been appointed and is currently preparing a Stage 1 (preliminary design) report.

It is not possible at this early stage to provide a timeline for completion of the project, however WWETB will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it fully informed of progress.

Irish Sign Language

Questions (465)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

465. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 74 of 29 April 2021, the reason Irish Sign Language is not a curricular subject in view of its status as a native language of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24172/21]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, in line with The Irish Sign Language Act 2017 Act, my Department provides for an extensive range of supports to assist pupils and young persons with special educational needs, including children who are Deaf or hard of hearing, to ensure that children can have access to an education appropriate to their needs. Many pupils who are Deaf or hard of hearing are integrated into mainstream classes at primary and post-primary level, while other children may attend special schools or classes.

As previously outlined, the primary languages curriculum has an outcome that provides schools with the scope to explore linguistic diversity. Teachers can encourage children to reflect on the experience of speaking or being exposed to languages that are different to the school languages, English and Irish, for example. This could equally apply to ISL.

Currently at post primary school level, Post-Primary Languages Ireland (PPLI) has developed a specification for a short course in Irish Sign Language (ISL) which is available as part of the new Junior Cycle. The emphasis is on developing communication skills in ISL at level A1 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). This course develops students' ability to understand ISL in live, and in recorded situations, to produce the language and to interact with other signers in a simple way and on familiar topics. A link to the course is available at: http://languagesinitiative.ie/images/ISL/MFL_Gen_Spec_ISL_28_May__Short_Course.pdf.

In addition, there are four modules on Sign Language available as part of the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme. There is also an opportunity for students to learn sign language in the course of Transition Year.

Child Abuse

Questions (466)

Paul Murphy

Question:

466. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 170 of 21 January 2021 and 1014 of 21 April 2021, if as part the examination by her Department of the ex gratia scheme for compensation for school victims of child sexual abuse (details supplied) she will consider opening a compensation scheme for school victims of child sexual abuse who did not previously initiate legal proceedings against the State and although they were grievously hurt while in loco parentis care by the State they were not eligible for compensation under the ex gratia scheme as specified in the July 2015 scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24181/21]

View answer

Written answers

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 very careful deliberation before proposals can be finalised and brought to Government. It is important to have a more complete awareness of the extent of the problem, the number of people who could potentially be involved the legal implications of any course of action, and an accurate estimate of likely costs before introducing any modifications to the scheme.

Officials from my Department are closely engaged with officials from the Attorney General’s office to work through these complex matters. This work has now been significantly advanced, following some unavoidable delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A proposal for a revised scheme is now being finalised for legal advice in consultation with officials in the Attorney General’s office and following this, the proposal will be considered by Government.

School Staff

Questions (467, 469)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

467. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education if she will review the proposed removal of a teacher from a school (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this school serves a very disadvantaged community including a large number of students of whom 21% are from the Traveller community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24279/21]

View answer

Paul Kehoe

Question:

469. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the status of an appeal by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24281/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 467 and 469 together.

The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.

For the 2021/22 school year, an improvement of one point in the appointment threshold in primary schools has been introduced and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of of 1 teacher for every 25 pupils which is a historical low ratio. In addition, a three point reduction in the retention scale has also been introduced for September 2021. These measures will help to ensure that less pupils are required to recruit or retain a teacher.

The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The school referred to by the Deputy submitted a staffing appeal which was deemed ineligible by the Appeals Board as the grounds of the appeal did not meet the published appeals criteria. The school has been notified of this decision. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

School Patronage

Questions (468)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

468. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a copy of the plebiscite results for a school (details supplied) by local electoral area in tabular form; if she will provide a copy of the map of the plebiscite area; the dates of meetings between her officials and the patron regarding the school; if she will provide a list and date of letters issued to the patron regarding the school from 1 January 2020 to 5 May 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24280/21]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the information is not available in the format requested, however, the relevant patronage assessment report which includes a map of the school planning area which this school was established to serve and details of parental preferences in this regard are available at the following link: https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Information/Establishing-a-New-School/New-Primary-Schools/assessment-report-booterstown_blackrock.pdf.

I can also advise the Deputy that officials from my Department communicated both verbally and by email to the Patron, An Foras Pátrúnachta on 28th April 2021 to advise about the alternative interim accommodation arrangements for Sept 2021. I understand that the Patron, in turn, informed the school of this communication on the same day. In addition, officials from my Department routinely meet with the representatives of the Patron, An Foras Pátrúnachta every 4 - 6 weeks to discuss progress made on site acquisitions for schools under this patronage, including the school referred to by the Deputy.

In addition to this, An Foras Pátrúnachta are informed of all developments in the site acquisition processes as soon as it is possible to do so.

Question No. 469 answered with Question No. 467.

School Transport

Questions (470)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

470. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the progress of the steering group in reviewing the school transport scheme which excludes thousands of students from school transport each year. [24284/21]

View answer

Written answers

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.

The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

In October 2019, my predecessor announced a review of the school transport scheme with a view to taking a fresh look at the service and its broader effectiveness and sustainability. Given the evolving situation with Covid-19 the work of the Steering Group had been delayed. However, an initial meeting of the Steering Group was recently held in order to recommence the process, which will continue over the coming period. The review is being conducted to ensure that the school transport is fit for purpose and that it serves students and their families adequately.

This review will build on the proposals in the Programme for Government as they relate to school transport, including examining the options to reduce car journeys and assessing how the School Transport Scheme can work in liaison with the Safe Routes to Schools Programme; examining the options for providing a better value and a better service for students, including and examining issues such as the nearest or next-nearest school.

It is planned that the Steering Group will report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses, with a view to presenting a final report later this year with recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme.

Question No. 471 answered with Question No. 462.
Question No. 472 answered with Question No. 462.
Question No. 473 answered with Question No. 462.

School Transport

Questions (474, 484)

Pauline Tully

Question:

474. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of transport places that were made available for children to take part in the summer education programme 2020; the number of children to avail of transport during the programme in 2020; the cost of transport for the programme in 2020; the proportion of this which was spent on direct transport; the proportion of this which was spent on transport grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24290/21]

View answer

Pauline Tully

Question:

484. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of transport places that were made available for children to take part in the summer education programme for children with complex needs in 2020; the number of children to avail of transport during the programme in 2020; the cost of transport for the programme in 2020; the proportion of this which was spent on direct transport and transport grants, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24300/21]

View answer

Written answers

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.

With regard to transport arrangements for the Summer Programme 2020, as the provision of transport was not possible due to Covid-19 restrictions at that time, 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.

School Transport Section has processed payment of these grants to all eligible families for which all required details had been received. To date, payment has been made to over 900 families at a cost of over €400,000 and School Transport Section is continuing to process payments of these grants to families who are eligible as information is received.

Departmental Programmes

Questions (475, 485)

Pauline Tully

Question:

475. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of children taking part in the school-based summer education programme 2020 who were entitled to the school meals programme; the number of children taking part in the programme in 2020 who availed of the school meals programme; the full cost of running the school meals programme during the programme in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24291/21]

View answer

Pauline Tully

Question:

485. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of children taking part in the summer education programme for children with complex needs in 2020 who were entitled to the school meals programme; the number of children taking part in the programme in 2020 who availed of the school meals programme; the full cost of running the school meals programme during the programme in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24301/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 475 and 485 together.

The Government has approved the provision of significantly expanded summer education programmes for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, as a Covid-19 pandemic response measure, for summer 2021.

This is an incredibly important Government decision, which ensures that for first time all primary and post primary schools have the opportunity to provide summer programmes for students with complex needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.

The total funding available to provide the programme is up to €40 million, a one hundred per cent increase on the allocation for summer provision in 2020.

The programmes for mainstream students in primary and post-primary schools are new programmes for 2021, building upon previous summer programmes for pupils with complex special educational needs and those in provided in DEIS schools last year.

Enhanced measures have been put in place to encourage schools to offer the programme, including measures to reduce the administrative burden, provision of funding to schools towards preparation and overseeing of the programmes, earlier payment of school staff and provision to recruit newly qualified teachers graduating this summer to work on the programme.

The programme’s aims are to support students to re-engage with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote wellbeing and for some who are at key transition stages, help to ensure they can move on to their planned educational placement next September along with their peers.

A home-based summer programme will continue to be available for students with complex needs where their schools are not providing a school based programme.

The programmes were developed following extensive engagement with education and disability stakeholders. My Department is now working to ensure the necessary supports, guidance and information is made available to both schools and families.

I encourage the school communities to take full advantage of this opportunity and offer this valuable programme to their students.

In 2020, funding of €70,414.59 from the School Meals Programme was provided by the Department of Social Protection to 51 schools (48 primary and 3 secondary) in respect of 2,875 children participating on the Department of Education and Skills run summer programmes for children with complex special educational needs and children at greatest risk of educational disadvantage. Similar arrangements being explored for this year.

Further details on the schemes and how schools can apply will be made available over the coming period at gov.ie/summerprovision.

Question No. 476 answered with Question No. 462.
Question No. 477 answered with Question No. 462.
Question No. 478 answered with Question No. 462.
Question No. 479 answered with Question No. 462.
Question No. 480 answered with Question No. 462.
Top
Share