Tuesday, 28 Sep 2021

Written Answers Nos. 452-471

School Funding

Questions (452, 456)

Alan Dillon

Question:

452. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the status of an application submitted by a school (details supplied) for connection to the natural gas network. [46272/21]

Alan Dillon

Question:

456. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the status of an application submitted by a school (details supplied) for connection to the natural gas network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46313/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 452 and 456 together.

The school to which the Deputy refers to was approved funding under the Additional Accommodation Scheme 2018 to enable it to build two classrooms, two small safe spaces, two standard WC, two general storage rooms and one laundry room.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that this project was approved to go to Construction in June 2021. Included within the overall scope of this project was the relocation of the existing gas pipe around the footprint of the new extension and the installation of new radiators in the extension with heating pipes connecting to the existing network.

Departmental Staff

Questions (453)

Alan Kelly

Question:

453. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education the number of full-time staff by grade working in the school transport section of her Department; and the number of vacancies by grade currently in this section. [46283/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The 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, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.

Currently there are 13 staff in the School Transport Section of my Department consisting of the following: 1 Principal Officer, 1 Acting Assistant Principal Officer, 1 Acting Higher Executive Officer, 5 Executive Officers, 1 Acting Executive Officer, 2 Clerical Officers, 2 Temporary Clerical Officers.

There is currently one vacancy at Assistant Principal Officer level which is being covered by temporary acting up contracts and one vacancy at Executive Officer level which is awaiting appointment.

School Accommodation

Questions (454)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

454. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education the amount spent to date on the renting of prefabs at a school (details supplied). [46302/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I wish to advise the Deputy that rental of €174,355 has been expended to date on temporary accommodation at the school in question.

Question No. 455 answered with Question No. 445.

Question No. 456 answered with Question No. 452.

School Funding

Questions (457)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

457. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education when a school (details suppled) will be in a position to draw down its physical education equipment grant; and if this will be paid directly to the school and then vouched or whether the school spends and then recoups the funds. [46350/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the application in question has been processed under my Departments Furniture and Equipment Scheme and the funds will shortly be paid directly to the school.

School Staff

Questions (458)

Paul Murphy

Question:

458. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if her Department will put in place more supports for teaching principals and in particular those who teach in schools with special classes as per a proposal to address administrative and staffing issues in schools operating two or more special classes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46356/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I am keenly aware of the huge contribution made by all Principals in our schools, including principals in schools with special classes.

The allocation of an Administrative Principal position to a school is based on the school’s enrolment. A reduced enrolment threshold applies to schools operating 2 Autism special classes so that an Administrative Principal is allocated on the basis of 112 pupils in ordinary schools, rather than the standard 175 pupil requirement. Lower thresholds apply to DEIS Urban Band 1 and 2 schools.

As part of the Covid-19 supports provided under The Roadmap for the Full Return to School, specific funding was provided to support Principals who undertake teaching duties in primary schools. This funding provides each teaching principal with a minimum of one release day per week so that each school with a teaching principal has 37 Principal Release Days. Schools have been advised that, in the context of COVID-19, the additional allocation of Principal Release Days outlined in Circular 45/2020, "COVID-19 Operational Supports for the Full Return to School" will remain in place for the 2021/22 school year. The additional four release days allocated to schools with special classes, under Circular 19/2020, remains in place so that teaching principals of schools with a special class receive an allocation of 41 Principal Release Days.

As part of Budget 2022, my Department will be advancing proposals to further support schools.

School Curriculum

Questions (459)

Neale Richmond

Question:

459. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if she plans to broaden the sex education provided in secondary schools to be more inclusive of those in the LGBTQ+ community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46372/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The Programme for Government states that ‘this Government will develop inclusive and age appropriate curricula for Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) across primary and post-primary schools, including an inclusive programme on LGBTI+ relationships and make appropriate legislative changes, if necessary’.

In April 2018, the then Minister for Education and Skills asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to undertake a major review of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools across all stages of education to ensure that it is fit for purpose and meets the needs of young people today in modern Ireland.

The Final Report on the Review of RSE in Primary and Post-primary Schools was published by the NCCA in December, 2019.

The NCCA has established two development groups, one for primary and one for post-primary, to oversee the work in this area and support the development of guidance material for schools.

The immediate focus of the work is on creating support materials for teachers for publication online as part of the Interim Guidance Toolkit. The toolkit's purpose is to support effective teaching and learning of SPHE/RSE linked to the current curriculum. This work is progressing well, with sections of the toolkit linked to the Primary SPHE Curriculum, the SPHE Junior Cycle Short Course and Senior Cycle SPHE Framework.

In tandem with the development of the online Toolkit, preparation for the broader redeveloping and updating of the SPHE curriculum as recommended in the NCCA Report has begun, with an initial focus on Junior Cycle. It is expected that a draft of the updated Junior Cycle SPHE specification will be available for public consultation in early 2022.

These curriculum materials being developed by the NCCA will include updated materials to facilitate the effective coverage of LGBTQ+ matters as part of the curriculum.

Departmental Communications

Questions (460)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

460. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education the dedicated email addresses for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas to contact his Department and bodies under his aegis as outlined in circular 25/2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46398/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The details sought by the Deputy, in regard to dedicated email addresses for both my Department and in regard to the bodies under the aegis of my Department, are contained in the attached document.

Contact E-Mail Addresses for the Department of Education and Aegis Bodies under the Remit of the Department

Name of Department		Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas
Department of Education		[e-mail]
Name of aegis Body under remit of Department	Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas	Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members
An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (Note 1)	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Educational Research Centre	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
National Centre for Guidance in Education	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (Note 2)	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
State Examinations Commission	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
The Teaching Council	[e-mail]	Tomás Ó Ruairc
National Council for Special Education	[e-mail]	[e-mail] and [e-mail]
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund – Caranua (Note3)	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Commission of Investigation into Child Abuse	Hugh McClain	[e-mail]

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, with work underway to address the winding up of the body. At the current time queries in regard to Caranua are being addressed by the Department of Education. Contact details for a Departmental official are provided above.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (461)

Carol Nolan

Question:

461. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will support the adoption of a national transition year programme for students who are blind or vision impaired with ring-fenced funding of an additional €150,000 per annum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46487/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

The management authority of each school carries responsibility for making decisions regarding the Transition Year Programme in that school.

Each school designs its own Transition Year programme, within set guidelines, to suit the needs and interests of its students. In establishing its own distinctive programme content, the school takes into account the possibilities offered by local community interests.

The NCCA has undertaken an extensive review of senior cycle programmes and vocational pathways, including Transition Year, the Leaving Certificate Applied, Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and the Leaving Certificate Established which considers the needs of all students including those who are blind or visually impaired.

A key theme of this Review was the future form and reform of the existing senior cycle programmes. This includes the range of learning programmes and pathways available to students at senior cycle, with a desire expressed that Senior Cycle should provide adequate supports for whatever progression pathways are chosen by students.

My Department is currently considering this and other aspects of the NCCA’s advisory report, which will be published shortly.

The Deputy may also be aware that I launched the NCBI Transition Year Programme and recently met with NCBI to continue our engagement on progress with the project to date.

My Department has, in advance of the Budget, received pre-budget submissions from a number of stakeholders in the education sector and from organisations involved in other areas of public policy. As in previous years, relevant submissions continue to be reviewed and they will inform the specific budgetary priorities that I will be seeking to achieve in Budget 2022.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (462)

Carol Nolan

Question:

462. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide continuity funding and access to July provision for children who are blind or have a vision impairment beyond 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46488/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

My Department provides an extensive range of supports to assist pupils who are Blind or who have Visual Impairment.

In line with my Department's policy, which is provided for under Section 2 of the Education of Persons with Special Needs Act 2004, that children with special educational needs access appropriate education intervention in mainstream settings where possible, the majority of pupils who have visual impairment are integrated into mainstream classes at primary and post-primary level.

Additional supports such as special education teaching support and Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support are provided.

Some children who have visual impairment may attend a special school or classes, for which lower pupil teacher ratios of 7-1 are provided, along with SNA support.

There is one special school for the education of pupils with visual impairment, which predominantly caters for pupils at primary school level and two special classes for children with visual impairment at post primary school level.

Pupils who are attending mainstream schools receive additional teaching support from special education teachers. Schools are advised to provide the highest levels of additional teaching support for those pupils which have the highest levels of need, including pupils who may have severe levels of visual impairment.

Pupils who have visual impairment receive additional teaching support from a special education teacher in mainstream settings.

Additional supports provided include funding for specialised equipment for pupils who have visual impairment, special transport arrangements, enhanced levels of capitation in Special schools and Special Classes as well as additional teacher training.

My Department also provides annual funding of €1.28m to the National Braille Production Centre (NBPC) and to the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB) for the provision of its Child Mobility Programme. This grant provides for the services of a Mobility Officer employed by the IGDB who provides mobility training to visually impaired children.

My Department’s Summer Programme for 2020 was a significant expansion on the July Provision programme of previous years, and was expanded further for Summer 2021. This was in recognition of the disruptions caused to children with complex needs during the COVID-related school closures in 2020 and 2021

The eligibility criteria for the summer programme was expanded in 2020 to include primary school children who are blind or have a most severe visual impairment. This was been widened under the 2021 summer programme to include children with sensory impairments attending post-primary school as well.

The summer programme is an educational programme and therefore has been provided to date by educational staff, such as Teachers and SNAs.

My Department is currently processing claims for payment in respect of this years programme.

When that is complete, planning for next year's programme will commence.

Teacher Training

Questions (463)

Carol Nolan

Question:

463. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a part of career guidance training, information and understanding of the challenges that face students with sight loss will be included; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46489/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The Indecon Review of Career Guidance Tools and Information, published in April 2019, examined aspects of career guidance in the Irish education and training system in order to improve the existing career guidance tools and information and to enhance engagement with enterprise. Both my Department and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science have been working on sharing responsibility and identifying appropriate actions for the 18 key recommendations. The key recommendations relating to inclusion will involve both Departments.

The Indecon report made eighteen recommendations under four themes: improvement in career guidance tools and career information, better engagement with enterprise, promotion of inclusion and enhanced governance structures.

Under the promotion of inclusion theme, the four key recommendations were:

Introduce a specific module on career guidance as part of training for teachers in special schools.

Provide access for special education and adult learners to the proposed enhanced central career support services, including information on labour market opportunities.

Provide additional specialised ongoing CPD supports for teachers in special schools and

Prioritise resource allocation, including guidance teachers for learners most in need of assistance.

Preliminary work began last year to progress some of these areas but the public health pandemic caused disruption to the initial work plan. My officials have begun a series of meetings, both internally and with external partners such as the National Disability Authority, to discuss the inclusion recommendations and further explore ways to strengthen Guidance and career supports in the education system. As Guidance is a whole-school activity my Department will be considering ways to improve whole-school Guidance to promote even greater inclusion, which will involve looking at the current level of training for all teachers as well as that of guidance counsellors.

One of the first actions that my Department is undertaking is to explore the level of training, relating to supporting and guiding students with special education needs (SEN), that guidance counsellors and other teachers receive during their post-graduate Guidance and teacher training courses. My officials will be working with the Guidance course leaders to see if the current SEN/inclusion Guidance training modules can be strengthened, which will include, but not be limited to, looking at the challenges that face students with sight loss. Added to this my Department will then be looking at the current SEN/inclusion training all teachers receive during their initial teacher training and post-qualification continuing professional development.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (464)

Carol Nolan

Question:

464. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will take steps to introduce access to immediate assistive technology, similar to the proposal by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46490/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

My Department operates an Assistive Technology scheme, details of which are set out in Circular 0010/2013 published on my Department’s website that can be accessed at: education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0010_2013.pdf.

Under the Assistive Technology scheme funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes. Equipment is provided under this scheme for children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment which they do not already have, or which cannot be provided for them through the school’s existing IT provision.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for assistive technology support.

Schools make applications directly to the SENO, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions. Professional reports (from psychologists or occupational therapists, for example) must be submitted by the school along with the application. These reports must have a recent and comprehensive professional assessment of the nature and extent of disability, and outline that the equipment is essential for the pupil to access the curriculum.

Equipment is provided where medical and/or other professional reports outline that the degree of communicative disability is such that this equipment is essential to allow the pupil to access education and set out how the equipment will provide for this.

SENOs will review the application and professional reports, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department’s officials will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making such recommendations, as set out in Circular 0010/2013.

The type of equipment provided under the assistive technology scheme is varied, and includes audiological supports for students with hearing impairment, braille equipment for children with visual impairment, and computer equipment with associated modified software for students with physical or severe communicative disabilities.

Communication devices or medical or therapy related devices which are not specific educational interventions or equipment specifically required as essential for school educational access, and which have a general application outside of school, are not provided for under the Assistive Technology scheme. Such equipment is normally provided for children with disabilities by the Health Service Executive (HSE) under the Aids and Appliances Scheme.

School Curriculum

Questions (465)

Michael Creed

Question:

465. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education her role or that of school inspectors with regard to the procurement of a certificate of exemption from studying Irish; if such certificates can be procured retrospectively in circumstances in which the de facto situation for a number of years has been that the student involved has been informally exempt from studying Irish in their primary school and in cases in which this has in fact been documented in annual school reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46513/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

As set out in Department Circulars 0052/2019 (primary) and 0053/2019 (post primary), an application for an exemption from the study of Irish must be made to school management. School management are required to consider applications in accordance with the procedures and processes set out in the Circulars. Additional guidance is provided to accompany the circulars together with guidance on test selection and Frequently Asked Questions: www.gov.ie/en/service/irish-exemption/.

The only exceptional circumstances in which a school can grant a Certificate of Exemption are those set out in Section 2.2 of the circulars.

If school management are satisfied that a pupil/ student meets the criteria for granting an exemption from the study of Irish then they are required under the circulars (and under previous circulars) to issue a Certificate of Exemption, signed by the Principal, to the parent/ guardian and to retain a copy of the Certificate on file.

The authority to grant exemptions from the study of Irish has been devolved to school management and the process of considering applications does not involve Department Officials.

All applications for Certificates of Exemption since the start of the 2019/20 academic year, must be made under the terms of Circular 0052/2019 (primary) and Circular 0053/2019 (post primary).

As provided for in the Circulars, where the application for an exemption is refused, a parent/ guardian can appeal the school’s decision to the Irish Exemptions Appeal Committee (IEAC). The deliberations of the IEAC will focus solely on the process the school engaged in reaching its decision. The IEAC will consider how the school followed the process as prescribed in this Circular and the accompanying Guidelines for Primary Schools. The IEAC comprises a Principal, an Inspector and an Educational Psychologist from the NEPS service.

School Curriculum

Questions (466)

Michael Creed

Question:

466. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify the process for securing a certificate of exemption from studying Irish at primary school level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46514/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Detailed information, guidance and Frequently Asked Questions on exemptions from the study of Irish are available on the website gov.ie/en/service/irish-exemption/.

The procedures are set out in Section 2.3 of the relevant circular: 0052/2019 primary and 0053/2019 post primary as follows:

A parent/guardian must make an application in writing to the principal of the school for a Certificate of Exemption from the study of Irish on behalf of a pupil.

Considering an application for exemption:

The principal will:

Ensure that the date of receipt of the application by the school is recorded on the form.

Acknowledge receipt of the application for exemption from the study of Irish in writing.

Discuss the written application with the parent(s)/guardian(s) and confirm the sub-paragraph on which the application is based (2.2a, 2.2b, 2.2c or 2.2d) as soon as practicable following receipt of a written application

Advise the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the next steps in processing the application.

Inform the parent(s)/guardian(s)/pupil regarding any implication of an exemption from the study of Irish for the student while in post-primary education and into the future.

Inform the parent(s)/guardian(s) that the application will be processed and the outcome confirmed in writing within 21 school days of receipt of the application.

Explain to the parent(s)/guardian(s) that a signed Certificate of Exemption will issue where a decision is reached that an exemption from the study of Irish may be granted.

Inform the parent(s)/guardian(s) that, where an application is refused, the school’s decision may be appealed to the Irish Exemptions Appeal Committee within 30 calendar days from the date the decision of the school was notified to the parent(s)/guardian(s).

Explain to the parent(s)/guardian(s) the arrangements for the pupil’s learning in the case of an exemption being granted.

Recording the decision

The outcome of the application process will be conveyed by the school principal in writing to the parent(s)/guardian(s).

Where an exemption is granted, a Certificate of Exemption, signed and dated by the school principal will be issued. The Certificate of Exemption will also state the name and address of the school, the school roll number, the pupil’s name, date of birth and the sub-paragraph under which the exemption is being granted.

Parents/guardians and pupils should be informed of the option not to exercise the exemption granted, without any loss of the right to exercise it at a future time.

School Transport

Questions (467)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

467. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the reason a person (details suppled) had to pay for school transport given that Bus Éireann informed them that it did not have a bus for three days. [46545/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

School 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.

Under the terms of my Department’s School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for school transport where they have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability and are attending the nearest recognised school/class that is 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.

Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil in question is currently availing of transport under the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs. This pupil commenced on transport from 06/09/2021 in the 2021/22 school year. Transport was not available to this pupil for 3 days on 01/09/2021, 02/09/2021 & 03/09/2021 due to no contractor being available to operate this service.

A Special Transport Grant (STG) towards the cost of private transport arrangements may be provided in

certain situations such as where Bus Éireann is not in a position to provide a transport service. The grant payable is based on the distance that a family reside from their child’s school of attendance. The calculation is based on four trips per day (home to school and school to home, morning and afternoon) multiplied by the number of days a child attends school in the relevant school year. The current rate of grant is 39.12 cent per kilometre for the first 6,437 kilometres travelled and 21.22 per kilometre for each kilometre travelled thereafter.

School Transport Section of my Department will contact the family in regard to the Special Transport Grant for the days the service was not available.

School Accommodation

Questions (468)

Dara Calleary

Question:

468. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education if her Department is in receipt of an application for prefab replacement for a primary school (details supplied) in County Mayo; if she will expedite the decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46555/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department has not received an application for prefab replacement, from the school in question.

It is open to the school authorities to submit an application under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation. Such applications are assessed by my officials and the decision conveyed to the school authorities.

School Transport

Questions (469)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

469. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education the reason a school (details supplied) is not included on the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46557/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The 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.

There are two Educate Together schools in Limerick City - Limerick East ETNS (Roll number 20175A) and Limerick ETSS (Roll number 68309N). Bus Éireann has confirmed that details for the schools are available on the Bus Éireann family portal for school transport applications and families can select these schools when they are applying for school transport.

School Transport

Questions (470)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

470. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education if two post-primary students (details supplied) who did not receive school bus tickets will be accommodated given they should meet the criteria for temporary alleviation measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46558/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The 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 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 who 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.

Bus Éireann has advised that the pupils to whom the Deputy refers are not eligible under the terms of the scheme and have also advised that they are not attending either their nearest or second nearest post-primary school.

Concessionary transport was not an option as there is currently no service operating from where the family reside to their school of attendance.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (471)

Alan Kelly

Question:

471. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education the number of primary and secondary schools that are awaiting construction across the country following tenders for construction having been awarded by location and by county as of 1 September 2021, in tabular form. [46569/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department has a large-scale and ambitious roll-out of school building projects under the National Development Plan and as part of Project Ireland 2040. The continuation of construction work on school building projects during lockdown period in early 2021 was an important enabler to facilitating the delivery of our school building programme.

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 current status of these projects being delivered is listed on a county by county basis on gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages.

My Department is aware of the challenges of Covid and the challenging market conditions for tender processes that are currently underway and 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.

My Department works 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.

As of 1 of September 2021 my Department is not aware of any project where, following the completion of the tender process, the contract has been awarded but the contractor has not started on site.