Written Answers Nos. 294-313
294. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence the actions that his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department are taking to increase recruitment of members of the LGBTQIA+ communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38404/22]
View answerMy Department operates in a non-discriminatory environment in accordance with the Equality Acts and aims to ensure that the principles of employment equality are implemented in pay, recruitment, promotion, training and experience of the workplace. Recruitment of civil servants is carried out for the Department by the Public Appointments Service which undertakes recruitment underpinned by its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2021-2023.
The only State body currently under the aegis of the Department of Defence is the Army Pensions Board. The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body, established under the Army Pensions Act 1927.
The Act specifies that the Board shall consist of a chairman and two ordinary members. The two ordinary members must be qualified medical practitioners of whom one must be an officer of the Army Medical Corps. The chairman and the non military ordinary member are appointed by the Minister for Defence with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Army Medical Corps ordinary member is appointed by the Minister for Defence on the recommendation of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. Day to day worked related to the Board is undertaken by Board's Secretary who is a full time civil servant employed by the Department of Defence. The Board does not directly recruit any staff.
295. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Defence if there are plans to establish an office and commissioner for the Defence Force veteran affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38439/22]
View answerThe Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces contains many detailed recommendations, including a recommendation on the establishment of an Office of Veterans Affairs in the chapter on Defence Forces structures. The recommendations of the report, along with a High Level Action Plan detailing a proposed response to each, were recently presented to Government and agreed. The recommendation regarding an Office of Veterans Affairs has been accepted in principle, however further consideration is required in order to determine the optimal approach to meeting the Commission's recommendation.
In the meantime, my Department continues to engage on an ongoing basis with the two formally recognised Veterans Associations which represent all former personnel, namely Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel, and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA).
296. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence his views on providing fully accessible changing places and toilet facilities open to the public in all buildings which his Department owns and public bodies and agencies under his remit to offer people with disabilities and carers a network of equipped spaces to take care of personal hygiene, in safety and comfort. [38714/22]
View answerThe Offices of the Department of Defence are secure and access controlled. They are not buildings that are usually open to the general public. As such, services in these buildings are not accessible to the general public.
Defence buildings occupied by the military are not open to the general public. On occasion some organisations, such as schools and sporting clubs, apply for use of Defence Forces facilities and, dependant on military requirements, a conditional Licence may be granted for the use of that facility.
297. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence the way that his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are implementing action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38732/22]
View answerThe National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) 2017-2021 is the key framework for policy and action to address the needs of people with disabilities. Its aim is to improve the lives of people with disabilities in Ireland.
My Department is committed to doing all that is reasonable to assist people with disabilities seeking to avail of or access statutory entitlements or services provided by or under statute. It should be noted that my Department does not operate any public offices, nor does it generally supply direct services to the public.
The only State body currently under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board which is an independent statutory body, established under the Army Pensions Act 1927 and consisting of a chairman and two ordinary members. The Secretary to the Board is provided from the staff of my Department and therefore, any service requests will be supplied by my Department.
In compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005, my Department has undertaken, where practicable, to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities. The Department continues to operate in a non-discriminatory environment in accordance with the Equality Acts and aims to ensure that the principles of employment equality are implemented in recruitment, promotion, training and work experience. Recruitment to my Department is open to all applicants, and reasonable accommodation is afforded to those with a declared disability.
I will continue to work with my Government colleagues on matters arising in the area of disability.
298. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number and location of primary and secondary schools that are owned by education and training boards. [38583/22]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is currently being collated by officials within my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.
299. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if any flexibility will be provided for post-primary children seeking to avail of subsidised school transport services in certain circumstances, such as in the case of a person who lives 4.6 km from their school while the guidelines state 4.8 km proximity from the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38161/22]
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 my 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.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 km from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 km from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and confirm they require a school bus ticket on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats and are subject to certain conditions.
As the Deputy may be aware, the 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 in June 2021. Following consideration of this report, I approved the extension of temporary alleviation measures for the 2021/22 school year for transport for post-primary students who were otherwise eligible for school transport but were attending their second nearest school and had 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 Technical Working Group has undertaken extensive consultation over the last number of months; including running a public survey for parents/guardians and students who use the service and those who do not use the service but who would like to. These engagements have yielded extensive data for consideration. The Group has also consulted with a broad array of stakeholders including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Government Departments.
A number of meetings have been convened in recent weeks with both the Technical Working Group and the Steering Group with a view to finalising the second phase of the review.
Decisions in regard to measures for the 2022/23 school year will be made shortly and it is anticipated that the completion of the final phases of the review will be in the shortest timeframe possible.
The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.
300. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will urgently approve temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38186/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for additional accommodation from the school in question. My Department will be in further contact with the school authority relating to the application.
301. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Education if a payroll issue will be resolved for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38188/22]
View answerThe position is that the individual concerned was absent from work on sick leave from 10/02/2022 to 17/06/2022. When an individual is absent on sick leave, their salary will consist of two parts, i) where the individual claims Illness Benefit from the Dept. of Social Protection and ii) where the Department pays the remainder of the salary.
It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that they have forwarded the relevant forms to DSP.
The school notifies the Dept. of individual's absences via the On Line Claims System. Once the Dept. is notified of the sick leave absence, the Dept. makes a deduction from salary which is equivalent to the amount of Illness Benefit that the individual will claim from the Dept. of Social Protection. Depending on the timing of the notification of the absences to the Dept., there may be some delay in the Dept. adjusting the salary. The set rate of payment received by a claimant from DSP will compensate for this deduction.
The following table sets out the payroll deductions that have been applied in relation to the period of sick leave taken in this specific case:
|
Payroll Issue: |
Payroll Date: |
Deduction Amount: |
|
202210 |
03/03/22 |
€173.33 |
|
202212 |
17/03/22 |
€416 |
|
202214 |
31/03/22 |
€416 |
|
202216 |
14/04/22 |
€416 |
|
202218 |
28/04/22 |
€138.67 |
|
202220 |
12/05/22 |
€416 |
|
202222 |
26/05/22 |
€416 |
|
202224 |
09/06/22 |
€416 |
|
202226 |
23/06/22 |
€416 |
|
202228 |
07/07/22 |
€416 |
|
202230 |
21/07/22 |
€69.33 |
|
TOTAL: |
€3709.33 |
The final deduction of €69.33 is due on 21/07/22 which will conclude the deductions from salary for this absence.
It should also be noted that where an individual is in receipt of reduced rate of illness benefit due to income levels or insufficient contributions and not eligible to receive illness benefit, they should notify the Department of Education of this by forwarding a copy of the DSP decision letter to Illness Benefit Unit, Department of Education, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 X659 as soon as possible. The daily deduction rate will be adjusted on receipt of this notification.
302. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education her views on the number of new schoolbooks which must be acquired by primary and post-primary pupils each year; if she will consider introducing measures to reduce the number of books which must be binned annually with particular reference to the ongoing introduction of new editions and the changing of book publishers; if the use of second-hand books will be encouraged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38196/22]
View answerApart from a small number of prescribed texts at post-primary level, determined by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), the decisions on which textbooks, programmes and resources, if any, to use in primary and post-primary schools are taken at school level.
The current policy of the Department of Education is not to endorse or promote any particular programme, product or publication to support the teaching of subjects. There are limited exceptions where the department has procured textbooks or resources in order to fill a specific and urgent need, for example Leaving Certificate Japanese and Italian.
Curriculum specifications and prescribed syllabus material are determined by the NCCA and it is the responsibility of each individual school to select the resources, if any, that it will use to support its implementation of the curriculum.
The NCCA meets with the educational publishers collectively, to regularly update them on curriculum developments and apprise them of the timelines for the development of new specifications. The NCCA does not advise upon the content of specific text books. Nor does the NCCA review or provide feedback on textbooks or have any role in endorsing or approving textbooks – this would be considered as interfering with the commercial marketplace
The Department provides a book grant to all recognised primary and post-primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books, including Book Rental Schemes. Under this scheme, the Department provided funding of €17.1 million in 2020 to all of these schools. School book rental schemes have an important role to play in reducing the cost of school books for parents and in order to support the establishment of book rental schemes this Department provided €15.7 million seed capital in 2014, 2015 and 2016 to primary schools. Some 96% of primary schools and 68% of post-primary schools currently operate a book rental scheme.
It is a matter for the board of management of each individual school to decide on its own policy in relation to the use of book grant funding in the school. However, they are expected to adopt a cost-conscious approach to the selection of books for use in their classes. The current arrangement relies on the local knowledge of the school in order to ensure a fair allocation of funds to those most in need.
The Department published Circular 0032/2017 – ‘Measures to be adopted by schools to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs’ - in April 2017 which asks schools to provide a book rental scheme as well as to consult with parents on their views and suggestions on cost reduction initiatives.
Members of the Irish Educational Publishers’ Association (IEPA) subscribe to a Code of Practice which includes an agreement that publishers will not revise any texts within at least four years - unless there is a change in the curriculum, the state examination or methods of assessment, or if there is a recognised teacher-led demand to do so.
303. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education when the design team appointed for the new building of a school (details supplied) will submit the final report on stage 2B of the project that will allow the project to proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38249/22]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently completing Stage 2(b) of Architectural Planning – Detailed Design, which involves the production of a complex and detailed set of tender documents and an accurate pre-tender cost check by the Design Team, in accordance with my Departments Technical Guidance Documents, Building Regulations and Public Works Procurement procedures.The Design Team recently received the final grant of permission from Dublin City Council in relation to Planning Permission for the revised Right of Way.Officials from my Department are in constant contact with the school’s Design Team in recent weeks and months and their current estimated date for submission of Stage 2(b) to my Department is end of July 2022.It is in the best interest of the project that the Design Team complete the Stage 2(b) submission in a coherent and comprehensive manner in order to progress the project to Tender Stage and to ensure that the risk of further issues arising is minimised during the tender and construction stages.
304. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education the salary of four roles within her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38293/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tables.
Department of Education
|
Role |
Annual salary |
|
Minister |
€183,923* |
|
Minister of State |
€141,657 |
|
Role |
Annual salary or salary scale |
|
Secretary General Level II |
€223,529 (non-PPC)** |
|
Assistant Secretary General |
€145,283 €151,885 €159,042 €166,194 (PPC) €138,019 €144,292 €151,088 €157,886 (non-PPC) |
*Salaries are with effect from 01/02/2022
**Salary/salary scales are with effect from 01/07/2022
Notes
Please note that the annual salaries for the Minister and Minister of State include both the T.D. annual salaries, paid by the Oireachtas, along with the additional salaried allowances which apply to Ministers and Ministers of State which are paid by the Department.
PPC - Personal Pension Contribution pay scale. Denotes salary scales applying to staff appointed after 6th April 1995 who are required to make a personal pension contribution.
Non PPC - Denotes salary scales applying to staff appointed before 6th April 1995 and who are not required to make a personal pension contribution.
Please note that details of the pay of members of the Oireachtas, including Ministers and Ministers of State, are available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/a8bc7-pay-of-oireachtas-members-and-office-holders/ and Circular 15/2022, which sets out the current salary scales for certain civil service grades including Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General, is available at www.gov.ie/en/circular/f45ad-circular-15-2022-fempi-pay-restoration-1-july-2022/
305. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education the actions that her Department and bodies under the aegis of her Department are taking to increase recruitment of members of the LGBTQIA+ communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38405/22]
View answerRecruitment of staff to my Department is generally through the Public Appointments Service (PAS), which is the centralised provider of recruitment, assessment and selection services across the Civil Service. All recruitment activities by the PAS are in line with the Commission for Public Service Appointment's (CPSA) Code of Practice for Appointment to Positions in the Civil Service and Public Service ensuring equity, fairness, equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion for all applicants. Their recruitment activities are also underpinned by their Equality, Inclusion and Diversity strategy 2021-2023 available at www.publicjobs.ie/documents/PASEDIStrategyDocument.pdf which identifies the key strategic priorities of greater knowledge and understanding of diversity in the recruitment market and the Irish public sector and also recruitment and selection processes that encourage and enable access to candidates from diverse backgrounds. In the case of internal promotion competitions in my Department, all processes are in line with the CPSA code of practice and internal interview board members are required to participate in unconscious bias training to eliminate stereotyping and encourage diversity.
My Department actively supports Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in the workplace through a number of initiatives for staff to promote the EDI conversation in the Department.
The requested information in respect of the Department’s aegis bodies is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the following document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.
Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Education as at 29 th March 2022
|
Name of Body |
Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas |
Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members |
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta |
oireachtas@cogg.ie |
jacquelinenifhearghusa@cogg.ie |
|
Educational Research Centre |
oireachtas.queries@erc.ie |
jude.cosgrove@erc.ie |
|
National Centre for Guidance in Education |
oireachtas@ncge.ie |
Jennifer.mckenzie@ncge.ie |
|
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Note 1 |
oireactasqueries@ncca.ie |
Aine.ArmstrongFarrell@ncca.ie |
|
State Examinations Commission |
Oireachtas@examinations.ie |
Paddy.Quinn@examinations.ie |
|
The Teaching Council |
pqrep@teachingcouncil.ie |
pfox@teachingcouncil.ie |
|
National Council for Special Education |
oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie |
patrick.martin@ncse.ie and cindyjane.oconnell@ncse.ie |
|
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund – Caranua |
Michael.Fitzpatrick@caranua.ie |
Michael.Fitzpatrick@caranua.ie |
Note 1 - The spelling of the NCCA e-mail address to which Oireachtas queries may be addressed has been verified with the NCCA as being accurate.
306. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if the restrictions on bus drivers preventing those aged over 70 years will be lifted in view of the current shortage of drivers to allow those aged 70 years or over to continue to drive; if those over 70 years will be allowed to drive a Bus Éireann contracted bus if they undergo a medical assessment and are deemed medically fit to do so; the additional efforts that are being made to fill the shortfall in drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38421/22]
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 my 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.
While over 90% of services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on 7,000 school routes. This includes vetting and background checks.
It is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years. However Bus Éireann part-time School Bus Drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70. This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.
The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. While Bus Éireann have informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time, the matter will continue to be kept under review.
307. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if her Department has contacted organisations (details supplied) to inform them of the delays further to the announcement of the Leaving Certificate results date; if it is likely that those with offers may see them withdrawn; the plans in place to mitigate the potential consequences for these students who will not have their results in August; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38460/22]
View answerI can confirm that my Department has been in touch with UCAS on this matter. In the context of those students seeking to study in the UK, I note that, following the announcement of the publication date for the Leaving Certificate results by the State Examinations Committee, the CAO have now confirmed the date for the first round offers as 8th September 2022. Within the UCAS system, the current date for the acceptance of final offers is 7th September, on which date the UK Higher Education Institutions start working through clearances (similar to the rounds system in the CAO). Therefore there is no issue in terms of Irish students meeting the UCAS deadline.
In addition, I have also written to all EU Ministers for Education and have advised them of the date for issue of the Leaving Certificate results this year. I have also requested that they give consideration to Irish students who may not have their Leaving Certificate results in time to complete the processing of their admissions at the usual time in the systems of each EU country. For this reason, engagement with EUNICAS has not been necessary. It is important to note that officials in my Department, working closely with their colleagues in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science will assist Irish students with issues they may be having with individual EU universities in this regard.
308. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of implementing measures (details supplied); the current staffing ratios for primary schools; the changes in the pupil-teacher ratio over the past five years; the additional number of teachers needed for each change; the cost of additional school accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38467/22]
View answer309. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of implementing measures (details supplied); the current staffing ratios for post-primary schools; the changes in the pupil-teacher ratio over the past five years; the additional number of teachers needed for each change; the cost of additional school accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38468/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 308 and 309 together.
Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website.
Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools and supporting small schools and I am delighted that significant progress has been made.
In Budget 2022, I ensured major investment in our primary and post primary schools and brought the teacher allocation ratio in all primary schools to the lowest ever seen at primary level. This was my second successive Budget which saw an improvement in allocation of teachers to primary schools. This significantly increased investment reflects my commitment and that of Government to support the educational success of learners and to provide a quality inclusive school system with improved learning outcomes for all.
Budget 2021, at primary level, saw the annual staffing schedule which determines the allocation of teachers to schools reduced to an average ratio of 1 classroom teacher for every 25 pupils.
Budget 2022 has delivered a further 1 point reduction for the 2022/23 school year so that primary schools will be allocated teaching posts on an average basis of 1 classroom teacher for every 24 pupils in September.
Prior to 2016, teachers were allocated to primary schools at a general average of 1 teacher for every 28 pupils. Budget 2016 improved this ratio by 1 point, to 27:1 and Budget 2018 further improved this ratio by 1 point, to 26:1
Lower thresholds apply to DEIS Urban Band 1 schools giving a class size of 19:1 in junior schools, 21:1 in vertical schools (schools with junior and senior classes) and 23:1 in senior schools. The DEIS programme serves over 180,000 students annually and this will increase to 240,000 from September.
At post primary level, teachers are currently allocated at a ratio of 19:1 in the free education system and 23:1 to schools in the fee charging sector.
The Statistics Section of my Department's website contains extensive data in relation to our schools including pupil teacher ratios and teacher numbers. The latest figures in relation to pupil teacher ratio shows an improved ratio of teachers to pupils from 15.7:1 to 14.5:1 at primary level and 13.6 to 12.4 at post-primary level when comparing the 2010/11 school year to the 2020/21 school year.
There are over 12,000 more teachers employed in our schools during the same period.
Each one point improvement in the staffing schedule at primary level would cost in the region of €15.5 million per annum and each one point adjustment to the pupil teacher ratio at post primary level would cost approximately €58m per annum.
My Department has in place detailed design guidelines for primary and post-primary schools which are available on my Department's web-site.
It is not possible to extract the specific historic costs of additional accommodation associated with a reduction in the pupil teacher ratio. Given the more flexible use of school accommodation at post primary level, it is expected that some level of additional staffing could be facilitated within most schools’ existing accommodation. However, specific circumstances at each school including subject choices, timetabling and enrolment numbers by year group will be relevant in the assessment of any additional accommodation requirements.
The actual cost of constructing a classroom for primary or post primary school can vary depending on a number of factors which can include, but not limited to the size and scope of the construction contract the classrooms are being constructed under, market conditions, site constraints, planning conditions, procurement method, etc. The Department's published Basic Building Costs limits apply. Based on this rate, it is expected that the construction cost of a typical primary school classroom would be in the region €233,000.00 and €179,000.00 for a post primary classroom.
310. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of abolishing fees for sitting the Junior and Leaving Certificate for 2023, 2024 and 2025; the projected number of students in each year by exam; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38469/22]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your question to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to the Deputy.
311. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of abolishing school transport charges for concessionary students; if she will outline the changes in the fees for the scheme over the past two years; the current fees paid by students; the total fees collected this school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38470/22]
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 my 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.
In 2021, receipts from school transport charges which includes eligible and concessionary tickets amounted to approximately €12m (net of refunds issued arising from Covid related school closures). The total amount of receipts without refunds, would be approximately €16m.
As part of the cost of living measures announcement by Government on 10 February 2022 for policy measures to mitigate the cost of living, for the 2022/2023 school year the annual school transport cap per family was set to be reduced from the previous cap of €220 to €150 per family at primary level and from the previous cap of €650 to €500 per family at post-primary level. There were no reductions announced for single annual tickets at this time. Eligible children holding valid medical cards and eligible children with special educational needs were exempt from paying the annual charge.
However, as you are aware, in recognition that this is an expensive time of year for families, within the last week I have put in place measures worth over €17m which will ensure free school transport for families availing of the school transport scheme in the 2022/2023 school year, this includes students who travel on a concessionary basis. These measures will provide families with savings of up to €500 on the cost of tickets. This figure is based on current patterns of school transport uptake and could vary depending on eligibility and demand.
School Transport is a demand led scheme and services are planned annually based on the number of eligible pupils who apply and pay on time. The closing date for receipt of payment for school transport for the 2022/23 school year was set for the 29th July 2022.
Families who have already paid/entered medical card details for their ticket do not need to take any further action. Families who have not yet paid for their ticket will need to confirm they still require a ticket by the 29th July 2022 in line with the process.
Bus Éireann have informed the Department the estimated total amount of payments received for the 2022/2023 school year was €4m. Bus Éireann will process a full refund to families who have already made payments for the new school year.
The final number of children to be accommodated on school transport services for the 2022/23 school year will not be known until after the closing date for confirmation has passed.
312. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of seed capital and recurrent funding required to achieve 100% coverage of book rental schemes across all schools and classes and incorporating all relevant books; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38471/22]
View answerMy Department provides a book grant to all recognised primary and post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books including Book Rental Schemes. Under this scheme, my Department provided funding of €17.2 million in 2021 to all of these schools. Schools participating in my Department’s DEIS Programme receive an enhanced rate of book grant.
School book rental schemes have an important role to play in reducing the cost of school books for parents and guardians. In order to support the establishment of book rental schemes my Department provided €15.7 million seed capital in 2014, 2015 and 2016 to all primary schools. From the information available to my Department currently, approximately 96% of all primary schools and 69% of all post-primary schools operate a book rental scheme.
It is a matter for the Board of Management of each individual school to decide on its own policy in relation to the use of book grant funding in the school but they are expected to adopt a cost-conscious approach to the selection of books for use in their classes. The current arrangement relies on the local knowledge of the school in order to ensure a fair allocation of funds to those most in need. Therefore, my Department does not hold information in relation to these costs.
Additional funding of €1million was provided under Budget 2020 to provide free books in DEIS primary schools on a pilot basis. This funding was allocated to 102 DEIS primary schools for a new pilot programme for the 2020/21 school year. The aim of this pilot is to provide free school books for students in the schools involved, and to support these schools in eliminating the cost of school books for parents.
Under Circular 46/2013, DEIS primary schools receive a book grant of €21 per pupil. This pilot provided an additional €64 per pupil to increase the overall book grant rate to €85 per pupil enrolled in the school. This is in line with the costings as set out in the 2019 Barnardos report on the Real Cost of School which states that €85 is the average cost of school books at primary school.
Funding continued for the 2021/22 school year and will also continue for the 2022/23 school year.
313. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if her Department has examined the cost of introducing free schoolbooks at primary and post-primary level; if a costing has been carried out; if so, the estimated cost of the proposal; if any preparatory work has been carried out for a national tender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38472/22]
View answerMy Department provides a book grant to all recognised primary and post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books including Book Rental Schemes. Under this scheme, my Department provided funding of €17.2 million in 2021 to all of these schools. Schools participating in my Department’s DEIS Programme receive an enhanced rate of book grant.
School book rental schemes have an important role to play in reducing the cost of school books for parents and guardians. In order to support the establishment of book rental schemes my Department provided €15.7 million seed capital in 2014, 2015 and 2016 to all primary schools. From the information available to my Department currently, approximately 96% of all primary schools and 69% of all post-primary schools operate a book rental scheme.
It is a matter for the Board of Management of each individual school to decide on its own policy in relation to the use of book grant funding in the school but they are expected to adopt a cost-conscious approach to the selection of books for use in their classes. The current arrangement relies on the local knowledge of the school in order to ensure a fair allocation of funds to those most in need. Therefore, my Department does not hold information in relation to these costs.
Additional funding of €1million was provided under Budget 2020 to provide free books in DEIS primary schools on a pilot basis. This funding was allocated to 102 DEIS primary schools for a new pilot programme for the 2020/21 school year. The aim of this pilot is to provide free school books for students in the schools involved, and to support these schools in eliminating the cost of school books for parents.
Under Circular 46/2013, DEIS primary schools receive a book grant of €21 per pupil. This pilot provided an additional €64 per pupil to increase the overall book grant rate to €85 per pupil enrolled in the school. This is in line with the costings as set out in the 2019 Barnardos report on the Real Cost of School which states that €85 is the average cost of school books at primary school.
Funding continued for the 2021/22 school year and will also continue for the 2022/23 school year.
