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Thursday, 24 Mar 2022

Written Answers Nos. 270-280

Disadvantaged Status

Questions (270)

Niall Collins

Question:

270. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) should be considered urban rather than rural for DEIS status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15626/22]

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Written answers

On 9th March, 2022 I announced the expansion of the DEIS programme benefitting 347 schools. These schools were identified as having the highest levels of educational disadvantage. In the 2022/23 academic year there will be 1,194 schools in the DEIS Programme - 960 Primary and 234 Post Primary. This will also mean a €32million increase in my Department's expenditure on DEIS programme from 2023. This is the largest ever single investment in the programme and will extend DEIS status to schools serving the highest proportions of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage.

This announcement follows an extensive body of work by the DEIS technical group to develop the refined DEIS identification model to identify the concentrated levels of disadvantage of schools. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model which uses information from the Department of Education enrolment databases and the Pobal HP Deprivation index.

The key data sources used in the DEIS identification process are the Department of Education (DE) Primary Online Database (POD) and Post-Primary Online (PPOD) Databases, and Central Statistics Office (CSO) data from the National Census of Population as represented in the Pobal HP Index for Small Areas, which is a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area. The DEIS identification model also took into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.

The categorisation of DEIS primary schools as 'urban' or 'rural' is undertaken using the CSO boundary data classification of ‘settlements’. 'Urban' refers to settlements with a population of 1,500 or more, while settlements with a population of less than 1,500 are classified as rural. This CSO classification also takes into account growth in population and the expansion of urban areas over time (urban sprawl), and is considered the most appropriate method of categorising schools as 'urban' or 'rural'.

It is important to note that, in the context of identification of schools for inclusion in the DEIS programme, the assessed level of concentrated disadvantage of a school's pupil cohort is independent of the school categorisation as 'urban' or 'rural'.

Stádas Scoile

Questions (271)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

271. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cad iad ainmneacha na scoileanna iar-bhunoideachais a bhfuil stádas, scoil bheag, acu agus an líon scoláirí i ngach scoil; cad é an líon scoileanna iar-bhunoideachais sa tír a bhfuil líon scoláirí níos lú acu ná mar atá ag an gceann is mó de na scoileanna a bhfuil stádas scoil bheag acu; cad é ainm gach scoile acu agus an líon scoláirí atá iontu; cén fáth nach bhfuil an stádas seo ag na scoileanna seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [15630/22]

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Written answers

Foilsítear na critéir a úsáidtear chun múinteoirí a leithdháileadh ar scoileanna gach bliain ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne.

Is scoileanna Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna (BOO) iad na scoileanna a bhfuil an Teachta ag tagairt dóibh.

Soláthraíonn an Roinn leithdháileadh foirne do gach BOO agus is faoi Phríomhfheidhmeannach na scéimeanna BOO lena mbaineann atá sé an leithdháileadh foirne sin a dháileadh, poist i Scoileanna Beaga san áireamh.

Disadvantaged Status

Questions (272)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

272. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the reason that the disadvantage faced by schools on offshore islands was not a criterion in considering schools under the DEIS programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15631/22]

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Written answers

I announced on the 9th March, 2022 the expansion of the DEIS programme benefitting 347 schools. These schools were identified as having the highest levels of educational disadvantage. In the 2022/23 academic year there will be 1,194 schools in the DEIS Programme - 960 Primary and 234 Post Primary. This will also mean a €32million increase in my Department's expenditure on DEIS programme from 2023. This is the largest ever single investment in the programme and will extend DEIS status to schools serving the highest proportions of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage.

This announcement follows an extensive body of work by the DEIS technical group to develop the refined DEIS identification model to identify the concentrated levels of disadvantage of schools. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model. The model uses information from the 2021/22 Department of Education enrolment databases and 2016 national census data as represented by the Pobal HP Deprivation index.

The Pobal HP Deprivation index is Ireland’s primary social gradient tool, used by numerous State agencies for the identification of disadvantage, in order to target resources towards communities most in need. The Index is a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area using data returned from the most recent National Census. This also applies to Census information returned from people resident on offshore islands. This information is then considered within the application of the HP index within the DEIS identification model.

The DEIS identification model now takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.

Disadvantaged Status

Questions (273)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

273. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the exact matrix or algorithms used in determining eligibility under the new revised DEIS programme; if this will be made available to schools along with the details of their individual assessment under the scheme before the closing date for appeals in order to facilitate better informed appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15632/22]

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Written answers

I announced on the 9th March, 2022 the expansion of the DEIS programme benefitting 347 schools. These schools were identified as having the highest levels of educational disadvantage. In the 2022/23 academic year there will be 1,194 schools in the DEIS Programme - 960 Primary and 234 Post Primary. This will also mean a €32million increase in my Department's expenditure on DEIS programme from 2023. This is the largest ever single investment in the programme and will extend DEIS status to schools serving the highest proportions of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage.

This announcement follows an extensive body of work by the DEIS technical group to develop the refined DEIS identification model to identify the concentrated levels of disadvantage of schools. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model which uses information from the Department of Education enrolment databases and the Pobal HP Deprivation index. The DEIS identification model now takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.

Schools that have not been included in the DEIS programme at this time will have an opportunity to have that decision reviewed. My Department will provide further information in the coming days on this appeals process on my Department’s website.

School Accommodation

Questions (274)

Niall Collins

Question:

274. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) that was granted a second additional accommodation devolved grant can continue with the building project with same contractor who came through a tendering process as per submission by school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15645/22]

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Written answers

I can confirm to the Deputy that the school referred to has been approved for a project under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme 2022. This project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority and will provide for the following accommodation at the school; One Mainstream Classroom and One SET Room.

I can advise the Deputy that a proposal to combine this approval with another project that is currently onsite at the school was recently submitted to my Department for review. My officials have sent a request for further information to the school regarding this proposal and it is now a matter for the Board of Management to advance the project in that regard.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (275)

Emer Higgins

Question:

275. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the need to provide a post-primary special educational needs unit for children from Newcastle, Rathcoole and Saggart, County Dublin; her plans to provide such a unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15659/22]

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Written answers

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 a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs.

This includes additional teaching and care supports.

As a result, the number of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.

Throughout 2020 and 2021, my Department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school-year.

I am satisfied that this more joined up approach is delivering. Through this intensive intervention, we have seen an additional 300 special classes, providing 1,800 new places, opened nationwide for the 2021/22 school-year.

I also acknowledge that notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.

The NCSE has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.

Budget 2022 provided for the creation of 287 additional special classes for the 2022/2023 school year. These additional classes will provide over 1,700 new places from September next.

The NCSE is currently engaging in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. Both my Department and the NCSE are always grateful to schools who express a willingness to open a special class to meet the educational needs of students in their local communities. It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.

There are Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) located across the country and they have a specific remit in helping and supporting parents in accessing the education necessary for their children, including in identifying suitable school placements.

I want to reassure the Deputy that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.

Information on the list of schools with special classes, the type and location of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie/special-classes.

School Staff

Questions (276)

Emer Higgins

Question:

276. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she will assign a representative to meet with a teacher (details supplied) in relation to their application for ill health retirement. [15663/22]

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Written answers

It is open to a pension scheme member to consider applying for early retirement on the grounds of ill health where a serious medical condition exists. The granting of retirement on grounds of ill-health is not automatic. An applicant must apply to my Department and separately, in consultation with his/her medical advisers, submit medical evidence on the condition, directly to the Occupational Health Service (OHS) in support of the application. The OHS on behalf of the Department, carries out a robust process involving assessment of the person’s medical condition and its likely permanency.

Following an assessment of the medical evidence by the OHS (Medmark), which may include consultation with the applicant, the only information provided to officials in my Department is the recommendation of the physician who carried out the assessment, or the recommendation of the appeal physician. My Department is not privy to the medical evidence or medical reports provided to or completed by the Occupational Health Service although my officials communicate the outcome to the applicant.

I can confirm that officials from the Pension Unit of my Department will contact the person referred to in your correspondence in order to provide clarification in relation to the application process for retirement on the grounds of ill health.

Question No. 277 answered with Question No. 246.

School Transport

Questions (278)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

278. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if the transport review undertaken by her Department will be reflected in the 2022 school transport system (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15723/22]

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Written answers

School 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.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process and paid on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.

All school transport services are reviewed over the summer months. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.

Bus Éireann has advised that the family referred to by the Deputy reside 4.4 km from home to the school they are attending, their nearest school, and are eligible for transport under the terms of the scheme. I am pleased to advise that the status on Bus Éireann’s system has now been changed to “eligible”, and that their local office has been in contact with the family referred. They have also advised that there are seats available on a service that can accommodate these children at present and these seats will be offered to the family once relevant payment has been made.

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.

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.

Pension Provisions

Questions (279)

John McGuinness

Question:

279. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the PRSI changes being considered relative to occupational pensions; the timeline for implementing any such change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15617/22]

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Written answers

The Pensions Commission was established in November 2020 to examine the sustainability of the State Pension system and the Social Insurance Fund, in fulfilment of a Programme for Government commitment. The Commission was an independent body comprised of knowledgeable and experienced academics, pension experts, members of civil society and representatives of workers and employers. The Commission has completed its work and its report was published on 7th October 2021. The Commission's Report, its Technical Sub-Committee's working papers, and submissions made to the Commission are available on the Commission’s website, pensionscommission.gov.ie.

The Commission’s Report is a comprehensive report that takes account of an assessment of various analyses of population, labour force and expenditure projections; an examination of international approaches; and responses to an extensive consultation process. It has unambiguously established that the current State Pension system is not sustainable into the future and that changes are needed, and it has set out a wide range of recommendations in this regard including measures in relation to PRSI base broadening.

In the interests both of older people and future generations of older people, this Government intends to consider the comprehensive and far reaching recommendations in the Pensions Commission’s Report very carefully and holistically. The views of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands and the Commission on Taxation and Welfare will be considered as part of the Government’s deliberations over the coming weeks.

My officials are also examining each of the recommendations and consulting across Government through the Cabinet Committee system. I think it is really important that we complete that work before reaching conclusions on any specific recommendations. In this regard, I will be bringing a recommended response and implementation plan to Government in April.

As the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland, the State Pension is very effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty. This Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case for current pensioners, those nearing State Pension Age and today’s young workers including those who are only starting their careers.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Communications

Questions (280)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

280. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends to carry out a review of the way that her Department communicates with persons to ensure this is done so in a compassionate and consistent manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15543/22]

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Written answers

My Department communicates with its customers through a number of channels - namely by post, phone, online, public information campaigns and face to face. In 2020, over 1.6 million people received a weekly Social Welfare payment from my Department in respect of over 2.3 million beneficiaries.

Over the past two years, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, communication with customers was encouraged through online and phone channels. This was in line with public health guidelines, and with the key objective of keeping our customers and staff safe.

The Department's Statement of Strategy places the customer at the centre with the first high level objective being to 'Put the Client at the Centre of Policy and Service Delivery'.

My Department also has a Customer Service Charter and Customer Action Plan, 2020-2022. Quality customer service is a key priority for the Department and this charter sets out the level of service customers can expect when dealing with my Department. This charter also provides details of the process whereby a customer can give feedback on the service provided, either by way of comments, suggestions, compliments or complaints. This feedback assists and informs my Department in how to ensure that the best possible customer service is provided. My Department will also consider customer feedback and is committed to continuously improving customer service and how we communicate with those individuals who avail of our services.

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