Written Answers Nos. 785-801
785. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education if discussions are expected to give clarity to both leaving and junior certificate students if they can have the choice between predictive grades or sit the written exam given that it is causing a lot of stress to students as they do not know the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1293/22]
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.
786. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she plans to offer predicted grades for leaving certificate students in 2022 or other measures for exam year students that may compensate for the loss of education they have experienced over the previous two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1302/22]
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.
787. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if she has considered plans for the leaving certificate 2022; the format this will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1306/22]
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.
788. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education when students will receive clarity on the format the leaving certificate examinations will take in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1307/22]
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.
789. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education the number of primary and post-primary schools in County Clare that have been equipped with HEPA air filtration devices; the number of HEPA devices installed per school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1310/22]
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.
No schools in Co. Clare have applied for additional funding under the emergency works scheme to assist with ventilation or HEPA air cleaners.
790. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she plans to introduce clear definitive regulations and specific requirements for room air cleaners for schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1333/22]
View answer791. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if buying power will be maximised by procuring room air cleaners for schools from a single source. [1334/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 790 and 791 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. 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.
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 an Air Cleaner Unit is required to deal with a poorly ventilated room.
The Department issued Room Air Cleaner Guidance for Schools in December. This guidance included specifications.
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.
792. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the status of an application by a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary under the summer works scheme through category 10 of the scheme (external environments); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1338/22]
View answerThe issue referred to by the Deputy relates to an application for funding under the Summer Works Scheme in 2016 that was not approved at the time.
If the school authority considers that the condition of the carpark, driveway and tarmac falls under the scope of the Emergency Works Scheme then this can be considered by my Department. In this regard, it may download an application form and upload it when complete via their Esinet Portal under the tab labelled Devolved Projects. The Engineer’s report, updated to reflect current position, can be submitted as part of such application.
The school has also applied for funding in 2019, under the Summer Works Scheme for 2020 onwards for Category 7 (Windows Projects).
793. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 112 of 3 November 2021, if the National Council for Special Education has provided her with information on the status of an application for expression of interest to establishment of an ASD classroom in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1355/22]
View answerEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This 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.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.
The NCSE through their network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers) are currently engaged in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. They are looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special class places.
The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
As the query refers to an individual school, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
794. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if a matter with regard to school bus drivers (details supplied) will be examined and reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1357/22]
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 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.
Bus Éireann's current policy is that the normal retirement age for all staff is 66 years. The company previously examined the age limit for drivers who provide services as part of the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department of Education, following this review, Bus Éireann extended the age limit for part-time school bus drivers and drivers nominated by private operators. School bus drivers may continue to perform this role, subject to completing an annual medical examination up to the retirement age of 70 years. This criteria is applied to all drivers.
As Bus Éireann's have previously examined the driver retirement age, the company has no current plans to alter the age requirements for school bus drivers who provide services under the School Transport Scheme.
795. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of a permanent building for a school (details supplied); and the timeline for the delivery of the project. [1389/22]
View answerThe 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 the local authority 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.
796. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the number of Christian Brothers that are at present employed in the 33 primary schools and 62 post-primary schools under the trusteeship of an organisation (details supplied). [1418/22]
View answer797. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the number of sisters of the Loreto Order that are at present employed in the 11 primary schools, six community schools and 21 post-primary schools under the trusteeship of an organisation (details supplied). [1419/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 796 and 797 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that teachers are employed directly by the managerial authorities of schools and my Department acts as the paymaster for the teachers employed by the schools.
Payments to teachers are made on the basis of their relevant qualifications, applicable allowances, length of service, Teaching Council registration, and other relevant factors, in accordance with my Departments criteria.
Religious affiliation, or membership of a religious order, is not a criteria for payment purposes. Accordingly, the Payroll Section of my Department does not record whether a teacher is a member of a particular religious order.
I must therefore advise that the information requested by the Deputy is not available within my Department. The Deputy may, however, wish to seek this information directly from the relevant Patron Bodies.
798. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the steps her Department is taking to ensure safety for staff of schools in view of the high infection rates in the community. [1438/22]
View answer803. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if on public-health grounds, her Department is sanctioning the free distribution of FFP2 or FFP3 masks to staff in schools; if not, the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1574/22]
View answer804. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied that all necessary mitigations have been put in place in schools to address the spread of Covid-19 and protect the immediate and long-term health of staff, students and also public health itself; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1575/22]
View answer807. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the reason that FFP2/3 masks are not being made available to teachers as a matter of course without the need to request them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1619/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 798, 803, 804 and 807 together.
Throughout the pandemic and over the Christmas period, the Department has continued to engage with the public health authorities and the education stakeholders in relation to the public health advice and the implementation of important infection prevention and control measures in schools so that they can continue to operate during Covid-19.
Public Health has reviewed the measures put in place to support schools to operate safely during Covid-19 and have advised that the Omicron variant of the disease does not change the infection prevention and control measures required in schools.
Schools will continue to operate in line with their Covid-19 Response Plans, which set out a range of mitigation measures focused on keeping Covid-19 out of schools and reducing the risk of the spread of infection in schools. These measures have worked very effectively to prevent and control Covid-19 in schools and to protect students, their parents and school staff.
The Covid-19 capitation grant will continue to be the mechanism through which funding will be provided for school costs related to the implementation of infection prevention and control measures. More than €158 million of additional capitation funding has been made available to primary and post primary schools to provide for cleaning, PPE and hand hygiene, enhanced supervision and employment of an aide for the school year 2020/21. The Department of Education has committed to ensuring that the full range of measures necessary to allow schools operate safely in the Covid-19 environment will continue to be available for the 2021/22 school year and has provided a further €109 million to date for Terms 1 and 2 of the 2021/22 school year.
Schools have been advised of the latest NPHET advice around mask wearing where it is acknowledged that significant protection is afforded by cloth face-coverings but that some people may prefer to wear higher grade medical or respirator masks which offer more protection. Schools have been advised that where staff prefer to wear medical grade face masks they can be sourced from the procurement framework in place for school. The HSPC have also been requested by the Department to update their advice on face masks in schools.
Public Health continue to advise that the two most important actions to prevent the introduction and spread of Covid-19 (and other respiratory viruses) is by ensuring that no-one with new onset symptoms attend school, and that all recommended infection prevention and control measures are in place in line with the school Covid-19 Response Plans.
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has acknowledged the close working and ongoing important relationship between the Department of Education and the health authorities to ensure the education system can operate safely. The Minister and the Department will continue to work closely with public health officials and the education stakeholders as part of ongoing engagements for the safe operation of schools during Covid-19.
799. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 187 of 23 September 2021, if it is still anticipated that a contractor will be appointed in the first quarter of 2022 for the construction of a school (details supplied); if not, when she expects that a contractor will be appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1465/22]
View answerThe building project for Carrigtwohill campus will accommodate two primary schools and one post-primary school when complete and is being delivered under the Department’s Design and Build Programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Management team to progress the project through the stages of architectural planning, tendering and construction.
On June 14th 2021, this campus project was included in a bundle of projects which were tendered to a newly established Design & Build Contractors Framework. The tenders were returned on October 27th 2021 and the tender assessment report from the Department's Project Manager has been recently received by the Department and is currently under review. It is anticipated that the Letter of Intent to appoint the Building Contractor will issue in the coming weeks in Quarter 1. Once a Contractor has been appointed, the Department will keep the school informed of the construction programme underpinning the contract.
800. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by her in tabular form; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed. [1549/22]
View answerI am taking the Deputy's question regarding studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by my Department to refer to such tasks undertaken by external consultants.
The information in relation to such engagements in 2020 is available at this link assets.gov.ie/137858/eb398cd6-7917-484e-bcf0-0a8f51748b47.pdf
Details in respect of consultants engaged in 2021 to undertake studies, reviews and research will be compiled in the 1st quarter of 2022 and will be published online by my Department as soon as they are available.
801. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education if she will provide clarity on the leaving certificate 2022 exam as soon as possible; if she plans to allow the hybrid model giving students a choice of exams, accredited grades or both; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1571/22]
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.
