Written Answers Nos. 356-376
356. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated weekly, monthly and annual cost of providing an antigen test daily to each teacher at primary and secondary level in the State. [57196/21]
View answer357. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated weekly, monthly and annual cost of providing an antigen test daily to each SNA at primary and secondary level in the State. [57197/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 356 and 357 together.
The Department of Health and the HSE, working in collaboration with the Department of Education has recently announced a programme in which antigen tests will be made available to children in a primary school pod, where a child in the pod is a confirmed case of COVID-19. The tests will be sent to the children’s parents, and the programme is expected to commence on or before the 29th November.
The procurement and distribution of antigen teats is a matter for the Department of Health.
358. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the measures she is taking to address the shortage in the lack of qualified Irish Sign Language interpreters in the classroom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48513/21]
View answerVery significant levels of financial provision are made to ensure that all children with special educational needs, including children who are deaf/hard of hearing, can be provided with an education appropriate to their needs.
The State currently spends approximately €2 Billion - almost a quarter - of its annual educational and training budget on making additional provision for children with special educational needs.
This represents an increase of over 60% in total expenditure since 2011, at which point €1.247 Billion per annum was provided.
Included in this provision is an extensive range of supports to assist students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
In line with the Department's policy that children with special educational needs access appropriate education intervention in mainstream settings where possible, many deaf or hard of hearing pupils are integrated into mainstream classes at primary and post-primary level, while other children who are deaf or hard of hearing and have more complex needs may attend special schools or classes, which have lower pupil teacher ratios.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) published the Comprehensive Review of the SNA Scheme on 30th May 2018 and the Government has noted the contents of the report. The report recommends that Irish Sign Language (ISL) qualified assistants should be put in place to support profoundly deaf students whose primary language is ISL and that this should be aligned to the requirements of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017. This recommendation is under consideration at present.
In the interim these posts are filled, on a case by case basis, through the NCSE to allocate an additional SNA post with appropriate ISL qualifications.
The Department of Education has allocated a post to a small number of schools who have students enrolled with significant hearing impairments as confirmed by professional reports.
The purpose of these posts is to enable these students attend school and access the curriculum and these staff are employed on similar terms and conditions to SNAs. There are no plans to change this interim arrangement.
Generally, as set out in Circular 0030/2014, when a school is recruiting an SNA, the board of management should ensure that the SNA recruited is equipped with the skills necessary to support the particular needs of the pupils for whom SNA support have been appointed.
The terms and conditions including pay of SNAs is determined centrally as part of a national process and it not something that can be addressed outside of these arrangements.
Planning is underway for the development of the schemes required under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 in consultation with the NCSE. Arising from this work, any necessary amendments to current level of supports for students whose primary means of communication is ISL will be made.
359. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the current position in regard to the provision of replacement and extended facilities at a school (details supplied); the length of time this particular project has been in the process; the reason for the delays; when the school will be completed and ready for occupation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57223/21]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to the Board of Management of the school.
The Service Level Agreement (SLA) has been issued to the Board of Management. The Board is currently in the process of procuring a Design Team for the project. Thereafter, it will ensure that the project progresses to design stage, obtains the necessary statutory planning permission, and moves the project onward to tender and construction in due course.
As the project is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for its completion.
360. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied that there is enough capacity in PPLI to meet the demand to sit leaving certificate Mandarin. [57237/21]
View answerUnder Languages Connect, Ireland’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017 – 2026, the Department introduced four new languages to the Leaving Certificate curriculum in September 2020: Lithuanian, Mandarin Chinese, Polish and Portuguese. These will be examined for the first time in summer 2022.
Post Primary Languages Ireland (PPLI) have been charged by the Department with supporting schools in the implementation of the new languages. Three recognised post primary schools are delivering the Leaving Certificate Mandarin Chinese curriculum. PPLI has six teachers of Mandarin Chinese who are deployed to deliver Mandarin Chinese in twenty schools including the Leaving Certificate curriculum to the three participating schools, Junior Cycle (4 schools) and Transition Year (20 schools). It is anticipated that some of the schools delivering the Junior Cycle and Transition Year programmes will go on to deliver the Leaving Certificate programme over the coming years.
PPLI is also providing the two year Leaving Certificate Mandarin Chinese programme through Saturday classes for students whose schools do not have the numbers required to provide the programme. Eighty Seven (87) students are currently availing of these classes in Dublin and Cork, forty six (46) in year one of the programme and thirty one (31) in year two.
Additional schools may be offering Transition Year Mandarin Chinese through Irish and migrant Chinese teachers as well as tutors from Confucius Institutes.
PPLI has hosted information sessions to over 500 students and parents in early 2021 to introduce the new curriculum. PPLI will continue to host some more sessions between November and December on 1) the specification, 2) portfolio guidelines and 3) the sample paper. This will be for students who are taking Mandarin Chinese outside of school, and will include some tips on self-study (not exam preparation) and will take place once the sample paper has been published. The student and/or parent can get in touch with PPLI info@PPLI.ie for more information.
The Department has been in regular contact with the Teaching Council regarding the publication of registration criteria for Lithuanian, Mandarin Chinese, Polish and Portuguese teachers. It is expected that the criteria will be available early in 2022.
361. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if a teaching council number will be issued to a person (details supplied) without further delay. [57238/21]
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 inform me that the application of the person referred to by the Deputy is in the final stages of processing and they expect the applicant's registration to be issued early next week. Should the individual have any queries regarding their registration I would advise they liaise directly with the Teaching Council.
362. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the current and or expected position in relation to the various school building projects at primary and second-level in respect of Celbridge, County Kildare; the precise position in respect of the various planning stages for each project; the current position in regard to the various developments; the extent to which any or all are interdependent on external issues; when she expects the requirements current or expected to be met in full; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57249/21]
View answerUnder Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland.
This investment will build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050.
Approximately 1,200 school building projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction – most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period 2021 to 2025.
There are currently in excess of 250 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage. These are being progressed as quickly as possible.
During the period 2018 to 2020 526 school building projects were completed under the Large Scale Capital Programme (LSCP) and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). These projects delivered in excess of 48,000 school places. 16 of these projects delivered were in County Kildare; 13 of those were primary schools including one special school and 3 were post-primary school building projects.
There are currently 5 projects at various stages of planning and design in the Celbridge school planning area.
Current Large Scale & Additional Scheme Accommodation (ASA) Projects in Celbridge School Planning Area:
|
Roll No. |
School Name |
School Type |
Project Type |
Current Stage |
|
18988G |
St Raphael Special School |
Special Education |
New School (Campus Project) |
Project Brief |
|
20257C |
Scoil Naomh Padraig |
Primary |
New School (Campus Project) |
Project Brief |
|
18644U |
Straffan NS |
Primary |
Extension |
Project Brief |
|
91614B |
Celbridge Community School |
Post Primary |
New School (Campus Project) |
Project Brief |
|
61661P |
Salesian College |
Post Primary |
Extension |
Stage 4 |
The three schools in Celbridge (St Raphael Special School, Scoil Naomh Padraig & Celbridge Community School) will be delivered as part of a campus development. The Department has reached agreement in principle with the relevant landowner for the acquisition of a site to accommodate a campus development. It is intended that this site will facilitate the construction of three schools. In tandem with the site acquisition, the Department is finalising the accommodation briefs for the three schools. This will facilitate the commencement of the architectural planning process for the project and the Department will liaise with the school authorities at that stage.
The project in Salesian College, Roll Number 61661P is currently on site.
There is currently an ASA application on hand for Straffan NS, Roll Number 18644U and this is currently being assessed. This project is for an extension and is at project brief stage. Temporary accommodation was approved in June 2021 to accommodate the opening of a SEN class pending delivery of new build.
The current status of these projects being delivered is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the stages.
363. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the current school building project and requirements advised to her office by the various primary and second-level school authorities at Naas, County Kildare; her proposed response in respect of each case; the reason some projects have been delayed; when she expects all of the projects concerned and alerted to her Department to be advanced in line with their urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57250/21]
View answerUnder Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland.
This investment will build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050.
Approximately 1,200 school building projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction – most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period 2021 to 2025.
There are currently in excess of 250 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage. These are being progressed as quickly as possible.
During the period 2018 to 2020 526 school building projects were completed under the Large Scale Capital Programme (LSCP) and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). These projects delivered in excess of 48,000 school places. 16 of these projects delivered were in County Kildare; 13 of those were primary schools including one special school and 3 were post-primary school building projects.
There are currently 5 projects at various stages of planning and design in the Naas school planning area.
Current Large Scale & Additional Scheme Accommodation (ASA) Projects in Naas School Planning Area:
|
Roll No. |
School Name |
School Type |
Project Type |
Current Stage |
|
19597T |
An Linbh Iosa |
Primary |
Extension |
Stage 1 |
|
15040T |
Mercy Convent |
Primary |
New School |
Stage 4 |
|
17254C |
Scoil Chorbain |
Primary |
New School |
Stage 2b |
|
76194S |
Naas Community College |
Post Primary |
New School |
Stage 4 |
|
61730I |
Colaiste Naomh Mhuire |
Post Primary |
Extension & Refurbishment |
Stage 2a |
An Linbh Iosa, Roll Number 19597T. This project is currently at Stage 1 Design Stage.
Mercy Convent Naas, Roll No: 15040T. This is a new 32 classroom school (replacement school with an additional 4 classrooms). Construction commenced on site in May 2017. The contract terminated in March 2020. Weatherproofing works are almost complete. Tenders to issue for contractor to complete the major construction project in January 2022 with a proposed completion date June 2023.
Scoil Chorbain, Roll Number 17254C. This project is to provide a new 16 classroom school with a 2 class SEN Base on the existing site. The project has just recently been approved to Stage 2b – Detailed Design, which includes securing all statutory consents and the preparation of tender documents.
Naas Community College, Roll Number 76194S. The delivery of the project has been devolved to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB). The substantial completion date for the project is December 2021 and the Design Team’s programme to achieve this is currently on track.
Colaiste Naomh Mhuire, Roll Number 61730I. The project for an extension and refurbishment been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects. The project was recently approved by the Department to proceed to Stage 2a of the architectural planning process. While at this early stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project, the NDFA will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
Naas Primary School, Roll Number 20542B. In 2021 the Department conducted an exercise on the necessity for the establishment of the proposed new primary school for Naas for 2022, taking into account a number of factors, including the pace of delivery of the expected additional residential development in the school planning area, associated enrolments and the capacity in existing schools in the area. The Department is satisfied that demand in Naas in 2022 can be accommodated by the existing and growing schools in this area. Based on this information the opening of this school has been deferred. No decision has been taken yet on the date of its establishment.
The Department will keep the pace of delivery of additional residential development in this school planning area, along with updated enrolment data and demographic data under review and this will inform the timing of school requirements.
The current status of these projects being delivered is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the stages.
364. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if her Department will examine the situation whereby students suffering an epileptic seizure by their nature without warning prior to a leaving certificate exam cannot sit the paper in question and are required to wait and resit the exams the following year; if an appropriate accommodation could be established that would allow students experiencing seizures before an exam to sit the relevant paper and complete the examination process in the original year without the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57352/21]
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.
365. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the details of the capital funding allocation for education within the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57301/21]
View answerThe NDP provides capital funding of over €4.4bn for investment in school infrastructure during the period 2021 to 2025. A 10 year allocation for the period 2021 to 2030 was not provided for individual Departments under the revised NDP. There will be a rolling 5 year funding envelope which will be updated annually for the period 2026 to 2030 within the Government’s overall NDP funding envelope of €136 billion in exchequer capital (€165 billion total capital including non-Exchequer) and will facilitate building a modern and sustainable school infrastructure
This investment will build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050.
Approximately 1,200 school building projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction – most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period 2021 to 2025.
During the period 2018 to 2020 526 school building projects were completed under the Large Scale Capital Programme (LSCP) and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). These projects delivered in excess of 48,000 school places
There are currently in excess of 250 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage. These are being progressed as quickly as possible.
366. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the lack of primary school places for children with autism in west County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48668/21]
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.
The NCSE are aware of an identified need for ASD classes at primary level and post primary levels in the West Cork area.
Currently, a network of 56 primary school special classes, including 6 Early Intervention classes provide specialist ASD placements for students in West Cork who require such a place. Of these, 8 were newly established for the 2021/2022 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 and will continue to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes in West Cork for 2022/23 and beyond.
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.
367. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education when antigen tests will be rolled out for classroom close contacts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57375/21]
View answer369. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education when the protocols will be finalised to establish a programme of rapid antigen testing of close contacts in school settings in response to positive Covid-19 cases. [57382/21]
View answer370. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education when a programme for rapid antigen testing will be operational to test close contacts in school settings in response to positive Covid-19 cases. [57383/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 367, 369 and 370 together.
The Department of Health and the HSE, working in collaboration with the Department of Education has announced a programme in which antigen tests will be made available to children in a primary school pod, where a child in the pod is a confirmed case of COVID-19. The tests will be sent to the children’s parents by the HSE.
Parents and Guardians of a primary school child, who is a confirmed case of COVID-19 following a PCR test, are asked to inform their school’s principal. The school principal will then inform the parents of other children in the pod of a confirmed case. No personal details of the child will be shared. These parents will be provided with the option to receive free antigen tests for their child, which they will be able to order for delivery to their home.
It is important that parents inform principals quickly if a child receives a PCR ‘detected’ test for Covid-19. By doing this, the choice to participate in antigen testing can be offered to other parents quickly. It is important that everyone continues to follow all the public health advice in using this new programme. The programme will commence on or before the 29th November.
It is not mandatory for children to participate in antigen testing. Children who are in a pod where a child has tested positive for Covid-19 can continue to attend school, whether they participate in antigen testing or not, provided they are not experiencing symptoms of Covid-19.
School principals will not be required to gather evidence of participation or of any antigen test results. Information materials for parents has been shared with schools and publicised directly to parents and this programme will commence shortly.
It is still important to ensure that no-one with new acute symptoms attend class, and that all recommended infection prevention and control measures are in place in line with school Covid response plans.
371. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education the details of distribution of CO2 monitors to primary and secondary schools in an area (details supplied) in tabular form. [57384/21]
View answer372. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education the work that has been undertaken to date by Departmental officials with schools in an area (details supplied) regarding ventilation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57385/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 372 together.
Managing ventilation is just one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe. Updated guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools was provided at the end of May following the work of an expert group that carefully considered the role of ventilation in managing COVID-19.
A copy of the guidance is published on the Gov.ie website.
The Expert Group in its report notes “very good advice is contained in the Department of Education’s Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools”
And that “It must be emphasized that ventilation should be delivered as part of a layered strategy of protective measures to control the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.”
The over-arching approach in the guidance is for schools to have windows open as fully as possible when classrooms are not in use and partially open when classrooms are in use.
The Expert Group also note “consider using a portable carbon dioxide (CO2) monitor to identify areas of the school with inadequate ventilation. The Department's guidance outlines CO2 monitors can play a part in providing a useful general indication that areas/rooms may not be adequately ventilated. They can enable occupants to become familiar with the impacts of activities, outdoor weather and window openings on levels of good ventilation. The provision of portable CO2 monitors provides schools with the flexibility to focus their use to those rooms where most beneficial to inform strategies for optimising ventilation in the school.
In excess of 35,400 monitors were delivered to Primary and Post Primary schools nationwide, between 2 and 20 for schools at primary level and between 20 and 35 for schools at post-primary level depending on school size, at a cost of circa €4 million.
Dublin Central:
|
Roll_Number |
School_Name |
Number of Monitors |
|
00752A |
CENTRAL SENIOR MXD N S |
7 |
|
01795A |
CENTRAL INFS SCHOOL |
7 |
|
05933G |
PRESENTATION PRIMARY SCHOOL |
5 |
|
09932B |
STANHOPE ST CONVENT |
9 |
|
11525A |
ST PATRICKS N SCHOOL |
11 |
|
12448N |
GARDINER STREET CONVENT |
11 |
|
14463T |
ST COLUMBAS N S MXD |
5 |
|
14980Q |
GLASNEVIN N S |
3 |
|
15056L |
S N SAN VINSEANN CAILIN |
9 |
|
15816I |
ST VINCENTS INF BOYS |
5 |
|
15895H |
DRUMCONDRA N S |
3 |
|
16177F |
LINDSAY ROAD N S |
3 |
|
16577V |
ST BRIGIDS CONVENT |
11 |
|
16659A |
ST COLUMBAS CON G & I |
9 |
|
16695E |
SCOIL NA MBRATHAR BOYS SENIOR SCHOOL |
5 |
|
16860Q |
CORPUS CHRISTI N S |
11 |
|
16988T |
CHRIST THE KING B N S |
5 |
|
16989V |
CHRIST THE KING GIRLS SENIOR SCHOOL |
5 |
|
17110B |
NAOMH LORCAN O TUATHAIL SENIOR BOYS |
3 |
|
17214N |
St. Vincent's Primary School |
7 |
|
17459U |
CHRIST THE KING I G |
3 |
|
17464N |
FIONNBARRA NAOFA B.N.S., |
5 |
|
17881G |
SCOIL UI CHONAILL BOYS SENIORS |
7 |
|
17890H |
TEMPLE ST CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL N S |
10 |
|
18417J |
ST JOSEPHS FOR BLIND NS |
10 |
|
19361N |
AN TAONAD REAMHSCOILE |
10 |
|
19395H |
SCOIL MOBHI |
5 |
|
19774P |
ST JOSEPHS MXD N S |
7 |
|
19819L |
ST L O TOOLES 2 SPEC |
10 |
|
19831B |
SCOIL CHAOIMHIN |
5 |
|
19926M |
GAELSCOIL CHOLAISTE MHUIRE |
5 |
|
19946S |
RUTLAND NATIONAL SCHOOL |
5 |
|
20021T |
HENRIETTA STREET SCHOOL |
10 |
|
20035H |
ST GABRIELS N S |
5 |
|
20047O |
GAELSCOIL BHARRA |
5 |
|
20091R |
ST PETERS NS |
11 |
|
20131D |
EDUCATE TOGETHER NS |
11 |
|
20152L |
NORTH DUBLIN MUSLIM NS PROJECT |
7 |
|
20153N |
ST JOSEPH'S ADOLESCENT SCHOOL |
10 |
|
20168D |
GLASNEVIN EDUCATE TOGETHER NS |
9 |
|
20436C |
St Mary's Primary School |
7 |
|
20453C |
Broombridge Educate Together National School |
5 |
|
20486R |
Grace Park Educate Together National School |
C02 monitors included in all new school buildings since 2019 |
|
20495S |
Holy Family School for the Deaf |
10 |
|
20507W |
St Laurence O'Toole's National School |
7 |
|
20517C |
Drumcondra Marino Dublin 1 gaelscoil |
3 |
|
60400F |
St Vincents C.B.S. Glasnevin |
20 |
|
60430O |
St Pauls C.B.S. |
20 |
|
60440R |
O'Connell School |
20 |
|
60450U |
Coláiste Mhuire |
20 |
|
60491L |
St Declan's College |
25 |
|
60520P |
Belvedere College S.J |
35 |
|
60690R |
Dominican College |
30 |
|
60700R |
Scoil Chaitriona |
20 |
|
60770P |
St Mary's Secondary School |
30 |
|
60843Q |
St Josephs Secondary School |
20 |
|
60853T |
Mount Carmel Secondary School |
20 |
|
70150O |
Cabra Community College |
20 |
|
76077O |
Larkin Community College |
20 |
|
91344V |
Rosmini Community School |
20 |
A dedicated team has been established in the Department to support schools that may have concerns about ventilation. Officers are also available to contact schools where required, walking through the steps the schools should take to deploy good ventilation practices etc. Where it is not possible for a school to access the expertise of an engineer or architect, and where necessary, a technical assessment to assist the school can be facilitated through the Department.
Schools that identify inadequate ventilation in a room can utilise their minor work grant (for minor improvements) or apply for emergency works grant assistance to address ventilation enhancements on a permanent basis.
The Department's Guidance is clear that where the recommended measures in the Practical Steps and poor ventilation continues to exist in a particular room/area, air cleaners may be considered as an additional measure in conjunction with other methods of ventilation that are available. This is line with Expert Group guidance which identifies that in areas with poor ventilation that structural interventions and measures to increase natural ventilation should be completed. Where such structural interventions or measures are not possible in the short term, that consideration should be given to using stand-alone HEPA filter devices in poorly ventilated spaces pending the completion of structural interventions.
There is no one solution that fits all scenarios, each application requires bespoke analysis and selection of the appropriate unit(s) matched to the specific room size and volume. If, following consultation with a supplier a school feels that its individual space may require specific technical specialist advice then the assistance of a Chartered Engineer or Registered Architect can be sought.
A Minor Works Grant was provided to all schools to fund ventilation improvements as necessary and funding continues to be available under the Emergency Works Scheme to address ventilation enhancements on a permanent basis.
In 2021, 13 schools applied for additional funding under the emergency works scheme to assist with ventilation. Of these, two applications were from Rutland NS in Dublin Central. One was not approved due to an incomplete application, the other was approved.
373. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to support the roll-out of computer science as a leaving certificate subject. [57391/21]
View answerLeaving Certificate Computer Science has been available nationally as an optional subject since September 2020. As was outlined in the publication 'Returning to school - Guidance on learning and school programmes for post-primary school leaders and teachers', published on www.gov.ie/backtoschool, schools that had earlier indicated they wished to introduce this subject from September 2020 were offered the option to defer implementation, in light of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
If a school chooses to defer implementation, it may offer the subject from September 2021 and avail of the relevant continuing professional development (CPD) at that stage, provided by the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST).
Where schools have decided to continue with the implementation of this new subject, the PDST will continue to provide supports on request. Schools can in this regard apply at pdst.ie/schoolsupport.
374. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if she will address the discrepancy by which persons over 70 years of age cannot drive school buses but the same persons are permitted to drive private coaches. [57397/21]
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.
375. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if a site has been secured for a new school (details supplied) at a location in County Cork; the next steps to be taken with regard to provision of a school on this site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57409/21]
View answerOfficials in my Department continue to liaise with officials in Cork City Council in relation to the identification and acquisition of suitable sites for the school in question.
A number of site options were identified. Each of these were investigated by my Department in conjunction with officials from Cork City Council. Unfortunately, in the case of all options identified, either the land could not be acquired from the landowner or the site was ultimately considered unfeasible to develop.
A potential suitable site has been identified in conjunction with the Local Authority and discussions are ongoing in relation to exploring all options available to my Department to obtain position of this site.
376. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if her Department is considering reforms of the leaving certificate for the future in view of the Covid-19 impact on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57410/21]
View answerHaving worked for many years in the classroom I appreciate that exam time, most notably the Leaving Certificate, can be a stressful time for students, and of course the pandemic has created additional challenges. The decisions taken by Government about Leaving Certificate 2021, in the context of the impact on teaching and learning of the Covid-19 pandemic, were taken with the best interests of students in mind.
The NCCA’s Senior Cycle Review: Advisory Report has been submitted to me for consideration and will be published once that consideration process is complete. Those considerations are being progressed with the best interests of students in mind.
The Advisory Report maps out, in broad terms, an ambitious programme of work, which would enable the development and construction of the components that would make up a Framework for Senior Cycle and will involve further ongoing stakeholder engagement and consultation. The voices of students have contributed to the Advisory Report and will again be heard in those further engagements and consultations.
Regarding examinations in 2022, adjusted assessment arrangements for students taking Leaving Certificate examinations next year were issued last August in advance of the start of the school year. These arrangements are designed to take account of the disrupted learning experienced by students during the Covid-19 pandemic by incorporating adjustments in a manner similar to the initial adjustments that were made for the students taking examinations in 2021.
I and my Department officials are keenly aware of the significant impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our education system over the past two years, including its impact on students who were due to take their Leaving Certificate examinations in those years. I expect that the lessons to be learnt from the pandemic will be considered and where appropriate, will assist in informing the redevelopment of Senior Cycle.
