Written Answers Nos. 751-767
751. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the number of temporary school buildings provided for under S.I. No. 114 of 2021 including location, size and current state of development in tabular form; and the way such developments comply with the policies of proper planning as set out in the relevant local authority development plans including impacts on traffic, amenities and other matters. [63633/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the statutory instrument to which he refers, inter alia, amended the pre-existing exempted development Classes 20C and 57 of the Planning and Development Regulations, supplemented by the insertion of a new class 20 D with the effect of:
- Expanding the existing exemption under CLASS 20C to allow the temporary use of all public buildings as a school for a period not exceeding 2 years, and increase the pre-existing exemption for extensions to school buildings from 160sqm up to 210 sqm, and to insert a limit on the use of such exemption to just onc
- Allowing schools to construct temporary structures to facilitate the continued delivery of education, subject to the conditions including
- No such structure shall be erected for a period exceeding 5 years;
- The gross floor area of such structure shall not exceed 30% of the gross floor area of the existing school;
- No such structure shall exceed two storeys;
- Any such structure shall comply with the Department of Education Primary and Post Primary Technical Guidance Documents for the time being in force
- These new regulations, which came into force last March, are important in the context of providing the necessary scope to maintain the delivery of education both during the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic while also adhering to the general principles of proper planning and sustainable development. As set above the exemptions provided under SI 114 predominately relate to existing school buildings and land on which a school is situated thereby enabling greater use of existing infrastructure insofar as is possible in line with general Government Policy on compact growth.
- As these school building projects are generally devolved to school authorities for delivery, the information sought by the Deputy in respect of relevant projects is held at local individual school level rather than centrally by the Department. General feedback from school authorities and other devolved delivery partners is such that the new regulations have greatly assisted in streamlining the delivery of school building projects more generally, particularly for smaller projects. This is particularly important in supporting schools during the current Covid environment.
752. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the format the 2022 leaving certificate will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1031/22]
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.
753. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education her views on matters raised by a person (details supplied) in correspondence in relation Covid-19 restrictions in special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1032/22]
View answerKeeping all schools open for in school teaching and learning continues to be a priority for Government. Extensive guidance and supports are in place to support schools in this regard.
My Department recognises that schools will continue to require additional substitute cover in the period leading up to the mid-term break to assist in dealing with absences during this phase of the pandemic. A range of measures have been put in place to support schools in this regard.
Schools have been advised that they should maximise the provision of in-person teaching and learning for as many students as possible in these circumstances. Where a school continues to experience difficulties in sourcing sufficient substitute cover, they are advised to contact the Department;s dedicated helpline and an Inspector will provide further support. This helpline will operate from Monday-Friday 08.00-19.00 and Saturday and Sunday 14.00-19.00 during this period. Additionally they have been advised that, as a minimum, they should remain open for in-person teaching for children with special educational needs in both special schools and special classes and for children with special educational needs in mainstream classes.
754. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education her views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to safety in schools during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1034/22]
View answerMy Department has always been guided by public health advice in relation to appropriate Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures in place in schools. I recognise the importance to students of in-school teaching and learning and the need for all in the school community to have regard to the measures in place to support school communities to operate in line with Public Health advice.
Throughout the pandemic and over the Christmas period, the Department has continued to engage with public health authorities. Public Health has fully reviewed the measures in effect in schools. Public Health has confirmed that there is no change to these infection prevention and control measures to support the safe operation of schools.
Public Health continues to advise that the two most important actions to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19 (and other respiratory viruses), are:
- ensuring no-one with new onset symptoms attends school, and;
- that all recommended infection prevention and control measures are in place in line with school COVID-19 response plans.
These measures protect students, their parents and school staff and are very effective. Public Health remains of the view that these mitigation measures are effective and appropriate.
Contact tracing remains in place for primary school age children who are household close contacts. Any child who is identified by the HSE as a household close contact however, has to restrict their movements and not attend school.
In addition, from the end of November 2021 antigen testing has been introduced in primary schools in circumstances where children are part of a classroom pod, where there is a confirmed case of COVID-19. Offering antigen tests to children who are identified as part of a pod, is an additional measure to support parents and schools. Where there are two cases in a class in more than one pod within a seven days period, antigen testing will be provided to every child in the class. Approximately 190,000 antigen test kits have been distributed to date.
Contact tracing continues in respect of pupils/students in special education settings, and in respect of students in post-primary education.
The introduction and recommendation for the use of face masks for children from 9 upwards (3rd Class) is also an additional mitigation measure introduced in primary schools, while at post primary the wearing of face masks has been in place since September 2020. My Department’s Inspectorate also carry out visits to schools to support their compliance with important infection prevention and control measures outlined in their respective covid-19 response plans.
755. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the status of progress and the timelines for the delivery of new school accommodation for schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1059/22]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s query the status of the major building projects are as follows;
Rathcoole ETNS RN 20549P
The permanent school building project for Rathcoole ETNS has been assigned to my Department’s Design & Build delivery programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.
The school and its patron body were advised by my Department in August 2021 that it would not be possible to proceed at that time with the proposed planning application for the school as South Dublin County Council had advised my Department of its intention to undertake a masterplan of the Rathcoole area, including the proposed school site. The local authority indicated that the proposed masterplan is important for the development of the area with its purpose being to examine an integrated solution and synergies between environmental, educational, housing and recreational objectives for the area. The masterplan once completed will inform the planning application for the school. An update from South Dublin County Council in relation to the masterplan is expected in March 2022.
My Department will continue to provide suitable interim accommodation for the school until such time as the permanent accommodation can be delivered.
Scoil Chronain RN 19530H
The permanent school building project for Scoil Chronáin has been assigned to my Department’s Design & Build delivery programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.
The planning application for Scoil Chrónáin was submitted to the local authority on the 18th August 2021 and the final grant of planning permission issued on 24th November 2021.
My Department’s Project Manager together with their Design Team will now are engaged in the preparation of tender documentation for the project. Once this stage is complete, the project will then proceed to tender stage.
St Thomas JNS & Scoil Áine SNS, Lucan RN 19542R & 19676P
The Board of Managements of both these schools have agreed to a new schedule of accommodation to include a new 24 classroom school and 3 classroom Special Education Needs base for each school. My Department will be in further contact with the schools in the context of the steps to be taken to progress the project to the next stage of the architectural planning process.
Divine Mercy JNS 19865S & SNS RN 20187H
The major building project for Divine Mercy Jnr & Snr schools is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design. The replacement Consultant Architect is currently carrying out a due diligence review of the Stage 2(b) tender documentation, previously prepared, in conjunction with the other Design Team members. My Department has recently approved the addition of a 2 Class SEN Base for both schools, and the replacement Architect will also include for this in addition to their due diligence report.
Upon receipt and review, my Department will be in contact with the school regarding the further progression of this project, including pre-qualification of contractors.
Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain (RN 19855P) & Gaelscoil na Camogie (RN 19991A)
The major building project for Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain 19855P & Gaelscoil na Camogie 19991A is currently at an advanced stage of the tender process. Subject to no issues arising, the project is expected to commence on-site end of Quarter 1 2022. The contract duration is approximately 15 months.
756. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will make accommodations during the Covid-19 pandemic for primary and secondary school teachers who are pregnant to be absent or reassigned to teach their pupils online; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1073/22]
View answer777. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education the measures that are in place to support and protect pregnant teachers and staff in school environments; if consideration has been given to providing pregnant and vulnerable school staff with the opportunity to work from home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1216/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 756 and 777 together.
My Department’s Circular Letter 0042/2021 details the current working arrangements and leave arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic for teachers and special needs assistants employed in recognised primary and post primary schools. This Circular should be read in conjunction with Information Note TC 0001/2022 which was published on 18th January.
The most up to date guidance in respect of pregnant employees and higher risk employees, for the education sector, was published by the HSE in July 2021 and authored by the Civil Service Chief Medical Officer, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Public Health Medicine in HSE and Medmark Occupational Healthcare (OHS). As with all other guidelines around public health measures, my Department has been led by expert medical advice provided by the Government through the HSE and other relevant public bodies. In the particular case of advice around pregnant employees, this advice was prepared in consultation with the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the national professional and training body for Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Ireland, as well as other medical and public health professionals. This HSE guidance was reviewed by these medical experts in December 2021.
The HSE guidance for the education sector confirms that pregnant teachers can safely attend the workplace in school, where all the infection prevention and control measures are in place by the implementation of the School COVID-19 Response Plan.
All teachers apply to the Occupational Health Service (OHS) before the end of their first trimester, so that their individual medical circumstances can be assessed in the context of COVID-19. Those with underlying medical conditions may be categorised as ‘Very High Risk’ and be facilitated to work remotely i.e. work from home. The COVID-19 health risk categorisation assessments are performed by a team of qualified and experienced specialists in occupational medicine. Available medical evidence, including reports from treating consultants as well as vaccination status of teachers, are considered during the OHS COVID-19 health risk categorisation assessment process.
In relation to higher risk employees, where a teacher considers they are at very high risk of serious illness from contracting COVID-19, they must follow the process detailed at paragraph 4.1 of Circular 0042/2021. They must complete a COVID-19 Risk Assessment Questionnaire and submit it to the Occupational Health Service. A teacher who considers the OHS ‘COVID-19 Health Risk Categorisation Report’ places them in an incorrect risk category, may request a review. The OHS will re-evaluate the medical evidence provided. The teacher may provide additional medical evidence as part of the review process.
It is open to a pregnant teacher to discuss their individual medical concerns with their own medical team. Where their treating consultant has concerns over their fitness to work due to a pregnancy-related illness, then the terms and conditions of the Sick Leave Scheme (pregnancy-related illness provisions) may apply, outside of the very specific COVID-19 health risk categorisation assessment by the OHS referred to above.
757. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will reintroduce a calculated grades option for the junior and leaving certificate classes 2021-2022 in view of the fact that in-class learning continues to be interrupted by the prevailing public health situation. [1077/22]
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.
758. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education if her Department will be refitting the second floor of a school (details supplied) in order to accommodate additional classrooms for another school for the upcoming school year. [1111/22]
View answer759. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education the site that her Department has located to build the new school for a school (details supplied). [1112/22]
View answer760. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education if she will meet with the board of management of a school (details supplied) to discuss her Department's long and short-term plans for the school. [1113/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 758, 759 and 760 together.
I wish to advise that a permanent site for the school referred to by the Deputy has been identified and that my Department is in advanced discussions with another public body to acquire a site.
However, due to the confidential nature of these discussions, it is not possible to provide further information at this time.
My Department will keep the patron informed of any key developments in advancing the permanent site for the school.
In tandem with the site acquisition, my Department expects to be engaging with the patron of the school shortly in relation to the school's interim accommodation arrangements for September 2022.
761. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the number of HEPA filters applied for, approved and installed in each school in each county. [1121/22]
View answerManaging 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. The updated guidance for schools is also fully in line with the most recent guidance on non-healthcare building ventilation during COVID-19, published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre November 2021.
To provide additional support in the context of Covid-19 the payment of a minor works grant totalling €45m for primary schools and special schools, plus a once-off Covid-19 minor works funding of €17m for post-primary schools, was issued in December 2021. All schools in the free scheme have received their grants. To date 3 applications from fee charging schools have been received, these are being assessed.
Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular needs. Specialist advice/assistance of a Chartered Engineer or Registered Architect is an important source of support for schools. This will help ensure that appropriate solutions are being put in place to address ventilation issues including advice on whether a HEPA Air Cleaner Unit is required to deal with a poorly ventilated room.
Air cleaning devices are not a substitute for good ventilation but can be considered pending the completion of interventions/works where poor ventilation persists. This is in line with the Expert Group recommendations. Air filtration does not negate the need for natural ventilation and opening windows as required. Furthermore Mike Ryan of the World Health Organisation’s Health Emergencies Programme has advised schools not to rely solely on air filters.
In the case where a school has difficulty engaging a Chartered Engineer or Registered Architect the Department can assist, with a dedicated ventilation team available to support school principals in this regard. Schools that identify inadequate ventilation in a room can utilise their minor work grant or apply for emergency works grant assistance to address ventilation enhancements where the minor work grant does not cover the full cost of the works required.
To date 17 schools have applied for additional funding under the emergency works scheme to assist with ventilation. Of these, 11 have been approved, 1 was returned to the school to review the scope of the application, 2 were incorrectly classified as ventilation related and assessed separately, 1 was rejected as the application form was not fully completed and 2 are currently being assessed by a member of the Department’s technical team. None of the 11 approved identified a need for an air filter.
762. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education if she will allow for the option of accredited grades for the leaving certificate 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1123/22]
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.
763. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the number of teachers, primary and post-primary currently seconded to the Professional Development Service for Teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1127/22]
View answer764. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the actions and duties the Professional Development Service for Teachers has been undertaking since March 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic first hit and schools were forced to close; and if she will confirm reports that many of those working for the service have been working from home conducting research. [1128/22]
View answer765. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the number of teachers recruited to the Professional Development Service for Teachers in each year since its establishment. [1129/22]
View answer766. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the financial cost of keeping the Professional Development Service for Teachers organisation in place; the cost of substituting teachers in the schools from which they were seconded to the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1130/22]
View answer767. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education if she will consider returning Professional Development Service for Teachers seconded teachers to their classrooms in this critical time of emergency in schools. [1131/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 763, 764, 765, 766 and 767 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, in November 2021, my Department announced further supplementary measures to increase the availability of substitute teachers for schools in the current school year. These additional temporary arrangements have been put in place in the context of COVID-19 to assist with the availability of substitutes until the February mid-term break, when it will be reviewed.
As part of these further supplementary measures, the Teacher Education support services funded by my Department, including the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), were asked to release teachers who are on secondment to make themselves available to provide substitute cover in schools. Arrangements have been made for available teachers from these services to register with an existing Primary Supply Panel or on Subseeker.ie.
In addition, the majority of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) where substitution is required has been deferred until after the February 2022 mid-term break. Planned CPD relating to reforms in Senior Cycle examinable subjects will continue.
The PDST has responsibility for delivering professional development supports to teachers and school leaders in all areas of curriculum and policy for schools. Key to this role is the development and delivery of training with regard to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment's (NCCA) statutory curriculum comprising a number of subjects at Primary, Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle level.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the delivery of CPD moved online during 2020. This did not affect the level of CPD provided as teachers and school leaders continued to access regular CPD events and a significant range of new CPD supports were developed and provided to assist schools with the move to remote teaching and learning.
During the period when schools were closed, PDST continued to provide supports to schools and teachers remotely. Planned face-to-face CPD support was adapted and delivered remotely via webinars. A significant level of support was provided to support schools and teachers in providing remote teaching and learning to students.
As schools re-opened, teachers and school leaders continued to require a significant level of support in the 2020/21 and 2021/2022 school years in a number of key areas, many of which relate to the specific challenges posed by Covid-19. Examples of key areas include:
- CPD relating to reforms in Senior Cycle examinable subjects
- Health and Wellbeing including Child Protection
- Leadership
- DEIS schools/supporting students at risk of educational disadvantage
- Digital Technologies
Teacher technical competence
Using Digital Technologies in enhancing teaching, learning and assessment
Leading teaching and learning in schools (for Principals and school leaders)
Currently, the total number of teachers seconded to the PDST is 182. The number of teachers recruited to PDST since its establishment in 2010 is 389. The annual cost of replacing a teacher in the schools from which they are seconded to the service, based on the average cost of paying a teacher, is approximately €66,780 at Primary and €67,600 at Post Primary.
In addition to these pay costs, the funding allocated by my Department to support the PDST in 2021 was €6.961 million. The move to online provision of CPD in 2020 and 2021 resulted in costs associated with face-to-face CPD such as travel and subsistence and ancillary costs reducing significantly.
