Written Answers Nos. 336-355
336. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education the circumstances under which her Department funds new school halls in primary schools; if an application was received and considered from a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56940/21]
View answerI can confirm that my Department received an application for capital funding in 2019, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school authority referred to by the Deputy. A decision on this application issued directly to the school authority.
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.
The immediate priority of my Department is providing new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place. Accordingly, the main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on the provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The second half of the NDP will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock, including provision for ancillary accommodation such as GP rooms in primary schools.
In the case of all new school building projects, however, I wish to advise the Deputy that the provision of a GP room forms part of the accommodation brief. These facilities may also form part of the overall accommodation brief for major capital extensions to existing schools. Details of both large-scale and ASA projects being delivered by my Department may be viewed on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly.
337. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if she will consider the difficulties faced by leaving certificate 2022 students due to Covid-19 when planning for this exam; if an advisory group on planning for State examinations 2022 will be put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56949/21]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
338. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the growing lack of secondary school places in south County Kildare; her plans to address this problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56951/21]
View answerThe Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas.
Where capacity issues arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school, they are not available to all pupils
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
The true extent of any capacity issue will only become known following discussion with the relevant school authorities.
Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions. This engagement with Patrons is ongoing and is focussed on ensuring that the start of the 2022/23 school year operates as smoothly as possible for all schools and their students.
339. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the number of secondary school places available for the school year commencing 2022; the number of those that are special school places in an ASD unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56952/21]
View answerIt is my belief that children with special educational needs should receive their education in placements which are appropriate to their needs alongside their peers wherever possible unless such an approach would be inconsistent with the best interests of the individual child or other children in the school.
This approach is consistent with the provisions of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004.
My Department's policy is therefore to provide for the inclusive education of children with special educational needs in mainstream schools. The majority of children with special needs attend mainstream education with additional supports
This policy is supported by significant investment by this Government. Next year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.
Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased by almost 386% from 548 to 2,118 for the 2021/2022 school year. Of these 594 special classes are in post primary schools.
Budget 2022 will provide for over 980 new teacher and 1,165 new SNAs posts for allocation to schools next year.
The 980 new teacher posts is broken down as follows:
- 620 of the new posts will provide additional support for children attending mainstream classes including new and expanding schools.
- 360 posts will facilitate the opening of 287 new special classes providing over 1,700 new places in 2022 and 140 new special school places.
Only where it has been assessed that the child is unable to be supported in mainstream education, are special class placements or special school placements recommended and provided for.
It is therefore not the case that special educational placements are required to support all children with special educational needs, nor is it intended that this should be the case.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. It has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents. NCSE seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special education placements.
Through ongoing consultation with schools and parents at local level the NCSE is aware of students who will be seeking placement for the 22/23 academic year. I should also clarify that the NCSE does not maintain waiting lists for schools. Boards of management of individual schools are responsible for such enrolment matters.
However, the NCSE, through its local network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers), offers advice and support to parents on the possible placement options available to their child, including mainstream placement with appropriate support, special class placement and special school placement.
All placements are supported with additional resources where required for those students with special educational needs.
NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and special school places nationally, to meet identified need. This process is ongoing.
My Department works in close collaboration with the NCSE to ensure that the necessary provision is put in place on a timely basis throughout the country.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact their local SENO so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.
340. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the number of meetings she or her officials have had with school principals and or boards of management in south County Kildare regarding the lack and provision of secondary school places. [56953/21]
View answerThe Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas including the school planning area referred to by the Deputy.
However, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including those of schools in south County Kildare, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate further action to that already in train. The Deputy will appreciate that my Department typically engages with patron bodies in the first instance, rather than principals or Boards of Management, as patrons hold an important role in the overall education system.
Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands. It is expected that the enrolment pressures in this, and other areas will reduce in the short-term as such planned additional capacity comes on stream and as demographic demand moves past its peak.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in the school planning areas in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including accommodation for pupils with special educational needs, if required, for schools where an additional enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme (the Additional Accommodation Scheme) can be found on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is also updated regularly.
A number of projects to deliver additional post primary shcool capacity in the south County Kildare area are planned or underway and a summary of these is below:
Curragh Post Primary School - Roll number 70660O - Site Acquisition stage.
It is intended that significant additional capacity to address demand will be provided by the planned new 1000 pupil building for the existing Curragh post primary school. This is intended to provide capacity to cater for demand arising in the Kildare School planning area as well as that in the Newbridge and Curragh SPAs. Officials in the Department are currently in advanced negotiation with a landowner, in regard to the proposed acquisition of a site deemed suitable for the replacement Curragh post primary school. This negotiation is ongoing, in line with our comprehensive site selection criteria, technical consideration and input from Kildare County Council.
St Conleth's Community College - Roll number 70680U - Patron has agreed to enrol an additional 1st year class for the 2021/22 school year and the expansion of the school to cater for a total capacity of 1,000 pupils.
Cross & Passion College - Roll number 61690W - Stage 1. The accommodation brief for the major project for Cross and Passion College, Kilcullen has also been increased to cater for a 1,000 pupil school to provide for increased demographic growth
341. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the provision of a school (details supplied); the timelines involved for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56954/21]
View answerThe major construction project for the school referred to by the Deputy commenced on site in October 2020. Works are progressing satisfactorily on site and the contract duration is approximately 20 months.
342. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the provision of a new secondary school for the Curragh, County Kildare; and the timelines involved in construction once the project begins. [56955/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, officials from my Department are in negotiations with a landowner in respect of the acquisition of a suitable site for the Curragh Post Primary school. Officials from my Department continue to work closely with Officials from Kildare County Council in order to progress the acquisition of the site.
I am unable to provide any further information at this stage due to commercial sensitivities related to the site acquisition.
Once a suitable site has been acquired, my Department will then be in a position to progress the project into the architectural planning process. At this early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible to give a construction timeline.
Please rest assured that this project is being given priority attention and we are attempting to bring the matter to a close as soon as possible.
343. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the recent announcements on extensions to secondary schools in south County Kildare; the timelines involved in completion; and the number of school places this will create. [56956/21]
View answerMy officials have made contact directly with the Deputy's office seeking clarification on the information requested. When these clarifications are received, it is agreed with the Deputy's office that a response will be issued directly to the his office.
344. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the number of ASD units in secondary schools in south County Kildare; the location of each; the number of proposed ASD units in the pipeline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56957/21]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion.
Next year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes funding for a wide range of schemes and supports including special classes, special school places, SNAs and teachers.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
Currently there are 4 special schools in County Kildare. Of the 2,118 special classes that opened for the 2021/22 school year, 91 are in County Kildare (69 Primary and 22 Post Primary). 6 of these classes were newly established for the 2021/22 school year.
Through ongoing consultation with schools and parents at local level the NCSE is aware of students who will be seeking placement for the 22/23 academic year.
It is open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
My Department works in close collaboration with the NCSE to ensure that the necessary provision is put in place on a timely basis throughout the country.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact their local SENO so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.
A list of special classes by county is available on the NCSE website at: ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Special-Classes-for-website-21-22_26.05.2021.pdf
345. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education if she plans to offer students sitting the leaving certificate in 2022 the option to sit a written exam or get an accredited grade from the State Examinations Commission or both given the disruption to their studies over the past two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56958/21]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
346. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if further consideration will be given to extending the age permitted for bus drivers and the school transport scheme to above 70 years of age given the acute shortage of drivers in the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56963/21]
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 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.
It is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years. However Bus Éireann part-time School Bus Drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite licence and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70.
This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.
347. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the catchment area for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57068/21]
View answerIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data in a way that takes account of the significant local and regional variations in demographic trends and enrolment projections, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas (SPAs).
Using school planning area boundaries within my Department’s Geographic Information System (GIS) allows data within those boundaries, including data for enrolments in schools, child benefit and other relevant data to be added to the mapping information, grouped and analysed.
The school planning areas are used in the demographic exercise as a basis for the assessment of areas of growth and to inform recommendations on the establishment of any new schools required in that school planning area. In urban areas, in particular, data relating to adjacent school planning areas is also used to inform our consideration of requirements. There are no current plans to revise school planning areas.
The new post primary school to which the Deputy refers was announced in 2016 following a nationwide demographic analysis which identified an emerging demand at post primary level in the Stepaside School Planning Area.
All new schools established since 2011 to meet demographic demand are required to prioritise the enrolment of children from within the designated school planning areas which the school is being established to serve. However, it is important to note that this does not preclude schools from enrolling pupils from outside of the designated school planning area, rather it reflects the need to accommodate, in the first instance, the demographic for which the school was established. Once the school has been established, parents must apply directly to the school in relation to their child’s enrolment in the normal way.
348. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the minimum 12-week wait for teachers providing additional tuition through the summer provision before they receive payment; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that when payment is received in cases in which they are paid and not paid under primary teachers employment, they are subjected to higher taxation; if her Department has plans to correct this issue given there is already a shortage of teachers wanting to participate in the scheme; and if her Department will improve conditions ensuring these teachers are paid on time and under the correct classification. [57074/21]
View answerEarlier this year, my Department announced the provision of 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. I am pleased to say that this has resulted in the biggest ever uptake of the programme during the summer period with the overall number of schools participating rising by 72% and the number of students by 60% over 2020. This is in addition to the supplementary programme run earlier in the year which had over 14,000 applicants.
Our first priority for payment in 2021 was for the supplementary programme, for which claims were paid in August 2021. For the school based element all fully completed claim forms were paid on or before 7th October 2021, which was earlier than the previous year despite an 85% increase in the number of participants.
For the home based element of the prgramme there was a significant increase in the number and complexity of claims involved and while the majority were paid by the 28 October 2021, unfortunately there was a delay in some payments issuing. The remaining fully complete claims will be paid in the next payroll run on 25 November.
Claims are processed and paid when all outstanding queries are fully resolved. Where there are outstanding issues, claimants have been contacted directly with a view to resolving as quickly as possible.
The payment is decided by information provided on the application form in terms of whether a child is at Primary or Post Primary school and what qualification the Tutor has at the time of processing. Any queries in relation to taxation are a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.
I wish to thank teachers and SNAs who participated in the expanded summer programme this year. Issue around payment dates will be taken account of in planning and resourcing next year’s programme.
349. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 302 of 11 November 2021, the terms of reference within the review of the education provision in special classes and special schools given the fact that the National Council for Special Education has been requested to develop policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57080/21]
View answerThe NCSE strives to ensure that its policy advice is informed by robust and wide-ranging consultative and research processes. Its policy advice is always informed by international best practice.
A lot of work has been done and NCSE published a progress report in November, 2019. At that stage, NCSE had reviewed existing educational provision in Ireland, conducted a detailed literature review, consulted various stakeholder groups and visited a number of Irish schools. NCSE had also looked at fully inclusive schools and practice in Canada and Portugal.
The report found that no evidence to show that one type of special education placement is better that another. It also stated that any decision to move towards greater inclusion would require careful consideration and planning. It is not something that could be achieved in the short term.
Since the publication of the progress report, NCSE has conducted further research and analysis, engaged in a public consultation survey and has received further submissions and expert inputs. It has also examined the implications arising from the UNCRPD.
Before the advice is finalised, every effort is being made to ensure that NCSE has consulted widely with a view to developing shared understandings on the critical issues involved and proposed solutions.
The terms of reference referred to by the Deputy is available in the progress report on the NCSE website - ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Progress-Report-Policy-Advice-on-Special-Schools-Classes-website-upload.pdf
I expect that the policy advice will be completed in early 2022.
350. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if her Department will consider a special arrangement for current leaving certificate students for 2022, for example, accredited grades for two to three subjects to relieve some of the pressure given the disruptions they have experienced to their education due to Covid-19. [57081/21]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
351. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to address the lack of substitute teachers at primary level; the measures being taken to ensure students do not miss out on teaching due to a shortage of substitute teachers; the way in which this will be evaluated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57087/21]
View answerA range of measures are in place to provide enhanced substitute cover in the context of current challenges.
These include a major expansion of the primary substitute teacher supply panels, which now employ almost 380 teachers and provide substitute cover to over 2,500 primary schools across the country. A review of the supply panels has taken place and approximately 100 additional teachers are being added to existing/new areas where significant challenges have been demonstrated in sourcing substitution. Posts have been allocated to the base schools to allow arrangements for the recruitment of these additional staff.
The supply panels work alongside the existing methods of sourcing substitute teachers, such as the national substitution portal service Sub Seeker, operated by the Irish Primary Principals Network and developed in accordance with my Department's Teacher Supply Action Plan. Schools can also make local arrangements to have their own regular substitutes to call on if needed.
In addition to the expansion of the supply panels, schools with teaching principals have also been asked to cluster their allocation of principal release days to form a full-time fixed-term post to minimise the requirement for substitute teachers.
For the current school year, changes have been made to the career break scheme to permit teachers on career break to carry out unlimited substitute work. Changes have also been made to the job sharing scheme to permit job sharing teachers carry out substitute work on the days they are rostered off, in their own or in other schools.
The Teaching Council has undertaken a communications campaign to contact the over 111,000 teachers on its register to raise awareness to the current teacher substitute challenges and to ask availble teachers to register with Sub Seeker, so that their availability is known to schools seeking subs.
The Council and my Department have also engaged with higher education institutions, who have been requested bring flexibility to programme delivery to enhance the availability of PME student teachers to undertake substitute work. PME students have also been advised to register with the Teaching Council and to register with Sub Seeker.
As outlined in Circulars 0032/2021 and 0033/2021, my Department's programme of inspection activity during the September-December 2021 term is placing an emphasis on the provision of advice and support to schools that takes account of the circumstances in which schools are currently working and the prevailing public health advice.
My Department continues its ongoing engagement with education stakeholders to continue to identify solutions to the current challenges in recruiting substitute teachers.
352. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the steps she will take to ensure that the leaving certificate 2022 will take into account the disruption and loss of learning caused by Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57090/21]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
353. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to school place shortages in a school (details supplied); and if she has plans to address the situation. [57146/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas including school planning areas in Malahide and Portmarnock, County Dublin.
Where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including patrons of schools in Malahide and Portmarnock school planning areas, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands. It is expected that the enrolment pressures in these, and other areas will reduce in the short-term as such planned additional capacity comes on stream and as demographic demand moves past its peak.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in the school planning areas in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including accommodation for pupils with special educational needs, if required, for schools where an additional enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme (the Additional Accommodation Scheme) can be found on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is also updated regularly.
354. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education the status of school secretaries pay (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57165/21]
View answerSchool secretaries are valued members of our school communities and my Department is fully aware of the vitally important role played by them in the running of our schools.
The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services under grant schemes. Where a school employs a staff member to support those functions those staff are employees of individual schools and responsibility for terms of employment rests with the school.
The Department previously fully implemented and funded the 2015 recommendations of an independent arbitrator for a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 and that a minimum hourly pay rate of €13 be phased in over that period. Fórsa trade union has tabled a follow-on claim and officials from the Department and school management bodies have been engaging with Fórsa on the issues. On the 27th of October 2020, under the auspices of the WRC, an understanding was agreed on a pathway to progress the issues. Several key strands have been identified, and a phased approach is being taken to the development of proposals.
Following intensive discussions at the WRC on 13th September, there has been significant progress in this dispute. Subject to agreement on all elements of the claim, the Department has offered to move School Secretaries’ pay rates to a scale which is aligned with the Clerical Officer Grade III pay scale within education and training boards on a pro rata basis with an effective date of implementation for these new pay arrangements of 1st September 2021. Pay rates will be pro rata according to a secretary’s current working pattern. The assimilation of School Secretaries to the CO Grade III pay scale will require further dialogue between the parties and further engagement is taking place at present to allow this to be finalised. My Department has also offered to improve the conditions for School Secretaries with regard to sick leave, annual leave and maternity provisions for this cohort of staff and engagement has begun on this element.
Discussions on these elements continue at present and should agreement on an overall package be reached then Forsa would have to ballot their members and an implementation process would then begin if the ballot was passed. Therefore actual implementation and payment of any agreed pay improvements is still some time away. However as set out above the pay element of the offer includes an effective implementation date of 1 September 2021 should agreement be reached.
I welcomed the deferral of the action scheduled for Wednesday 15th September and I encourage all parties to focus on finalising an agreement.
355. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if school transport is returning to 100% capacity. [57186/21]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2020/21 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
Planning for school transport scheme services for the 2021/22 school year proceeded on the basis that the public health measures in place as schools closed at the end of the last school year would remain as the term began in this new school year. This included the operation of post-primary services at 50% capacity, in addition to hygiene measures and the wearing of masks on-board. The Department has kept this position under review as the vaccination programme for children on post-primary services was rolled out and as the lifting of restrictions on public transport services proceeded.
In line with the lifting of restrictions on public transport, and with effect from the return of schools following the October mid-term break, implementation commenced for post-primary school transport services to resume operating at 100% capacity. This process will take a period of time to re-organise and re-schedule services and communications will be issued to families regarding any revised arrangements.
With regard to post-primary special needs transport services, the Department will work with schools on a case by case basis where such services may be required to continue operating at 50% capacity.
Any pupil who has been issued a ticket for this school year will retain their ticket for the year. Where additional vehicles that were provided for social distancing purposes are removed and when all services resume operating at 100% capacity, any spare capacity available will be offered on those services to concessionary pupils or late applicants where such capacity exists.
All other measures relating to hygiene, pre-assigned seating, cleaning and the wearing of masks by post-primary students will remain in place subject to further review.
