Written Answers Nos. 427-445
427. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the number of places available in reading schools for children with severe dyslexia; and her plans to expand the provision given these places are oversubscribed. [7616/22]
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.
A continuum of education provision is in place covering the full range of need spanning placement in mainstream classes with supports through to more specialist placements either in a special class or a special school depending on the level of complexity of need.
Available supports include provision to meet care needs and to provide additional teaching support where this is required. In addition, there are specialist educational supports provided by the National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS) and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to help schools provide an appropriate education for pupils with special educational needs including reading difficulties.
There are no plans to expand Reading Schools at this time.
NCSE is currently undertaking Policy Advice on Education Provision in Special Classes and Special Schools to examine whether placement in specialist settings brings about improved educational outcomes and experiences, relative to their ability, for students with special educational needs.
This Policy Advice is to be completed shortly and will then be considered by my Department.
I have also requested my Department to arrange for a review of the policy on reading classes and schools. When received, this report will also be considered in the context of overall policy on special education.
428. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the names of the trustees of a school (details supplied). [7623/22]
View answerDue to the legal nature of the documents and data protection considerations my Department is currently in contact with the other parties to the agreement regarding the release of the data sought. My officials will follow up with the Deputy to advise him of the outcome of these contacts.
429. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the way her Department ensures that the buildings for which her Department has responsibility are built using blocks that are free from mica and deleterious materials in construction projects in County Donegal; if her Department has checked existing buildings for the presence of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7652/22]
View answerTo date, only a handful of schools in Donegal have concerns about the presence of mica and the Department is dealing with them through its Emergency Works Scheme.
The current arrangement is that if a school suspects there is Mica present they should submit an Emergency Works Scheme application for funding to have testing carried out. If the test results show Mica is present the school should employ a Consultant to complete an Emergency Works Scheme application for funding to remediate the problem. To date 5 schools have applied for funding to have testing carried out all of which have been approved, one of the schools submitted a supplementary application for remedial works which was also approved and one other school had Mica identified during an Additional Schools Accommodation project and the remedial works will be incorporated into this project.
The Department will continue to work closely with the schools to help them address any mica issues.
430. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education her plans to expand the number of places in reading schools for children with dyslexia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7656/22]
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.
A continuum of education provision is in place covering the full range of need spanning placement in mainstream classes with supports through to more specialist placements either in a special class or a special school depending on the level of complexity of need.
Available supports include provision to meet care needs and to provide additional teaching support where this is required. In addition, there are specialist educational supports provided by the National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS) and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to help schools provide an appropriate education for pupils with special educational needs including reading difficulties.
There are no plans to expand Reading Schools at this time.
NCSE is currently undertaking Policy Advice on Education Provision in Special Classes and Special Schools to examine whether placement in specialist settings brings about improved educational outcomes and experiences, relative to their ability, for students with special educational needs.
This Policy Advice is to be completed shortly and will then be considered by my Department.
I have also requested my Department to arrange for a review of the policy on reading classes and schools.
I have also requested my Department to arrange for a review of the policy on reading classes and schools. When received, this report will also be considered in the context of overall policy on special education.
431. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if school-specific contact tracing teams remain in place to support schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7662/22]
View answerContact 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 has to restrict their movements and not attend school except for those who have recovered from COVID-19 following a positive PCR or antigen test carried out since December 1st 2021.
In addition from the end of November 2021, antigen testing was introduced in primary schools in circumstances where children are part of a classroom pod and 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 day period, antigen testing will be offered to every child in the class. In the case of special schools, where there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in a class, antigen testing will be offered to every child in the class.
432. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the action she has taken to support school principals who continue to navigate Covid-19 cases in their schools. [7663/22]
View answer433. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the status of the Covid-19 mitigation measures she is implementing to ensure safety in school settings. [7664/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 432 and 433 together.
My Department has always been guided by public health advice in relation to appropriate COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures in place in schools. Schools 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 pupils/students, their parents and school staff.
The Covid-19 capitation grant continues to be the mechanism through which funding will be provided for school costs related to the implementation of infection prevention and control measures. 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.
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.
Public Health have also confirmed that there is no change to infection prevention and control measures in place in schools at this time, but that they will be reviewed by mid-term in February. Any changes to public health advice for schools will be communicated to schools.
434. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the status of the review of mask-wearing by students in school settings. [7665/22]
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. Current public health advice makes it a requirement for a face mask to be worn by teachers, staff in schools, students attending post-primary school, and students from third class upwards in primary school. These measures protect students/pupils, their parents and school staff and are very effective when adhered to.
Public Health have also confirmed that there is no change to infection prevention and control measures in place in schools at this time, but that they will be reviewed by mid-term in February. Any changes to public health advice for schools will be communicated to schools.
435. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify the situation regarding the requirements for the appointment of an administrative principal in primary schools; if she will specifically clarify the situation with regard to schools in which there are two or more special classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7708/22]
View answerTeacher allocations to schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment on the previous 30 September.
Measures announced in Budget 2022 have given a commitment to providing administrative principals to schools that currently have teaching principals and two or more special classes.
Arrangements for staffing in primary schools for the 2022/23 school year are currently being finalised and will be published on the Department website in the coming weeks. At that stage, schools will be able to establish their staffing for the coming school year.
436. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education the number of Irish-speaking schools in the State by county; and if they are a primary or second-level school in tabular form. [7713/22]
View answerThere are 249 primary and 66 post-primary schools teaching some or all pupils through the medium of Irish. Please see additional information at the link.
437. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education the number of new Irish-speaking school patronages granted by the State in each decade since the State’s inception. [7714/22]
View answerThe school patronage process as it is currently constituted dates from 2011. Therefore it is a relatively recent process in the context of the overall history of the State. The Deputy’s question has to be answered in that context. The table at the link summarises the medium of instruction in respect of the overall number of schools and also summarises the medium of instruction for those schools established since 2011 under the school patronage process.
438. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education the status of the construction of the proposed new second-level school at the site at a school (details supplied); the reason that in April 2013 the building unit of her Department confirmed that a new school would be built with an indicated completion by the 2016 to 2017 academic year with planning permission for the new school building granted in March 2016 and that this project is still stuck at stage 2B; if she will give a firm commitment to informing residents of the expected date of delivery of this school given that it is urgently required to accommodate a burgeoning population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7730/22]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy recently completed Stage 2(b) Detailed Design and was authorised to proceed to tender stage on 11th February. A Tender stage normally takes between 6-8 months to complete.
439. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education if plans are in place for the development of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7757/22]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included on the Department's School Building Programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP).
The project brief is currently being finalised with a view to progressing the project into the architectural planning process as soon as possible. My Department will continue to engage with the school patron during this process.
440. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education the stage her Department is at to appoint a retail service provider to complete broadband connections to schools, including a school (details supplied); when schools will be able to avail of broadband; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7869/22]
View answerMy Department operates the Schools Broadband Programme at an annual cost of some €13m, providing connectivity to schools through a range of technologies at the best level of connectivity available based on local infrastructure. The school referred to by the Deputy is currently on the best available service of 12mb wireless broadband connection, which is a dedicated service to the school.
The school referred to by the Deputy is in the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area, for which implementation is underway. My Department is engaging with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on this implementation to prioritise school connectivity, with all schools in the NBP to be provided with high speed broadband infrastructure by the end of 2022. My officials have confirmed with colleagues in the Department of Environment. Climate and Communications that this school has recently been connected to the National Broadband Ireland (NBI) infrastructure.
The Schools Broadband Programme operates subject to procurement regulations through a publicly procured Framework of Providers of Broadband Services. A process to establish a new Framework of providers has recently concluded with Contract signing underway. As soon as contracts are signed, my Department will immediately issue a new mini competition for schools broadband services and this school will be included in that tender for upgrade to the NBI infrastructure as soon as possible.
441. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the provision of a new building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7888/22]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy recently completed Stage 2(b) Detailed Design and was authorised to proceed to tender stage on 11th February. A Tender stage normally takes between 6-8 months to complete.
442. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 598 of 28 April 2021, the stage of the work of the Inter-Departmental Group with regard to matters relating to future supports for survivors of institutional abuse; if the group has completed its work; if the recommendations of the group have been published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7915/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a number of published reports have highlighted the ongoing needs of survivors and the lifelong difficulties they experience due to their childhood experiences in residential care. A survivor-led consultative forum was also established and has provided a very good insight into the areas where supports may be provided into the future.
This work is currently being considered by my Department with input from colleagues from other Departments. Significant resources are being devoted to progressing this which will feed into my consideration of proposals to Government in this context.
443. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education when talks will resume with the Workplace Relations Commission, unions and school management (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8011/22]
View answerSchool secretaries and caretakers are valued members of our school communities and my Department is fully aware of the vitally important role played by them in the running of our schools.
The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services under grant schemes. Where a school employs a staff member to support those functions those staff are employees of individual schools and responsibility for terms of employment rests with the school.
The Department with school management bodies have been engaging with Fórsa on a claim on terms and conditions for grant-funded school secretaries and caretakers. On the 27th of October 2020, under the auspices of the WRC, an understanding was agreed on a pathway to progress the issues. Several key strands were identified, and a phased approach is being taken to the development of proposals.
Following intensive discussions at the WRC on 13th September 2021, there was significant progress in this dispute. Subject to agreement on all elements of the claim, the Department has offered to move School Secretaries’ pay rates to a scale which is aligned with the Clerical Officer Grade III pay scale on a pro rata basis according to a secretary’s current working pattern. The Department has also offered to improve the conditions for School Secretaries with regard to sick leave, annual leave and maternity provisions for this cohort of staff.
Further dialogue has taken place between the parties on these issues since 13 September with the aim of reaching an overall agreement. The talks continue, most recently at a meeting at the WRC on 26 January; the parties are to meet again later this month, following reflection on the matters discussed at that meeting.
While there is agreement in principle to take the same approach to the consideration of appropriate pay and conditions of grant funded caretakers there remains a deficit of data on working terms and conditions of such staff. When the final package for secretaries has been agreed and an implementation plan is in place for schools and for the Department, similar engagement, on regularising the pay and conditions of grant funded caretakers, will begin.
I welcome the continued engagement between the parties and I encourage all stakeholders to focus on finalising an agreement.
444. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to improve the employment conditions for grant-funded school secretaries and caretakers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8031/22]
View answerSchool secretaries and caretakers are valued members of our school communities and my Department is fully aware of the vitally important role played by them in the running of our schools.
The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services under grant schemes. Where a school employs a staff member to support those functions those staff are employees of individual schools and responsibility for terms of employment rests with the school.
The Department with school management bodies have been engaging with Fórsa on a claim on terms and conditions for grant-funded school secretaries and caretakers. On the 27th of October 2020, under the auspices of the WRC, an understanding was agreed on a pathway to progress the issues. Several key strands were identified, and a phased approach is being taken to the development of proposals.
Following intensive discussions at the WRC on 13th September 2021, there was significant progress in this dispute. Subject to agreement on all elements of the claim, the Department has offered to move School Secretaries’ pay rates to a scale which is aligned with the Clerical Officer Grade III pay scale on a pro rata basis according to a secretary’s current working pattern. The Department has also offered to improve the conditions for School Secretaries with regard to sick leave, annual leave and maternity provisions for this cohort of staff.
Further dialogue has taken place between the parties on these issues since 13 September with the aim of reaching an overall agreement. The talks continue, most recently at a meeting at the WRC on 26 January; the parties are to meet again later this month, following reflection on the matters discussed at that meeting.
While there is agreement in principle to take the same approach to the consideration of appropriate pay and conditions of grant funded caretakers there remains a deficit of data on working terms and conditions of such staff. When the final package for secretaries has been agreed and an implementation plan is in place for schools and for the Department, similar engagement, on regularising the pay and conditions of grant funded caretakers, will begin.
I welcome the continued engagement between the parties and I encourage all stakeholders to focus on finalising an agreement.
445. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if all correct procedures have been followed in dealing with an incident (details supplied); if all evidence including any arising from an investigation of An Garda Síochána has been fully taken account of; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8050/22]
View answerThe section 29 appeals committee act independently of this Department in their role as section 29 appeals committee members.
As the matter referred to by the Deputy is currently before the Committee, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this matter at this time.
