Thursday, 14 Jul 2022

Written Answers Nos. 481-500

National Educational Psychological Service

Questions (481, 482)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

481. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated first year cost of hiring one additional educational psychologist. [38937/22]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

482. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost of hiring one additional educational psychologist. [38938/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 481 and 481 together.

I can inform the Deputy that the average direct pay and non-pay cost of employing one main grade Educational Psychologist in the NEPS service is €76,000 per annum.

The number of NEPS psychologists employed currently stands at 225 whole-time equivalents across the NEPS regions and the annual pay cost of the 225 psychologists is the region of €20m.

Question No. 482 answered with Question No. 481.

Departmental Data

Questions (483)

Dara Calleary

Question:

483. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education the number of staff who are abated under her Department in accordance with the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, in tabular form. [38948/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department.

Once the data is compiled it will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.

School Accommodation

Questions (484)

Niall Collins

Question:

484. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if her Department is dealing with an application for additional accommodation for a school (details supplied); if she will appreciate the clear need in that regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38968/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I can confirm that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school authority referred to by the Deputy.

Officials from my Department have recently corresponded with the school in relation to their application. The application is under review and a the decision will issue to the school authority directly in due course.

Departmental Policies

Questions (485)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

485. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if it is intended to provide funding for special ongoing day programmes for children going to special primary schools that would cover a structured programme of school-based activities during the school holidays each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39026/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

This year’s Summer Programme will allow all primary and post-primary schools to offer a summer programme for students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage. In line with last year, the total funding available to provide summer programmes this year is up to €40 million. Building on the 2021 programme, all schools, both primary and post-primary, are encouraged to provide this valuable programme to their students. In 2021 nearly 38,000 children availed of the summer programme, an increase of 60% from the previous year.

The Department has held consultations and listened to education partners, stakeholders and advocacy groups. Following this process, steps have been taken to encourage more schools to participate including the following:

- the provision of paid overseeing and preparation time for schools,

- a reduction in the administrative burden for schools,

- arrangements to pay staff sooner,

- greater guidance,

- an online payments portal for schools, and

- greater flexibility in the timing of the programme.

The complexities of organising a summer programme in special school environments is recognised and further enhanced funding for special schools is being provided this year including increased capitation and preparation hours to support these schools.

Concerns around the availability of staff have been further addressed with the provision to recruit final year student teachers and student teachers registered with the Teaching Council under Route 5. To support and facilitate schools and principals with organising and running the programme, principals may delegate these functions to other members of staff through the Overseer role and preparation hours. Overseers, teachers and SNAs who work on the programme will be paid for this work based on what they are normally paid during the school year in addition to their normal salary.

In 2021, 377 special schools and schools with special classes ran a programme, with in the region of 5,587 pupils attending. To provide some context, in 2011 there were 149 schools and 2,461 pupils attending the ‘July provision’ programme. The number of special schools running a programme under the ‘July provision’ scheme had fallen from 54 in 2011 to 34 in 2019. It is important to note that we have actually seen an increase in the number of special schools running a programme in both 2020 and 2021 with 39 special schools taking part in 2021.

While the number of special schools and classes taking part has risen over the last 2 years we want to continue this growth in participation further. The Department will continue to work with all stakeholders to support parents in accessing summer provision and with schools to ensure that they have the resources and supports necessary to successfully run these programmes.

Planning for the 2023 Summer Programme has commenced with a view to addressing future plans for the programme.

School Transport

Questions (486)

Pauline Tully

Question:

486. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education if she will consider the approval of an additional school bus to collect the 20 plus students going to second level schools in Cavan town from the Kilnaleck Drumkilly area of County Cavan on a concessionary ticket basis on the route that the private bus currently takes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39032/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

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. The cost in 2021 was over €289m.

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 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, and rules have regard to ethos and language.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay/confirm 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.

Parents of a child wishing to avail of school transport services, are required to apply on-line to Bus Éireann’s website at www.buseireann.ie.

A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.

Bus Éireann, who operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department, review all school transport services 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.

School Transport

Questions (487)

Pauline Tully

Question:

487. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education if capacity for students attending their second-choice school will be provided on school transport in the 2022/2023 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39033/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

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 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.

As you are aware the Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The Steering Group presented me with an initial interim report, following consideration of this report, temporary alleviation measures were approved which allowed for the provision of 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. In effect, these students remained to be considered as concessionary but transport was provided for students who met the criteria.

Decisions in regard to measures for the 2022/23 school year will be made shortly.

Education Policy

Questions (488)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

488. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 409 of 31 May 2022, the estimated first and full-year saving of removing the monetary subsidy given to private schools, assuming no behavioural change. [39039/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Gross expenditure in the order of €121 million was incurred by my Department on salaries for teachers and special needs assistants (including employer’s PRSI) in fee-charging schools in the 2020/2021 school year. Capital supports (building-related and ICT grants) are also available to such schools and these totalled over €1.6 million in 2021. In addition, specific Covid-19 grant funding of €3 million was paid to these schools in the financial year 2021 for hand sanitiser, enhanced cleaning and supervision.The figures given relate to the gross costs of fee-charging schools in the years cited and not the net financial position.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (489)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

489. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if she will change the criteria that reasonable accommodations of certificate examinations apply for the appointment of readers for leaving Certificate examination students to allow readers to include language modifiers for Leaving certificate candidates whose disability has a very substantial and long-term effect resulting in very persistent and significant difficulties in accessing and processing information and whose role would be to clarify the carrier language in the examination paper when requested to do so by the examination candidate and who would be prohibited from explaining technical terms or subject-specific terms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39041/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (490)

Pauline Tully

Question:

490. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the primary schools in counties Cavan and Monaghan that are taking part in the July Provision scheme; the timeframe that each school is running July Provision; the post-primary schools in counties Cavan and Monaghan that are taking part in the July Provision scheme; the timeframe each school is running July Provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39112/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

In May last, the Government announced this year's Summer Programme to allow all primary and post-primary schools to offer a summer programme for students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage.

The programme aims are to support pupils to maintain their connection with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote wellbeing and for those who are at key transition stages, helping to ensure they continue their education journey in September either in school or in further/higher education or training.

Building on the 2021 programme, all primary and post primary schools can offer a summer programme and in line with last year’s funding, there is up to €40 million available to provide for this year’s programme.

A key objective of this year’s scheme is to increase the number of schools offering the summer programme to their students. Steps have been taken to afford schools as much flexibility as possible, and to ease administrative requirements.

An online registration portal was available for schools to register their participation in this year’s programme with a closing date of 9 June, 2022. It remains open for schools to contact the Department in respect of the Summer Programme. Indications are that over 1,000 schools will participate in this year's programme compared to 945 in 2021. Final details of participating schools will be available later in the Summer.

National Educational Psychological Service

Questions (491, 495)

Pauline Tully

Question:

491. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of children in counties Cavan and Monaghan that are waiting for an appointment with a National Educational Psychological Service psychologist; the number that are waiting less than 6, 6-12 and more than 12 months broken down in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39113/22]

Thomas Gould

Question:

495. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the number of children in Cork that are waiting for an appointment with a National Educational Psychological Service psychologist; the number who have been waiting less than 3, 3-6, 6-12 months and for more than 12 months, broken down in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39202/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education (Deputy Norma Foley)

My Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary schools. This involves direct support in the event of a critical incident, access to national and regional support and development work to build school capacity to support students, access to a NEPS psychologist for responses to queries arising, and access to individual pupil casework where there is need via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).

NEPS does not maintain waiting lists, but in common with many other psychological services and best international practice, has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution oriented consultative approach to maximise positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Where reasonable progress is not made, following a school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, a psychologist will become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment. This system allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (492)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

492. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education the plans for the delivery of new primary and secondary schools in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39157/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

As the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.

Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within that particular area and its ability to meet any increased demand.

Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:

- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,

- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,

- Provision of a new school or schools.

Building projects are currently in train in 5 schools in the County Louth school planning area as follows:

- St Ita’s Special School Drogheda RN 18936K – A project to deliver a new school building comprising 20 classroom and associated ancillary accommodation (on a shared campus with St Mary's Special School) is currently at stage 1.

- St. Mary’s Special School RN 19214A – A project to deliver a new school building comprising 17 classrooms with associated ancillary accommodation (on a shared campus with St Ita’s Special School) is currently at stage 1.

- SN Ard Mhuire Marymount RN 19215C – A project to deliver a new school building comprising 24 classrooms with associated ancillary accommodation is currently at stage 2b.

- Ardee ETNS RN 20171P – A project to deliver a new school building comprising 8 mainstream classrooms with associated ancillary accommodation is currently at stage 3.

- Drogheda ETSS RN 68348A – A project to deliver a new 1,000 pupil post primary school with associated ancillary accommodation is currently at stage 1.

The current status of all projects on the Department's school building programme is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages.

The Department undertakes regular demographic reviews to identify where school places are needed, taking account of school enrolments, population statistics and planned additional housing. This process is currently underway for 2022 and will have regard to updated information concerning those factors as well as existing capacity in schools.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (493)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

493. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education the status of the delivery of the autism unit at a school (details supplied) in County Louth. [39158/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The school to which the Deputy refers was granted approval under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme for the purchase of accommodation for its Special Education Needs (SEN) Base.

As this is a Devolved project, the first step for the school authorities to undertake was to appoint a consultant to lead the project on its behalf and to source a supplier of the required accommodation. Unfortunately, the school authorities were unable to procure the required accommodation in time for the start of the upcoming school year and my Department has therefore provided assistance in sourcing modular accommodation to fulfil the SEN needs of the school. The delivery of this modular accommodation is already progressing and is projected to be on site in time for the start of the new school year in September 2022.

School Staff

Questions (494)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

494. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education the status of the implementation of the agreement on school secretaries’ pay and conditions; the Departmental resources that are being used to ensure the speedy resolution of the issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39159/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

School secretaries and caretakers are valued members of our schools. I am fully aware of the vitally important role played by them in the running of our schools and I support fully this important agreement which will improve their terms and conditions.

The majority of primary and post-primary schools receive assistance to provide for secretarial 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.

Fórsa trade union had tabled a claim in 2019 seeking parity of these staff with ETB public service staff. Extensive engagement has taken place since then between the Department and school management bodies with Forsa to work towards a resolution with the support of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

On the 24th February this year, following a series of engagements at the WRC, a suite of measures designed to improve the working conditions of school secretaries was proposed, which Fórsa agreed to recommend to its members. A ballot was undertaken and the result was 95% agreement in favour of the deal. I was very pleased to hear of this overwhelmingly positive result on this long running issue, the resolution of which has been a priority for me since my appointment.

The work to implement this agreement has now commenced in conjunction with Fórsa; it requires a complex process of assimilating information to capture accurate data in respect of each individual secretary. Additional resources are in place to provide capacity to manage this process, ensuring both individual and school data is captured and correctly applied.

This will also require the development of an IT system to collect the data and action the payroll obligations. As this work is currently ongoing, it is therefore not possible to commit to an exact timeline but the Department has expedited the process and will communicate further as the work progresses.

The Department has issued a circular (36/2022) to schools outlining how the agreement will be implemented. The circular outlines that as a first phase of implementation of the agreement, schools must, before the end of September, calculate the initial assimilation rate of pay and annual leave entitlement for secretaries and offer it to secretaries.

Should the secretary choose to move to the new terms then the new pay rate should be applied by the school from 1 September 2022.

The verification of this first phase, the calculation of back pay and the option to have the value of Jobseekers Benefit included in pay will be addressed in the second phase of the assimilation process. The Department will continue to consider the approach to these further aspects and communicate to schools and secretaries as needed over the coming months.

Question No. 495 answered with Question No. 491.

School Accommodation

Questions (496)

Thomas Gould

Question:

496. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the number of applications received from schools in Cork under the major capital works scheme; and the number granted to date in 2022. [39284/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of all building projects included in the Department's school building programme is listed on a county by county basis on my Department's website at www.gov.ie. This is updated regularly to reflect the progress of the projects through the architectural planning process through to construction stage.

Disadvantaged Status

Questions (497)

Brendan Smith

Question:

497. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given at an early date to a further extension of the DEIS Programme in view of the availability of data from the 2022 Census; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39450/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

In March I announced a major expansion of the DEIS programme which means that, for the first time since 2017, the programme is being significantly expanded and eligible schools will now gain access to targeted supports to address educational disadvantage. 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. From 2023 my Department will spend in the region of €180 million on the DEIS programme, an increase of €32 million.

The extension of the DEIS programme to additional schools follows intensive work by the DEIS technical group, which involved valuable input from stakeholders. The refined DEIS identification model builds on the objectivity and fairness of the 2017 version, but now captures a greater breadth of disadvantage and accounts for severity of disadvantage through the application of a weighted process. It also takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and of students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. The model uses information from the school’s individual enrolment database and 2016 national census data as represented by the Pobal HP Deprivation index which is a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area. The details of the refined DEIS Identification Model are available on the gov.ie website.

The DEIS programme focuses on targeting additional resources at those schools with the highest concentrations of students who are at risk of educational disadvantage.

Schools that were not satisfied with the outcome following the application of the DEIS identification model to their school enrolment data were provided with the opportunity to have that outcome reviewed.

Circular 0019/2022 outlined the details of this appeals process and is available on the gov.ie website.

My Department will continue to support schools to deliver high quality, inclusive teaching and learning to students and young learners. It is important to note that the extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one phase of work in my Department’s vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. While the DEIS programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, my Department recognises that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. Conscious of this, and recognising the need to target resources to those schools who need them most, the next phase of work will explore the allocation of resources to schools to tackle educational disadvantage. Part of this programme of work will involve consultation with all relevant stakeholders and will consider information provided by schools in correspondence following the application of the refined DEIS identification model.

Following the National Census 2022 held on the 3rd April last it is envisaged that an updated HP Deprivation Index will be generated by Pobal and will be available in Q3 of 2023. My Department will engage with Pobal in relation to this process. The updated HP Deprivation Index when available can be considered by my Department to inform future resource allocation to tackle educational disadvantage.

Disadvantaged Status

Questions (498)

Brendan Smith

Question:

498. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if consideration is being given to changes to the modelling system for the assessment of schools for inclusion in the DEIS Programme given that there are anomalies resulting in the exclusion of some schools who share catchment areas with schools who are in the DEIS scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39451/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

In March I announced a major expansion of the DEIS programme which means that, for the first time since 2017, the programme is being significantly expanded and eligible schools will now gain access to targeted supports to address educational disadvantage. 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. From 2023 my Department will spend in the region of €180 million on the DEIS programme, an increase of €32 million.

The extension of the DEIS programme to additional schools follows intensive work by the DEIS technical group, which involved valuable input from stakeholders. The refined DEIS identification model builds on the objectivity and fairness of the 2017 version, but now captures a greater breadth of disadvantage and accounts for severity of disadvantage through the application of a weighted process. It also takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and of students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. The model uses information from the school’s individual enrolment database and 2016 national census data as represented by the Pobal HP Deprivation index which is a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area. The details of the refined DEIS Identification Model are available on the gov.ie website.

The DEIS programme focuses on targeting additional resources at those schools with the highest concentrations of students who are at risk of educational disadvantage.

Schools that were not satisfied with the outcome following the application of the DEIS identification model to their school enrolment data were provided with the opportunity to have that outcome reviewed.

Circular 0019/2022 outlined the details of this appeals process and is available on the gov.ie website.

My Department will continue to support schools to deliver high quality, inclusive teaching and learning to students and young learners. It is important to note that the extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one phase of work in my Department’s vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. While the DEIS programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, my Department recognises that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. Conscious of this, and recognising the need to target resources to those schools who need them most, the next phase of work will explore the allocation of resources to schools to tackle educational disadvantage. Part of this programme of work will involve consultation with all relevant stakeholders and will consider information provided by schools in correspondence following the application of the refined DEIS identification model.

Following the National Census 2022 held on the 3rd April last it is envisaged that an updated HP Deprivation Index will be generated by Pobal and will be available in Q3 of 2023. My Department will engage with Pobal in relation to this process. The updated HP Deprivation Index when available can be considered by my Department to inform future resource allocation to tackle educational disadvantage.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (499)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

499. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will receive its anticipated BCAR validation 21-day process and if she will make a statement on the matter.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39492/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department can confirm that the assigned certifier for the school to which the Deputy refers uploaded the documentation for BCAR (Building Control Amendment Regulations) on the 11th July, 2022.

Confirmation of certification is awaited.

School Costs

Questions (500)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

500. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if she has carried out an analysis of back-to-school costs for parents for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 school years in the context of the rising cost-of-living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39493/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

As Minister, I am very conscious of the pressure faced by families with respect to living costs and back to school costs.

In relation to school uniforms, my Department’s Circular 0032/2017 sets out the principles of cost-effective practice to be adopted by schools to reduce the cost of returning to school.

Under these measures, schools are required to select school uniform items which are generic and can be purchased from an array of retailers. Only "iron on" or "sew on" crests should be used.

The Circular also sets out that schools should consult with parents on their views and suggestions on cost reduction initiatives in relation to school uniforms.

The Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill, when enacted, will improve how schools engage with students and their parents by requiring each school to consult with students and their parents on individual school plans, policies and activities, including school costs. This will help ensure that the various views of students and parents will be heard and responded to by schools.

My Department recently announced a suite of measures designed to help families with school-going children returning to school in September which includes the non- charging of fees for school bus tickets which will provide families with savings of up to € 500.00 on the costs of tickets.

In addition, funding is provided to all recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs including heating, lighting etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. These grants may be regarded as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.

My Department has ensured that centrally negotiated rates are available to schools for electricity and bulk heating fuels. These rates are available through existing frameworks sourced by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). OGP has run competitions specifically for Schools at a national level and the Schools Procurement Unit and the Department has communicated with schools and school management bodies informing them of the options available to them through these national arrangements. Information on how to avail of these arrangements is available via the Schools Procurement Unit website, www.spu.ie.

My Department has also provided funding of €17.2 million in 2021 to schools in the free education scheme to provide assistance for books including Book Rental Schemes. The 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 the Approximately 96% of primary schools and 68% of post-primary schools operate a book rental scheme.