Written Answers Nos. 465-483
465. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education when an appointment for a SENO will be made (details supplied); the temporary measures that are in place to deal with queries in this area from parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8299/22]
View answerThe Department does not manage the recruitment of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs). As the SENOs are employees of the NCSE, it is the NCSE who is responsible for the recruitment and operational management of the SENOs.
Accordingly, I am referring your question to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
467. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to an application by a school (details supplied) for an additional SNA allocation; if the request will be granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8322/22]
View answerThe NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews.
The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.
SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.
It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
In light of the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the introduction of the new Frontloaded Allocation Model for SNAs for students in mainstream classes in primary and post -primary schools is to be deferred for a further year to the beginning of the 2022/23 school year.
In order to minimise disruption for schools and to provide for continuity of allocations the following arrangements were made for the allocation of Special Needs Assistants for mainstream classes for the 2021/22 school year:
- Existing mainstream class SNA allocations in schools on 30 April 2021 were maintained and automatically rolled over into the 2021/22 school year.
- No school received an allocation less than that which they had on 30 April 2021.
- SNAs in mainstream settings continued in post for the current school year in the normal way.
- As in previous years, where circumstances change during the course of the 2021/22 school year that materially increase the level of care need in a school to the extent that the school can clearly demonstrate that it cannot be met within the existing SNA allocation, the school may apply to the NCSE for a review. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website ncse.ie/for-schools.
The NCSE have published the SNA allocations on their website www.ncse.ie.
SNA allocations for special classes and special schools are not affected by this arrangement.
Circular 0029/2021 has been published and advises schools of the arrangements for the allocation of SNAs for the 2021/22 school year.
Provisions set out in Circular 0030/2020 has been extended for the 2021/22 school year.
Circulars 29/2021 and 30/2020 are available on the Gov.ie website www.gov.ie/en/circulars/?organisation=department-of-education.
With regards to the school as outlined in the details supplied, the NCSE have confirmed that on 28/01/2022 it received through its online portal an application from the school, for an SNA Exceptional Review. The application has been acknowledged by the NCSE. The application will be examined and the outcome of the review will issue to the school in due course.
My Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations.
469. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the number of primary school pupils presently accommodated in an ASD unit (details supplied); the number of children on a waiting list for the school in question; the steps she is taking to address the need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8340/22]
View answer470. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the number of primary school pupils presently accommodated in an ASD unit (details supplied); the number of children on a waiting list for the school in question; the steps she is taking to address the need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8341/22]
View answer471. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the number of primary school pupils presently accommodated in an ASD unit (details supplied); the number of children on a waiting list for the school in question; the steps she is taking to address the need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8342/22]
View answer472. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the number of primary school pupils presently accommodated in an ASD unit (details supplied); the number of children on a waiting list for the school in question; the steps she is taking to address the need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8343/22]
View answer473. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the number of primary school pupils presently accommodated in an ASD unit (details supplied); the number of children on a waiting list for the school in question; the steps she is taking to address the need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8344/22]
View answer474. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the number of primary school pupils presently accommodated in an ASD unit (details supplied); the number of children on a waiting list for the school in question; the steps she is taking to address the need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8345/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 469 to 474, inclusive, together.
Enabling 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 with special educational needs 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 Deputy's queries refer to individual schools, I will arrange to have them referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
I should clarify, however, that the NCSE does not maintain waiting lists for schools. Boards of management of individual schools are responsible for such enrolment matters.
475. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of new school buildings for a school (details supplied) and destined to move into new premises located on the grounds of a school; and the timeline for commencement and completion of the new building and an expected date for when the school can commence teaching in its new building. [8360/22]
View answerThe project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of the tender process. Subject to no issues arising, the project is expected to commence on-site in Quarter 2 2022. The contract duration is approximately 15 months.
476. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the amount of funding that was made available for the school seals scheme in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022; and the number of schools that participated in the scheme in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [8398/22]
View answerIn order to answer this question, clarification is required on the scheme referred to. Officials from my Department tried to contact the Deputy to seek clarification.
477. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the reason a special class (details supplied) is not being sanctioned by a SENO despite additional accommodation funding being awarded for the class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8408/22]
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 with special educational needs 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 Deputy's query refers to an individual school, I will arrange to have them referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
478. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be made in relation to the provision of assisted technology to two siblings (details supplied) who attend a school in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8409/22]
View answerUnder the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes.
All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology/specialised equipment is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support.
In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a student must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the student to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.
Schools make applications directly to the SENO, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions.
SENOs will review the application, and professional reports provided in support of same, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided.
Although equipment is sanctioned under the Assistive Technology scheme for use by particular students, it is the property of the school, and the school’s management authority is responsible for maintenance, repair, and insurance of the equipment.
The Special Education section in my Department have not received any application for the named children.
My officials have contacted the SENO who is responsible for the Sligo area where the siblings mentioned are attending school, and she has confirmed that she has not received an application for Assistive Technology in respect of these pupils.
All schools have the contact details of their local SENO and parents are encouraged to discuss their Children's needs with the SENO whose contact details can be accessed at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
479. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of a new building for a school (details supplied); and if it will be delivered with urgency given the demand for school placements in the area. [8413/22]
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.
480. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the status of an application for incremental credit by a person (details supplied); and if a decision will be issued to the person. [8446/22]
View answerThis teacher is employed by Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) a statutory body established under the Education and Training Boards Act 2013. The teacher has raised a number of issues with regard to the award of incremental credit. The Department will examine the issues raised and respond directly to the teacher and KWETB with regard to this request.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC). This Council is comprised of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Education. The Council is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
The criteria required to have incremental credit awarded is set out in the Department of Education Circulars 29/2007 and 29/2010. Circular 29/2007 refers in this case. While KWETB as the employer must determine his entitlement to the award of incremental credit subject to agreed procedures, the Department must be in agreement with the decision to award incremental credit under paragraph 5 of 29/2007.
481. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will announce a lengthy extension to the fuel allowance season as a priority as a measure to provide assistance and security to householders at risk of fuel poverty due to the current spike in global fuel prices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7425/22]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The Government is acutely aware of the increase in consumer prices in recent months, especially the increase in fuel and other energy prices. To help mitigate the effects of these rising costs, the Government has recently announced additional expenditure measures to a total of €505 million which will make a positive impact on the incomes of all households in our country.
As part of these measures, I was delighted to announce an additional lump sum payment of €125 that will be paid to all households in receipt of the fuel allowance payment. It is expected that this additional lump sum will be paid in early March, at an estimated cost of €49 million.
Other significant measures announced by the Government include the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment which is a key measure being developed by the Government to help mitigate the effects of the recent rise in electricity prices. The scheme, under the auspices of the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and supervised by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, will be paid in addition to the gas and electricity element of the Household Benefits Package to qualifying households. Approximately 2.1m households will benefit by €200 each from the new scheme.
The combined worth of the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment and the additional fuel lump sum payment is €325 or the equivalent of over 9 weeks' additional Fuel Allowance at current rates. I have also announced that the Working Family Payment Budget increase announced on Budget Day will be brought forward from the first of June to the first of April.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department also provides Exceptional Needs Payments which may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
482. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of families who receive child benefit payments; and the number of children these are in respect of. [7451/22]
View answerAt the end of January 2022, 623,640 families were in receipt of Child Benefit in respect of 1,202,173 children.
483. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of making a one-off annual double payment of child benefit to all recipients in March 2022. [7452/22]
View answer484. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of making a one-off annual double payment of child benefit to all recipients in September 2022. [7453/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 483 and 484 together.
The estimated cost of paying a once-off double payment of child benefit in March or September 2022 is €172 million.
This costing is based on the estimated average number of recipients in 2022 and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of beneficiaries.
