Written Answers Nos. 544-563
544. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if officials from her Department will make contact with a parent of a child (details supplied) with complex learning needs who is currently spending over €500 a week on taxis to attend a special needs class and discuss the alternative transport provision that can be made. [50432/21]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.
In general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest school 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 (SENO).
The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for transport under the terms of the above scheme. My Department has sanctioned a new service to cater for this pupil's transport to school and Bus Éireann are currently at the procurement stage of setting up a service. Bus Éireann will contact the family directly when the service has been set up. The family has been contacted by School Transport Section and informed that a Special Transport Grant is available until the transport service commences.
545. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education when a child (details supplied) with an intellectual disability will receive a place in a special school in their locality as a result of their needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50455/21]
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 the Deputy's query refers to an individual placement case, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
546. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of providing a one-day Irish language training course for all school staff in the State. [50466/21]
View answer547. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of providing a one-day Irish language training course for all primary teachers in the State and for all post-primary teachers in the State. [50467/21]
View answer548. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost providing a one-day Irish language refresher course for all teachers in Irish medium education. [50468/21]
View answer549. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of providing a three-day Irish language training course for all school staff in the State. [50469/21]
View answer550. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of providing a three-day Irish language training course for all primary teachers in the State and for all post-primary teachers in the State. [50470/21]
View answer551. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost providing a three-day Irish language refresher course for all teachers in Irish medium education. [50471/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 546 to 551, inclusive, together.
The 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 Circulars 0044/2019 and 31/2011, schools are required to employ appropriately qualified and registered teachers.
The principal of the school, with the support of the board, is responsible for promoting the professional development of teachers in line with the changing priority needs of the school. Schools can access a range of continuing professional development opportunities provided by national support services, higher-education institutes and/or local education centres.
At primary, all teachers must be qualified to teach the range of subjects as outlined in the Primary School Curriculum -1999 (Curaclam na Bunscoile) to children in all classes. The ability to speak Irish proficiently and to use Irish as the language of incidental communication in the classroom is a prerequisite for teaching for all teachers. This is reflected in the Teaching Council’s Criteria and Guidelines for Programme Providers (2011, updated in 2017), against which all programmes of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) are accredited, where Gaeilge is a mandatory element of all primary programmes.
Between 2019 and 2020, the Council reviewed its policy on standards for programmes of ITE in advance of the second cycle of review and accreditation of programmes of ITE. Feedback from this process was incorporated into the revised standards: Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education (2020). These revised standards apply to all new programmes seeking accreditation and to all existing programmes’ first year intakes from September 2022.
The new Teaching Council Standards state that all primary level ITE programmes shall address, student teachers’ confidence and competence in Irish, including oral Irish, needs to be developed to a sufficient level to enable them to teach the Gaeilge primary curriculum. (This includes, but is not limited to language learning as part of the Gaeltacht learning period).
Development of revised post-primary subject requirements by the Teaching Council also seek to ensure a meaningful Gaeltacht residency for teachers at that level.
A number of actions under the Policy for Gaeltacht Education are being implemented by my Department to increase the supply and Irish-language proficiency of Primary and Post-Primary teachers who can teach through the medium of Irish, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These include:
- A new four-year Irish-medium B.Ed. for primary teachers, which has additional Irish-language entry and exit criteria, and which commenced in Marino Institute of Education in 2019, and
- A new two-year blended-learning Irish-medium M.Ed. in Irish-medium and Gaeltacht Education, also with additional Irish-language entry and exit criteria, for primary and post-primary teachers and principals, that commenced in Mary Immaculate College in 2018.
- Provision for two seconded teachers in the Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas in NUI, Galway for post-primary teachers with proficiency to teach through the medium of Irish and availability of COGG bursaries has boosted the uptake of post-primary teachers on this programme.
My Department also proposes to introduce a new Post-Primary PME blended-learning teacher education programme through the medium of Irish.
Following on from the publication of the Teacher Supply Action Plan, since 2019 HEIs have put in place a number of new four-year undergraduate ITE programmes, which aim to increase the supply of post-primary teachers of targeted subjects, including Irish. These programmes provide 120 new places for students annually, who on graduation will be qualified to teach Irish in post-primary schools, with the first graduates expected in 2023. In addition to the new four-year programmes, my Department is currently planning for the introduction during 2021/22 of a new flexible programme to upskill post-primary teachers to teach Irish. I am also pleased that a new Level 9 part-time Certificate course for post-primary subject teachers in Irish-medium schools, Aonaid lán-Ghaeilge or Gaeltacht schools, has recently commenced in Mary Immaculate College.
I also believe that it is important that we provide short term flexible supports to teachers who want to maintain or improve their level of Irish and I am glad that there are a range of these supports available via the Department funded Teacher Education Support Services, local Education Centres, summer courses and indeed programmes offered by other stakeholders such as the INTO, ETBI and school management bodies.
Engagement with the professional development supports and networks, that are available from the Department funded support services and from other bodies, can help teachers to improve their confidence and competence in Irish, as well as their pedagogy.
My Department through its teacher education funded support services, offers high quality and relevant continuing professional development (CPD) through the medium of Gaeilge to teachers and school leaders in a range of pedagogical, curricular, leadership and educational areas. Core CPD and school supports are provided as Gaeilge by the support services to schools which are operating through the medium of Irish.
My Department's is currently focusing on national delivery of the Primary Language Curriculum. A comprehensive continuing professional development programme is in place to support the implementation of the new Primary Language Curriculum. Teachers, as part of this professional development, receive advice on the use of different approaches to teach Irish and to use Irish as the medium of instruction across other aspects of the curriculum.
There are a range of models of CPD support that may be provided to schools such as face to face, on-line or blended learning which all result is varying costs. In general, a face to face event will attract costs for facilitators, venue cost, travel and subsistence and substitute costs. A one day face to face event for 30 teachers can be estimated at €7,500 assuming substitute cover is made available for those teachers attending.
552. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the status of the upgrading of a facility (details supplied). [50537/21]
View answerThe major building project for the school to which the Deputy refers has completed the tender process with a successful bidder identified. The Letter of Acceptance has issued to the successful contractor and it is anticipated that works will commence on site shortly.
Subject to no issues arising, the works are scheduled to take approximately 22 months.
The life safety systems within the current school building are operational and my Department will continue to monitor and manage this until such time as the new school is available to occupy.
553. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide information on the music generations programme; the number of programmes in operation across Dublin city and county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50592/21]
View answerThe Music Generation National Music Education Programme was founded in 2010 and provides young people with access to high-quality performance music education in their local areas. Music Generation has been co-funded by philanthropic funding, the Department of Education and Local Music Education Partnerships (LMEPs), in which Education and Training Boards and Local Authorities play a lead partner role. The Department of Education has allocated €6,485,000 to Music Generation in 2021. Since its foundation Music Generation has grown nationally from an initial three areas, to 29 areas areas in 2021.
Music Generation programmes encompass a range of vocal, instrumental, ensemble, music technology and early years/experiential focuses, across multiple genres of music. Full details of programme participation, outputs and the work of the Music Generation National Development Office are outlined each year in Music Generation’s Annual Reports.
There are four Music Generation LMEP areas in Dublin City and County. These are Fingal, Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, and South Dublin.
- Fingal is the newest Music Generation area to commence, with the Music Development Officer due to start in their role in mid-November 2021.
- The Music Development Officer commenced in Dublin City in March 2021 and has been focused on operational set-up to date. The Music Explorers and Music Club pilot programmes for primary-aged children will be commencing in November 2021. Further programmes will be rolled out in 2022 under an agreed Framework Plan.
- Music Generation Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown commenced in 2017 and in 2020 implemented eight programmes that provided 4,213 opportunities for children and young people to participate in musical activities. The programmes themselves cater for a range of age groups in a variety of settings, including children and young people attending DEIS schools, Special Education Needs schools, and Youth Centres.
- Music Generation South Dublin commenced in 2014 and in 2020 implemented 15 programmes that provided 907 opportunities for children and young people to participate in musical activities. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Music Generation South Dublin was providing upwards of 4,800 opportunities for children and young people. However the nature of delivery in the programmes was significantly affected by Covid-19 restrictions. As of September 2021, programmes have returned to normal service levels. Music Generation South Dublin programmes are run in partnership with schools, county youth services, and with the support of county arts providers, such as Alternative Entertainments, Civic Theatre, and county libraries. The programmes cater for a range of age groups across a mix of genres.
554. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education the reason the Teaching Council of Ireland is refusing to give full registration to previously registered music teachers unless they do a postgraduate diploma in further education at significant cost to the persons concerned; her views in whether these already highly qualified persons should not lose their posts with music schools, such as the Limerick School of Music, as a result of the Teaching Council of Ireland not providing full registration to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50636/21]
View answerUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.
The Teaching Council is responsible for the maintenance of the Register of Teachers in Ireland as set out in the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 in line with the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations (SI 444).
The Schedule in the Regulations sets out the qualifications required for registration under four routes of registration; Primary, Post Primary, Further Education and Route 4 Other. All registrants are required to hold an accredited teacher education qualifications (TEQ) appropriate to their route of registration either in advance of registration (i.e. Primary, Post-primary, Other) or within three years of registration (Further Education).
The Teaching Council inform me that where an applicant for registration holds an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Music but does not hold an appropriate teacher education qualification they are generally offered registration under Further Education subject to the condition of completing an accredited Teacher Education Qualification (TEQ). The condition of registration is that a TEQ appropriate for Further Education teaching must be completed with a period of three years. The Council accredits a number of programmes for Further Education teaching, further information on those is available on the Teaching Council website at:
www.teachingcouncil.ie/en/teacher-education/initial-teacher-education/professional-accreditation-of-programmes/further-education/
These programmes provide teachers with the professional knowledge, understanding and pedagogical skills required to carry out their teaching roles and responsibilities as a Further Education teacher. A licence as a music teacher is not deemed to be the equivalent of a teacher education qualification recognised for the purposes of registration with the Council.
It should be noted that after three years, if the registrant does not complete the TEQ, under the Teaching Council Act they must apply for an extension of time prior to the expiry date of their condition. The granting of an extension request is at the discretion of the Council and is governed by Section 32 of the Teaching Council Act. All extensions are granted on the understanding that the registered teacher complies with the condition of their registration.
Under section 30 of the Teaching Council Acts, a teacher in a recognised school is required to be registered with the Teaching Council in order to be paid from Oireachtas-voted funds.
The Teaching Council does not have any remit in relation to the employment or deployment of teachers. Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board as employer are best placed to advise as to the application of Section 30 for teachers in the Limerick School of music.
555. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) has onsite therapists and behavioural therapists; and, if so, the number. [50642/21]
View answerSpecial schools generally cater for children with the most complex needs. Accordingly, these schools have enhanced staffing levels with greatly reduced pupil/teacher and SNA staffing allocations.
In general, speech and language and occupational therapy supports are provided by the HSE.
On an ongoing basis, special schools also have access to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) advisory support service which advises on children with the most complex needs, including behavioural needs.
Special schools in a start-up situation are targeted for specific support. Care is taken in the planning of these schools and the provision of specialist training and support. A bespoke package of CPD and professional learning for the staff of this new school is currently taking place with inputs from my Department, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and the relevant agencies including the NCSE. This school will also continue to be supported by NEPS.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department and NCSE will continue to prioritise this school for support.
556. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education the progress that is being made on the installation of a lift at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50644/21]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the school in question was approved funding to install a lift under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme. As this is a Devolved Project the progression of the works lies with the School Authority. The school are required to submit a tender report for evaluation before a contract of works can be approved and this report has not been received to date.
557. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education when school transport will be provided for a person (details supplied) who is attending a class for children with learning disabilities. [50646/21]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.
In general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest school 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 (SENO).
The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for transport and a new service has been sanctioned to cater for the child. The existing service to a nearby school was not suitable due to time constraints.
Bus Éireann has confirmed a contractor has been awarded the contract followong a procurement process and that the service will be ready to commence Monday 18th October.
558. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education if a new ASD school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 has on-site therapists and a behaviour therapist. [50649/21]
View answerSpecial schools generally cater for children with the most complex needs. Accordingly, these schools have enhanced staffing levels with greatly reduced pupil/teacher and SNA staffing allocations.
In general, speech and language and occupational therapy supports are provided by the HSE.
On an ongoing basis, special schools also have access to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) advisory support service which advises on children with the most complex needs, including behavioural needs.
Special schools in a start-up situation are targeted for specific support. Care is taken in the planning of these schools and the provision of specialist training and support. A bespoke package of CPD and professional learning for the staff of this new school is currently taking place with inputs from my Department, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and the relevant agencies including the NCSE. This school will also continue to be supported by NEPS.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department and NCSE will continue to prioritise this school for support.
559. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education if she has spoken virtually with her counterpart in the United States of America to date in 2021. [50668/21]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that I have not spoken with my counterpart in the United States to date in 2021.
560. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education the status of school transport for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50669/21]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.
In general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest school 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 (SENO).
The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible and I am pleased to advise that a new service has been sanctioned to cater for the child. Bus Éireann has confirmed that a contractor has been awarded the contract following a procurement process and that the service will be ready to commence Monday 18th October.
561. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education if she plans to pay the minor works grant to primary schools for the 2021-2022 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50670/21]
View answerMy Department recognises the importance of the Minor Works Grant to primary schools. The funding provides good flexibility at local level to assist schools to manage and undertake works that support the operation of the school
I can confirm to the Deputy that the Minor Works Grant for primary schools for the current school year (2021-2022) was paid in December of last year - in order to give schools a good lead in period. Our intention is to continue the same approach of paying it early – either in December 2021 or early January 2022 - for the 2022-2023 school year. We will let schools know in advance of the precise payment date.
562. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education the status of a school extension plan (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50671/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, this project has been devolved for delivery to Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB).
I am pleased to confirm that a design team to deliver this project was appointed in late April of this year. The Design Team is currently preparing the Stage 1 report (preliminary design).
While at this early stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project, WWETB will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
563. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the schemes in place to allow for primary and secondary school students to avail of laptops after it being deemed necessary for their education following an assessment if they do not have the means to purchase one; and the procedures they need to follow to obtain one. [50687/21]
View answerMy Department provides an Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013 which is published on the Department’s website at www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0010_2013.pdf. Under this 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 may only be 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.
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.
SENOs review the application and professional reports, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. A recommendation is then made to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department decides on the level of grant, if any, to be provided.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
