Thursday, 21 Oct 2021

Written Answers Nos. 224-233

Schools Building Projects

Questions (224)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

224. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the status of the permanent building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51909/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department has previously identified State-owned lands as a possible site for a new permanent building for the school referred to by the Deputy following an unsuccessful site identification process a number of years ago for this school.

Given the passage of time since the original site identification process, the Department considered it prudent to carry out a further site identification exercise for a 1,000 pupil school in this area and this process is ongoing at the moment. The purpose of the current exercise is to establish if the situation has changed in the intervening period and if other site options have become available.

Officials in my Department are working closely with the local council to identify a permanent site for this school and a number of new site options have been identified and are being considered. Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to comment further at this time.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (225)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if arrangements can be made to facilitate a second-level school place for a person (details supplied); if such a place will cater for the person's learning difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51954/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

Enabling 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.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (226)

Gary Gannon

Question:

226. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education when circular No. 0010/2013 (details supplied) regarding applications for assistive technology will be updated given the significant technological advances that have occurred over the past eight years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51957/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

My Department provides funding to schools towards the cost of assistive technology for students in Primary, Post Primary and Special schools as set out in Circular 0010/2013, details of which are published on my Department’s website, and can be accessed at:  https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0010_2013.pdf .  

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. 

Equipment is provided under this scheme for children with more complex disabilities who require essential specialist equipment to access the school curriculum, which they do not already have, or which cannot be provided for them through the schools existing provisions.   

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

It is anticipated that work in relation to reviewing the assistive technology scheme will commence in 2022.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (227)

Gary Gannon

Question:

227. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the process for applications for assistive technology under circular No. 0010/2013 (details supplied); the average wait time from start of application to the time a student receives the assistive technology applied for; and the number of successful applications as a percentage of all applications for the past five years. [51958/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

Under the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes.

All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment.

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. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology/specialised equipment is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support.

In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a student 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 student 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.

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.

SENOs will review the application, and professional reports provided in support of same, 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 will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided.

Although equipment is sanctioned under the Assistive Technology scheme for use by particular students, it is the property of the school, and the school’s management authority is responsible for maintenance, repair, and insurance of the equipment. 

Details of the percentage of successful applicants for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 will be forwarded to the Deputy. Details for the years 2019 and 2020 will be collated and forwarded to the Deputy as they are not readily available.

As the Assistive Technology application is made directly to the Local Special Education Needs Organiser in the NCSE, and, it is the responsibilty of each individual school to purchase the equipment after the grant is sanctioned, my Department does not hold a record of the the average wait time from start of application to the time a student receives the assistive technology applied for.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (228)

Gary Gannon

Question:

228. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delays in assistive technology applications of nine months or longer in some cases; the reason application timelines vary between SENO geographic areas; her plans to ensure a more consistent approach and reduction in wait times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51959/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

Under the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, 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 Officers (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.  

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.   

I have referred the question with regard to the variation in processing timelines across geographic areas to the NCSE for their direct reply.

School Facilities

Questions (229)

Gary Gannon

Question:

229. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to provide funding to schools to be able to provide sensory rooms or in cases in which space is restricted sensory hubs, to allow children in mainstream classes with SENs access to this necessary resource; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51960/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.

When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school (primary or post-primary), school authorities can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure an existing space within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. ASA application forms are available on my Department’s website www.education.ie.

Similarly, where special schools are requested to expand provision or wish to refurbish existing facilities, they may also apply to my Department for capital funding to carry out these works. The provision of sensory rooms form part of the accommodation brief for Special Educational Need Bases.  This information is available on the Departments website www.education.ie.

The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of such additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The second half of the National Development Plan will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock.

School Patronage

Questions (230)

Gary Gannon

Question:

230. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education her plans for a new secondary school for the Marino and Drumcondra area of Dublin to cater for the growing population of primary students who are currently in Educate Together or other non-denominational schools and would like to continue with secular education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51961/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The planned establishment of a new post-primary school in 2022 to serve the  Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin 1 school planning area was announced in 2018 as a result of a countrywide demographic exercise.  Further exercises have since been conducted on the necessity for the establishment of a number of planned new schools, including the school to serve this school planning area, taking into account a number of factors, including the pace of delivery of the expected additional residential development in the school planning areas, associated enrolments and the capacity in existing schools in the areas.

My Department is satisfied that demand in the Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin 1 school planning area can be accommodated at present by the existing and growing schools in this area. As a result, the establishment of the planned new school is deferred.  The pace of delivery of additional residential development in this school planning area, along with updated enrolment data and demographic data will be kept under review and this will inform the timing of school requirements.

When a decision is taken to establish the school, a patronage process will be conducted to determine the patronage of the school. Parental preferences in relation to patronage and language of instruction (Irish or English) from parents of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of diversity of provision in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of such processes. 

A range of post-primary schools currently operate in the area including a Community School and schools under the remit of City of Dublin ETB which are multi-denominational in nature.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (231)

Carol Nolan

Question:

231. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending or renewing receipt of the back to work enterprise allowance to new enterprises that received the payment just prior to the implementation of Covid-19 restrictions which forced them to close, thereby substantially impacting on the two-year eligibility criterion for the allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51760/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme offers support for people who are long-term unemployed and who are interested in self-employment as a route to entering the labour market.  The scheme plays a vital role in supporting the development of new enterprises for the long-term unemployed and is payable for up to a 24-month period from the commencement of their new business.  

All participants of the BTWEA can receive their full period of entitlement of 24 months and, therefore, should not lose out on the support.  This includes anyone who contacted the Department to suspend their allowance while their business closed during Covid related restrictions.  Where someone suspended their BTWEA, they can avail of the remainder of their 24 months on reopening their business.  There are no plans to provide for an extension of this period.

Where a person’s entitlement to BTWEA exhausts and they are continuing to operate at reduced levels of business activity there may be alternative income supports available depending on the individual’s circumstances, including support under the means tested Jobseeker's Allowance scheme. 

If the Deputy is referring to a specific individual, I would advise the person to contact their local Intreo Centre for advice.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes

Questions (232, 236)

Johnny Guirke

Question:

232. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Social Protection if the funding has been approved to implement the 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51790/21]

Johnny Guirke

Question:

236. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Social Protection when the 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51789/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 236 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors who are employed by CE scheme sponsors.

This claim creates some difficulties because the State is not the employer of the supervisors.

Within this context, officials from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform held discussions on proposals to progress and resolve this complex issue, while having regard to the wider budgetary framework. Department officials also held discussions with unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors.

At the start of April this year, agreement was reached with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on proposals to resolve the long-standing issue. These proposals include a financial package.

I am confident these proposals are a solid basis for progressing and resolving this complex issue. Discussions on these proposals are ongoing between my Department and the unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors. The unions have made a number of observations, and these are currently being examined by my officials in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and other relevant Government Departments.

My officials are continuing to progress this matter as a priority, and I would hope that these discussions can reach a conclusion shortly.

Social Welfare Appeals

Questions (233)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

233. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an oral hearing for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51734/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all the evidence, disallowed the appeal of the person concerned by way of summary decision issued on 13 July 2021. 

Under social welfare legislation a decision of the Appeals Officer is generally final and conclusive and may only be reviewed under Section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 by an Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts.  I am advised that the Appeals Officer agreed to review the appeal on foot of correspondence from the Deputy and additional evidence provided.  The Appeals Officer did not find any new facts or fresh evidence which warranted a revision of her earlier decision.  The person concerned was notified of this outcome on 6 October 2021.

An Appeals Officer has discretion as to whether to grant an oral hearing.  An appeal may be determined on a summary basis unless it cannot be properly determined without an oral hearing.  This is provided for in Article 13 of the Social Welfare (Appeals) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 108 of 1998).

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.