Written Answers Nos. 363-386
363. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if she will list each school by location in County Mayo in which children with special educational needs can access placements in an early intervention class attached to mainstream or special schools; and the number of placements available in each school in tabular form. [59189/22]
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 €2.3 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.
The NCSE have advised my Department that children generally access early intervention via mainstream pre-schools through the ECCE scheme with additional supports when necessary, through the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM). NCSE do not hold data on pre-schools or on allocations made through AIM which is administered by Pobal.
|
Srn |
School Name |
Address 1 |
Address 2 |
Sch Type |
Class Type |
Places Available |
County |
|
18003F |
St. Attracta's NS |
Charlestown |
- |
Primary |
ASD Early Intervention |
1 |
Mayo |
|
19451O |
Holy Family NS |
Newport |
- |
Primary |
ASD Early Intervention |
2 |
Mayo |
|
13222P |
Sn Gleann A Chaisil |
Bun Na Habhna |
Beal An Atha |
Primary |
ASD Early Intervention |
3 |
Mayo |
364. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if she will list each provider by location in County Mayo in which children with special educational needs can access placements in early intervention settings or early years settings in HSE funded service providers supported by HSE grant aid or HSE funded pre-school assistant in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59190/22]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
The information requested is not held by the Department of Education. The provision of HSE services is a matter for Health Service Executive. Questions in relation to the provision of HSE services should be directed to that body or to the Department of Health.
365. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the current status of a school transport grant application submitted on the 20 September 2022 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [59196/22]
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.
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.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the School Transport Section in my Department has sanctioned the special transport grant to the parent of the pupil referred to by the Deputy. This payment is calculated from the date of application for a transport service to the time the service has commenced and is based on the number of days the pupil attends school.
The grant is usually paid three times a year, the first payment is due to issue in November 2022.
366. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Education when a payment will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59224/22]
View answerSchool 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 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.
The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
I am pleased to advise that the child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs.
A Special Transport Grant has been sanctioned and a payment processed from the date of application up until the child referred commenced on a school transport service. The family referred to by the Deputy will be notified of the date the payment will be lodged into their account within the coming days.
367. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of access officers responsible for providing or arranging for and co-ordinating assistance and guidance to people with disabilities accessing her Departments’ services who are employed in her Department as required by section 26 (2) of the Disability Act 2005; the way that her Department makes its customers aware of this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59288/22]
View answerMy Department aims to ensure that the needs of all of its customers, including people with disabilities, are met and that rights to equal treatment are upheld in service delivery. In line with the statutory obligation set out in the Disability Act 2005 my Department is committed to making its public buildings, services and information accessible to people with disabilities.
Three Access Officers have been appointed in accordance with section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005 and are responsible for providing or arranging for, and coordinating assistance and guidance to, persons with disabilities accessing services provided by my Department and generally to act as a point of contact for people with disabilities wishing to access such services.
Information in relation to Access Officers is made widely available to customers online at the following link gov.ie/en/organisation-information/4c5334-disability-access-to-department-buildings/
368. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined. [59320/22]
View answerThe criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC). This Council is comprised of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Education. The Council is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in my Department’s Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers.
These circulars provide for the award of incremental credit for service given abroad. Department Circular 0027/2016 sets out the eligibility criteria for teachers who have previous service in an analogous teaching position in the public service of another EU Member State to have that service recognised for placement onto an earlier pay scale once appointed to an Oireachtas funded teaching post in Ireland. This Circular which includes the relevant Application Form can be accessed on the gov.ie website. In order to apply for incremental credit a teacher must be in an Oireachtas funded post when applying for incremental credit.
My Department has not received an application for incremental credit from this named teacher and if a teacher wishes to receive more information on incremental credit they can contact teachersna@education.gov.ie.
369. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if the correct pay scale will be applied to the salary of a teacher (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59325/22]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the application for incremental credit for the teacher referred to has been processed by officials in my Department. Payment including arrears due will issue on the next available pay date on 8th December 2022. An official from my Department has been in direct contact with the teacher to advise him accordingly.
370. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education the status of the new build project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59338/22]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA).I am pleased to inform you that the project was recently approved by the Department to proceed to Stage 2b of the architectural planning process. The next step for the Design Team will be to obtain the statutory planning approval, a process which has already commenced.At this early stage, it is not possible to provide a timeline for the projects; the NDFA will be engaging directly with the school authorities to keep them informed of progress.
371. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the number of additional school transport tickets that have been issued in County Wexford following the additional funding provided in Budget 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59355/22]
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.
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.
Following the announcement of additional funding to cater for additional pupils on a temporary basis, Bus Éireann have been prioritising areas where there were “on time concessionary pupils” who had tickets in the previous school year. Bus Éireann have advised that additional pupils who met the above criteria have been catered for in Wexford.
This time last year there were circa 103,600 children on school transport scheme services. Already over 127,800 tickets for the 2022/2023 school year have been issued to applicants for the new school year so already in the region of 24,200 additional places have been created. This is an increase of 23%. Specifically, in regard to concessionary tickets there has been an increase of 33%.
Bus Eireann has advised that so far this year, close to 7,000 tickets have issued for mainstream school transport routes in Wexford. This is an increase of 23% on tickets issued in the same period last year. This includes additional tickets which have been issued for on time concessionary applications following the post budget announcement.
372. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the status of a school building project for a school (details supplied). [59386/22]
View answerThe 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 brief for this project is to provide an extension and refurbishment to the existing school building to accommodate a long term projected enrolment of 1,000 pupils. The project will also provide a 2 classroom Special Education Needs base for the school.
This school is part of ‘Project Nore’, and I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the tender process for appointing a contractor for ‘Project Nore’ is currently underway.
Following the completion of this tender process and a Departmental review of the Tender Assessment Report, approval for stage 4 construction will follow.
373. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the steps that she is taking to address the lack of mixed primary schools in the Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 areas in view of the significant over-subscription of applicants for the 2023 junior infant intake in all existing mixed schools in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59387/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the decision-making authority in respect of the status of existing schools, including whether they are single or mixed gender, belongs to the Patron, subject to the agreement of my Department.
New schools are established by my Department to meet demographic need and, generally, such new school provision (primary and post-primary) is mixed gender in nature. Co-educational schools provide greater flexibility than single sex schools in terms of meeting demographic and school accommodation requirements in an area. Single-gender provision may, however, be made if there is an identified imbalance between the capacities of single-gender schools in the area.
Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands. There are currently 10 school building projects at primary schools in the Whitehall_SantryD9 and FinglasEast_BallymunD11 school planning areas.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040 may be viewed on my Department's website at, gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including accommodation for pupils with special educational needs, if required, for schools where an additional enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme (the Additional Accommodation Scheme) can be found on my Department's website at gov.ie and this information is also updated regularly.
While my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in areas including Dublin 9 and Dublin 11, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school, they are not available to all pupils
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
My Department's priority is to ensure that there are sufficient places across schools in an area, to meet the needs of local pupils. Officials are working to identify any areas which require additional accommodation provision, beyond which is already in in train, to make required school places available. As was done in planning for previous years, my Department is engaging with school patrons as part of this process.
374. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if her Department has received an application for a new school bus service in respect of a person (details supplied); if she will ensure a speedy and positive consideration of the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59470/22]
View answerSchool 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 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.
The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
I am pleased to advise that the child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs.
Bus Éireann has advised that there is no existing suitable service available to accommodate the child referred. In such circumstances, my Department will offer a Special Transport Grant (STG) towards the cost of private transport arrangements until a suitable service becomes available. A special transport grant has been offered to the family referred to by the Deputy.
Where a family is not in a position to avail of the special transport grant, they are advised to notify the School Transport Section of my Department in writing by completing the STG Return Form which is attached to the STG Letter. School Transport Section will in turn liaise with Bus Éireann toward the establishment of a service.
The School Transport Section of my Department are still awaiting the STG Return Form from the family referred indicating whether they wish to avail of the special transport grant.
375. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education if he will provide an update on the emergency works application from a school (details supplied) in respect of fencing needed to fence off a dangerous boundary area. [59490/22]
View answerI would like to advise the Deputy that the school in question has not requested funding under the Emergency Works or Summer Works Schemes for repairs to fencing.
The main purpose of the Emergency Works Grant Scheme is to provide for unforeseen emergencies that impact on the school. If the school authority considers that it has an unforeseen emergency situation that it is unable to otherwise address itself then it may submit an application under the Emergency Works Scheme and it can then be assessed by my Department.
376. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that school transport is provided to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59497/22]
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.
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.
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.
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.
377. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a person (details supplied) will be allocated school bus tickets as per previous years in line with Government commitments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59498/22]
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.
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.
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.
Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2022/2023 school year pending completion of the review of the School Transport Scheme. This will mean that transport arrangements will continue to be provided for a number of post-primary students who are attending their second nearest school, who have applied and registered on time and who live more than 4.8km from their nearest school.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil(s) referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for transport as they are not attending their nearest school. The existing school transport service is currently operating to capacity and there are no seats available.
378. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on a project (details supplied); the reason for the delay regarding the commencement of work on this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59523/22]
View answerThe school to which the deputy refers was granted funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for the provision of a PE Hall.
The Stage 1 report was received by my Department and is currently under review by the Department's Professional & Technical team. Upon completion of this review, my officials will be in communication with the school authority in terms of the progression to the next stage of architectural planning.
379. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education when she expects to receive the results of the review of the school transport system; when any recommendations will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59532/22]
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.
As you are aware my Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
The review encompasses the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs and the Primary and Post-Primary School Transport Schemes to include an examination of eligibility criteria, trends, costs and cost drivers, and overall effectiveness in meeting the scheme's objectives.
The review will also examine the potential for integration of different strands of the scheme and a more co-ordinated approach with other Government Departments that also use transport services. The review will consider issues such as climate action, supporting rural development and promoting where possible initiatives that encourage walking and cycling to school.
Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are now taking place in the second phase of the review. The Technical Working Group has undertaken extensive consultation over the last number of months; including running a public survey for parents/guardians and students who use the service and those who do not use the service but who would like to. The Group has also consulted with a broad array of stakeholders including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Government Departments.
The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.
While work on the review is being impacted somewhat by challenges including the pandemic and the impact on resources arising from the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, it is anticipated that the completion of the final phases of the review will be in the shortest timeframe possible. I will then examine and consider the final recommendations once received from the steering group on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme.
380. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if she intends to waive the fees for school transport for the upcoming 2023-2024 school term and beyond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59533/22]
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.
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.
As you are aware my Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
The review encompasses the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs and the Primary and Post-Primary School Transport Schemes to include an examination of eligibility criteria, trends, costs and cost drivers, and overall effectiveness in meeting the scheme's objectives.
The review will also examine the potential for integration of different strands of the scheme and a more co-ordinated approach with other Government Departments that also use transport services. The review will consider issues such as climate action, supporting rural development and promoting where possible initiatives that encourage walking and cycling to school.
Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are now taking place in the second phase of the review. The Technical Working Group has undertaken extensive consultation over the last number of months; including running a public survey for parents/guardians and students who use the service and those who do not use the service but who would like to. The Group has also consulted with a broad array of stakeholders including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Government Departments.
The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.
While work on the review is being impacted somewhat by challenges including the pandemic and the impact on resources arising from the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, it is anticipated that the completion of the final phases of the review will be in the shortest timeframe possible. I will then examine and consider the final recommendations once received from the steering group on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme.
381. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if she intends to make any changes to the eligibility criteria for school transport, particularly in relation to giving consideration to feeder schools or catchment areas in addition to the current distance calculation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59535/22]
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.
As you are aware my Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
The review encompasses the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs and the Primary and Post-Primary School Transport Schemes to include an examination of eligibility criteria, trends, costs and cost drivers, and overall effectiveness in meeting the scheme's objectives.
The review will also examine the potential for integration of different strands of the scheme and a more co-ordinated approach with other Government Departments that also use transport services. The review will consider issues such as climate action, supporting rural development and promoting where possible initiatives that encourage walking and cycling to school.
Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are now taking place in the second phase of the review. The Technical Working Group has undertaken extensive consultation over the last number of months; including running a public survey for parents/guardians and students who use the service and those who do not use the service but who would like to. The Group has also consulted with a broad array of stakeholders including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Government Departments.
The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.
While work on the review is being impacted somewhat by challenges including the pandemic and the impact on resources arising from the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, it is anticipated that the completion of the final phases of the review will be in the shortest timeframe possible. I will then examine and consider the final recommendations once received from the steering group on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme.
382. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the plans that she has to review the criteria of 12 words per minute in written dictation for access to a word processor for State exams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59555/22]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
383. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the plans that she has to widen the criteria for additional time in State exams to include, for example, those who need additional processing time as well as those who are visually impaired; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59556/22]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
384. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education if her Department plans to take ownership of a parish hall (details supplied); the type of management structure her Department plans to put in place for the hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59558/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my officials have made contact with the school in question in relation to their accommodation needs including in the context of the potential use of the parish hall referred to.
The school authorities have been asked to submit an application for my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme. The application will be assessed by my officials upon receipt and they are available to discuss any issues the school authorities may have in relation to this matter.
385. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education the names of all companies supplying private security and cleaning services in her Department, including the cost of private cleaning in her Department, the cost of private security in her Department; the number of private cleaners supplied to her Department to provide these duties as part of these contracts, and the number of private security personnel supplied to her Department on foot of these contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59729/22]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is set out in the attached tables.
386. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a schedule of the employment status in the civil service of each civilian driver who has been replaced by an official Garda driver in her Ministerial driver corps; if voluntary early retirement, VER, payments have issued; and if any cases have been presented to the Workplace Relations Commission to date on foot of the changes. [59764/22]
View answerIn accordance with the terms of the Guidelines for Ministerial Appointments for the 33rd Dáil, I have two civilian drivers to assist me in carrying out my ministerial duties. These civilian drivers are due to be replaced by official Garda drivers, but at present they are still employed by my Department.
