Written Answers Nos. 231-241
231. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education when the transition rates from post-primary to higher education figures will be published for 2019, 2020 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44293/21]
View answerThe Department expects to publish the transition rates from post-primary to higher education for years 2019 & 2020 as part of our annual Education Indicators for Ireland report which is in development and is scheduled to be published before the end of 2021.
Transition data for the year 2021 will not be available until 2022.
The last year we have published date for is 2018, from our 2020 Education Indicators for Ireland report, link and table extract below. As can be seen from the table there are no large deviations in the recent rates.
assets.gov.ie/117558/ef43dc12-56c3-4f5a-9e78-bafce7ef9764.pdf.
|
INDICATOR |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Transition rates from post-primary to higher education |
64.0% |
64.4% |
63.6% |
63.4% |
|
of which DEIS schools |
42.1% |
42.1% |
41.8% |
40.5% |
|
of which non-DEIS schools |
70.0% |
70.4% |
69.1% |
69.4% |
232. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the position with regard to the provision of a new school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44304/21]
View answerI refer to your recent e-mail to the Minister for Education, Ms. Norma Foley TD, in relation to a new secondary school for Kildare Town.
As has been previously advised, while a site acquisition process is under way, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to comment further at this time. Please rest assured that this project is being given priority attention and we are attempting to bring the matter to a close as soon as possible.
As you may be aware, Officials from the Department are currently in negotiation with a landowner in respect of the acquisition of a site suitable for the project to which you refer. This negotiation is ongoing and you will appreciate that it is necessary to conduct a thorough technical analysis of the site in order to protect the best long term interests of the school and environs. Officials from the Department continue to work closely with Officials from Kildare County Council in order to progress the acquisition of the site.
233. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education when applications for the establishment and patronage of the new post-primary school for an area (details suppled) will open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44307/21]
View answerThe planned establishment of a new post-primary school in 2022 to serve the Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin 1 school planning area was announced in 2018 as a result of a countrywide demographic exercise. A further exercise has since been conducted on the necessity for the establishment of a number of planned new schools, including the school to serve this school planning area, taking into account a number of factors, including the pace of delivery of the expected additional residential development in the school planning areas, associated enrolments and the capacity in existing schools in the areas.
My Department is satisfied that demand in the Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin 1 school planning area can be accommodated by the existing and growing schools in this area. As a result, the establishment of the planned new school is deferred and a patronage process in this regard will not take place in 2021.
The pace of delivery of additional residential development in this school planning area, along with updated enrolment data and demographic data will be kept under review and this will inform the timing of school requirements.
234. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if a school building project (details supplied) will proceed within the current framework; and if her Department anticipates requests for additional funding to complete the project. [44333/21]
View answerMy Department is aware of the challenging market conditions for tender processes that are currently under way.
The school building project referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme.
On June 14th 2021, this project was included in a bundle of projects which were tendered to a newly established Design & Build Contractors Framework.
Once a Contractor has been appointed, my Department will keep the schools informed of the construction programme underpinning the contract.
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.
Once contracts are awarded, any variations to the contract sum are addressed within the standard provisions of the Public Works Contracts.
235. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education her plans to introduce saliva testing in primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44337/21]
View answerThe response to confirmed cases or outbreaks of COVID-19 in the community or in a school is the responsibility of, and will be led and managed by, Public Health HSE. The Department of Education has always been guided by public health advice in relation to the infection prevention and control measures appropriate for schools. Current public health advice does not provide for saliva testing in primary schools. Rapid access to the PCR testing process for the education sector has been the approach used to support schools to deal with cases.
The Department of Education is working with the HSE Testing Pathways Working Group which is examining the use of antigen testing in education settings. A number of pilot projects are under way in childcare and third level settings in recent weeks. The approach to antigen setting in education settings, including in schools will be informed by these pilots.
The Department of Education will continue to work with the group as it is considered important that any data collected from a pilot of antigen testing within the wider education sector is available to inform decisions on the appropriateness of more widespread deployment of such tests within the schools sector and the potential to scale to the sector.
The Department has an ongoing close working relationship with the Department of Health and the HSE throughout the period of the pandemic in the context of implementing important infection prevention control measures in schools to ensure that they can operate safely.
236. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education if the cost of a school bus ticket for a child (details supplied) can be covered by their medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44366/21]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/21 school year there were 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 Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8kms from and are attending their nearest Post Primary School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that the child to whom the Deputy refers is not eligible for school transport as he is not attending his nearest post primary school.
Children who are not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme may apply to Bus Éireann for transport on a concessionary basis. Concessionary transport is subject to a number of conditions including the appropriate annual charge is paid. The Medical Card waiver is not applicable to children who are not eligible for school transport.
237. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that all staff in her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit who by necessity of their work have to come into close proximity with others, including other employees or members of the public, are provided with medical-grade masks in the EN14683 category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44370/21]
View answerThe safety and welfare of employees and the minimisation of the impact of COVID-19 in the workplace are important principles in the management of COVID-19.
The Government published the ‘Work Safely Protocol’ in November 2020. It incorporates advice and guidance on the public health measures needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace as issued by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), the Department of Health and the Government. It advises on the measures required in every place of work to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the ongoing safe operation of those workplaces. The Public Health advice includes information on the management and control of outbreaks, selection of hand sanitisers, wearing of masks, and ventilation of workplaces.
My Department is following the central guidance that is in place across the public sector. At present, under that guidance, the wearing of face coverings is not mandatory in office environments. However, the guidance suggests that employees should consider wearing face coverings in places or situations where it may be difficult to achieve or maintain 2m physical/social distancing. I can confirm that medical grade masks have been provided for certain staff in my Department whose work involves them interacting with customers/others where the physical distance of 2 m cannot be maintained.
Contact details for the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with her query.
Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Education as at 11 May 2021
|
Name of Body |
Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas |
Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members |
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta. See Note 1 |
oireachtas@cogg.ie |
muireann@cogg.ie |
|
Educational Research Centre |
oireachtas.queries@erc.ie |
jude.cosgrove@erc.ie |
|
National Centre for Guidance in Education |
oireachtas@ncge.ie |
Jennifer.mckenzie@ncge.ie |
|
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. See Note 2 |
oireactasqueries@ncca.ie |
Aine.ArmstrongFarrell@ncca.ie |
|
State Examinations Commission |
Oireachtas@examinations.ie |
Paddy.Quinn@examinations.ie |
|
The Teaching Council |
pqrep@teachingcouncil.ie |
Tomás Ó Ruairc |
|
National Council for Special Education |
oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie |
patrick.martin@ncse.ie and cindyjane.oconnell@ncse.ie |
|
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund – Caranua. See Note 3 |
Hugh_Geoghegan@education.gov.ie |
Hugh_Geoghegan@education.gov.ie |
Note 1 – The designated officer responsible within An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta is Muireann Ní Mhóráin.
Note 2 - The spelling of the NCCA e-mail address to which Oireachtas queries may be addressed has been verified with the NCCA as being accurate.
Note 3 –The Executive Office of Caranua (Residential Institutions Statutory Fund) has completed its work, work is now under way to address the winding up of Caranua. In the interim queries in regard to Caranua are being addressed by the Department of Education, pending the passing of legislation to address the wind-up. Contact details for a Departmental official is provided above.
238. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education when she expects the National Council for Special Education to complete and submit its policy advice on education provision in special classes and special schools, first commissioned in September 2018. [44390/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware of my belief that children with special educational needs should receive their education in placements which are appropriate to their needs alongside their peers wherever possible unless such an approach would be inconsistent with the best interests of the individual child or other children in the school.
This inclusive approach is consistent with the provisions of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004.
Only where it has been assessed that the child is unable to be supported in mainstream education, are special class placements or special school placements recommended and provided for.
Most children with special educational needs receive their education in mainstream classes, many with additional teaching and care supports.
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. The 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.
The NCSE was requested to develop Policy Advice on Education Provision in Special Classes and Special Schools to examine whether placement in specialist settings brings about improved educational outcomes and experiences, relative to their ability, for students with special educational needs.
This Policy Advice is expected to be completed before the end of this year.
239. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when it is proposed to increase school bus capacity in view of the difficulties that have occurred for many families in having school transport provided to their children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44412/21]
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 have completed 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. 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.
Planning for school transport for the 2021/22 school year has proceeded on the basis that the public health measures in place as schools closed at the end of the last school year would remain as term began in this new school year. This includes the recommendations from Public Health that post-primary services would operate at 50% capacity. All other measures relating to hygiene, pre-assigned seating, cleaning and the wearing of masks by post-primary students are also in place.
However, as the vaccination programme for children on post-primary services is rolled out and as the lifting of restrictions on public transport services proceeds, the capacity limit of 50% on post-primary school transport services will be subject to ongoing review and the Department will be considering the position in this regard over the coming weeks.
Should post-primary services resume operating at 100% capacity and where additional vehicles that were provided for social distancing purposes are removed, any spare capacity available will be offered on those services to concessionary pupils or late applicants where such capacity exists.
240. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education her plans to improve supports for children with special needs and to ensure that such supports are put in place in a timely manner and eliminate delays in sanctioning posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44416/21]
View answerI understand the Deputy is referring to the arrangements for the allocation of SNAs to schools.
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.
For the 2021/22 school year 2,118 special classes have been provided. This is an increase of 269 classes from the previous school year and will ensure that approximately 12,700 special class places will be available this year, including 1,600 new special class places.
Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased by almost 386% from 548 to 2,118 for the 2021/2022 school year.
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.
The NCSE have published the SNA allocations on their website www.ncse.ie.
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 ncse.ie/for-schools.
The NCSE manages the exceptional review process and handles each case individually. Some review requests can be concluded as an office based exercise, whilst others require a school to be visited. The timeframe for concluding a review can vary depending on the school context or the nature of the information provided.
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. Accordingly, the question has been referred to the NCSE for direct reply.
241. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education the steps that are being taken to get a broadband connection for a school (details supplied). [44421/21]
View answerThe policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with the technical solutions available in the market and within financial constraints. Currently investment of some €13m is allocated annually for the provision of internet connectivity to schools. Broadband capacity can vary across geographical locations and is dependent on local infrastructure which can impact on the service that can be provided in individual schools.
The school referred to is preparing to move to a new school building, and to maintain connectivity and existing broadband contracts, the Department's Schools Broadband Service Desk has requested the current provider of the service to the school to migrate the existing wireless service to the new school building in time for the opening. The service provider will be in contact with the school in due course. The provision of telephony and the related installation of phone lines, is the responsibility of the school. The school should contact their preferred telephone provider and they will take the school through the ordering process.
This school is included in the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area Plan for which implementation is now under way, and the provision of high speed connectivity to the almost 700 primary schools in that area is to be accelerated for delivery by the end of 2022. My Department is engaging with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on the intervention area implementation. When the high speed infrastructure is in place for this school through the NBP, the service will be upgraded to the school through the Schools Broadband Programme.
The Schools Broadband Service Desk is the central point of contact providing schools with information, advice and technical support in relation to the Schools Broadband Programme. The school is advised to engage with the Broadband Service Desk, tel: 1800 334466, ahead of the move to their new building.
