Written Answers Nos. 691-711
691. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence the details of each value for money and policy review conducted by his Department from 1 January 2019 to date; if external costs were incurred; if so, the details of such costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30878/21]
View answerThe details of each value for money and high level policy review conducted by my Department from 1 January 2019 to date; with details of external costs incurred are outlined in table below. All other policy areas are updated as required.
|
Policy Review |
External Costs Incurred |
Details |
|
Review of recruitment methods for the PDF as instructed by the Minister and incorporating the recommendations of the report of the Public Service Pay Commission. |
The external Chair of the Review Group commenced in September 2019 and has been paid on invoices totalling €17,700 (ex vat) to date. |
The Chair has recently submitted a Final Report and it is under consideration. |
|
Review of the Army Nursing Service. |
No external costs |
The matter is being progressed by the Joint Standing Committee on Medical Service Delivery. |
|
Review White Paper Projects 2019 |
No external costs |
Update on White Paper Projects and the Security Environment. |
|
Civil Defence Towards 2030. |
No external costs |
In June 2020 the Government launched this document which sets out how Civil Defence will be developed in the coming years. This policy document was prepared following extensive consultation with stakeholders including volunteers, Civil Defence Officers, local authorities and Principal Response Agencies. |
|
Civil Defence Spending Review 2019. |
No external costs |
A spending review of Civil Defence was undertaken jointly by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Defence. |
692. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 368 of 1 June 2021, if he will respond to the question regarding whether a national strategy for military mobility is being produced and whether it will be presented to the PESCO military mobility project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30969/21]
View answerThere are no plans to draft a national strategy for military mobility which, in any event, would involve a number of Departments and agencies other than the Department of Defence.
693. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 322 of 25 May 2021, if figures will be provided for the remaining troop rotations to UNTSO, MINURSO, MONUSCO, EUTM, KFOR, EU-BiH and UNNY. [31057/21]
View answerThe detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available within the time frame sought. At the request of my Department the military authorities are conducting the search, retrieval and collation of same. I will arrange to have this information forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
694. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are meeting the requirement to have a statement on the compliance of their websites and mobile applications with the regulations under the directive 2016/2102 (EU), as articulated in SI No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31279/21]
View answer695. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are meeting the requirement to subject to Regulation 6, public sector bodies shall, in accordance with Regulation 3, take necessary measures to make their websites and mobile applications more accessible by making them perceivable, operable, understandable and robust under the directive 2016/2102 (EU), as articulated in SI No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31297/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 694 and 695 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the compliant accessibility statement for Gov.ie, the website that currently hosts 15 of the 19 Government Departments, including the Department of Defence, is available at the following link; www.gov.ie/en/help/accessibility. I understand all remaining Government Departments will have moved to gov.ie by the end of August.
Gov.ie is the main Government website and recorded over 122 million page views in 2020. Gov.ie partially complies with the double-A Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 standards, and the four principles of accessibility in that it is perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. This is similar to most other government sites across the European Union. Accessibility to gov.ie is being enhanced by improving the level of plain English used for services on the site. This allows users of all levels to be able to find and understand information as quickly as possible. In addition, the gov.ie team have continuously performed multiple accessibility reviews since the website went live. The gov.ie team has engaged with and continues to engage with an accessibility expert to outline all accessibility requirements. Following the last accessibility audit, 65 issues were identified and action taken to rectify and resolve these issues. In addition, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) have since released updates to the core code of the gov.ie website to improve accessibility.
All other sites managed by OGCIO are currently being moved to a new Content Management System (CMS) which has been built with WCAG compatibility in mind. This project is ongoing with satisfactory progress being made this year.
The position in relation to the branches under my Department is set out as follows.
The website of the Office of Emergency Planning falls under the remit of OGCIO, hosted on gov.ie and includes the sites formally designated as emergencyplanning.ie; winterready.ie; and summerready.ie.
The website of Civil Defence is hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Ireland. When the Civil Defence website was developed it met the Accessibility Guidelines of 1.0, which were the guidelines at the time of development. Following the introduction of updated guidelines 2.1, the Department of Defence has engaged with the developers of the Civil Defence website in order to review and report on what action is needed in order to comply with the updated Accessibility Guidelines 2.10.
696. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence his views on the statements made by an organisation (details supplied) to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on 25 May 2021 that there is a shortage of specialist technicians within the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31327/21]
View answerThe challenges in recruiting and retaining certain specialists in the Air Corps and the wider Defence Forces have been acknowledged. This has been particularly the case in the buoyant economy that the country experienced, which resulted in strong demand for the skills that Defence Forces personnel acquire during their careers. A number of ‘pinch points’ exist in particular areas and civil and military management are actively engaged in considering measures to address these.
As many such specialties are developed in-house, in some cases this can result in a long lead in time to qualification. To fill vacancies in a speedier fashion, a range of alternative recruitment approaches have been developed further such as campaigns to recruit specialists by direct entry and the recommissioning and re-enlistment schemes.
The military authorities advise that the 2021 competition for Air Corps aircraft maintenance technicians, which closed on 31st March 2021, has resulted in 663 applications that are currently being processed. There are currently 60 apprentices in training with 15 imminent graduations and all due to complete by 2024.
697. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Defence the number of employees in his Department and the bodies under the aegis of his Department who have been in receipt of a higher duty acting allowance for over two years. [31873/21]
View answerThere are currently no civil servants in my Department in receipt of an acting up allowance for over two years. The only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board and its only staff post is the secretary to the Board, which is provided from the staff of my Department.
698. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the possible challenges facing leaving certificate students in accessing entry to universities outside of Ireland and the UK arising from the later than the usual date of issuing of leaving certificate results; the plans she has in place to ensure that concerned students will not be affected by the late issuing of their results; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31687/21]
View answerOn 17 February, I confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations would proceed, guided by public health advice, and that students will also have the alternative option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades.
This decision was taken by government to ensure for every candidate in 2021, a method to assess their learning and attainment at the end of their post-primary education, and to progress to higher and further education, and the world of work.
Leaving Certificate results for 2021 are expected to issue directly to candidates through the Candidate Self Service Portal on Friday 3 September.
The written examinations began on 9 June and will run until 17 June in the case of Leaving Certificate Applied and 29 June in the case of Leaving Certificate (established).
Candidates have been provided with the choice of sitting the examinations, opting to receive Accredited Grades or both on a subject by subject basis. This dual process, believed to be unique in the world, was put in place following consultation with stakeholders in response to the disrupted learning experienced by the class of 2021 during the periods of school closures in 2020 and 2021.
In any subject where a candidate sits the examination and opts to receive an Accredited Grade, they will be credited with the better of the two results.
Putting in place both the examinations and a corresponding measure of SEC-Accredited Grades recognises the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic and the loss of learning that has occurred for this group of students due to the interruption of in-person teaching and learning during the periods of school closures.
Notwithstanding the huge effort and collaboration by teachers, school leaders and of course students, in relation to the examinations and Accredited Grades process over the last number of months, the timeframes for finalisation of results are particularly challenging this year. This is in part due to the fact that the SEC has to manage both the examinations and Accredited Grades processes in parallel.
The results issue date this year, 3 September, must take account of both the examinations marking process and the Accredited Grades process operating in parallel and being brought together at the end to issue to candidates. To ensure the accuracy and the integrity of the results being provided to candidates, sufficient time must be allowed not only in the parallel operation of both of these complex processes but also in the integration of the results to ensure that candidates are provided with a set of examinations results that comprises, based on their individual options on a subject by subject basis, examination results, Accredited Grades or the better of the two.
A range of checking and robust quality assurance procedures apply to the resulting and grading processes for the examination results and Accredited Grades focussed on maintaining data integrity and on identifying and reconciling candidate information.
Given the robust quality assurance checks associated with the resulting process and in the integration of both the Accredited Grades and written examinations, It is of vital importance that the processes are given sufficient time to execute to the highest standards.
Candidates’ results will be transferred to the CAO at the earliest opportunity to facilitate the generation of offers to CAO applicants. The CAO have announced that Round 1 offers will be made on 7 September.
For those Leaving Certificate candidates who have applied to pursue their higher education in UK Universities, the UCAS deadline for acceptance of conditional offers is 8 September 2021.
In 2020, along with the UK, countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland and Hungary showed flexibility in working with the Department to accommodate Irish students, when results issued on 7 September 2020.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has already been engaged with these countries, as has my own Department and both Departments will continue their work to ensure that the same flexibility will be extended to the 2021 Leaving Certificate candidates.
It is important that candidates who have applied for places in universities and colleges outside of Ireland should engage with the institutions to which they have applied as early as possible to notify them of the results date and to confirm their position.
699. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education if school transportation will be approved for a student (details supplied). [31912/21]
View answerSchool 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 cases where the Department is satisfied that the nearest school is full, eligibility for school transport will be determined based on the distance the pupil resides from their next nearest school having regard to ethos and language.
If a family has further information in regard to the closest school being full they should contact School Transport Section of my Department. Further information in this regard is available on my Department's website www.education.ie.
Such requests are considered on a case by case basis following documentary evidence being submitted by the family, including but not limited to:
- The detailed steps taken to enrol the pupil in the nearest and next nearest schools.
- Evidence that an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the school.
- A letter from the School Authorities confirming that the school was full at time of enrolment.
700. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied that the second-level schools in the Midleton and Carrigtwohill school planning area will be able to cater for the demand for first-year school places in September 2022 given that all schools have increased their numbers in recent years and are at capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30476/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas including Midleton and Carrigtwohill.
Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
Until these issues are discussed with the relevant school authorities the true extent of any capacity issue will only become known.
Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department will be engaging with patron bodies, including in the area in question, to identify particular capacity requirements for the 2022/23 year(s) which may necessitate action.
As the Deputy is aware, to assist in the process of providing additional second level places in Midleton and Carrigtwohill for 2021 the following measures have been taken to date:
- Additional temporary accommodation has been approved for Carrigtwohill Community College for 2021/22 pending provision of their new permanent school.
- Approved an extension to St. Aloysius College, Carrigtwohill to expand the school to cater for 1,000 pupils.
701. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education the number of pupils that the forward planning unit of her Department envisages will apply for a second-level school place in the Midleton and Carrigtwohill school planning area in September 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30477/21]
View answerAs indicated to the Deputy in my response to Parliamentary Question 19410/21 on the 20th April, the current projection for first year intake numbers in the Midleton_Carrigtwohill school planning area is 771 pupils for 2022. This projection is based on my Department's 2020 demographic review, and information available at the time of that exercise.
It should be noted, however, that residential development in an area can contribute to increased school place requirements. For that reason, my Department includes information received from local authorities in respect of current or planned residential developments in its consideration of future school place projections. Midleton_Carrigtwohill school planning area has a high level of residential development activity, as notified by the local authority, and this may result in demand additional to the numbers outlined above. This is informing deliberations in respect of any potential school accommodation requirements. The projections will continue to be updated on a rolling basis and will take account of the additional student numbers which may materialise when planned residential development is completed and occupied.
702. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if the school libraries grant will be reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30479/21]
View answer705. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will investigate the possibility of restoring the grant that was cut in 2009 which enabled primary schools to buy books for their libraries. [30527/21]
View answer715. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education the status of the library book capitation grant for primary schools; if she will consider reinstating the scheme as part of Budget 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30633/21]
View answer717. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if she will reinstate funding to primary schools to purchase library books that was cut in Budget 2008. [30673/21]
View answer722. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if she will reinstate the school library grant to primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30831/21]
View answer723. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the cost of reinstating the grant for primary schools to buy library books which ceased in 2009, annually; her views on reinstating the grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30840/21]
View answer740. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to reinstating the schools library grant which was abolished in Budget 2008 given the support would be of enormous benefit to children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31086/21]
View answer745. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost per annum to restore the grant given to primary schools to purchase library books which was cut in Budget 2008. [31137/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 702, 705, 715, 717, 722, 723, 740 and 745 together.
An arrangement was made through An Chomhairle Leabharlanna in 1971, whereby the local authority librarians would provide services for Primary schools. At that time my Department made a grant available for this purpose based on the number of pupils enrolled in primary schools in the local authority areas.
The amount of the grant payable to each local authority was based on the number of primary pupils in the relevant area and amounted to €4.52 per pupil. The full year estimated cost of reinstating the library grant is circa €2.5m
As Minister for Education I am very conscious of the importance of library services and the value of these in the context of the supports available to schools.
As the Deputies may be aware, local libraries provide a wide range of resources and activities which support Primary schools in developing children’s literacy, numeracy, creativity and communication skills
However, responsibility for the support and provision of library services rests with my colleague, Heather Humphreys, TD Minister for Rural and Community Development.
I am committed to investing in education but I have to invest at a level that is consistent with what we can afford and what is sustainable at the moment given economic circumstances. Therefore, I have to prioritise provision of funding directly to schools and direct funding of library services is a matter for my colleague Minister Heather Humphreys. Regretfully therefore I am not in a position to reinstate the library grant.
703. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if she will audit all school textbooks to ensure inclusivity and visibility of breastfeeding families from preschool onwards; the way in which she will carry this out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30482/21]
View answerSome curriculum specifications and the various syllabuses have specific curriculum content related to this topic. In subjects or modules where it is not specifically mentioned the topic of breastfeeding may occur during class conversation and through interactions with students.
For example, from a nutritional aspect the subject of breastfeeding may come up in Post Primary Home Economics when discussing healthy lifestyles and nutritional requirements across all ages. In the Leaving Certificate Applied Childcare/Community care module on the care of babies and young children, Unit 1 addresses breast and bottle feeding.
From a social aspect, Junior Cycle Home Economics includes Strand Two on exploring the roles and responsibilities of the family while Leaving Certificate Home Economics includes Topic 3.1.6: Family As A Caring Unit. In Leaving Certificate Applied Social Education, the module on Social and Health Education, Unit 2: Relationships – the topic may be covered while discussing parenting and the needs that children have at various stages of their development.
Further relevant subjects would be within the SPHE curriculum. Junior Cycle SPHE Strand Two: Minding Myself and Others contains learning outcomes 2.3: describe what promotes a sense of belonging in school, at home and in the wider community and their own role in creating an inclusive environment and 2.4: distinguish between appropriate care giving and receiving. At Leaving Certificate level, SPHE aims to develop health literacy, both for the individual student and for groups. Health literacy is the capacity of individuals to obtain discerningly, interpret and understand health information; this includes the confidence to access health services and the competence to use such information and services in ways that enhance health. Once students’ health literacy skills are developed, they will be able to seek out relevant knowledge and information using a variety of sources including digital sources.
Additionally, the Department of Health has produced a Breastfeeding Information Pack for Junior Cycle students in Irish Secondary Schools.
The Information Pack was commissioned jointly by the Department of Health and the HSE Population Health Directorate, and developed by researchers from Health Promotion, Training & Support Services and Elm Training under the direction of a multidisciplinary, multisectoral expert advisory committee with representation from the relevant statutory and voluntary health services, SPHE coordinators and teachers from the relevant education sectors. The views and opinions of Junior Cycle students from a diversity of urban and rural schools were also pivotal in the development of the Information Pack.
The rationale for the initiative is contained in Action 42 of ‘Breastfeeding in Ireland: A Five Year Strategic Action Plan’ (Department of Health and Children, Oct. 2005), which recommended introducing breastfeeding information and promotion to schoolchildren at all levels of education within the context of the SPHE curriculum.
In general, my Department does not have a role in approving, commissioning, sponsoring or endorsing any content in any educational textbook. The current policy within my Department is not to endorse any particular product or publication, including textbooks. There are a small number of exceptions where my Department has procured textbooks or resources in order to fill a need – for example with Leaving certificate Japanese and Italian. However, as with all textbooks there is no obligation for a school to use these in their delivery of the curriculum. Apart from a small number of prescribed texts at post-primary, determined by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), the decisions on which textbooks to use in primary and post-primary schools are taken at school level.
The majority of textbooks are commissioned and published by educational publishers, and schools select their books from those available from a number of publishers. The Irish Educational Publishers Association (IEPA) meets with the NCCA in order to discuss the curriculum and to be made aware of any requirements in the curriculum. However the content of any individual textbook is determined by the publisher themselves, and therefore any queries regarding specific content in any particular textbook should be directed to the publisher.
The role of the school is to provide an appropriate education for all its pupils. A stable, secure learning environment is an essential requirement to achieve this goal. Schools have autonomy in choosing the resources and programmes that best support the work within their own classrooms
704. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education her views on whether access to books and reading is important for young children particularly those who might not have other means to access a wide variety of books; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that in 2009 the Government ceased giving Irish primary schools grants for buying library books; if grants to purchase library books for use by students will be reintroduced to primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30517/21]
View answerMy Department has to prioritise provision of funding directly to schools and funding of library services is a matter for my colleague Minister Heather Humphreys.
My Department has responsibility for education and training and is charged with facilitating individuals through learning, to achieve their full potential and contribute to Ireland's social, cultural and economic development.
The Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, launched in 2011, set out a vision for raising standards in our early years, primary and post-primary school settings. The interim review in 2017 highlighted the considerable progress which had been made since the launch of the Strategy in 2011 notably in promoting a high level of literacy for all. The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2016 results showed that the reading skills of our primary school children, both in the paper based and online assessment, are amongst the best in all European and OECD countries.
The commitments carried out over the lifetime of the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy (2011-2020) has prioritised the enhancement of learners’ literacy and numeracy skills. Commitments under the Strategy include reforms in initial teacher education, dedicated support for school leaders’, teachers’ professional learning and curriculum reform. Priorities are linked to actions for related policy developments in my Department including the DEIS Plan 2017.
Under the Programme for Government my Department is tasked with the development of a successor Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy for all learners in early years, primary and post-primary schools. Development of the strategy will be done in consultation with all education stakeholders and other Government departments and bodies.
As Minister for Education I am very conscious of the importance of library services and the value of these in the context of the supports available to schools. Responsibility for the support and provision of library services rests with my colleague, Heather Humphreys, TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development
Local libraries currently provide a wide range of resources and activities which support Primary and Post-primary schools in developing children’s literacy, numeracy, creativity and communication skills. By building on existing partnerships between schools and libraries, all schools can benefit directly from this ongoing cooperation.
Each library service operates a network of central libraries, branch libraries and smaller part-time branches. Some library services also provide support for schools through mobile libraries or a school library van. Schools can access all of the services for primary schools through the larger branches or a central library. Schools can also access some services through smaller part-time branches.
In addition to book borrowing, class visits and provision of access to reading and curriculum support, libraries provide learners at primary and post-primary with a reading space in the library branch as well as access to electronic and online resources. Reference resources and research assistance are also available to students and teachers. In addition, libraries also provide students with access to study spaces where practicable.
Libraries also provide ongoing library programmes and initiatives throughout the year and during school holiday periods, including an annual summer activities’ programme, to support the continuing development of children’s literacy and numeracy skills.
Budget 2021 continues the programme of major reinvestment in our primary and post-primary education system. Building on the initiatives set out in the Programme for Government the budget for the Department of Education is €8.9 billion in 2021, an increase of €410 million or some 5% on 2020.
The Budget includes an additional allocation of €226 million which is being provided to schools to meet costs relating to Covid-19. This allocation represents the balance of the €437 million package approved by Government last July as part of the Roadmap for the Reopening Schools.
Currently, my Department provides a book grant to all recognised primary and post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for the purchase of books. Under this scheme, the Department provided funding of €17.1 million in 2020 to schools.
School book rental schemes have an important role to play in reducing the cost of school books for parents and in order to support the establishment of book rental schemes my Department provided €15.7 million seed capital in 2014, 2015 and 2016 to primary schools. Circa. 96% of primary schools and 68% of post-primary schools operate a book rental scheme.
Additional funding of €1 million provided under Budget 2020 was allocated to 102 Primary DEIS schools for a new pilot programme for the 2020/21 school year. The aim of this pilot is to provide free school books for students in the schools involved, and to support these schools in eliminating the cost of school books for parents. It will run for the period of one year and its effectiveness and impact will be monitored and evaluated before any decision is made as regards its possible extension or continuation.
I am committed to investing in education but I have to invest at a level that is consistent with what we can afford and what is sustainable at the moment given economic circumstances. Regretfully therefore I am not in a position to reinstate the library grant.
706. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education when construction will commence on a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30536/21]
View answerThe Letter of Acceptance for the school building project to which the Deputy refers issued on the 14th June 2021. This commences the school building contract and will allow the contractor to mobilise on site. The contractor appointed is Rhatigan ABM Limited.
707. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of home school community liaison officers currently employed; the number of schools they work in; and the current cost of employing these officers. [30538/21]
View answer754. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of ensuring there is one home school community liaison teacher for each school that currently has none; and the estimated cost of one for every three and five schools, respectively. [31146/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 707 and 754 together.
The average salary cost for one Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Coordinator position based on mid point of the salary scale is circa €55,500.
Currently, all DEIS Urban Primary and DEIS Post Primary schools are included in the HSCL Scheme, which serves 523 schools. The scheme is delivered by 415 full-time HSCL Coordinators who are teachers in these schools and assigned to HSCL duties either in individual schools or clusters of schools, catering for approximately 160,000 pupils.
In addition to the above a pilot project to support Traveller and Roma pupils, under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy is in operation in 4 pilot locations, (Galway, Wexford, Dublin and Cork) with 1 HSCL assigned in each pilot location. The pilot project supports approximately 50 schools.
In respect of the question posed by the Deputy as to the estimated cost of ensuring there is one home school community liaison teacher for each school that currently has none, as there almost 4,000 schools spread across a wide geographical area it is not possible to provide the breakdown requested without extensive detailed analysis of the feasibility of resource allocation between schools.
708. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of special education teachers employed in schools; and the cost of employing these teachers. [30539/21]
View answerA new model for allocating Special Education Teachers to mainstream schools was introduced from September 2017, based on the profiled needs of schools.
There are currently 13,623 Special Education Teachers allocated to mainstream primary and post primary schools, at a cost of approximately €817 Million per annum, for a full year cost.
This allocation represents an increase of 40% in the total number of special education teachers allocated to schools since 2011, at which time 9740 teachers were allocated.
709. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the steps that have been taken towards providing an autism unit and special class in a school (details supplied); when the unit will be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30542/21]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.
This year, just under 25% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs. As a result, the numbers of special education teachers, SNAs and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. It has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents. NCSE seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special education placements.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application, under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, from the school in question. Officials from my Department are assessing this application, including the possibility of making provision for a special class in this school, subject to site restrictions. A decision will be conveyed to the school authorities in due course.
710. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the status of the new building for a school (details supplied); if the school will be ready by the beginning of August 2021 in order to prepare for students returning on 26 August 2021; and the steps she will take to ensure that the school will be ready by that date. [30551/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, this project is devolved for delivery to Cork Education and Training Board (ETB) as part of a wider campus project including two other schools. I am pleased to advise that a recent update provided to this Department from Cork ETB indicated that the ETB fully expects the new school building referred to by the Deputy to be completed in sufficient time to allow the school to open on the campus development for the new academic year.
711. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the projected enrolments at primary and secondary level for the 2021-2022 academic year. [30555/21]
View answerPlease find link below to our latest published projection report which gives details of primary and post-primary enrolment projections to 2038 using six different scenarios. It also outlines the assumptions used when formulating these scenarios.
www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/projections/projections-of-full-time-enrolment-primary-and-second-level-2020-2038.pdf
The Department feels that with the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Covid-19 that the enrolment projections for 2021-2022 will fall between M1F2 and M2F2 models.
The enrolment projections for 2021-2022 using the M1F2 and M2F2 models are as follows, Primary M1F2: 554,070, M2F2: 551,511. Post-Primary M1F2: 391,379 M2F2: 384,546.
