Holly Cairns
Question:1116. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a child (details supplied) is allocated a special needs place in a local school. [41030/22]
View answerSchool Transport
Questions (1116)
Written answers
I would like to thank the Deputy for bringing this matter to my attention.
As the matter raised relates to an individual case I have so arranged to forward the details you have provided to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes additional teaching and care supports.
As a result, the number of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
Over the last two years, my Department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school-year.
I am satisfied that this more joined up approach is delivering. Through this intensive intervention, we have seen an additional 300 special classes, providing 1,800 new places, opened nationwide for the 2021/22 school-year.
I also acknowledge that notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.
The NCSE has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.
The NCSE through their network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers) are currently engaged in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. They are looking at local information in relation to projected demand for future special class places.
Parents seeking special class or school placements for their children are advised to contact NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes.
School Uniforms
Questions (1117)
Holly Cairns
Question:1117. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the steps that she is taking to ensure that schools use generic uniforms to reduce cost for families. [41031/22]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (1118, 1119)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:1118. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the number of children in County Wicklow who are eligible for July Provision but did not get a place for summer 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41077/22]
View answerJennifer Whitmore
Question:1119. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs versus teachers who took up tutoring roles in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41078/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1118 and 1119 together.
In May 2022 the Government announced the 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 total funding available to provide summer programmes this year is up to €40 million.
The programme was developed following extensive engagement with education stakeholders, parent and disability advocacy groups.
The programme aims are to support pupils to maintain their connection with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote well-being 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.
The programmes on offer this summer include:
- Special Classes and Special School Programme in primary
- Inclusion Programme (Primary) for all primary schools for mainstream pupils with complex needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage
- Inclusion Programme (Post-Primary) for all post-primary schools for students with complex needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage
- DEIS Numeracy and literacy Camps/Campaí Samhraidh in DEIS primary schools and
- Home based provision for students with complex needs where no school-based programme is available
The Special Class and Special School Programme is open to all pupils attending special classes and special schools. The Primary Inclusion Programme is open to pupils who have complex needs and those who are most at risk of educational disadvantage.
For the purposes of the Primary and Post Primary Inclusion Programmes, pupils with complex needs are defined as: Students presenting with the most significant needs in mainstream classes in primary and post-primary schools who are accessing the highest level of the Continuum of Support (School Support Plus). This will include a small number of students with enduring needs which significantly affect their capacity to learn, to function independently and to participate in education. These students require highly individualised and differentiated learning programmes that are significantly different to their peers. These students may present with the following:
- Significant needs with physical and/or sensory functioning (including students who are Deaf or have severe to profound hearing loss and students who are blind or have a severe to profound visual impairment)
- Significant needs in cognitive functioning and independence/daily living skills (including students who have moderate to severe OR significant/profound learning disability)
- Significant needs in social communication, social interaction combined with rigid repetitive patterns of behaviour (including students with Autism)
- Students with Down's syndrome or
- Students with severe OR significant emotional behavioural needs to the extent that these behaviours of concern are impacting on a student’s ability to learn, to function independently and to participate fully in school life.
Children who meet the above criteria and are entering primary school in September 2022 are also eligible for the Primary Inclusion Programme.
Once places have been allocated to pupils with complex needs as outlined above, schools may offer places to pupils who they consider to be at risk of educational disadvantage.
The home-based programme is available to all pupils with complex needs where a school based programme is not available for them.
Details on the number of students, teachers and SNAs who participated in the programme will be available after the programme concludes and all claims have been processed.
Question No. 1119 answered with Question No. 1118
Special Educational Needs
Questions (1120)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:1120. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the reason that in-role training is not automatically funded for children's disability network team staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41079/22]
View answerWritten answers
Children's Disability Network Teams (CNDT) work under the HSE’s Progressive Disability Services (PDS) programme. The Department of Education has no role in training CNDT staff. Queries in relation to training for CNDT staff should be directed to the HSE or to the Department of Health.
School Curriculum
Questions (1121)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:1121. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if the Government plans to promote courses in occupational therapy, psychology and speech therapy through career guidance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41080/22]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that Guidance Counsellors in schools do not promote one path over another but encourage students to explore all suitable options.
I recently established a National Policy Group for Lifelong Guidance who have been charged with the development of a coherent long term strategic framework for lifelong guidance as recommended in the Indecon review of Career Guidance Tools and Information. The Policy Group comprises the Department of Education, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and their work is progressing.
My colleagues in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) note that the provision of clear, coherent information and guidance, on education, training, employment and careers opportunities, is an essential element of Ireland’s skills and human capital development approach.
It ensures that individuals can access opportunities for advancement, in the way that suits them best, reach their full potential, engage in life-long and life-wide learning, and, critically, it ensures that Ireland has a robust and sustainable economy and society that encompasses everyone.
Changing patterns of work, in an ever more globalized economy and digitalised world, demands that people upskill, reskill and learn throughout life for different careers and jobs.
Owing to the above referenced pace and scale of changes in the world of work globally and in Ireland, individuals today take on heightened responsibility for managing their own career and career opportunities. The challenge and focus for DFHERIS is to ensure this is supported adequately, via communicating the importance of, and opportunities to engage in, lifelong learning, and broadening career management skills and skill development.
Significant progress has been made by DFHERIS and partners in showcasing opportunities on careers and skills such as the following:
- The Right Course one-stop shop on training, upskilling and reskilling opportunities., launched in 2020; and
- SmartChoices interactive platform to inform further education and apprenticeship options and career choices launched in 2021.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (1122)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:1122. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to ensure that a specialist school for severe dyslexia is available in every major population centre in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41081/22]
View answerWritten answers
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.
A continuum of education provision is in place covering the full range of need spanning placement in mainstream classes with supports through to more specialist placements either in a special class or a special school depending on the level of complexity of need.
Available supports include provision to meet care needs and to provide additional teaching support where this is required. In addition, there are specialist educational supports provided by the National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS) and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to help schools provide an appropriate education for pupils with special educational needs including reading difficulties.
NCSE is currently undertaking Policy Advice on Education Provision in Special Classes and Special Schools to examine whether placement in specialist settings brings about improved educational outcomes and experiences, relative to their ability, for students with special educational needs.
This Policy Advice is to be completed shortly and will then be considered by my Department.
I have also requested my Department to arrange for a review of the policy on reading classes and schools. This review will be undertaken by the Department's Inspectorate. When completed, this report will also be considered in the context of overall policy on special education.
School Attendance
Questions (1123, 1164)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:1123. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education when Greystones in County Wicklow will get an education welfare officer (details supplied); the number of education welfare officers in County Wicklow; the current list of vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41082/22]
View answerJennifer Whitmore
Question:1164. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education when a replacement will be provided for the current vacancy of an education welfare officer in Greystones, County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41779/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1123 and 1164 together.
Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs), are employed by Tusla as part of Tusla Education Support Service. EWOs work with children and families in cases where they are experiencing difficulties in relation to school attendance, participation, and retention. The Educational Welfare Service is a statutory service and its primary role is to ensure that every child either attends school regularly or otherwise receives a certain minimum education, to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education.
There are two EWOs serving County Wicklow. One EWO post covers North Wicklow, which includes Greystones. Arrangements are being put in place to back fill the current temporary vacancy at the earliest opportunity.
I have been informed by Tusla that a recruitment campaign to form a new national Educational Welfare Officer panel will be completed in early August 2022 and that vacant EWO posts (including temporary vacancies) will be offered to this panel on formation. The post referred to by the Deputy will be filled as soon as possible thereafter allowing for necessary pre-appointment processes.
School Staff
Questions (1124)
James Browne
Question:1124. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the employment of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41083/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Public Service Sick Leave scheme, which applies to teachers, and is detailed in Chapter 1 Sick Leave Scheme, Circular 0054/2019 Leave Schemes for Registered Teachers employed in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools, applies for all instances whereby a teacher has been certified by a qualified medical practitioner as "unable to perform his/her duties because of illness, injury".
Once this certification has been provided to the Employer (Board of Management) this absence must be recorded as sick leave. Any circumstances that may relate to this absence is irrelevant for the purposes of recording leave.
Official Engagements
Questions (1125)
John Brady
Question:1125. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education if she has received any gifts from visiting dignitaries; if she will provide a breakdown of the details of these gifts, their value, and how they were disposed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41114/22]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that the Minster for Education has received a number of gifts from visiting dignitaries in the course of her official duties none of which exceed the allowable limit under the Ethics in Public Office Act.
Official Engagements
Questions (1126)
John Brady
Question:1126. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education if she has received any gifts while travelling abroad; if she will provide a breakdown of the detail and value of these gifts and the way they were disposed of; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41132/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Minister for Education has received a number of gifts during her 2022 Saint Patrick's Day visit to Boston, none of which exceeded the allowable limit under the Ethics in Public Office Act.
Official Engagements
Questions (1127)
John Brady
Question:1127. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education if she or her Department has given any gifts to visiting dignitaries; if she will provide a breakdown of the detail and the value of these gifts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41150/22]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that the Minister for Education and her Department have given a number of gifts, including poetry books, bookmarks and flowers to visiting dignitaries, all of which were of token value.
School Transport
Questions (1128)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:1128. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the total number of primary and post-primary students per county who availed of the school transport scheme in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the cost of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41191/22]
View answerWritten answers
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
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, and at post-primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kms 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 total cost for providing transport in 2018 was €200m, in 2019 was €219m, in 2020 the cost was €224.7m and €289m in 2021. The cost includes the provision of mainstream and special educational needs transport, school bus escorts where required, remote area grants and special transport grants where applicable.
Bus Éireann have provided the following information as requested by the Deputy. The data requested that refers to the total number of students availing of transport for the 2022/2023 school year can not yet be provided as the closing date for applications has not yet passed.
Total number of tickets issued - mainstream
2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021 2021/2022
|
County |
Primary |
Post-primary |
Primary |
Post-primary |
Primary |
Post-primary |
Primary |
Post-primary |
|
Carlow |
816 |
1254 |
785 |
1334 |
774 |
1282 |
790 |
1398 |
|
Cavan |
1558 |
1834 |
1516 |
1879 |
1395 |
1713 |
1424 |
1964 |
|
Clare |
908 |
2144 |
912 |
2211 |
862 |
2114 |
910 |
2317 |
|
Cork |
4914 |
8741 |
4989 |
9125 |
4760 |
8788 |
4850 |
9607 |
|
Donegal |
3407 |
5692 |
3285 |
5674 |
3068 |
5359 |
3213 |
5868 |
|
Dublin |
1183 |
751 |
1304 |
803 |
1222 |
822 |
1290 |
942 |
|
Galway |
2516 |
5800 |
2477 |
5979 |
2285 |
5585 |
2476 |
6349 |
|
Kerry |
1845 |
3124 |
1822 |
3210 |
1696 |
3047 |
1685 |
3346 |
|
Kildare |
2036 |
2867 |
2014 |
2981 |
1778 |
2807 |
1754 |
2955 |
|
Kilkenny |
1849 |
1699 |
1843 |
1712 |
1765 |
1675 |
1784 |
1864 |
|
Laois |
410 |
971 |
414 |
1051 |
372 |
981 |
404 |
1056 |
|
Leitrim |
913 |
1084 |
877 |
1136 |
803 |
1005 |
788 |
1110 |
|
Limerick |
1131 |
3398 |
1155 |
3456 |
988 |
3171 |
1004 |
3527 |
|
Longford |
681 |
1452 |
650 |
1466 |
541 |
1311 |
545 |
1465 |
|
Louth |
874 |
2087 |
904 |
2239 |
844 |
2180 |
832 |
2510 |
|
Mayo |
1531 |
3224 |
1527 |
3225 |
1400 |
2876 |
1420 |
3154 |
|
Meath |
1889 |
2668 |
1908 |
2766 |
1819 |
2612 |
1854 |
2751 |
|
Monaghan |
1260 |
2098 |
1289 |
2117 |
1159 |
1959 |
1153 |
2210 |
|
Offaly |
828 |
1798 |
792 |
1894 |
720 |
1720 |
710 |
1814 |
|
Roscommon |
800 |
771 |
816 |
809 |
774 |
678 |
789 |
759 |
|
Sligo |
868 |
1180 |
827 |
1185 |
774 |
1053 |
797 |
1181 |
|
Tipperary |
1749 |
3152 |
1716 |
3199 |
1625 |
2842 |
1663 |
3295 |
|
Waterford |
894 |
1467 |
915 |
1601 |
847 |
1577 |
874 |
1746 |
|
Westmeath |
893 |
1669 |
882 |
1694 |
806 |
1535 |
815 |
1702 |
|
Wexford |
1930 |
3666 |
1906 |
3850 |
1746 |
3713 |
1751 |
4103 |
|
Wicklow |
1255 |
1976 |
1253 |
2072 |
1165 |
1981 |
1153 |
2102 |
|
Total |
38938 |
66567 |
38778 |
68668 |
35988 |
64386 |
36728 |
71095 |
School Transport
Questions (1129)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:1129. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the cost of the school transport grant for children with additional needs in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41192/22]
View answerWritten answers
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of 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.
The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table below.
|
Year |
Payments |
|
Jan-18 |
€2.9m |
|
Jan-19 |
€3 m |
|
Jan-20 |
€1.7m |
|
Jan-21 |
€2.7m |
|
Jan-22 to July 2022 |
€1.5m |
Question No. 1130 answered with Question No. 1104.