Written Answers Nos. 111-130
111. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Education the number of education professionals who engaged with summer provision in 2022; if that matched the demand for places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50030/22]
View answerThe 2022 Summer Programme is a very important scheme for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage. This programme built on the first ever Inclusion Summer Programme which was introduced in 2021 and it means that all schools could offer a summer programme to pupils in primary and post-primary, whether they were mainstream or special schools.. A home-based summer programme was also available for students with complex special educational needs where a place on a school-based programme was not available to them.
While final figures are still being tallied by the Department, it is anticipated that over 1,000 schools ran a programme with approximately 45,000 children participating in a programme either in school or on the home-based programme in 2022. The vast majority of claims for staff who participated in the school-based programme have been paid. Over 9,000 staff participated in the school-based programme. The processing of claims for the home-based programme is ongoing. Payments will issue on a fortnightly basis. The first batch issued on 29 September. It will be a number of weeks before the total number of teachers and SNAs who participated on the home-based programme will be known but so far 3,328 teachers and 956 SNAs have been paid on the system to date who catered for over 6,000 pupils.
Over the last two years, schools have been given the flexibility to engage staff that are not currently employed in their schools, including those in the early-years sector, to run their summer programme, along with provision to recruit final year student teachers graduating in the summer. In 2022, this was further expanded to allow Route 5 undergraduate student teachers to participate. Since 2020, the home-based programme has been expanded to permit SNAs to support pupils.
The Department is very conscious that parents want this programme to be available in more schools in 2023 and, as part of the planning that has already begun for next year, it is a priority that children in special schools have access to a school-based programme. The on-going development of the Summer Programme is committed to ensuring that children with the most complex needs have access to a scheme. My Department is currently undertaking a review of the 2022 programme with a view to improving it for next year and with a committed focus on increasing the number of schools participating, particularly schools serving children with very complex needs.
112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the degree to which she and her Department continue to upgrade, replace and improve schools in the primary and second level sphere in County Kildare and throughout the country; the extent to which the current building programme is succeeding in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49941/22]
View answerUnder Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. This investment will build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050.
My Department utilises a Geographic Information System (GIS) to support its strategic planning for capital investment. Where the geo-spatial assessment of demand and capacity in an area indicates that additional provision is required my Department considers the options of extending the capacity of a school or schools, or of providing a new school or schools. The timing and duration of the accommodation need is also considered in determining the optimum accommodation solution – for example a short-term accommodation requirement does not require a long-term accommodation solution.
My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction. There are currently in excess of 300 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage. Most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025 and are being progressed as quickly as possible.
It is anticipated that 150 to 200 school building projects will be completed annually during the 2022 to 2025 period.
The current status of approved projects is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages.
113. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education the pathway forward for a teacher (details supplied) who was employed in a principal release post in a school (details supplied) in the school years 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, and who expected a contract of indefinite duration in the 2022/2023 school year, but was told that they are no longer entitled to a CID due to her Department erroneously granting two principal release posts to the same school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49955/22]
View answerThe requirements a primary teacher needs to meet in qualifying for a Contract of Indefinite Duration (CID) are set out in the Department of Education Circular 23/2015. Eligibility for a CID includes that a teacher should have completed two consecutive fixed term contracts with the same employer and that there should be a viable post with no objective grounds in the year the CID is being awarded.
As there is not a viable post here in this school where the consecutive fixed term contracts were completed, there is no entitlement to CID. Circular 0023/2015 does not allow for such service to be transferred to another school.
There was no error in the granting of two principal release posts in the same school. Circular 0026/2022 sets out the arrangements for principal release days for schools with teaching principals for the 2022/23 school year.
All Principal Release Day Clusters in place for the 2021/22 school year were broken at the end 2021/22. Schools now have the opportunity to cluster their Principal Release Days into full-time Principal Release Time Posts for the 2022/23 school year, in accordance with Circular 0026/2022.
114. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education if she will provide details including the location, completion timeline and patronage of the new post primary school (details supplied) in Dublin 15. [49643/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that Dublin 15 is an area of significant demographic growth and as part of forward planning has been assessing the accommodation requirements to manage same.
This work is at an early stage and it is premature to be considering issues around timelines and patronage.
115. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the number of families that have been impacted by the technical issues pertaining to an email addresses (details supplied); the proportion of those who missed the application deadline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49618/22]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department. In the 2021/2022 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. The cost of the scheme in 2021 was €289m.
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. Already over 125,000 tickets for the 2022/2023 school year have been issued to mainstream applicants for the new 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 to issuing emails, a strong emphasis is placed on advertising the closing date through both 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.
it is important for families to note that the application deadline for 2022/23 was 29 April 2022, and that the deadline to confirm registration for tickets was 29 July 2022. Any application completed after this date is a ‘late application’ and therefore, many school transport services are already operating at full capacity. Late applications will only be assessed after all “on time” applications have been processed and there can be no guarantee of places for late applicants.
116. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the way that the changes in the resources in the National Council for Special Education planned for 2023 will be deployed for the benefit of families. [49763/22]
View answerIt is a priority of this government that the national Council for Special Education (NCSE) is properly resourced so that they can respond effectively, compassionately and quickly to the increased need in our education system The Department is committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
Continuing to add capacity in schools to support special education needs provision is a key priority. My department is working actively with the NCSE and other key stakeholders on a more refined planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school year. In 2023 for example, we have secured funding which will allow us to open a further 370 special classes, taking the total number of special classes to over 2,900 in 2023.
The Department is also acutely aware of its obligations arising from Article 24 of the UNCRPD and the need to develop an inclusive education system. The Department also recognizes the need to meet increased demands on the NCSE following the reported increase in prevalence rates of children with complex needs. Also of note is the likely additional demand for specialist provision which will arise from changes in the Assessment of Need process
NCSE resourcing was last considered in the context of the Government Memorandum on NCSE re-structuring in 2019. This established a permanent regional structure consisting of ten teams organised into five regions. The NCSE has reviewed its capacity to meet the significant and increasing demands placed upon it. This has been done in the context of the changing requirements on the NCSE and the legitimate and significant concerns being expressed by families and their representatives regarding access to resources special Education Needs Advisors.
The number of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) has remained unchanged for many years, despite exceptional growth in the special education in that time. This has meant that the number of special classes, SNAs, SET teachers and special schools being supported by each SENO has increased exponentially over time.
The increase in the NCSE funding for 2023 will allow for significant expansion of their capacity to enable them to meet the current and future needs of SEN appropriately. My Department and I will be engaging with the CEO of the NCSE to ensure that there is effective planning to allow for the recruitment and deployment of new staff next year in a coherent and efficient manner. In this regard I expect any workforce planning to focus on what will be needed to have a visible and effective presence in our schools and with our parents and children guiding and supporting them on their educational journey.
118. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the number of Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate students currently waiting for their exam results; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50002/22]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
119. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education her views on expanding the creative clusters under the school's excellence fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49602/22]
View answerCreative Clusters is a Department of Education initiative taking place as part of Creative Youth under the Schools Excellence Fund. A Creative Cluster consists of between three to five schools collaborating on the design, implementation, evaluation and dissemination of an innovative arts and creative learning project which supports them to address a common issue or challenge, identified by that cluster. Clusters may consist of primary schools only, post primary schools only or a combination of primary and post primary schools.
The Creative Clusters initiative commenced in the 2018/2019 academic year with the establishment of 23 clusters comprising 68 schools countrywide. Since then, 379 schools have been selected to take part in Creative Clusters.
Under this scheme to support schools to build capacity in creativity, each school will enjoy access to a specialist facilitator, an artist or creative with expertise in whatever their chosen area of interest or theme might be. These resources will help the schools to work together as a Cluster to work on a project of learning and activities tailor-made for their students.
In 2022, 21 Creative Clusters comprising 78 schools have been selected to participate in this initiative and the aim is to see this programme further enhanced over time.
120. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education if she will support organising bus transport for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49595/22]
View answerThe 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.
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 National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, my Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
Bus Éireann make every effort to facilitate requests for set down at addresses other than the child’s home address provided the alternate address is on the route of the existing service and the arrangements are the same throughout the school year.
However, in general, it is not possible to facilitate atypical school transport arrangements which involve additional mileage, inconvenience to other children on the service, additional cost to the State or where Bus Éireann have concerns regarding a child's safety.
Bus Éireann has advised that the request referred to by the Deputy would have a deviation to the route of an existing service and would inconvenience other children on the service and therefore cannot be granted.
121. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education if she will provide details of the implementation of the free primary schoolbooks scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49603/22]
View answer148. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education if all school workbooks will be considered under the new scheme to provide free schoolbooks to all primary school children from September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49970/22]
View answer149. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the way in which her Department intends to implement the scheme for free primary schoolbooks; if local bookstores that currently provide these books will be included in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49915/22]
View answer150. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Education the parameters that are being considered in the roll-out of the free book scheme at primary level to ensure best learner outcomes while maximising value for money for the taxpayer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49623/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 148, 149 and 150 together.
As part of Budget 2023, I secured funding to provide free books to primary school students in recognised primary schools from September 2023. The measure will eliminate the cost to families for all school books at primary school, including workbooks.
Now that funding has been secured, my Department will now engage with the education partners to roll out the measure in time for the September 2023 school year. The implementation of the measure will build on the existing school book rental scheme, the free school books pilot provided to over one hundred schools in recent years and the planning work already commenced,
It is planned that funds will be provided to schools to purchase school books and classroom resources. Schools will be encouraged to seek the best value for money when procuring school books and related classroom resources. Schools buy books directly from school book retailers at present as part of the implementation of the school book rental scheme. Ninety-six percent of primary schools participate in the book rental scheme.
Guidance on the procurement of books will be developed as part of our further engagement process with schools, parent and management bodies and other stakeholders on this measure. This will ensure that value for money is achieved, and that schools will be supported to implement the scheme in a way that has the best learning outcomes for pupils.
123. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to just two post-primary schools in all of Dublin 24 have ASD classes offering just 18 places for 204 children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49997/22]
View answerI 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.
For 2022, 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.
For 2023, this spend will be substantially increased by over 12%, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes additional teaching and care supports. It also includes funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) for an additional 54 psychologists to provide services to special schools and special classes.
In 2022, funding for an additional 980 teachers and 1,165 special needs assistants was provided. For 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 special needs assistants in our schools next year.
For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 Special needs assistants. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
In 2023, there will be a significant investment in the expansion of the National Council for Special Education, with a total full-year investment of €13 million, in over 160 additional staff. This investment is being undertaken so that the NSCE can respond effectively, compassionately and quickly to the increased need in our education system so that children and their families are fully supported and achieve the best possible education outcomes.
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 approach is delivering. We have seen 392 new special classes open, bringing the total of special classes to 2,543 opened nationwide for the 2022/23 school-year. The 392 new special classes for 2022/23 is broken down by 260 at primary level and 132 at post primary level. 100 of these new special classes are being provided in the Dublin region. The NCSE advise my Department that there are sufficient special class places available at primary and post-primary level at the start of this school year 2022/2023.
For 2023, a further 370 special classes will open, taking the total number of special classes to over 2,900 in 2023. My Department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie.
Schools are also engaging directly with parents and are working to support children as they plan their transition into these new special classes. The NCSE is also providing training and other support as necessary to schools.
NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. Every support will be made available to schools to progress the opening of special classes in the shortest possible timeframe.
It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.
I want to reassure you also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
124. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the provision of a permanent site for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49685/22]
View answerThe site to which the Deputy refers will provide for a campus development of the 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including four classrooms, for children with special educational needs for the school referred to by the Deputy and a new 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including two classrooms, for children with special educational needs.
The acquisition of the site was completed by my Department in June 2019. The zoning on the site reserves 60% of the site for "open space” – that is, it cannot be built upon. The overall site is circa 10 acres. My Department made a submission to the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Draft Development Plan 2022-28 in April 2021 seeking to have the zoning on the school site changed from Objective F Open Space to Objective SNI purposes (Sustainable Neighbourhood Infrastructure) ‘to protect, improve and encourage the provision of sustainable neighbourhood infrastructure’ which would have effectively removed the 60% open space requirement. However this submission was unsuccessful.
The campus project has been assigned to my Department’s Design & Build delivery programme which uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction. There have been a number of pre-planning consultations to date with the Local Authority with regard to the permanent accommodation which will inform the development of the planning application documentation.
Separately, my Department submitted a planning application for interim accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy on the permanent school site. When planning permission for the interim accommodation has been secured, my Department will update the school in relation to the programme for delivery of the interim accommodation in conjunction with progressing the planning application for the permanent school accommodation.
125. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Oideachais cad é atá pléite aici leis na páirtithe leasmhara maidir le straitéisí don Ghaeilge sa chóras oideachais; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [49971/22]
View answerTá obair ar siúl anois i mo Roinnse chun polasaí nua don oideachas lán-Ghaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht a fhorbairt. Tógfaidh an polasaí seo ar an méid atá bainte amach ag an bPolasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta.
Bunaíodh coiste stiúrtha le hionadaithe ó na Ranna agus Gníomhaireachtaí Rialtais seo a leanas chun maoirseacht a dhéanamh ar fhorbairt an pholasaí:
- An Roinn Oideachais
- An Roinn Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige
- An Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán
- An Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta
- An Chigireacht
- An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)
- Foras na Gaeilge
- An Chomhairle Mhúinteoireachta
- An tSeirbhís Náisiúnta Síceolaíochta Oideachais (NEPS)
- An Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta
- An Chomhairle Náisiúnta um Oideachas Speisialta.
Cuirfear próiseas comhairliúcháin phoiblí ar bun sna míonna amach romhainn chun tuairimí páirtithe leasmhara amhail daoine óga, a dtuismitheoirí, foireann agus ceannairí scoile agus eagraíochta Gaeilge a fháil.
Bunófar Coiste Comhairleach le páirtithe leasmhara ábhartha amach anseo chun tacú le cur i bhfeidhm an pholasaí.
Táim ag súil leis an obair thábhachtach seo a thabhairt chun cinn, chun an t-oideachas lán-Ghaeilge a neartú agus chun tógáil ar na torthaí dearfacha atá á mbaint amach cheana féin i gcur i bhfeidhm an Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta. Táim ag súil freisin le bheith ag obair leis na páirtithe leasmhara ábhartha chun na céimeanna éagsúla is gá chun an polasaí a fhorbairt a chur chun cinn.
I mí Feabhra 2021, sheol an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta (CNCM) comhairliúchán ar dhréachtshonraíochtaí T1 agus T2 don Ghaeilge don Ardteistiméireacht (bhunaithe). Cuireadh síneadh ama leis an gcomhairliúchán seo ó dheireadh mhí Lúnasa go deireadh mhí na Samhna 2021, chun rannpháirtíocht níos mó le páirtithe leasmhara a éascú sa phróiseas. Chuir an síneadh ama ar chumas CNCM athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar luath chur i bhfeidhm shonraíochtaí Gaeilge T1 agus T2 na Sraithe Sóisearaí freisin.
Déanfar torthaí an chomhairliúcháin ar dhréachtshonraíochtaí Gaeilge na hArdteistiméireachta, T1 agus T2, agus torthaí an athbhreithnithe ar luath chur i bhfeidhm shonraíochtaí T1 agus T2 Gaeilge na Sraithe Sóisearaí a bhreithniú ag an gcéad chruinniú eile de Chomhairle an CNCM. Ag an bpointe seo, déanfaidh an CNCM moltaí maidir leis na chéad chéimeanna eile i bhforbairt curaclam do Ghaeilge na hArdteistiméireachta (bhunaithe).
Tar éis athbhreithniú an-chuimsitheach ar chur i bhfeidhm na n-imlitreacha ar dhíolúintí ó staidéar na Gaeilge, d’fhoilsigh mo Roinn imlitreacha in 2019 a rinne leasú ar na himlitreacha a bhí i bhfeidhm ó na 1990idí. Chuimsigh an t-athbhreithniú sin taighde a rinne an Chigireacht ar chur i bhfeidhm i scoileanna agus go hidirnáisiúnta chomh maith le próiseas comhairliúcháin phoiblí inar tugadh breis agus 11,000 freagra ar an suirbhé agus inar déanadh thart ar 100 aighneacht scríofa, lena n-áirítear aighneachtaí ó phríomhpháirtithe leasmhara. Le déanaí tá athbhreithniú tosaigh déanta ag mo Roinn ar chur i bhfeidhm na n-imlitreacha a eisíodh in 2019 ar dhíolúintí ó staidéar na Gaeilge bunaithe ar thaighde deasc-bhunaithe. Chomh maith leis sin, reáchtáladh seisiúin eolais ar na moltaí le príomhpháirtithe leasmhara.
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Answer
Work on the development of a new policy on Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht is now underway in my Department. This policy will build on the achievements of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education.
A steering committee has been established with representatives from the following relevant Government Departments and Agencies to oversee the development of the policy:
- The Department of Education
- The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
- The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- The Inspectorate
- An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)
- Foras na Gaeilge
- The Teaching Council
- The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)
- National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
- National Council for Special Education.
Planning is underway for a public consultation process to take place in the coming months to gather the views of stakeholders, including young people, their parents, school staff and leaders, and Irish-language stakeholders.
An Advisory Committee with relevant stakeholders will be established at a later stage to support implementation of the policy.
I look forward to progressing this important work of strengthening Irish-medium educational provision and building on the positive outcomes already being achieved in the implementation of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education. I also look forward to working with relevant stakeholders in the development of this policy.
In February 2021, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) launched a consultation on draft L1 and L2 specifications for Leaving Certificate (established) Irish. The timeframe for this consultation was extended from the end of August to the end of November 2021, in order to facilitate greater stakeholder engagement in the process. This extension of the closing date has also allowed the NCCA to conduct an early enactment review of the Junior Cycle Irish L1 and L2 subject specifications.
Findings of the consultation on the draft Leaving Certificate Irish specifications, L1 and L2, and the findings from the early enactment review of Junior Cycle Irish specifications, L1 and L2, will be considered at the next meeting of the NCCA Council. At this point, the NCCA will advise on next steps in the development of the Leaving Certificate (established) Irish curriculum.
Following a very comprehensive review of the implementation of circulars on exemptions from the study of Irish, my Department published circulars in 2019 revising circulars in place since the 1990s. The review comprised research carried out by the Inspectorate on implementation in schools and internationally as well as a public consultation process which saw over 11,000 responses to the survey and some 100 written submissions including from key stakeholders.
More recently, my Department has carried out an initial review of the implementation of the 2019 circulars on exemptions from the study of Irish based on a desk based research and held briefing sessions on its proposals with key stakeholders.
126. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education the measures included in Budget 2023 to increase the financial supports available to all school boards of management to ensure that they can meet the increased costs of heating school premises in the coming winter months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49862/22]
View answerMy 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.
It was a very significant achievement to have secured €9.6 billion for Education in Budget '23. This will enable many ground-breaking investments in our education system, furthering the work of this government in recent years in reducing class sizes, reducing costs for families, tackling disadvantage and supporting achievement of all our students.
A rise in the cost of living should never be a barrier to education. I am very pleased therefore to have the support of my colleagues in Government to ensure this remains the case and as part of the cost of living measures I have secured €90m for additional capitation funding.
All recognised Primary and Post-Primary schools in the Free Education scheme will benefit from this additional capitation funding in 2022 which represents an increase of circa 40% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates.
The additional grant will be paid at the rate of €75 per pupil at Primary level and €113 at Post-Primary level. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational needs. Arrangements are being made to issue this this payment as soon as possible and schools can use this to cover additional energy costs and other increased day to day operating costs.
My Department has also ensured in recent years that centrally negotiated rates were made available to schools for electricity and bulk heating fuels through frameworks sourced by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). A significant number of schools signed up to these and are availing of highly competitive energy prices. 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.
I also want to draw attention to the Budget 2023 announcement of funding from the Climate Action Fund in relation to the provision of Photovoltaic (PV) Panels in schools up to 6KW output.
This is really positive news and will assist with their energy needs and costs along with supporting the decarbonisation of our schools.
My Department officials are working closely with Department of Environment, Climate and Communications colleagues in relation to the arrangements for this scheme and details will be announced in due course.
127. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to school principals across Dublin that are reporting teachers leaving because they cannot afford to live in Dublin, and the severe difficulty in recruiting new teachers for the same reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49999/22]
View answerI fully appreciate the concerns of teachers and indeed society generally in relation to increases in living costs.
The Government acknowledges that current price pressures present particular challenges and are a source of concern for all public service workers, including teachers. While the issue of pay alone will not resolve these issues, the Government is committed to the delivery of quality public services, and will continue to approach public service pay in a balanced way that is reasonable and fair to both public servants and the taxpayer. There is an important balance to be struck between maintaining industrial peace and protecting the Exchequer.
The value of public pay deals to the Government and the taxpayer is ensuring that pay costs are managed in a sustainable and orderly way and in a climate of industrial peace. By and large public pay agreements have delivered on these objectives over the last 12 years. Following the conclusion of discussions on 30 August, the parties to Building Momentum, with the expert assistance of the WRC who oversaw the talks' process, have come forward with a set of proposals, to extend the terms of Building Momentum to 31 December 2023. These proposals have now been ratified by public service unions and associations representing the public service workforce. In addition to the 1% increase due in October 2022 under Building Momentum, the extension of the agreement will provide for a further increase of 6½ % over the lifetime of the agreement. The starting salary for a new entrant teacher in 2012 was €30,702. This will rise to over €41,000 under the extended agreement. Overall, teachers will see increases from €3,200 to €5,600 under the extension of the agreement.
In recent years my Department has established a comprehensive programme of work to support the supply of teachers at both post-primary and primary levels, including the introduction of new programmes of initial teacher education and teacher upskilling programmes in targeted subject areas and the Teaching Transforms campaign, which encourages young people to follow a career in teaching.
I have allocated significant additional posts to the primary substitute teacher supply panels in areas where significant challenges in sourcing substitution continue, bringing the total to 610 posts on 151 panels, covering approximately 2,800 schools, including 29 base schools covering the Dublin area.
The supply panels work alongside the existing methods of sourcing substitute teachers, such as Sub Seeker , the national substitution portal service operated by the Irish Primary Principals' Network and schools can also make local arrangements to have their own regular substitutes to call on if needed.
The Teaching Council is also currently processing applications for registration from newly qualified teachers, who will represent a new source of supply in 2022/23. In excess of 3,400 primary and post-primary NQTs are registered to date with almost 40 further applications currently in progress.
128. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education if changes are planned to the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 in relation to school children with special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49957/22]
View answerThe Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 is an important piece of legislation which has introduced a more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school admissions policy operates for the almost 4,000 primary and post-primary schools.
The Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Act 2022 further amended the Education Act of 1998 by providing for a shortened more streamlined section 37A process whereby the Minister can direct a school to make provision for children with special educational needs. The section 37A process is only used as a measure of last resort where additional provision is required in a specific location and efforts to secure that additional provision through engagement with schools has failed.
The new act also streamlined Section 67 which provides for a situation where a child (with special needs or otherwise) cannot find a school place and allows the National Council for Special Education or Tusla (Child and Family Agency) to designate a school place for the child.
All sections of Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 have now been commenced.
129. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on her engagements with the State Examination Commission in relation to ensuring the availability of assistive technology to students sitting their Leaving Certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49786/22]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
130. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if each child who requires a place in an ASD unit will obtain same in September 2023. [49677/22]
View answerI 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.
For 2022, 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.
For 2023, this spend will be substantially increased by over 10%, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes additional teaching and care supports. It also includes funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) for an additional 54 psychologists to provide services to special schools and special classes.
In 2022, funding for an additional 980 teachers and 1,165 special needs assistants was provided. For 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 special needs assistants in our schools next year.
For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 Special needs assistants. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
In 2023, there will be a significant investment in the expansion of the National Council for Special Education, with a total full-year investment of €13 million, in over 160 additional staff. This investment is being undertaken so that the NSCE can respond effectively, compassionately and quickly to the increased need in our education system so that children and their families are fully supported and achieve the best possible education outcomes.
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 approach is delivering. We have seen 392 new special classes open, bringing the total of special classes to 2,543 opened nationwide for the 2022/23 school-year. The 392 new special classes for 2022/23 is broken down by 260 at primary level and 132 at post primary level.
For 2023, a further 370 special classes will open, taking the total number of special classes to over 2,900 in 2023.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie
NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. Every support will be made available to schools to progress the opening of special classes in the shortest possible timeframe
It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.
I want to reassure you also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
