Written Answers Nos. 581-600
581. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education the reason secondary school children are still not allowed access to lockers and are being required to carry excessively heavy school bags as a result; and if she will clarify the reason for children to be denied access to lockers in schools. [42561/21]
View answer607. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if national guidance has been issued to post-primary schools on whether students can access lockers this term or if it is up to each individual school to decide on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42686/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 581 and 607 together.
Each school is required to have a COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe operation through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in line with public health advice. This guidance is focused on the practical steps schools must take to minimise the risk of transmission of infection, including physical distancing measures and reducing the risk of congregation of students. It is a matter for each individual school to implement these measures locally taking into account its individual circumstances such as school layout.
My Department is aware that positive action has been taken by many schools on the issue of heavy school bags. Actions consist of a range of measures, including the arrangement of the timetable into double class periods, active liaison with parents and the co-ordination of homework by subject teachers.
The use of digital resources by teachers and students in schools is increasing. While conventional textbooks are still widely used, a number of schools have introduced or are considering introducing e-books and other digital resources to enhance students' work in school and at home. Schools can use the book grant scheme to purchase a range of digital resources relevant to the curriculum.
It should be also be noted that Scoilnet.ie, the Department funded website, supports Primary and Post-Primary teachers in sharing and finding useful resources for the classroom, including the World Books online encyclopedia resource, and other valuable online content and resources to assist in teaching and learning.
Ultimately it is a matter for each individual school to determine which particular measures are most suited to its individual circumstances as to how the school concerned organises teaching and learning at this time.
582. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if the commitment to provide concessionary school transport to students going to their second nearest post-primary school will be extended to primary school students attending their second nearest primary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42562/21]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application and payment process on time for the 2021/22 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. In addition all post-primary pupils who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and have applied and paid on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. This arrangement is in place for current school year pending completion of the full review of the School Transport Scheme.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and are offered seats where capacity exists after all eligible children have been catered for.
My Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. Following commencement of this review the Steering Group recently presented me with an initial interim report on eligibility with an examination of issues for mainstream pupils relating to the nearest and next nearest school. Following consideration of this report, I approved the extension of temporary alleviation measures which allow for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and have applied and paid on time. This arrangement will be in place for the coming school year pending completion of the full review of the School Transport Scheme.
Wider considerations relating to the objectives of the scheme and the criteria for eligibility will take place in the next phase of the review which is now underway. The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses, with a view to presenting a final report with recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme.
583. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if the additional school transport capacity will be put on a school bus route (details supplied) in County Kerry to cater for demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42567/21]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were 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.
Under the terms of the Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who completed the application and payment process on will be accommodated on school transport services for the 2021/22 school year where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport and who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
The closing date for payment for the 2021/2022 school year was the 31st July 2021. There are currently 6 late applications from the area in question on the Bus Éireann system that have been received between August and September 2021 and these are currently being processed by Bus Éireann.
Late applicants and/or families who pay late are not guaranteed a seat and will only be allocated a seat if capacity is available once seats are allocated to those families who applied and paid on time for transport services for the 2021/2022 school year.
584. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education if she will examine a situation (details supplied) in which there is a lack of school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42570/21]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were 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 the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.
Children are eligible for transport where they have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability and are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers .
An application for school transport was received on behalf of the pupil referred to by the Deputy in my Department on 02 September, 2021 and forwarded to Bus Éireann for consideration. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that Bus Éireann has confirmed that this pupil can be accommodated on an existing service and sanction has been given for the pupil to commence on the service.
585. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education if she will examine a lack in school transport facilities (details supplied) from Kill village, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42571/21]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2020/21 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.
Under the terms of my Department’s School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms at primary and 4.8kms at post-primary and are attending their nearest School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application and payment process on time will be accommodated on school transport services for the 2021/22 school year where such services are in operation. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and may be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated. Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available Bus Éireann allocates tickets for the spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupils referred to by the Deputy are not attending their closest post primary centre, and are therefore not eligible for transport under the terms of the scheme. Bus Éireann has also advised that there is currently no service with spare capacity for the pupils to avail of for the current school year. Payment for the pupils in question was received 25/06/2021 for the 21/22 school year and a refund will be issued in due course.
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.
586. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the school capital projects she will include in the redrawn Project 2040; and when she met the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on the matter. [42615/21]
View answerUnder the current NDP my Department has a significant existing pipeline of projects to be delivered over the coming years to meet capacity needs managed under the Large-Scale Capital Programme (LSCP) and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). This includes circa 1,200 school building projects across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction.
Over the last couple of months, both myself and my officials have had extensive and ongoing engagement with both the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform and his officials on this matter.
The revised NDP is currently being finalised by Government and is due for final publication shortly
587. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the progress that has been made towards the regularisation of pay, pension and terms of employment for school secretaries and caretakers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42633/21]
View answerThe Department is aware of the vitally important role played by school secretaries and caretakers in the running of our schools.
In recognition of this role, special COVID-19 working arrangements were put in place and the Employee Assistance Service was extended to grant funded staff. The Department also previously fully implemented and funded the 2015 recommendations of an independent arbitrator for a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 and that a minimum hourly pay rate of €13 be phased in over that period.
Fórsa trade union has tabled a follow-on claim and officials from the Department and school management bodies have been engaging with Fórsa on the issues. A process of engagement has taken place at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and an understanding has been agreed on a pathway to progress the issues with a phased approach being taken to the development of proposals.
The Department is actively seeking to engage with Fórsa in an effort to resolve the issue as part of an ongoing IR process under the auspices of the WRC. Industrial action would impact on the day-to-day operation of schools at a time when so much effort has gone into ensuring they could open and stay open during the pandemic. The Department would appeal to school secretaries and to Fórsa to defer this planned action to allow further early and intensive discussions to take place.
588. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied that a school building project (details supplied) will proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42647/21]
View answerMy Department is aware of the challenging market conditions for tender processes that are currently underway.
My Department works within the parameters set by the Office of Government Procurement and principles of public procurement set out at both national and EU level.
The school project to which the Deputy refers is progressing through the tender process. The Design Team are liaising with the relevant tenderer and the school will be kept appraised of all developments. My Department is committed to progressing this project as quickly as possible.
589. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will request school management bodies to facilitate the return of indoor sports activities which have used school facilities in the past. [42650/21]
View answerSchools are required to have a COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe operation through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in line with public health advice. This guidance is focused on the practical steps schools must take to minimise the risk of transmission of infection.
In relation to the use of school facilities by community and other groups, my Department has a policy of encouraging use, where this is possible and following consultation with the relevant school authorities. Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of school hours is available at https://assets.gov.ie/24484/ca5b1787db1b47f98de31f57e977dad0.pdf.
It is recognised that schools play an important role in their wider communities and many schools make their facilities available outside of school hours for a variety of different uses and users. The use of school facilities are a matter for individual Boards of Managements.
My Department will continue to engage regularly with the partners so that appropriate guidance can be provided to schools so that all activities including those referred to by the Deputy can operate in a safe manner in line with public health advice.
590. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if she and her Department can investigate, advise and provide a solution to an issue in relation to a teacher (details supplied) at a school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42653/21]
View answerFirstly, I wish to reassure the Deputy that my Department takes child protection very seriously and considers that the protection and welfare of children is a fundamental responsibility of all involved in the care and education of children. Any concern or allegation of a child protection nature, received by staff in my Department is dealt with in accordance with the Department’s Procedures for responding to Child Protection Concerns which come to the attention of staff employed by the Department of Education.
My Department has no powers to investigate child protection concerns. Under these procedures the Department does not make any judgment on the concerns which comes to its attention and ensures that the details of the concern reported to the Department are immediately passed on to the relevant authorities, i.e. Tusla-the Child and Family Agency and/or An Garda Síochána, as appropriate. My Department cannot guarantee confidentiality to complainants in such circumstances as the information received must be passed on to the relevant authorities for investigation, including any details of the person reporting the concern.
In that regard, details provided by the Deputy with this question have been passed to Tusla.
The issuing, by my Department of revised Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-primary Schools in 2017 brought with it an extensive programme of professional development for teachers and school leaders. A fundamental principle of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 is that all schools must keep pupils/students safe from harm while attending the school or while participating in school activities.
My Department plays an important role in the oversight of the child protection procedures for schools. The Inspectorate carries out a range of inspections in all recognised schools. Schools are selected for inclusion in the broader inspection programme using a range of factors and information. Although the Inspectorate has no role in the investigation of individual complaints about schools, all correspondence is noted and it may, together with a range of other information, be considered by the Inspectorate in planning its inspection programme. The Inspectorate does not comment on its future planned inspection programme.
The child protection procedures for primary and post primary schools outline the obligations placed on boards of management, as employers, where an allegation of abuse is made against a member of school personnel. Chapter 7 of the procedures provides specific guidance to schools in relation to the reporting procedures for the concern as well as the protocols in relation to dealing with the employee. In a school context, the most important consideration to be taken into account is the protection of children, and their safety and well-being must be the priority. Each school authority also has a duty and responsibility, as an employer, in respect of its employees.
Under the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the board of management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 provides that the appointment, suspension and dismissal of teachers is the responsibility of boards of management of recognised schools or, where the employer is a person other than a board, by that person. My Department does not have the legal powers to instruct a school to follow a particular course of action regarding individual complaint cases, or to investigate individual complaints. However, procedures have been agreed between management and unions and have been published by my Department to assist Boards of Management/Schools.
In relation to how a parent might pursue a complaint to a school, whereas my Department provides funding and policy direction for schools, my Department, does not have the power to instruct schools to follow a particular course of direction with regard to individual complaint cases. My Department's role is to clarify for parents and students how their grievances and complaints against schools can be progressed.
Where it is felt that there is cause for complaint, matters would normally be addressed to the individual teacher or school Principal as appropriate. If matters cannot be resolved at that level then a complaint can be addressed to the school’s Board of Management. Where a school has a formal complaints procedure in place this should be followed in pursuing any complaint.
In addition responsibility for bullying in schools falls to the level of the individual school. Each school has an Anti-Bullying Policy and Code of Behaviour (or similar titles) and these are ordinarily accessible on the schools website or should be available from the school.
Where a parent is of the view that a school's board of management has failed to investigate or adequately investigate their complaint, it is open to the parent to raise the matter with the Ombudsman for Children. The Office of the Ombudsman for Children may independently investigate complaints about schools recognised by my Department, provided the parent has firstly and fully followed the school's complaints procedures. The key criterion for any intervention by the Ombudsman for Children is that the administrative actions or non-actions of a school has, or, may have, adversely affected the child.
The Teaching Council of Ireland also has power to investigate a complaint about a teacher and to conduct fitness to teach inquiries. Any person, including a member of the public, an employer or teacher may make a complaint about a registered teacher. The Teaching Council has a complaints facility that can be accessed in appropriate cases. Details are available on their website at www.teachingcouncil.ie/
Further details on complaints can be found on my Department’s website at
www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/9bf5d3-inclusive-education/#child-protection-and-safeguarding.
591. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of teachers at post-primary level hired for the 2021-2022 academic year. [42654/21]
View answerTeacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to schools annually and are available on the Department website.
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.
The current number of post primary teaching posts allocated stands at 31,560. However, the allocation process for the 2021/22 school year is ongoing and the final allocation will not be known until the Autumn when schools confirm their projected pupil enrolment returns.
592. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of primary teachers hired for the 2021-2022 academic year. [42655/21]
View answerTeacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to schools annually and are available on the Department website.
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.
The current number of teaching posts allocated at primary level is 39,086. However, the allocation process for the 2021/22 school year is ongoing and the final allocation will not be known until the Autumn when the staffing appeal process has been completed.
593. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the projected recruitment of post-primary teachers for each of the years 2022 to 2025. [42656/21]
View answerActual recruitment of teachers for the years 2022-2025 is not yet known. Recruitment will be guided by the demand arising from a combination of demographic changes and natural attrition, as described in the report Developing a Teacher Demand and Supply Model for Ireland 2021 – 2038: A Technical Report, as well as Department of Education policy on staffing allocations, as set out annually in the relevant staffing arrangement circulars.
594. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of reducing the pupil-SNA ratio to 2:1 at both primary and secondary level. [42657/21]
View answerSpecial Needs Assistants (SNAs) are a key part of the support framework for the inclusion of children with special educational needs in education. By the end of this year, there will be over 18,000 SNA posts in the education system.
SNAs work across the full continuum of education from mainstream classes through to the more specialist settings, special classes and special schools.
In respect of mainstream classes, SNAs are allocated on the basis of whole school care need and are not allocated on any pre-determined ratio. Schools have discretion have in how the available resource is deployed within the school. The Department does not collect information on the number of children receiving support.
In respect of special classes and special schools, there are predetermined ratios for the allocation of SNAs. Most classes will have an allocation of two SNAs for every six students but this can vary.
In order to provide 1:2 SNA:pupils ratio in all special class and special school settings, an additional 2,373 SNAs would be required at a cost of €68.4m in a full year.
595. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2020 in special classes in secondary schools. [42658/21]
View answer596. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2020 in mainstream classes in secondary schools. [42659/21]
View answer597. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2020 in special classes in primary schools. [42661/21]
View answer598. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2020 in mainstream classes in primary schools. [42662/21]
View answer599. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in mainstream primary school classes receiving the assistance of a SNA in September 2020. [42663/21]
View answer600. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in mainstream secondary school classes receiving the assistance of a SNA in September 2020. [42664/21]
View answer601. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in special classes at primary level receiving the assistance of a SNA in September 2020. [42665/21]
View answer602. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in special classes at secondary level receiving the assistance of a SNA in September 2020. [42666/21]
View answer603. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in special schools receiving the assistance of a SNA in September 2020. [42667/21]
View answer604. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of applications for SNA support in the 2019-2020 academic year that were unsuccessful; the number of children these applications were in respect of; and if these applications were in respect of a primary school, secondary school or special school. [42668/21]
View answer605. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of applications for SNA support in the 2020-2021 academic year that were unsuccessful; the number of children these applications were in respect of; and if these applications were in respect of a primary school, secondary school or special school. [42669/21]
View answer606. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of applications for SNA support in the 2021-2022 academic year that were unsuccessful; the number of children these applications were in respect of; and if these applications were in respect of a primary school, secondary school or special school. [42670/21]
View answer608. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2021 in special classes in secondary schools. [42691/21]
View answer609. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2021 in mainstream classes in secondary schools. [42692/21]
View answer610. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2021 in special classes in primary schools. [42693/21]
View answer611. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs employed in September 2021 in mainstream classes in primary schools. [42694/21]
View answer612. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in mainstream primary school classes receiving the assistance of a SNA in September 2021. [42695/21]
View answer613. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in mainstream secondary school classes receiving the assistance of a SNA in September 2021. [42696/21]
View answer614. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in special classes at primary level receiving the assistance of a SNA in September 2021. [42697/21]
View answer615. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in special classes at secondary level receiving the assistance of a SNA in September 2021. [42698/21]
View answer616. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the number of children in special schools receiving the assistance of a SNA in September 2021. [42699/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 595 to 606, inclusive, and 608 to 616, inclusive, together.
The provision of education for children with special needs is an ongoing priority for Government. The numbers of special classes, special education teachers and Special Needs Assistants are at unprecedented levels.
The Department will spend approximately €2 Billion, or over 20% of its total educational budget on making additional provision for children with special educational needs in 2021.
This represents an increase of over 50% in total expenditure since 2011, at which point €1.247 Billion per annum was provided.
Budget 2021 provided for an additional 990 additional SNAs for allocation to schools, bringing the total numbers to 18,000 by December 2021.
This allocation of SNAs is to meet the care needs of pupils in 2021 and will enable the establishment of new special classes, creation of new places in special schools, support children in mainstream classes for the 2021/22 school year.
This will represent an increase of increase of 70% in the number of SNAs provided since 2011 at which point 10,575 SNAs were available.
Where circumstances change during the course of the 2021/22 school year that materially increase the level of care need in a school to the extent that the school can clearly demonstrate that it cannot be met within the existing SNA allocation, the school may apply to the NCSE for a review. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie/for-schools.
The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. The Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations.
The question will be referred to the NCSE for their direct reply.
Question No. 600 answered with Question No. 595.
