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Thursday, 7 Oct 2021

Written Answers Nos. 233-247

School Funding

Questions (233)

Dara Calleary

Question:

233. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education the status of funding for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo. [48875/21]

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Written answers

I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme, from the school in question. The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential classrooms 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.

The application is currently being assessed and my officials are awaiting information from the school in order to complete this process.

School Staff

Questions (234)

Colm Burke

Question:

234. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the reason a newly qualified teacher (details supplied) who was offered a contract in July 2021 and who furnished all necessary documentation and commenced employment on the first day of this school year has not been paid; when this issue will be resolved and their remuneration will be received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48890/21]

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Written answers

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the teacher will receive salary including arrears on the next pay issue date - 14th October 2021.

The Board of Managements of Schools are the employers of teachers and my Department acts as the paymaster and we act upon instruction for the school. No instruction for payment was received for the teacher concerned. The teacher made enquiries with a member of my payroll staff Thursday last, 30th September. The teacher was advised that she should liaise with her employer to ensure the instruction form is submitted. The form was duly submitted and my payroll staff ensured that the instruction for payment was processed promptly.

Educational Disadvantage

Questions (235)

Martin Browne

Question:

235. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education the progress made to date in preparations for a refined DEIS programme; if the DEIS programme is being expanded to other schools in the meantime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48903/21]

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Written answers

A key part of the DEIS Plan was the introduction of a new DEIS identification process based on an objective, statistics based model to determine which schools merit inclusion in the DEIS programme. An extensive body of work has been undertaken in terms of the refinement of this model, based on the latest school enrolment data and data available from Census 2016 under the HP Deprivation Index.

A detailed quality analysis of the data has been carried out by members of the DEIS Technical Group which contains representatives of the Department’s Statistics and Social Inclusion Units, the Inspectorate and the Educational Research Centre. My Department has commenced a consultation process with education partners on the technical aspects of this model, and work is now ongoing on final elements of the model.

It is envisaged that this will provide the basis for the development and application of a refined DEIS resource allocation model to ultimately match resources to identified need. All schools will be considered for inclusion under the refined DEIS model. Until this work is complete, it is not intended to extend the DEIS programme to any further schools.

Education Policy

Questions (236)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

236. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will allow any flexibility for rural schools when it comes to retaining a teacher in which student numbers have reduced given the continued complexities of Covid-19 in school communities and the impact of the loss of a teacher to a school, its students and the wider community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48910/21]

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Written answers

The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. Primary schools are currently provided with class teachers on the basis of one teacher for every 25 pupils which is at its historically lowest level. In addition, there has been a three point reduction in the retention schedule, which will assist schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts.

This builds on measures in previous budgets which has seen improvements in the overall allocation of teaching posts and specific targeted measures for small and isolated schools as well as primary schools on our islands.

The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board, including a specific measure aimed at small schools. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board will meet later this month to consider staffing appeals in respect of the current school year.

Education Policy

Questions (237)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

237. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if class sizes will be reduced for 2022; if she plans to move class sizes here towards the EU average of 20:1 rather than the current class size of 24:1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48917/21]

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Written answers

Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools.

As part of the Budget 2021 measures, the Government have delivered on this commitment by the announcement of a 1 point change to the primary staffing schedule and the introduction of a three point reduction in the number of pupils needed to retain a teacher. For the 2021/22 school year the staffing schedule is on the basis of 1 teacher for every 25 pupils. This Budget improvement has resulted in the lowest pupil teacher ratio ever at primary school.

The latest figures in relation to pupil teacher ratio shows an improved ratio of teachers to pupils from 16:1 to 14.5:1 at primary level when comparing the 2015/16 school year to the 2020/21 school year. This compares favourably with the OECD pupil teacher ratio which is 1:15. In the same period the staffing schedule improved from 28:1 to 25:1 for this school year.

Average class sizes improved from 24.9 to 23.3 in the same period. The most recent budget announcement will continue the positive trend of improving class sizes for this school year, and statistics on this will be published later in the year.

The staffing schedule which now stands at a new historical low will also help to ensure better teacher retention in primary schools while also ensuring that less pupils are required to retain or recruit a teacher.

Any further improvement will be considered in the context of the annual budgetary process.

School Staff

Questions (238)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

238. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if she will fund a release day per week for teaching principals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48918/21]

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Written answers

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.

Education Policy

Questions (239)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

239. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if a permanent national supply panel will be put in place for primary and special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48919/21]

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Written answers

As part of the COVID-19 supports provided to schools in 2020, additional funding of €41.2 million was allocated to provide primary schools with substitute staff.

This funding allowed for the expansion of the Substitute Teacher Supply Panel from a pilot scheme consisting of 6 base schools to 132 Substitute Teacher Supply Panels nationwide, with almost 380 newly appointed Supply Panel teachers employed, providing substitute cover to over 2,500 schools across the country. Primary schools have been informed that the Supply Panel Scheme will continue for the 2021/22 school year.

The scheme provides more certainty on the availability of substitutes for primary schools and allows for substitutions that are not covered by existing schemes.

School Staff

Questions (240)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

240. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if she will reduce the teacher allocation and retention thresholds for two, three and four teacher schools; the current allocation and retention figures for two, three and four teacher schools, respectively; the way these figures compare to the lowest historical allocation and retention threshold figures for each respective school size, including Gaeltacht schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48920/21]

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Written answers

The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. Primary schools are currently provided with class teachers on the basis of one teacher for every 25 pupils which is at its historically lowest level. In addition, there has been a three point reduction in the retention schedule, which will assist schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts.

While Budget 2012 increased the appointment and retention ratios for small schools, specific targeted measures for small and isolated schools as well as primary schools on our islands have been introduced in the last number of years which has seen an improvement in the enrolment thresholds of these schools.

The appointment and retention of 2, 3 and 4 teacher schools in 2011 was 12, 49 and 81 (retention figure of 76 applied to Gaeltacht schools) respectively. Changes announced in Budget 2012 increased these thresholds on an incremental basis to 20, 56 and 86 by 2014. The current appointment/retention thresholds for these schools are 16/13, 52/49, and 82/79.

Any further improvement will be considered as part of the budgetary process.

Education Schemes

Questions (241)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

241. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if the primary capitation grant will be restored to €200 per pupil which was the rate in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48921/21]

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Written answers

I understand the need for improved capitation funding and I am pleased that budget 2020 has been able to provide for a further 2.5% increase in standard capitation funding for primary and post-primary schools that applied from the start of the 2020/21 school year. This builds on the 5% increase in capitation announced in budget 2019.

The combined increases given in 2019 and 2020 mean that circa 40% restoration has been achieved.

All schools have received the benefit of the capitation increases awarded to date. It is my intention to seek funding for further capitation increases in future budgets.

While these increases have provided for further restoration, annual funding would need to be increased by an additional €20m approximately to restore grants to pre-2011 levels. This would cost circa €10m at Primary level and €10m at Post-Primary level based on current enrolments.

School Funding

Questions (242)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

242. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the status of a tender project for a school (details supplied). [48934/21]

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Written answers

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 school informed of the construction programme underpinning the contract.

School Funding

Questions (243)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

243. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the status of a tender project for a school (details supplied). [48935/21]

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Written answers

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 school informed of the construction programme underpinning the contract.

School Facilities

Questions (244)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

244. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the date on which a school (details supplied) will be provided with a fully complete campus of its own with all the required laboratories and classrooms; if her attention has been drawn to the current shortcomings in the provision of facilities at this school; and if she will commit to improving and upgrading the existing school. [48961/21]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has approved funding to the patron of the school in question to undertake refurbishment works in the property to facilitate the school's access to additional specialist accommodation. This accommodation includes science, woodwork and home economics rooms. The delivery of the project has been devolved to the patron for delivery. The patron has advised my Department that a consultant has been procured to oversee this project with the scope of works agreed and the patron is currently in the process of obtaining quotes to carry out the works and determine the schedule.

My Department has also given approval to the Patron to appoint a consultant to undertake an Options Study of the proposed property to meet the school's permanent accommodation needs. This Study, when available, will be used as a basis for determining the necessary refurbishment works required to the property.

School Staff

Questions (245)

Emer Higgins

Question:

245. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she will change the annotation on teacher’s salary payslips in order that the summer provision programme no longer appears as autistic programme as the aforementioned may be considered offensive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48962/21]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the extended Summer Education Programme, which was in place until 2020, and which was often referred to as the July Provision programme, initially provided for pupils who had Autism, or who had severe and profound learning difficulties.

Since the summer of 2020, and again in 2021, the Department has made provision for a significantly expanded summer education programme, for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, as a COVID-19 pandemic response measure.

Due to an administrative error this term was incorrectly referenced on payslips.

I have received assurances that this inappropriate description will not be used on future payslips, and that it will be amended.

I also wish to re-emphasise my commitment to supporting children with special educational needs, or additional learning needs, and their families, particularly at this difficult time.

€40 Million has been allocated for this year’s enhanced summer education programme, while €10 Million has also been spent this year on a Supplementary Education scheme, which provided extra teaching support for pupils with complex special educational needs.

A COVID Learning and Support Scheme (CLASS) is also being 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 Covid Learning and Support programme, provision is being made for up to €52 Million in extra teaching hours for schools.

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 over €100 Million

Educational Disadvantage

Questions (246)

Denis Naughten

Question:

246. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the number of appeals lodged in the past 12 months in relation to the amount awarded for assistive technology applications; the number of those appeals that were successful; the average length of time an appeal will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49023/21]

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Written answers

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including applications for assistive technology.

SENOs then make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support, as set out in Circular 0010/2013 which is published on my Department’s website. www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0010_2013.pdf

In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a child must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the child to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.

My Department reviews the application with consideration given to the documentation provided, the criteria set out in Circular 0010/2013 and the SENOr’s observations and recommendations.

Should an application be refused it is open to the school to appeal this decision. The appeals process is outlined on my Department’s website at the following link: www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/Grants-and-Additional-Support/Assistive-Technology-Grant .

There were 26 appeals lodged for post-primary schools in the past 12 months in relation to the awarding of assistive technology applications of which 2 were successful. Generally the length of time it takes to process an appeal can be between 1 to 4 weeks.

Separately, where an appeal has been unsuccessful, but new information becomes available, it is open to the school to submit a new application to the SENO for consideration.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (247)

Réada Cronin

Question:

247. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if an update will be published for parents on the status of developments for a school (details supplied) given the appointment of a consultant architect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49025/21]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has approved funding to the patron of the school in question to undertake refurbishment works in the property to facilitate the school's access to additional specialist accommodation. This accommodation includes science, woodwork and home economics rooms. The delivery of the project has been devolved to the patron for delivery. The patron has advised my Department that a consultant has been procured to oversee this project with the scope of works agreed and the patron is currently in the process of obtaining quotes to carry out the works and determine the schedule.

My Department has given approval to the Patron to appoint a consultant to undertake an Options Study of the proposed property to meet the school's permanent accommodation needs. This Study, when available, will be used as a basis for determining the necessary refurbishment works required to the property.

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