Niamh Smyth
Question:328. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if she will allocate a school transport ticket to a pupil (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44846/22]
View answerSchool Transport
Questions (328)
Written answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
The normal eligibility criteria of the scheme still apply and tickets continue to be allocated in line with this criteria. Pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible.
Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
In line with normal practice, all eligible children who completed the application and ticket registration process on time for the 2022/2023 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
In addition, pending completion of the outcome of the full review of the School Transport Scheme, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2022/2023 school year. Under these measures, which were initially introduced in 2019, transport will provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by the 29th April and registered for a ticket by the 29th July.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy was unsuccessful in obtaining a seat on board a school transport service for the 2022/23 school year as they did not complete the ticket registration process by the closing date of 29 July. All existing services in this area are currently operating at capacity.
School Transport
Questions (329)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:329. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the number of families that were impacted by the technical issues pertaining to certain email addresses (details supplied); the proportion of those who missed the application deadline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44874/22]
View answerWritten answers
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
Bus Éireann are processing applications and issuing tickets as soon as extra buses and drivers are sourced and become available to provide transport for the higher numbers qualifying for the service.
In addition to issuing emails, we place a strong emphasis on advertising the closing date through our website and social media platforms. Bus Éireann advertised the closing date through their website and social media platforms. The closing date was also advertised through the Department of Education, Public Representatives and other forms of media channels. The email notifications that are issued are intended as a reminder but are not required for a ticket request to be made.
The normal eligibility criteria of the scheme still apply and tickets continue to be allocated in line with this criteria. Pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible.
Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
In line with normal practice, all eligible children who completed the application and ticket registration process on time for the 2022/2023 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
School Transport
Questions (330)
Denis Naughten
Question:330. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the steps which have been taken to provide transport to a post-primary ASD class for a first-year student (details supplied); when they will get a service to school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44884/22]
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, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Bus Éireann is obliged to tender all works, goods and services to be provided by external suppliers in line with national and EU procurement legislation and this includes services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme.
Bus Éireann has advised a contractor is currently being sought under the tender process, once a vehicle and driver has been sourced, a service will be established to cater for the child referred to by the Deputy.
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for special educational needs school transport may therefore apply for the Special Transport Grant which is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place and is to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until services are finalised. Families should contact School Transport Section for more information on this grant.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (331)
Bernard Durkan
Question:331. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which provision is being made for three new schools at Celbridge, County Kildare on a proposed new site; the extent to which progression has been made over the summer months; the extent to which the various required development stages have been met; when it is expected that the schools in question will be available for occupancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44895/22]
View answerWritten answers
The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects.
A letter was issued by the Department to the schools in February 2022 to advise that their respective school had been included in the programme. The NDFA has since been in contact with each school to introduce the team, communicate arrangements and discuss the project briefs.
The next step is for the NDFA to procure a Design Team for the project bundle to progress the projects through the design stages. This process has been progressing over the summer months and is currently nearing completion. An estimated timeline for the completion of the project will be available once the design stages have concluded.
School Transport
Questions (332)
Colm Burke
Question:332. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the total number of children from the Glenville area of County Cork who are attending the three secondary schools in Fermoy and who have seats on the bus; the number of children who have concessionary seats; the number of children who have not been allocated any seat for the 2022-23 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44916/22]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. In addition,
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using a random selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that the families referred to by the Deputy in this matter, for the most part, pupils who reside in the Glenville area are not eligible for transport to Fermoy Post Primary Centre.
Most pupils who reside in the Glenville area reside closer to Carrignavar Post Primary Centre.
There have been 54 applications for pupils who reside in Glenville and are attending schools within Fermoy Post Primary Centre. 33 pupils were successful in obtaining school transport tickets out of the 54 applications received.
Out of those who were unsuccessful 1 is an eligible pupil who applied late and 20 are concessionary pupils who are not attending their closest or second closest school and were not successful in obtaining a seat for the 22/23 school year after the random selection process. All families who were unsuccessful have been notified.
School Admissions
Questions (333)
Mark Ward
Question:333. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if she plans to develop a real-time integrated waiting list for primary and secondary schools. [44968/22]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018.
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools have admission policies, which are published on the schools website. Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. It is at the discretion of each individual school to determine their own admissions criteria in the event of oversubscription, and this must be included in the schools admission policy.
In the event of there being more applications to the school year concerned than places available, schools must compile a waiting list of students whose applications for admission to the school were unsuccessful due to the school being oversubscribed. This list remains valid for the school year in which admission is sought.
Placement on the waiting list of the school is in the order of priority assigned to the students’ applications after the school has applied the selection criteria in accordance with the schools own admission policy.
Offers of any subsequent places that become available for and during the school year in relation to which admission is being sought will be made to those students on the waiting list, in accordance with the order of priority in relation to which the students have been placed on the list.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (334)
Mark Ward
Question:334. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education when the proposed new primary school in Adamstown will commence construction; the reason for the delay; if the school is phased into the Adamstown SDZ; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44969/22]
View answerWritten answers
The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects.
The NDFA is currently undertaking the process of appointment of multi-disciplinary technical advisors (design teams) for these projects. Thereafter, it will ensure that the project progresses to design stage, obtains the necessary statutory planning permission, and moves the project onward to tender and construction in due course.
It is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project at this early stage.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (335)
Mark Ward
Question:335. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will receive four additional classrooms including an ASD class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44970/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, there is a planned expansion of the capacity of the patronage of the school referred to in the area from 16 classrooms to 32 classrooms. This is linked to a major school building project for a new school building which will facilitate the expansion of another school in the area from 16 classrooms to 32 classrooms. In total, an additional 32 mainstream primary classes and 4 additional classes for students with special education needs are being provided between the two schools.
Officials in my Department are currently working to identify whether there is a requirement for an interim accommodation solution pending delivery of this major project, taking into account some potential capacity at other schools in the area and ongoing residential development activity. My Department will engage further with the school in this respect.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (336)
Mark Ward
Question:336. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education when work on the new build for a school (details supplied) will commence; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44971/22]
View answerWritten answers
The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme, as a joint project with a second school located on the same site.
ADAPT is an acronym which stands for the "Accelerated Delivery of Architectural Planning and Tendering".
The ADAPT Programme uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning to Tender and Construction.
Since their appointment in May 2022, the Project Managers and my Department have been engaging in fortnightly briefing meetings in respect of all the major school building projects included in this Programme, including this school.
As part of their familiarisation review, the Project Managers have also recently visited the 2 schools.
The process to appoint a Design Team will shortly be put in train by the Project Manager.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (337)
Mark Ward
Question:337. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the discussions that her Department has had with the Department of Justice to review the way that special needs assistants are Garda vetted; if a single Garda vetting process with an ongoing review will be accepted in all schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44972/22]
View answerWritten answers
The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 (the Vetting Act), which was commenced in April 2016, put in place statutory requirements for the Garda vetting of persons involved in working with children and vulnerable persons.
The Vetting Act applies not just to schools but to any relevant organisation that employs, contracts, permits or places a person in relevant work with children or vulnerable persons. The Vetting Act provides that vetting is conducted by the National Vetting Bureau on foot of an application by a relevant organisation that is registered with it. The vetting legislation and the vetting procedures operated by the National Vetting Bureau fall within the remit of the Minister for Justice.
The Vetting Act provides that a relevant organisation must, other than in certain limited circumstances, obtain a vetting disclosure from the National Vetting Bureau prior to commencing the employment of an employee to undertake relevant work with children or vulnerable adults.
The Department of Justice has recently established an inter-departmental group to undertake a review of Garda vetting arrangements and legislation. The group will make recommendations for amending legislation and strengthening the Garda vetting process and the feasibility of the introduction of a centralised system for vetting SNA's can be considered as part of this work.
Departmental Staff
Questions (338)
Colm Burke
Question:338. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the current status of an application for leave by a person (details supplied) who is employed by her Department which was filed in February 2022; if the request has been granted; if so, the date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44978/22]
View answerWritten answers
Requests for leave should be made by the teacher to their employer (School Board of Management) in line with the application process detailed in the appropriate leave Circular. If the leave request is approved the absence should be notified by the employer to the Department, not later than 4 weeks prior to the commencement of the leave. This Department has no record of any leave query raised by this teacher or on behalf of this teacher in February 2022.
A review of this teacher's leave record shows that two types of leave have been granted and input by her employer (Board of Management) on the Online Claims System since the beginning of the school year 2022/2023.
If this teacher has any further queries on leave, please contact: teachersna@education.gov.ie.
School Funding
Questions (339)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:339. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education if she plans to increase funding to schools at all levels in order to assist schools to meet the increased cost of electricity and heating fuel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44979/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides funding 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. I have committed to seeking funding for further increases in the capitation in future budgets.
My Department has also 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) which run until 2024. 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. It is planned to run future competitions to ensure that bulk rates continue to be available from 2024 onwards. Information on how to avail of these arrangements is available via the Schools Procurement Unit website, www.spu.ie
Furthermore, my Department is at the forefront of design with respect to sustainable energy in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification and is advancing a number of programmes to further develop this.
The Energy in Education website portal and advice programme (Joint programme between SEAI and Dept. of Education) also assists schools reduce their energy consumption and empowers participating schools and pupils to learn the benefits of sustainability www.energyineducation.ie. Typically savings of between 5 to 10% are identified through low and no cost measures, while some schools participating have identified potential savings of up to 15% or more.
I am very conscious of the cost of living pressures facing families and schools. In advance of this year's Budget I will engage with my Cabinet colleagues to continue to deliver on my priorities to support the students, staff, and families within the education sector and to address these pressures.
Site Acquisitions
Questions (340)
John Lahart
Question:340. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the stage that the post-primary school project is at for a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44992/22]
View answerWritten answers
The permanent school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been assigned to my Department’s Design & Build delivery programme. This campus project will deliver a 1,000 pupil post-primary school for the school referred to by the Deputy and a 16 classroom primary Gaelscoil on the permanent site at Fortunestown Lane, Citywest, Saggart, Co. Dublin
The final grant of planning permission for the project was received in March 2021. My Department’s Project Manager together with their Design Team are engaged in the preparation of tender documentation for the project. It is intended that the project will be included in the next bundle of projects to proceed to tender later this year.
Pending delivery of the permanent building project, my Department will continue to address the interim accommodation needs of the school in conjunction with the school’s patron body.
School Transport
Questions (341)
Michael McNamara
Question:341. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education when school transport will be facilitated in the case of a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44995/22]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
Bus Éireann has advised that the children referred to by the Deputy were unsuccessful in obtaining a seat on board a school transport service for the 2022/23 school year as they did not complete the ticket registration process by the closing date of 29th July 2022. All existing services in this area are currently operating at capacity.
School Transport
Questions (342)
Michael McNamara
Question:342. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education when school transport will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44996/22]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Schemes children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department, will contact all applicants regarding their eligibility for school transport:
- Following a timely application and payment process where there is a transport service available for eligible children, Bus Éireann will continue to liaise with eligible families regarding ticketing etc.
- Following a timely application where there is no transport service available for eligible children, Bus Éireann will forward the applicants’ details at the end of the school year to the Department, which will then contact families directly regarding the Remote Area Grant.
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 has advised that the first pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible for School Transport as they are attending their closest Gaelcholáiste. Bus Eireann has also advised there is currently no service available, the pupil is eligible to receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements and received the Remote Area Grant for 2021/22 school year. Bus Éireann has advised there is no record of an application received for the second pupil referred to by the Deputy to the advised post primary school.
Educational Disadvantage
Questions (343)
Michael Ring
Question:343. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education the reason that a school (details supplied) is currently excluded from the DEIS programme in view of the fact that this is a rural school and all neighbouring schools are now in DEIS and this school is the only one excluded; if this matter will be urgently reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45008/22]
View answerWritten answers
In March I was glad to be able to announce a major expansion of the DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools 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 will add an additional €32million to my Department’s expenditure on the DEIS progamme from 2023, bringing the 2023 allocation to in the region of €180million.
Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
The DEIS identification process aims to identify those schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage or the highest proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school. The model uses information from the school’s individual enrolment database and 2016 national census data as represented by the Pobal HP Deprivation index. The model takes into account the student cohort and the relative disadvantage within a given school. The DEIS identification model takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation.
A detailed paper on the refined DEIS identification model is available on gov.ie at www.gov.ie/en/publication/a3c9e-extension-of-deis-to-further-schools/#how-schools-were-selected-for-inclusion-in-deis
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. The details of the Appeals process is outlined in Circular 0019/2022 which can be found on the gov.ie website. All appeals submitted have now been processed by my Department and schools have been notified of the outcome. The DEIS appeals process was applied fairly across all appellants and the results are final. 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 that 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.
In addition to this, 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.
School Transport
Questions (344)
Marian Harkin
Question:344. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education if the availability of school transport for a student (details supplied) will be confirmed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45011/22]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
The normal eligibility criteria of the scheme still apply and tickets continue to be allocated in line with this criteria. Pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible.
In line with normal practice, all eligible children who completed the application and ticket registration process on time for the 2022/2023 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme but was unsuccessful in obtaining a seat on board a school transport service for the 2022/23 school year as they did not complete the ticket registration process by the closing date of 29 July. All existing services in this area are currently operating at capacity.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (345)
John Lahart
Question:345. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for additional ASD classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45031/22]
View answerWritten answers
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
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 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. My Department and the NCSE continue to work very closely in planning for the delivery of new places required to meet forecasted demand.
I am satisfied that this more joined up approach is delivering. Through this intensive intervention, we have seen 383 new special classes open, bringing the total of special classes to 2535 opened nationwide for the 2022/23 school-year. The 383 new special classes for 22/23 is broken down by 253 at primary and 130 at post primary.
The list of classes for the 22/23 school year is available on the NCSE website (as of 6th July) and is available at the link below.
06Jul22_Special-Classes-for-publication-2022_2023.pdf (ncse.ie)
The NCSE has advised the Department that two ASD special classes have been sanctioned and the application is with the Planning and Building Unit, which is under review and an update to the school will be issued shortly.
School Transport
Questions (346)
Michael McNamara
Question:346. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education when school transport will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45035/22]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
I am pleased to advise that the child referred to by the Deputy has been issued a ticket on board a school transport service for the 2022/23 school year.
School Transport
Questions (347)
David Stanton
Question:347. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education if her Department will sanction additional capacity on a school bus route (details supplied) given the demand for places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45037/22]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
Bus Éireann has advised that the eligible children from the area referred to by the Deputy have been accommodated on school transport services for the 2022/23 school year.
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. Bus Éireann has advised that concessionary pupils are currently being offered seats on existing services where spare seats are available for the 2022/23 school year.