Written Answers Nos. 768-784
768. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if she has considered relaxing the rules to allow teachers on parental leave to teach when they are technically scheduled to be on leave, when beneficial to the teacher, in order to help mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on school teaching complement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1137/22]
View answerThe Parental Leave Scheme is regulated by the Parental Leave Act 1998, as amended. The purpose of Parental Leave is to allow a teacher a period of unpaid leave to care for their child. The Parental Leave Scheme for teachers is contained in my Department’s Circular Letter 54/2019.
Under legislation, the employer in granting Parental Leave should, 4 weeks prior to the planned commencement date, prepare with the teacher a Confirmation Document which constitutes a legal agreement between the parties. A teacher may revoke the Parental Leave application at any point prior to the signing of the Confirmation Document by both parties. If, after the Confirmation Document has been signed (whether or not the Parental Leave period to which it relates has commenced), the leave or part of it may be (i) postponed, (ii) curtailed or (iii) varied, subject to agreement between the employer and the teacher taking account of the terms and conditions of the Parental Leave Scheme. Where Parental Leave is postponed, curtailed or varied, the leave not taken by reason of postponement, curtailment or variation may be taken at such other time, as agreed between the employer and the teacher. The contract for the replacement teacher must also be considered prior to agreement on postponement, curtailment or variation of Parental Leave. In such a case, the Confirmation Document should be amended accordingly.
769. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the preparations her Department is undertaking to prepare for the leaving certificate examinations 2022; if a combination of predicted grades and written examinations will be offered to students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1145/22]
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.
770. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the preparations her Department is undertaking to prepare for the junior certificate examinations 2022; if a combination of predicted grades and written examinations will be offered to students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1146/22]
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.
771. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if an impact assessment of demand for additional school places across the east County Cork area has been carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1152/22]
View answer772. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to capacity issues in primary and secondary schools in east County Cork; her plans to increase capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1153/22]
View answer773. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the position regarding school building and expansion projects in east County Cork given the ongoing shortage of school places in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1154/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 771, 772 and 773 together.
For school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System (GIS) to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose.
My Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas including school planning areas in East Cork.
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 patrons of schools in East Cork 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 also be found on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is also updated regularly.
Specifically, in East Cork, there are a number of significant school building projects providing additional capacity at post primary level:
- Carrigtwohill Community College (76333G) is a co-educational post primary school with an enrolment of 383 for the 2020/2021 school year. A project to provide a permanent school building for 1,000 pupils is currently at Stage 3.
- St Aloysius College, Carrigtwohill, (62140P) is an all girls post primary school with an enrolment of 792 for the 2020/2021 school year. A project to facilitate its expansion to cater for 1,000 pupils has been devolved to the school authority for delivery.
- Christian Brothers Secondary School Midleton (62360G) is an all-boys post primary school with an enrolment of 880 pupils for the 2020/21. A project to facilitate its expansion to cater for 1,000 pupils has been devolved to the school authority for delivery.
- St Mary’s High School, Midleton (62380M) is an all girls’ post primary school with an enrolment of 736 pupils for the 2020/2021 school year. Temporary accommodation to allow the school to cater for 750 pupils has recently been approved and this Department continues to engage with the school patron in respect of the longer-term plan for the school.
- Pobailscoil na Trionóide, Youghal, (91513S) is a co-educational post primary school with an enrolment of 988 pupils for the 2020/2021 school year. A project to facilitate its expansion to cater for 1,200 pupils has been devolved to the school authority for delivery.
- Coláiste Mhuire, Cobh (62180E) is a co-educational school which had an enrolment of 657 pupils for the 2020/2021 school year. A devolved grant has been approved to the school to facilitate its expansion to cater for 700 pupils.
At primary level, there is a significant number of projects providing additional mainstream and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation across East Cork. The largest of these include:
- Scoil Cliodhna (20442U): A project to deliver a new 24 Classroom school with 3 SEN Classes is currently at Stage 3
- Scoil Mhuire Naofa (18000W): A project to deliver a new 24 Classroom School with 3 SEN Classes is currently at Stage 3
- Scoil Chlochair Mhure (17103E): A project for an extension to provide for 16 classes + 3 SEN Classes is currently at Stage 1
My Department will continue to work to advance these and other projects in East Cork and to ensure sufficient mainstream and SEN school places at both primary and post primary level.
774. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 22 September 2021, the status of the site identified for a new special school in Glanmire; if an agreement has been reached in principle with the landowner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1155/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Officials in my Department have been working towards the acquisition of a permanent site to meet the needs of a new special school and have engaged with officials in Cork City Council in that respect.
I am pleased to confirm agreement in principle has been reached with the Local Authority regarding the purchase of a site at Brooklodge, Glanmire.
Acquisition of the Brooklodge site is subject to valuation, contract & agreement of Elected Members of the Local Authority.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work with Cork City Council to advance the acquisition of this site for the school in question.
775. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she expects the review of the school transport scheme to be finalised at the end of quarter 1 2022 as previously stated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1156/22]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme and how it currently operates, its broader effectiveness and sustainability and that it adequately supports the provision of services to students and their families.
The review encompasses the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs and the Primary and Post-Primary School Transport Schemes in terms of how each element of the schemes currently operate, to include eligibility criteria, trends, costs and cost drivers, and overall effectiveness in meeting the objectives of the schemes. The review will also examine the potential for integration of different strands of the scheme and a more co-ordinated approach with other Government Departments that also use transport services.
Following commencement of this review the Steering Group presented me with an initial interim report on eligibility with an examination of issues for mainstream pupils relating to the nearest and next nearest school. Following consideration of this report, I approved the extension of temporary alleviation measures in the current school year for transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and have applied and paid on time.
Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are now taking place in the next phase of the review which is currently underway. The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses. While work on the review has been impacted somewhat by the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, efforts are continuing to complete the review as close as possible to the previously announced timeline.
776. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the number of applications received by her Department for new school buildings in each the years 2019 to 2021; the number of applications approved; the number of buildings successfully completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1161/22]
View answerThe priority of my Department’s school building programme in recent years has been the provision of additional school places to meet demographic demand. This is being delivered by means of the Large-Scale Capital Programme which addresses new school buildings and major extensions, and through the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme which addresses smaller scale projects for additional mainstream and Special Education Needs accommodation requirements. It is the demographic demand, informed by my Department’s demographic projections of school place requirements, rather than school applications, which has primarily driven the Large-Scale Capital Programme in recent years. The Deputy will appreciate that the immediate priority of my Department is providing new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place.
During the NDP period 2018-2020 there were 526 completed building projects under the Large-Scale Capital Programme and the Additional Accommodation Scheme, including 180 completed in 2020. A list of all large scale projects completed since 2010 is available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie as is a list of all ASA projects completed since 2011. Also available here are lists showing the current status of all large-scale and ASA projects being delivered under the school building programme.
Under Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. There will be a rolling 5 year funding envelope 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 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. The strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands and will incorporate the provision of ancillary accommodation for schools. The specific accommodation needs of Special Schools will additionally form part of this modernisation programme.
778. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be made on a school transport request for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1225/22]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.
Children are eligible for transport where they have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability and are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
In July 2021, an appeal in respect of this application was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board. This appeal is due to be heard on 20th January and the Board will liaise directly with the family regarding the decision of the appeal.
779. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if consideration has been given to using alternative technologies to HEPA filters in schools (details supplied) given that some of these technologies have been used successfully in the NHS since 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1240/22]
View answer782. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to HEPA filters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1258/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 779 and 782 together.
My Department announced in December 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.
Managing ventilation is one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe.
The Expert Group note in its own report that very good advice is contained in the Department of Education’s Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools.
They also note that it must be emphasised 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. Along with these preventative actions, ventilation further reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools.
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 Departments 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.
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 on 18th November 2021.
There is no one solution that fits all scenarios, each school requires bespoke analysis and an appropriate ventilation solution matched to the specific room size and volume. 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 in line with the Department’s Guidance. In this context the requirements for each school will be determined locally by schools, who may get specific advice/assistance of a Chartered Engineer or Registered Architect on the appropriate measures they should take for enhancing ventilation. Engagement with the market for meeting their needs will be managed directly by schools at local level.
In conclusion the Departments approach on good ventilation in schools, as part of a layered strategy of protective measures to control the spread of the virus, is fully consistent with the Expert Group recommendations on good practices, the use of portable CO2 monitors and the targeted deployment of HEPA air filter devices where necessary for poorly ventilated areas.
780. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if contact tracing in primary schools will be reintroduced as an additional measure given the recent surge in Covid-19 cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1253/22]
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. Public Health has fully reviewed the infection prevention and control measures in effect in schools throughout the pandemic and again over the Christmas period. Public Health has confirmed that there is no change to these infection prevention and control measures to support the safe operation of schools. Policy in relation to contact tracing is within the remit of the Department of Health.
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 in which there was a confirmed case of COVID-19, 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 children in special education settings, and in respect of children in post-primary education. The HSE Principals’ line and the Department’s Covid-19 helpline operates seven days a week and remains a source of support for principals.
781. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the requirement for 17 classrooms to meet the number of pupils seeking to attend a school (details supplied); when such an expansion will be possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1256/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in ongoing communication with the school authority in question and a site visit to the school was undertaken recently. My Department will be in further contact with the school in due course.
783. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if the option of predicted grades will be available this academic year in view of the level of disruption to classroom preparations by the cohort of students intending on sitting their leaving certificate examinations in June 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1274/22]
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.
784. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will arrange for her Department to procure and distribute PPE to schools across the country. [1280/22]
View answerIn 2020 The Government’s Roadmap for the Full Return to School set out a range of products required to facilitate the reopening of schools, including PPE. A procurement process was undertaken by the Sector, and a number of suppliers capable of providing the full range of PPE products necessary for the reopening of schools were identified.
Following the successful conclusion of the procurement process in August 2020, the Department established a multi-supplier agreement from which schools can choose suppliers and products which best meet their own needs. All PPE products required to support the operation of schools are available under this framework and schools are encouraged to purchase their PPE through this centralised process to the greatest extent possible to obtain value for money. Suppliers on the framework deliver directly to the schools. Whilst individual schools are best placed to identify their PPE needs based on their Covid-19 Response Plan, the Department has issued guidance and an information pack setting out the steps to follow when ordering PPE under the Supply Agreement.
Significant additional resources of €639m were put into schools in the last academic year. Further funding of €108.5million has been paid by way of Covid-19 capitation to schools in 2021/22 to date for the implementation of infection prevention and control measures for this term. This funding will cater for school costs related to hand hygiene measures, PPE requirements, enhanced cleaning supports and supervision.
