Written Answers Nos. 1086-1100
1086. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to increase capacity in the school transport system to account for increased demand through the late application system as a result of high petrol and diesel prices, as well as the waiving of school transport fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40533/22]
View answer1102. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she has expanded the number of seats available on routes for school transport on foot of the announcement that the fee will be waived. [40833/22]
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.
As you are aware, I recently announced initiatives to assist families with back to school costs. In recognition that this is an expensive time of year for families, 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 measure will provide families with savings of up to €500 on the cost of tickets.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time and who proceed to confirm to Bus Éireann that they require a ticket by the 29th July 2022 will be accommodated on school transport services for the 2022/23 school year where such services are in operation. The closing date for application for the 2022/23 school year was Friday 29th April 2022.
Late applicants are not guaranteed a seat and will only be allocated a seat if capacity is available.
The school transport scheme is a demand led scheme operated by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. Bus Éireann 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 Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.
As the scheme is demand led, it is not possible to predict the numbers of students that will require transport for the 2022/2023 school year. The Bus Éireann family portal remains open until 29th July 2022 so that families can confirm whether they require a school transport service for the school year ahead.
1087. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil aon obair déanta ag a Roinn, i gcomhpháirtíocht leis an Roinn Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige agus an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán, chun beartas ar leith a fhorbairt don oideachas luathbhlianta trí mheán na Gaeilge agus sa Ghaeltacht, go háirithe chun tacaíocht a thabhairt do naíolanna agus naíonraí seirbhísí cúraim leanaí agus réamhscolaíochta a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40552/22]
View answerTá freagracht fhoriomlán do pholasaí luathfhoghlama agus cúraim ar an Aire Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige agus bíonn m’oifigigh ag obair go dlúth le hoifigigh ina Roinn chun polasaithe a fhorbairt a bhaineann le hoideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge do leanaí réamhscoile.
Tá mo Roinn ag obair go dlúth leis an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán agus leis an Roinn Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige chun sraith chuimsitheach gníomhartha a chur i bhfeidhm a comhaontaíodh mar chuid den Phlean Gníomhaíochta Forbartha 5 Bliana don Ghaeilge 2018-2022. Mar chuid den Phlean Gníomhaíochta 5 Bliana, cinntíonn an Roinn go dtarlaíonn cuairteanna cigireachta agus comhairleacha trí mheán na Gaeilge i suíomhanna luathfhoghlama agus cúraim lán-Ghaeilge agus go mbíonn fáil ar raon ábhar agus acmhainní FGL trí mheán na Gaeilge. Tá an Roinn ina ball de Ghrúpa Náisiúnta Maoirseachta na Luathbhlianta a sholáthraíonn comhordú Idir-Rannach maidir le tacaíochtaí don soláthar Luathfhoghlama agus Cúraim (LFC) trí mheán na Gaeilge, sa Ghaeltacht agus lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht araon.
Ar cheann de na seacht gcolún tacaíochta tiomnaithe sa Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022 tá soláthar oideachais sna luathbhlianta a láidriú. I mí an Mheithimh 2021 foilsíodh Treoir do Scoileanna Gaeltachta: Naisc a threisiú idir bunscoileanna agus suíomhanna luathfhoghlama agus cúraim. Bhí taighde, a choimisiúnaigh an Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) thar ceann na Roinne Oideachais, mar bhunús don treoir seo agus tá comhairle phraiticiúil ar fáil lena chinntiú gur eispéireas dearfach é an t-aistriú ón naíonra go dtí an bhunscoil do leanaí Gaeltachta.
Tá polasaí nua don oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht á fhorbairt faoi láthair. Mar chuid de chuspóirí an pholasaí áirítear creat a sholáthar don oideachas ardcháilíochta trí mheán na Gaeilge i nGaelscoileanna agus i nGaelcholáistí agus i suíomhanna luathfhoghlama agus cúraim (naíonraí) lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht. Tá Coiste Stiúrtha ardleibhéil bunaithe chun maoirseacht, comhairle agus treoir a sholáthar maidir le forbairt an pholasaí agus ar an gcoiste seo tá comhaltaí ainmnithe ó eagraíochtaí lena n-áirítear an Roinn Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige (RLCMLÓ) agus an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán (DTCAGSM).
1088. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her plans for a review of the voluntary contribution in primary and secondary schools, with a view to removing this financial burden on parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40557/22]
View answerVoluntary contributions by parents of pupils enrolled in recognised schools are permissible provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no requirement to pay and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own volition. The manner in which such voluntary contributions are sought and collected is a matter for school management, however their collection should be such as not to create a situation where either parents or pupils could reasonably infer that the contributions take on a compulsory character. Section 64 of the Education (Admissions to schools) Act 2018, which was commenced in 2018 explicitly prohibits the charging of admission and enrolment fees for admission to or for continued enrolment in a school, with some exceptions such as boarding or fee charging schools.
My Department is also continuing to progress the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Bill has been passed by the Seanad and last July passed second stage in the Dáil and is currently awaiting progression to Committee Stage.
The overall aim of the Bill is to improve the level of engagement between the school community by inviting feedback, comment and observation from students and parents and by further developing a listening culture in schools.
One of the key concepts of the Bill is the need for a school to consult with the school community on individual school plans, policies and activities.
This approach will help ensure that the various views of staff, students and parents will be heard and responded to by schools on policies and issues including back to school costs.
The Bill also provides for schools to provide financial information to students and parents, including information regarding voluntary contributions and how they are spent.
1089. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the analysis that her Department has carried out into the level of compliance by schools with Circular 0032/2017, and in particular the obligation on schools to select school uniform items that are generic and can be purchased from an array of retailers; if her attention has been drawn to schools that do not comply with the provisions in the circular regarding uniforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40558/22]
View answerAs 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.
1090. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reasons that additional SNA supports were not provided to a school (details supplied); the extra supports that her Department will provide to this school to assist its pupils who have additional educational and physical needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40561/22]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for bringing this matter to my attention.
The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. My Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations. Accordingly your correspondence has been forwarded to the NCSE for direct reply.
The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.
SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.
It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
In relation to SNA support the NCSE have confirmed that the school has an allocation of SNA support to provide support for children with primary care needs.
The following arrangements for the allocation of SNA support in respect of students in mainstream classes for 2022/23 will apply:
a) The SNA allocations for mainstream classes in schools on 31st May 2022 will be maintained for 2022/23 and this will provide greater certainty for schools;
b) A process for schools, whereby if they consider their SNA allocation is in excess of the required care needs, to engage with the NCSE. Schools should contact their local NCSE Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) to commence the process; and
c) The exceptional review process undertaken by NCSE will remain in place throughout the 2022/23 school year, where schools can seek a review of their SNA allocations which will result in one of the following outcomes:
i. No change in the level of care need identified (and no change in the resultant SNA allocation);
ii. Increase in the level of care need identified (which if significant would see an increase in the SNA allocations to the schools); and
iii. Decrease in level of care need identified in the school (which if significant would result in a reduction in SNA allocations as the care need could be managed with less resources than are currently allocated).
In relation to outcome iii, the SNA allocation will be adjusted at the end of the relevant school term.
It is expected that schools will review and reprioritise the deployment of SNAs within mainstream settings and allocate resources to ensure those with the greatest level of need receive the greatest level of support. Providing access to SNA support continues to be based on primary care needs as outlined in DES Circular 0030/2014 circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/education/2014/30.pdf. Following such a review and reprioritisation, it is expected that a small number of schools, e.g. developing schools, may not have a sufficient SNA allocation to meet the needs of their students. These schools can apply to the NCSE for an Exceptional Review of their allocation.
Detailed information on the NCSE Exceptional Review process is published on the NCSE website. ncse.ie/application-for-sna-exceptional-review.
The NCSE will endeavour to respond to all applications for Exceptional Review received as expediently as possible and in that regard, it will prioritise applications from schools with no current SNA allocation and developing schools. The Exceptional Review process for mainstream allocations will be available to schools throughout the 2022/23 school year.
The NCSE has developed an appeal mechanism for schools who are not satisfied with the outcome of the Exceptional Review. Local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) will provide information and clarification to schools on the outcome where requested. Where schools wish to appeal the outcome of the review, they must do so using the prescribed form provided by the NCSE ncse.ie/ncse-appeals-process
The NCSE have published the SNA allocations for the 2022/23 school year and they are available at ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations
All schools have the contact details of their local SENO, and the SENO is available to offer assistance and advice to the school. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
1091. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of applicants for school transport in County Kildare in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the number of school transport places provided since 2017; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) has no school transport service again in 2022; and her plans, if any, to provide a service. [40564/22]
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.
Bus Éireann have provided the following data as a tabular statement as requested. This information includes all mainstream applications received including roll-over applications from the previous school years, closed applications, grant applications, concessionary no service applications, late eligible and concessionary applications.
As the closing date for applications has not yet passed, it is not possible to supply information for the 2022/2023 school year at this time.
Mainstream applications for Kildare
|
Number of Applications |
Source Data |
Number of Tickets Issued |
Source Data |
|
|
SCYR2017/18 |
6321 |
Accurate as at 23/05/18 |
4789 |
2018 |
|
SCYR2018/19 |
6788 |
Accurate as at 23/05/19 |
4903 |
2019 |
|
SCYR2019/20 |
6843 |
Accurate as at 20/04/20 |
4995 |
2020 (Covid-19 impact) |
|
SCYR2020/21 |
6790 |
Accurate as at 24/05/21 |
4585 |
2021 |
|
SCYR2021/22 |
6950 |
Accurate as at 23/05/22 |
4709 |
2022 |
Bus Éireann have advised there are currently three Special Educational Needs school transport services operating to the school mentioned by the Deputy. There are currently no mainstream school transport services operating to that school at present. However, the Local Office are currently assessing mainstream eligible transport applications to ascertain if a new mainstream school transport service is warranted at this time. All families that have made applications for the upcoming school year will be contacted by Bus Éireann directly.
1092. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the status of her work for the integration of primary and secondary schools in the context of mixed classrooms. [40581/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the decision-making authority in respect of the status of existing schools, including whether they are single sex or co-educational, belongs to the Patron, subject to the agreement of the Department.
Procedures in place since 2011 dictate that new schools are established to serve areas of significant demographic growth, and following an assessment of capacity and options for expansion at existing schools. This allows the Department to direct capital investment to areas of most need.
Generally, where a new school is identified as the optimum solution, such new school provision (primary and post-primary) is co-educational in nature. Co-educational schools provide greater flexibility than single sex schools in terms of meeting demographic and school accommodation requirements in an area. Single-sex provision may be made if there is an identified imbalance between the capacities of single-sex schools in the area.
With respect to school building projects generally, replacement school buildings for existing schools, other major building projects and smaller scale Additional School Accommodation scheme projects are approved on the basis of the accommodation need and single-sex schools are not excluded from such provision.
1093. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if a primary school teacher may transfer from one regional teaching panel to another due to extenuating family circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40589/22]
View answerThe redeployment arrangements is the first method used to fill vacancies in the primary school system.
The Redeployment Panels are based on school patronage and it is the patron bodies that administer the redeployment panels. As such, the decision to facilitate a panel transfer rests with the relevant Patron.
1094. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if she will amend eligibility under the terms of the school transport schemes to include regard for children to attend post-primary level where they reside no fewer than 4.8 km from, and are attending, their nearest co-educational post-primary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40642/22]
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. 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 Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8kms from and are attending their nearest Post Primary School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
The review of the School Transport Scheme is currently underway and 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.
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.
1095. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the number of children in each of the primary school class ages in Cork in 2022, in tabular form; and the number in junior infants, senior infants and so on. [40704/22]
View answerPlease find attached requested information.
The data on the number of pupils per standard was sourced from the 2021-2022 final enrolment lists which have now been published on our website, link below;
www.gov.ie/en/collection/primary-schools/
|
Academic Year 2021-2022 |
|
|
Pupil Age at January 1st |
Enrolment per Return |
|
4 and Under |
936 |
|
5 |
6,973 |
|
6 |
7,649 |
|
7 |
7,662 |
|
8 |
7,915 |
|
9 |
7,951 |
|
10 |
8,198 |
|
11 |
8,342 |
|
12 and Over |
6,342 |
|
Grand Total |
61,968 |
|
Standard |
Enrolment per Return |
|
Junior Infants |
7,077 |
|
Senior Infants |
7,219 |
|
First Class |
7,448 |
|
Second Class |
7,576 |
|
Third Class |
7,665 |
|
Fourth Class |
7,578 |
|
Fifth Class |
8,144 |
|
Sixth Class |
8,072 |
|
Special Class |
1,189 |
|
Grand Total |
61,968 |
Note: Figures are taken from the Primary Online Database and are for those pupils enrolled on 30 September, 2021 in mainstream schools in County Cork.
1096. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education her views on the need for children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, ASD, who attend a special school to avail of a structured school routine throughout the summer months given that the ten-week break causes many non-verbal children to have significant struggles in terms of frustration and behavioural issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40707/22]
View answerThe purpose of the Summer Programme is to provide an extended school year for children to support students with complex special educational needs (SEN) including children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage. The scheme was developed to reduce potential regression in learning associated with specific categories of special education needs over the summer holidays.
The programme aims are to ensure, in so far as possible, that these children can reintegrate/transition into their planned education setting for the next school year with their peers.
This year’s Summer Programme will allow all primary and post-primary schools to offer a summer programme. 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.
1097. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a breakdown of the number of schools that availed of summer provision for each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40714/22]
View answerThe purpose of the July Provision Scheme was to provide an extended school year for children with a severe or profound general learning disability or children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The scheme was developed to reduce potential regression in learning associated with these specific categories of special education needs over the summer holidays. With regard to the range of years referred to by the Deputy, Special schools and schools with special classes were permitted to run the school-based programme over the years 2017-2020 inclusive.
In 2020 a significantly expanded summer programme was established as a response to COVID-19 with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional children with complex needs.
The programme aims were to ensure, in so far as possible, that these children could reintegrate/transition into their planned education setting for the next school year with their peers. As part of this expansion, the Department’s existing Literacy and Numeracy camps for DEIS Primary Band 1 schools was included in the Summer Programme and extended to all DEIS Primary schools. Furthermore, DEIS post-primary schools were given the option of running an inclusion programme for the first time.
In 2021, due to the ongoing pandemic, the government announced a further expanded to the Summer Programme. Under this expansion, students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage had access to an enhanced summer programme of education. The total funding available to provide the programme was €40 million, which was a 100% increase on the allocation for summer provision in 2020. The range of programmes on offer built on the success of the expanded programmes that ran in 2020 and incorporated feedback from education stakeholders.
For the first time, all primary schools were given the opportunity to run a 2-3 week inclusion programme, an expansion to all post-primary schools that had been previously only been available in DEIS post-primary schools in 2020. In addition, enhanced supports provided included measures to reduce the administrative burden, provision of funding to schools towards preparation and overseeing of the programmes, earlier payment to school staff and provision to recruit newly qualified teachers to work on the programme.
In May 2022 the details of this year’s summer programme were announced. 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.
A key objective of this year’s programme has been to increase the number of schools offering the summer programme to their students. Further 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 intentions to participate in this year’s programme with a closing date of 9 June 2022, and it remains open for schools to contact the Department in respect of the Summer Programme. Final details of the schools participating in this year's programme will be available later in the year when all claims have been processed.
Due to the different structures of July Provision and the Summer Programme, the information as requested by the Deputy is broken down to cover the years 2017-2020 and 2021 for the primary and post primary programmes, as well as a separate breakdown of the DEIS Literacy and Numeracy/Campaí Samhraidh over the period 2017-2021.
1. 2017-2020
1a Schools offering the Special Class and Special School Programme
|
Year |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
219 |
239 |
232 |
254 |
1b 2020 – DEIS Post-Primary Schools offering the Inclusion Programme
|
Number of schools |
72 |
2. 2021
2a. Expanded Primary Programme 2021
Note: Some schools ran the Special School and Special Class Programme, as well as the Inclusion Programme
|
Schools ran Primary Inclusion Programme and Special School and Special Class Programme |
Schools ran Primary Inclusion Programme |
Schools ran Special Class and Special School Programme |
|
|
Totals |
156 |
248 |
221 |
2b. Post-Primary Schools offering Inclusion Programme in 2021
|
Number of Schools: |
99 |
3. Number of Literacy and Numeracy Camps (English and Gaeilge) run in DEIS Primary Schools 2017-2021
Note: Commencing in 2021, schools were permitted to run 2 camps
English
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
|
Totals |
42 |
42 |
42 |
184 |
201 |
Gaeilge
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
|
Totals |
31 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
37 |
1098. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost in 2023 of providing 500 extra assistant principal 1 posts and 1,250 extra assistant principal 2 posts. [40749/22]
View answerI recognise the key role school leadership has in promoting a school environment which is welcoming, inclusive and accountable.
Budget 2017 allowed for the commencement of restoration of middle management posts as part of an agreed distributed leadership model and meant lifting the rigidity of the long-standing moratorium on these posts. The equivalent of approximately 1,300 middle management posts (Assistant Principal I and Assistant Principal II) were restored at both Primary and Post-Primary level. (2,600 in total)
The Department has committed to annually revising the allocation of Posts of Responsibility to take into account retirements during the school year which has ensured that the current level of Posts of Responsibility (PORs) are maintained in the school system. New POR threshold tables are produced each year to distribute these PORs equitably across all school.
Currently one in three teachers hold a promotional post within our schools.
The Sectoral Bargaining process under Building Momentum for the primary sector has been used to increase posts of responsibility (POR) in primary and special schools by 1,450 posts. The distribution of these additional posts of responsibility are comprehended in Circular 0043/2022 - Allocation of Assistant Principal Posts 2022/2023 which issued last month.
The current annual rates for Assistant Principal I and Assistant Principal II posts are €9,058 and €4,007, respectively.
1099. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education the steps that may be taken for a person (details supplied) who seeks recognition of a course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40773/22]
View answerThe Special Educational Needs (SEN) allowance is a post based allowance which was abolished for new beneficiary teachers with effect from 1 February 2012 under the terms of Circular 0008/2013.
Prior to that it was only payable to teachers employed in an SEN position and who had completed one of 7 specific SEN courses which had been recognised for payment of the SEN allowance. The Diploma in Educational Studies (SEN) that the teacher in question has completed was not one of the courses recognised for payment of the SEN allowance.
Furthermore, the revised closing date of 30 April 2022 for receipt of qualification allowance applications is not applicable to post based allowances (including the SEN allowance), Paragraph 3.1 of Circular 0063/2021 refers.
Accordingly, this teacher has no entitlement to payment of an SEN allowance.
1100. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the process that he has in place to enable the divestment of schools under Roman Catholic patronage to other forms of patronage; if her Department is working towards a target for the number of schools to divest in the next year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40776/22]
View answerIn March 2022 I announced that arrangements are being put in place in a number of towns and areas of cities that have no multi-denominational primary schools at present as part of a pilot reconfiguration arrangement. This work involves identifying potential schools and engaging with school authorities, school staff and the school communities with a view to agreeing on a transfer of patronage and change of ethos, where there is sufficient demand for this.
The Council for Education of the Irish Episcopal Conference (representing the Catholic patrons) and relevant Bishops have confirmed their willingness to engage and co-operate fully with the Department in seeking to facilitate a more diverse school patronage in these towns and cities.
Pilot Areas
|
Arklow |
Athlone |
Cork* |
Dublin* |
|
Dundalk |
Galway* |
Limerick* |
Youghal |
*parts of these cities
The first step in the local engagement - meetings with relevant Bishops, the Department and the local facilitator in each pilot area – has been completed. The facilitators are following up with diocesan representatives and the next stages of engagement are underway in some areas.
Where feasible, the aim is for transfers of patronage to take place for September 2023. To facilitate a September 2023 transfer, decisions would need to be made prior to the end of 2022 to allow for the various steps to be completed.
The learnings from the process in the pilot areas should provide a pathway forward on the process for providing multi-denominational options for parents in other towns and areas of the country going forward.
