Written Answers Nos. 343-368
344. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence if he has deleted text messages or email correspondence related to Government or official communications at any point since January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45032/21]
View answerMy Department takes its records management obligations very seriously.
In respect of emails related to Government business, these are retained in accordance with Departmental guidelines.
In my appearance before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on 7 September, 2021, I clarified my practice in relation to the retention of text messages in the context of security considerations. I also note the Taoiseach's clear instruction that any text messages in relation to Government business should not be deleted.
345. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence if serving and retired women members of the Defence Forces who were victims of workplace sexual harassment, assault, discrimination and bullying have been actively consulted by his officials when drafting the terms of reference for the independent review of these matters; and if his officials have not consulted with the women, if he will now ensure they are consulted. [45127/21]
View answerI listened with concern to the women who recounted their experiences on the Women of Honour programme on RTE Radio on the 11 September 2021. I expressed my willingness to meet with the participants, should they wish to do so, and I am pleased to say that my offer has been accepted.
I have instructed my officials to make the necessary arrangements without delay. In the meantime, I also wish to confirm that the Secretary General and senior officials of the Department are meeting with a number of the participants on Thursday of this week.
I would like to reiterate again in the strongest possible terms that all members of the Defence Forces have a right to be treated with respect, equality and dignity and to carry out their duties free from any form of sexual harassment, harassment or bullying. Unacceptable forms of behaviour are not tolerated in the Defence Forces and where there are allegations of offences having been committed, investigations will be initiated by the appropriate authorities.
Terms on the establishment of an Independent Review, which had been advancing in recent months, are being reviewed in light of the RTE programme, and are being finalised. The purpose of this Independent Review, which will be conducted by independent and unbiased personnel, is to examine the effectiveness of current policies and procedures for dealing with workplace issues such as dignity, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and discrimination.
I very much look forward to meeting with the women profiled in the programme, and listening to their views.
I can assure the Deputy that both I, as Minister, and the Defence Organisation, are committed to providing a safe place of work for all employees.
346. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence the date on which his Department was first contacted by victims of workplace sexual harassment, assault, discrimination and bullying in the Defence Forces; and the action he or his officials took on receipt of these initial communications. [45128/21]
View answerI receive information on an ongoing basis from serving and former personnel on a range of issues in relation to their experiences within the Defence Forces.
The action taken on foot of such information is dependent on the circumstances of each individual case and whether the complaints are already the subject of investigation by other statutory authorities or within other grievance processes. If there is an allegation of a possible criminal offence, individuals are advised and encouraged to make contact with an Garda Síochána.
347. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Defence the amount spent on purchasing specialist fire service vehicles for the Defence Forces fire services in 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [45208/21]
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.
348. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Defence the reason he accepted an Ombudsman for the Defence Forces report which ruled that a person (details supplied) was not discriminated against when it was subsequently determined that they were discriminated against by the Workplace Relations Commission. [45270/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the Ombudsman discharges his duties in line with the provisions of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, Act, 2004.
Under the provisions of this Act, the Ombudsman has full independence and autonomy in the discharge of his statutory functions. The findings of the Ombudsman, in relation to complaints submitted to his Office under the provisions of the Act, are therefore based on his independent assessment of the information he is presented with during the course of his investigation. In this particular case, the Minister is satisfied that the ODF had appropriately exercised his discretion, that a full, fair and objective investigation had been conducted by the ODF in relation to the facts of the complaints in this case.
The Deputy will be aware that WRC rulings are in the public domain and will be also aware that the Adjudicator in his December 2020 ruling on two complaints brought by an individual, upheld one complaint on the grounds of gender discrimination in relation to promotion, owing to the treatment of absences in terms of access to promotion contrary to S.8 (1) of the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. The Adjudicator found that the Minister did not discriminate against the Complainant, and did not victimise her, within the meaning of S.2, S. 6(1) and S. 74 (2) of the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 as alleged in her second complaint.
The directions of the ruling are currently being implemented by the military authorities with a view to ensuring that all of the training programmes and materials for Defence Forces personnel are fully aligned, and compatible with, the provisions of the relevant equality legislation and that follow-on actions will be progressed. A Defence Forces Working Group is established comprising membership from the Defence Forces HR, Legal and Training & Education HQ Branches as well as representatives from the Defence Forces Formations. The Working Group has had 12 plenary meetings to date in addition to meetings of sub-groups. Progress is continuing in line with the timelines set out in the ruling and this will be fully complied with.
The complainant has ongoing active litigation in a number of fora, and therefore it would not be appropriate to comment further.
349. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Defence the reason he chose not to act, when it was brought to his attention in January 2017 through a protected disclosure that an officer in the Defence Forces (details supplied) was bullied, sexually abused, victimised and discriminated against and informed the person that their protected disclosure was subjective and could not be acted on in view of the fact they were taking a case; the reason he accepted an Ombudsman for the Defence Forces report which ruled that a person (details supplied) was not discriminated against when it was later determined that they were by the Workplace Relations Commission case and in further view of the fact that he is meeting other persons who have taken such cases. [45271/21]
View answerThe purpose of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 is to make provision for and in connection with the protection of persons from the taking of action against them in respect of the making of certain disclosures in the public interest and for connected purposes. Section 16 of the Act provides that subject to exceptions, a person to whom a protected disclosure is made, and any person to whom a protected disclosure is referred in the performance of that person’s duties, shall not disclose to another person any information that might identify the person by whom the protected disclosure was made. On this basis, it would be inappropriate for me to comment as to whether any individual submitted a protected disclosure.
The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces discharges his duties in line with the provisions of the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act, 2004.
Under the provisions of this Act, the Ombudsman has full independence and autonomy in the discharge of his statutory functions The findings of the Ombudsman in relation to complaints submitted to his Office under the provisions of the Act, are therefore based on his independent assessment of the information he is presented with during the course of his investigation.
350. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education if she will review the 50% capacity restriction on post-primary school buses in view of the changing public health advice and the fact that all other public transport vehicles are now at 100% capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44440/21]
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.
351. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if any school building or additional school accommodation applications in counties Laois and Offaly have been impacted due to Covid-19 and Brexit-related cost increases in the construction industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44442/21]
View answerThe Department of Education is aware of the challenging market conditions for tender processes that are currently underway.
The school building programme forms part of the National Development Plan and Project Ireland 2040 and is a key commitment in the Programme for Government.
There are currently over 250 school building projects at construction stage, with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage.
The Department is working proactively to ensure that all school building contracts are awarded as expeditiously as possible, while working 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 can be addressed within the standard provisions of the Public Works Contracts.
The Department of Education is working closely with design teams on school projects to permit reasonable additional time for tenderers to submit tenders, allowing them ample time to price appropriately given the current market.
Where the tender closing date has already passed, and the lowest tenderer advises the Department of Education that they can no longer stand over their tendered sum and are withdrawing from the tender process, the design team are authorised to proceed to processing the next lowest tender until such point as a tenderer agrees to stand over their tender. Tender shortlists can include up to 8 tenderers ranked in order from the lowest to the highest priced tender sum.
While it is possible that some school projects will need to be retendered, this would be a last resort. If a retender is required, tenderers will have ample opportunity to adjust their tenders to accommodate emerging or anticipated market conditions.
The Department is not aware, of any large scale school building project in Laois or Offaly that has been adversely impacted by cost increases in the construction industry.
352. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide clarification in relation to a teaching post (details supplied) in County Kerry; if there will be further transparency going forward; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44461/21]
View answerThe recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012).
In accordance with Department Circular 0044/2019 for primary schools, schools are required to employ appropriately qualified and registered teachers and ensure that unemployed teachers should be offered employment in preference to those who have retired.
Section 12, of Chapter 2 of this Circular sets out the procedures Interview Boards must follow to address disclosures of interest/integrity in relation to Interview Board members who have a personal relationship with an applicant for appointment to a post in a school. In accordance with Section 12.6 "Failure to disclose any relationship may invalidate the process".
In relation to options for teachers to transfer to another county:
- there is a Temporary Reassignment Scheme for Primary School Teachers, and
- a teacher can also make an application to transfer to another county where a teacher is being redeployed.
Chapter 9 of Circular 0054/2019 provides for a Temporary Reassignment Scheme for Primary School Teachers. The purpose of the scheme is to facilitate an arrangement between two eligible teachers with the approval of their respective employers whereby they may apply for temporary re-assignment to a different school subject to the certain terms and conditions, all of which are contained in the aforementioned circular.
The core function of the redeployment arrangements is to facilitate the redeployment of all surplus permanent/CID (Contract of Indefinite Duration) holding teachers to schools that have vacancies. The main redeployment panels are based on school patronage and it is the patron bodies that administer the redeployment panels. As such, the decision to facilitate a panel transfer rests with the relevant patron.
353. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education if she will urgently review funding applications for temporary and permanent accommodation structures for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44466/21]
View answerMy Department is supporting the school in question through the provision of funding to undertake refurbishment works to accommodate additional special classes for the current school year.
The National Council for Special Education will engage with all relevant parties as part of the strategic review agreed with the patron and school. The outcome of this review will inform the medium to long term demand for special educational needs in the area.
354. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that when her Department negotiates permanent contracts with key administrative school staff such as school secretaries and caretakers that these contracts include enhanced conditions of service such as holiday pay and maternity benefits and the provision of a public service pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44488/21]
View answerSchool secretaries and caretakers are valued members of our school communities and my Department is fully aware of the vitally important role played by them in the running of our schools.
The Department 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. On the 27th of October 2020, under the auspices of the WRC, an understanding was agreed on a pathway to progress the issues. Several key strands have been identified, and a phased approach is being taken to the development of proposals.
Following intensive discussions at the WRC on 13th September, there has been significant progress in this dispute. Subject to agreement on all elements of the claim, the Department has offered to move School Secretaries’ pay rates to a scale which is aligned with the Clerical Officer Grade III pay scale within education and training boards on a pro rata basis with an effective date of implementation for these new pay arrangements of 1st September 2021. Pay rates will be pro rata according to a secretary’s current working pattern. The assimilation of School Secretaries to the CO Grade III pay scale will require further dialogue between the parties and an intensive engagement will take place of over the next two/three weeks to allow this to be finalised.
My Department has also offered to improve the conditions for School Secretaries with regard to sick leave, annual leave and maternity provisions for this cohort of staff. This will take place via direct engagement with the unions in the coming weeks in addition to engagement on other elements of the claim and subject to all elements being agreed.
While there is agreement in principle to take the same approach to the consideration of appropriate pay and conditions of grant funded caretakers there remains a deficit of data on working terms and conditions of such staff. When the final package for secretaries has been agreed and an implementation plan in place for schools and DE, that intensive engagement will begin on regularising the pay and conditions of grant funded caretakers.
I welcome the deferral of the action scheduled for Wednesday 15th September to allow for intensive talks to resume aimed at resolving the claim and agreeing a final package and I look forward to further progress being advanced.
355. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a number of repair and upkeep works that are needed in a school (details supplied); her plans to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44499/21]
View answerThe Department has become aware of issues relating to the condition of prefabs at the school referred to by the Deputy.
The Department has contacted the relevant ETB and advised it to submit an application for funding to address any required works.
Any works considered of an emergency nature should be addressed via an application under the Department's Emergency Works Scheme.
356. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education the reason a major school building project (details supplied) has been at stage 2b for nearly five years; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this school has been in temporary accommodation, mainly prefabs, for more than 20 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44540/21]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b). This is a detailed design stage. In addition to securing the necessary statutory approvals it also includes the preparation of complex and detailed tender documents.
This project was authorised to progress to Stage 2(b) in February 2017. Planning Permission was applied for in May 2017, and following requests for additional information by the local authority, final approval was secured in December 2017.
There were a number of challenges in relation to the project which resulted in delay at stage 2B including the replacement of the Design Team Quantity Surveyor, changes to the building regulations relating to Near Zero Energy Building Standard which required the Design Team incorporating necessary changes, an additional planning permission for Photo Voltaic (PV Panels) and a Brief Change Request regarding traffic management.
In October 2020, in order to expedite the progression of this major building project the Department authorised DDLETB and its Design Team to commence a pre-qualification process to select a shortlist of contractors, in parallel with the Department’s review of the stage 2(b) submission for this project.
The Stage 2(b) report was reviewed by my Department and comments issued to DDLETB in May 2021.
My Department has this week authorised the ETB and its design team to complete the pre-qualification process to shortlist building contractors and then proceed to Tender Stage.
The Department is aware of the schools current accommodation. The major building project for Gaelcholáiste Reachrann is to provide a new 600 student school building on the school’s existing site.
357. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the reason a school (details supplied) has lost an SNA in 2021 despite the senior education psychologist stating that a further SNA was needed; if there are plans to reinstate an SNA at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44562/21]
View answerThe NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews.
The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.
SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school.
It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
In light of the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the introduction of the new Frontloaded Allocation Model for SNAs for students in mainstream classes in primary and post -primary schools is to be deferred for a further year to the beginning of the 2022/23 school year.
In order to minimise disruption for schools, in the current circumstances, and to provide for continuity of allocations the following arrangements for the allocation of Special Needs Assistants for mainstream classes for the 2021/22 school year:
- Existing mainstream class SNA allocations in schools on 30 April 2021 will be maintained and will automatically rollover into the 2021/22 school year.
- No school will therefore receive an allocation less than that which they had on 30 April 2021.
- SNAs currently in mainstream settings can continue in post for the next school year in the normal way.
- Priority consideration will now be given by the NCSE to applications for increased support for the 2021/22 school year, in particular, applications from schools with no SNAs and developing schools will be prioritised. Determinations will be made before 30 June. Other applications will be processed in order of date received.
- As in previous years, 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 have published the SNA allocations on their website www.ncse.ie.
SNA allocations for special classes and special schools are not affected by this arrangement.
Circular 0029/2021 has been published and advises schools of the arrangements for the allocation of SNAs for the 2021/22 school year.
Provisions set out in Circular 0030/2020 has been extended for the 2021/22 school year.
Circulars and 30/2020 are available on the Departments website.
The Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations. Accordingly your question has been forwarded to the NCSE for direct reply.
358. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44569/21]
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 the Department's Post-Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school/education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.
Where practicable, and subject to considerations of cost and logistics, routes are planned to avoid an eligible child having to travel more than 3.2 kms to or from a pick up/set down point. Routes are planned on the basis of the locations of children who are eligible for school transport only.
Bus Éireann has advised that the families referred to by the Deputy are eligible for school transport. Bus Éireann has further advised all eligible families who reside in area referred to and who attend the school in question have been facilitated with school transport for the 2021/22 school year.
Bus Éireann also advises that the service has been reviewed and changes have been implemented taking all pupils on the route into consideration. To extend or alternate the route as requested would inconvenience other pupils on the service.
In regard to the status of the appeal as requested, the School Transport Appeals Board have contacted this family directly.
359. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the reason that there has been a delay in the publication of the national Traveller and Roma inclusion strategy education pilot baseline study; if there has been a date set for the publication of the study; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44570/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that work to advance to publication the NTRIS pilot baseline research report is at an advanced stage.
My officials will be in contact with the relevant Traveller and Roma representative organisations on the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy Education subcommittee on the matter.
360. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education when a suitable school place will be found for a child (details supplied). [44572/21]
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, special class and special 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. The NCSE through the local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO), is available to support both families and schools regarding a suitable placement.
As your query refers to an individual placement case, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
361. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education when pay and conditions will be standardised for school secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44579/21]
View answerSchool secretaries and caretakers are valued members of our school communities and my Department is fully aware of the vitally important role played by them in the running of our schools.
The Department 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. On the 27th of October 2020, under the auspices of the WRC, an understanding was agreed on a pathway to progress the issues. Several key strands have been identified, and a phased approach is being taken to the development of proposals.
Following intensive discussions at the WRC on 13th September, there has been significant progress in this dispute. Subject to agreement on all elements of the claim, the Department has offered to move School Secretaries’ pay rates to a scale which is aligned with the Clerical Officer Grade III pay scale within education and training boards on a pro rata basis with an effective date of implementation for these new pay arrangements of 1st September 2021. Pay rates will be pro rata according to a secretary’s current working pattern. The assimilation of School Secretaries to the CO Grade III pay scale will require further dialogue between the parties and an intensive engagement will take place of over the next two/three weeks to allow this to be finalised.
My Department has also offered to improve the conditions for School Secretaries with regard to sick leave, annual leave and maternity provisions for this cohort of staff. This will take place via direct engagement with the unions in the coming weeks in addition to engagement on other elements of the claim and subject to all elements being agreed.
While there is agreement in principle to take the same approach to the consideration of appropriate pay and conditions of grant funded caretakers there remains a deficit of data on working terms and conditions of such staff. When the final package for secretaries has been agreed and an implementation plan in place for schools and DE, that intensive engagement will begin on regularising the pay and conditions of grant funded caretakers.
I welcome the deferral of the action scheduled for Wednesday 15th September to allow for intensive talks to resume aimed at resolving the claim and agreeing a final package and I look forward to further progress being advanced.
362. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if she has plans to provide each classroom with CO2 monitors to help control ventilation and prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the classroom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44586/21]
View answerManaging ventilation is just one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe. Updated guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools was provided at the end of May following the work of an expert group that carefully considered the role of ventilation in managing COVID-19.
A copy of the guidance is published at www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad236-guidance-on-ventilation-in-schools/
The over-arching approach in the guidance is for schools to have windows open as fully as possible when classrooms are not in use (e.g. during break-times or lunch-times and also at the end of each school day) and partially open when classrooms are in use.
The guidance outlines that Carbon Dioxide (CO2) monitors can play a part in providing a useful general indication that areas/rooms may not be adequately ventilated. They can enable occupants to become familiar with the impacts of activities, outdoor weather and window openings on levels of good ventilation.
My Department procured portable monitors that are currently being distributed to schools – between 2 and 20 at primary school level and between 20 and 35 at post-primary school level depending on school size, at an estimated overall cost of €4 million. The monitors are portable, simple to use, and will give a digital reading.
Deliveries of CO2 monitors to schools commenced in the third week of August. In total, it involves over 35,000 CO2 monitors being distributed to, primary and post-primary schools. 25,000 CO2 monitors have been to schools with the remaining balance of CO2 monitors will be distributed to schools by early October.
The Department’s ventilation guidance for schools is very clear and practical on the steps to be taken by all schools to manage ventilation levels.
If an individual school has particular difficulties in managing ventilation the Department is available to guide and support it as required on the appropriate strategy to address same.
363. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to regularise the pay, conditions, and pensions of school secretaries and caretakers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44596/21]
View answerSchool secretaries and caretakers are valued members of our school communities and my Department is fully aware of the vitally important role played by them in the running of our schools.
The Department 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. On the 27th of October 2020, under the auspices of the WRC, an understanding was agreed on a pathway to progress the issues. Several key strands have been identified, and a phased approach is being taken to the development of proposals.
Following intensive discussions at the WRC on 13th September, there has been significant progress in this dispute. Subject to agreement on all elements of the claim, the Department has offered to move School Secretaries’ pay rates to a scale which is aligned with the Clerical Officer Grade III pay scale within education and training boards on a pro rata basis with an effective date of implementation for these new pay arrangements of 1st September 2021. Pay rates will be pro rata according to a secretary’s current working pattern. The assimilation of School Secretaries to the CO Grade III pay scale will require further dialogue between the parties and an intensive engagement will take place of over the next two/three weeks to allow this to be finalised.
My Department has also offered to improve the conditions for School Secretaries with regard to sick leave, annual leave and maternity provisions for this cohort of staff. This will take place via direct engagement with the unions in the coming weeks in addition to engagement on other elements of the claim and subject to all elements being agreed.
While there is agreement in principle to take the same approach to the consideration of appropriate pay and conditions of grant funded caretakers there remains a deficit of data on working terms and conditions of such staff. When the final package for secretaries has been agreed and an implementation plan in place for schools and DE, that intensive engagement will begin on regularising the pay and conditions of grant funded caretakers.
I welcome the deferral of the action scheduled for Wednesday 15th September to allow for intensive talks to resume aimed at resolving the claim and agreeing a final package and I look forward to further progress being advanced.
364. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that flexibility is added to the Covid learning and support scheme to address gaps in wrap-around supports for children with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44597/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that a COVID Learning and Support Scheme (CLASS) has been put in place to help schools mitigate the adverse impacts of Covid-19 on pupil/student learning loss and wellbeing arising from the periods of school closures in 2020 and 2021.
Under the programme, a block of additional teaching hours is being provided to each recognised school, from which schools can provide additional teaching support for the pupils/students who have experienced difficulties in settling back into school and engaging with learning.
The extra teaching hours which are being provided are additional to 13,600 special education teachers who support the additional learning needs of pupils in mainstream primary and post primary schools.
They are also additional to:
- A supplementary education programme which provided additional teaching hours for pupils/students with SEN during the period of school closures in 2021 in which over 14,000 pupils/students participated
- The roll-out of a significantly enhanced Summer Programme for summer 2020 and 2021.
- The early provision of Information Communication Technology (ICT) funding to schools, to support the provision of devices to students and families, where needed.
Under the Covid Learning and Support programme, provision is being made for up to €52 Million in extra teaching hours for schools.
This is in addition to the €40 Million already allocated for this year’s enhanced summer education programme. €10 Million has also been spent this year on the Supplementary Education scheme, which provided extra teaching support for pupils with complex special educational needs.
When combined with the additional provision now being made for the COVID Learning and Support Scheme (CLASS), this will bring the total package of support for enhanced educational programmes this year to €102.6 Million.
The allocations which are being made for schools under CLASS are additional allocations of teaching hours, for each school, which are provided on a graduated and proportionate basis, based on school size, using the 2020/21 school enrolments data, as published on the Primary and Post Primary Online Databases (PPOD)
Enhanced allocations are also being provided for special schools and schools which are in the disadvantaged (DEIS) scheme.
Under the scheme, every school will receive an allocation of additional teaching hours, which they may use in accordance with the needs of their students. This will enable schools to identify students most at risk of learning loss arising from the recent disrupted school experience and put in place specific targeted teaching supports to meet these students’ needs.
The additional hours can be utilized by schools from October of this year, to the end of the 2021/22 school year.
Full detail of the programme is set out in my Department's Circular 045/2021 which is available at www.gov.ie/en/circular/aec0a-covid-learning-and-support-scheme/
Guidance has also been provided for schools in relation to how the additional teaching hours should be best used as well as details of appropriate control and oversight measures required in schools.
This guidance is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/0b4a7-covid-19-learning-and-support-scheme-class-guidance-for-primary-and-special-schools/
www.gov.ie/en/publication/31e9f-covid-19-learning-and-support-scheme-class-guidance-for-post-primary-schools/
The guidance provides for significant levels of autonomy and flexibility to be applied by schools in relation to the manner in which they utilise their additional Covid learning and support scheme teaching hours. Schools are guided as to how they can address the needs of pupils who may have suffered from educational regression, due to the closure of school facilities, including for children with disabilities, and taking into account the individual circumstances of their particular school. The guidance also allows schools to use the additional hours in conjunction with other supports in schools, such as class teachers, and special education teachers.
The CLASS programme will also provide for shared learning opportunities between schools to ensure that good practice in meeting students’ needs and mitigating learning loss is shared and replicated.
My Department will also ensure that research is undertaken both into the impacts of the disruption to learning and the student experience of COVID-19 across a range of areas, and on the impact of the mitigation measures undertaken under this programme.
365. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education when a design team will be appointed for the design and construction of a campus (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44614/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included in my Department's school building programme.
The brief for the proposed project is being finalised by my Department and when complete will facilitate the commencement of the architectural planning process, which will include the appointment of a design team, to deliver the project. My Department will continue to liaise with the school authorities in this regard.
366. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if a retired teacher (details supplied) has an entitlement to an occupational pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44655/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that officials from the Pension Unit of my Department are actively engaged in a review of the teacher's service history.
Following the review, a service history statement will issue to the teacher next week.
Any further queries in this regard can be sent directly by the teacher to pensions@education.gov.ie.
367. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will be informed of a decision by her Department on two emergency works applications relating to electrical work and a fire alarm further to the provision by the school of all information requested to the emergency works team of her Department. [44660/21]
View answerI would like to inform the Deputy that two Emergency Works applications have been received from the school in question and are being assessed, a decision on both applications with issue directly to the school in the coming week.
368. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education the status of the proposal to amalgamate a school (details supplied); the progress that has been made to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44661/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the schools in question is included in my Department's school building programme.
My Department is currently liaising with the patron in the context of the arrangements to be made to progress the project.
