Written Answers Nos. 140-159
140. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education when a project in respect of the provision of additional accommodation at a school (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62452/22]
View answerThe school to which the deputy refers has been approved funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to provide 1 x 149m2 Engineering Room, 1 x 59m2 Engineering Prep Room, 1 x 80m2 Construction Prep/Store area & 1 x 119m2 Home Economics Room.
The design team has been appointed and a Stage 1 Report has been submitted to my Department, which is currently under review by my Department' s Professional and Technical Staff.
The outcome of this review shall be conveyed to the school as soon as it has been finalised.
141. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in the provision of specific accommodation at second-level schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62453/22]
View answerMy Department provides PE halls with the construction of all new post primary schools. These facilities may also be provided where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department continues to implement the capital programme under the National Development Plan. Investment and expenditure on PE halls is an element of the overall expenditure and investment in the School Building Programme. The main focus of resources over the last decade has been on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics, particularly at post-primary level and for special education needs provision.
However, under Project Ireland 2040 there will be an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. This will include a PE Hall build and modernisation programme to ensure that students in all post-primary schools have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision, as committed to in the Programme for Government.
The Deputy may also be aware of the very significant school building programme that is currently underway. Overall, there are in excess of 1,300 school building projects at various stages of design, planning, and construction. Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.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.
My Department will continue to work to ensure that capital investment in our schools is targeted in the most efficient and effective way to support schools in meeting the education needs of their students and communities.
142. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education if the case of a child (details supplied) who has no school transport will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62493/22]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my 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. All existing services in this area are currently operating at capacity.
An appeal in respect of school transport for the family referred to by the Deputy was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board. The Board will liaise directly with the appellants when the appeals are due for consideration.
143. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the development of a new primary school for Adamstown, Lucan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62495/22]
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 NDFA is currently undertaking the process of appointment of multidisciplinary technical advisors (design teams) for these projects and this is at an advanced stage currently. Thereafter, the NDFA 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.
144. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the process of divesting primary schools of religious patronage; the number of schools that have been fully divested relative to targets; the number that are at an advanced stage in the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62497/22]
View answer145. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the action that is being taken to expedite the process of divesting primary schools of religious patronage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62498/22]
View answer146. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the steps that are involved in the process of divesting primary schools of religious patronage, including, but not limited to, the way that schools are selected; the steps that are taken to consult with stakeholders; the legalistic parts of the process; the way that her Department deals with resistance to plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62499/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 144 to 146, inclusive, together.
In March 2022 I announced that arrangements are being put in place in a number of towns and areas of cities that have no multidenominational primary schools at present as part of a pilot reconfiguration arrangement.
In this context, my Department, with the co-operation of the relevant Catholic Bishops, is conducting a ‘pilot’ programme in areas where possible demand for more diversity in school type has been identified. The process, which is called the ‘Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity Process’ seeks to create an educational landscape that reflects the reality of Ireland’s increasingly diverse community.
My Department aims to create more choice for parents who do not wish to send their children to a denominational (religious) school. However, any change of patronage will only take place with the agreement of the local community.
Where a school transfers from the patronage of one patron to another, the school remains open with the same roll number and operating from the same school property. All State-funded primary schools follow a common national curriculum and are subject to the same rules and regulations.
The Council for Education of the Irish Episcopal Conference (representing the Catholic patrons) and relevant Bishops have confirmed their willingness to engage and co-operate fully with the Department in seeking to facilitate a more diverse school patronage in these towns and cities. The pilot areas are:
|
Arklow |
Athlone |
Cork* |
Dublin* |
|
Dundalk |
Galway* |
Limerick* |
Youghal |
*parts of these cities
My Department has made available a number of independent facilitators across the pilot areas to work with the school patron and relevant school authorities at a local level:
- to progress the reconfiguration pilot initiative;
- to assist in identifying potential school(s) in this regard; and
- to engage with stakeholders including school authorities, school staff and parents
with a view to agreeing on a transfer of patronage and change of ethos, where there is sufficient demand for this in the pilot areas.
As part of the structured engagement process, the relevant facilitator engages with the school Principal and Board of Management Chairperson (or full Board as appropriate), school staff and parents of children in the school. In respect of parents, the structured engagement process involves the facilitator inviting parents to an information meeting where the facilitator makes a presentation to parents providing information on the schools reconfiguration for diversity process initiative, including information on what this may mean for parents and pupils and setting out the steps in the engagement process. At the information meeting with the facilitator, parents have the opportunity to raise any questions and to share their views.
Following this, the facilitator and patron/patron’s representative where appropriate, reviews the engagement as part of each of the information sessions with the school community and the facilitator writes a preliminary report reflecting the engagement with the school authorities, staff and parents and submits this to the patron.
In pilot areas where the engagement has already progressed to this stage, the facilitator’s preliminary report to the patron was circulated to the full school community and a reconfiguration e-mail address was provided so that the school community, including parents, could provide any feedback/views and the Department collated this and provided this to the relevant facilitator.
An information pack for school communities, including parents, on transfer of patronage was published in March this year and can be accessed from www.gov.ie/schoolsreconfiguration
Parents in the pilot areas can contact my Department directly by e-mail to ask questions or share their views on reconfiguration@education.gov.ie.
The process is ongoing in the pilot areas. While in the case of some pilot areas the process is very well advanced, none have gone through the full process with the patron’s decision communicated to the school community.
Separately to the ongoing process in the pilot areas, a patron may transfer patronage under section 8 of the Education Act 1998. A number of patronage changes have taken place in recent years in this context, resulting in the provision of an additional 12 multi-denominational Community National Schools (three of which already had a multi-denominational ethos). In addition in 2021, an Irish-medium gaelscoil transferred patronage from its Catholic patron to An Foras Pátrúnachta. This school offers parents of junior infants the choice of undertaking an Ethics and Morality Programme or a Catholic Programme. Also in September 2022, an Irish-medium gaelscoil changed its ethos to multi-denominational.
12 primary schools have been established under the patronage divesting process, all of which have a multi-denominational ethos.
147. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a full update on her Department’s review of the official report provided after the consultation talks with industrial school survivors, submitted in November 2020 (details supplied); if she will be putting the proposals made into place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62519/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, there are a number of published reports highlighting the ongoing needs of survivors and the lifelong difficulties they may encounter due to their childhood experiences in residential care. A survivor-led Consultative Forum, supported by professional facilitators who were engaged by my Department, was also established and has provided a very good insight into the areas where survivors feel that supports may be required into the future. I have met with the Forum to hear directly from them and their final report was submitted to the Department last year.
These reports, alongside other relevant submissions, are currently being considered by my Department with input from colleagues from other Departments. Significant resources continue to be devoted to progressing this which will feed into the consideration of proposals to Government in this context.
148. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education when previous graduates from the SNA national online training programme will have their award accredited retrospectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62553/22]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
The national on-line training programme for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) is a major educational initiative, which will enhance the knowledge, skills and expertise of SNAs who are crucial to the inclusion of students with additional care needs in education. This is a high-quality and innovative pilot training programme which will inform ongoing policy considerations relating to future training options for SNAs.
The SNA programme was procured by my Department for a four-year period and was designed by UCD and the National Council for Special Education. The procurement process sought the delivery of an unaccredited training programme with a mechanism to accredit the programme in the future, should accreditation be sought. To date approximately 1300 SNAs have completed the course and it is intended that the programme will be delivered to up to 3,500 SNAs over the four year scheme funded by my Department of Education.
It is intended to accredit the programme as a Level 6 Special Purpose Award on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). UCD has advised the Department that work has commenced to accredit the programme under UCD’s standard programme approval procedures and to consider how previous graduates from the programme might have their award accredited retrospectively.
This pilot training programme is providing valuable information to the Department of Education and will inform ongoing policy considerations relating to future training options for SNAs. Reflecting the ongoing engagement with stakeholders on SNA issues my Department is committed to reviewing this programme after the four-year period has concluded. By the end of 2023, there will be over 20,000 Special Needs Assistants working in our schools and my Department is very aware of the continuing need to provide appropriate training and development opportunities with a view to supporting the inclusion of students with additional care needs in education.
149. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education when the timetable for the 2023 Leaving and Junior Certificate examinations will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62589/22]
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.
150. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education her plans to ensure that independent booksellers are involved in the roll-out of the free schoolbook scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62605/22]
View answerAs part of Budget 2023, I announced over €50 million to provide free books to primary school pupils within the free education scheme from September 2023. This measure will eliminate the cost to these families for all school books at primary school, including workbooks. It delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to extend the free school book pilot, currently in 102 DEIS primary schools, as resources permit. The free primary school books scheme will benefit up to 540,000 pupils in approximately 3,240 recognised primary schools, including over 130 special schools.
The implementation of the measure will build on the existing school book rental scheme which is available in some 96% of recognised primary schools. It also builds the free school books pilot provided to over one hundred primary DEIS schools in recent years.
My officials are continuing to engage as how the scheme will operate. Initial contact has been made with some of the education partners in relation to the measure. Over the coming period my Department will be engaging further with the education partners and other stakeholders, including schoolbook publishers and schoolbook sellers, to roll out the measure in time for the 2023/24 school year.
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. The scheme will seek to 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. Schools will continue to have autonomy to choose books that meet curricular requirements.
It is planned that funds will be provided to schools to purchase school books and related classroom resources. Schools buy books directly from school book suppliers at present as part of the implementation of the school book rental scheme.
151. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education her plans to expand the DEIS programme in counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62606/22]
View answerMy Department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential. Supplementing these universal supports, the DEIS programme provides a targeted and equitable way to address concentrated educational disadvantage that promotes equity across the primary and post-primary sector.
In March this year I was glad to be able to announce a major expansion of the DEIS programme. For the first time since 2017, the programme has been significantly expanded to include an additional 322 schools. This means that the DEIS programme now supports over 240,000 students in over 1,200 schools addressing educational disadvantage.
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 is based on the principle of concentrated disadvantage and the proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school. The DEIS identification model aimed to identify those schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage or the highest proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school using the school's enrolment data and national census data as represented by the Pobal HP Deprivation index which is publicly available.
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 DEIS appeals process was applied fairly across all appellants, the window for appeals has now closed 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 also important to note that the extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one phase of work in my vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. 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.
152. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education the progress that is being made to redevelop a primary school (details supplied) in Monasterevin, County Kildare; the investment committed for same to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62611/22]
View answerThe major new school construction project for the school referred to by the Deputy commenced on site in March 2022. Works are progressing satisfactorily on site with a contract duration of approximately 31 months.
The contract amount is in excess of €10.4 m and expenditure to date is circa €1m.
153. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her plans to put in place a national voluntary redeployment panel for teachers with permanent or contract of indefinite duration status, whereby teachers who wish to relocate would keep their permanent and CID status; if she will provide details of any engagement that her Department has had in 2022 with teacher representative bodies in relation to this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62626/22]
View answerTeacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website.
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority as the employer. The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities.
The core function of the redeployment arrangements is to facilitate the redeployment of surplus permanent teachers to other schools where vacancies exist. Ensuring efficiency in the annual redeployment processes is significant in terms of managing the overall teacher numbers.
At Post-Primary level, following discussions between the relevant stakeholders a voluntary redeployment scheme has operated on a pilot basis in specific regions in recent years. Permanent teachers employed in these regions are given an opportunity to volunteer for a transfer to other areas of the country only if such a transfer would free up a vacancy that would facilitate the redeployment of a surplus permanent teacher in the region.
To-date the pilot voluntary redeployment scheme has operated in 24 counties. The pilot voluntary redeployment scheme assists the Department to achieve its objective of redeploying all surplus permanent teachers.
Teachers who applied under the pilot voluntary scheme and were not facilitated with a transfer continue to have the option of applying for posts in their preferred location that are advertised in the normal manner.
The criteria for the allocation of teachers to schools including the redeployment arrangements for the 2023/24 school year will be available on the Department's website in early 2023.
154. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the funding that has been given for capital projects by school in Cork in each of the past five years respectively in tabular form. [62663/22]
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 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. Most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025.
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.
It is envisaged that the Department will deliver between 150-200 school building projects per annum between 2022-2025 period.
During the period 2018 to 2021 691 school building projects were completed under the Large Scale Capital Programme (LSCP) and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). These projects delivered in excess of 64,000 school places.
A list of all capital projects completed under the Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme, in county order, from 2010 to date may be viewed my Department’s website at www.education.ie.
The current status of all projects is also listed on a county by county basis on the website. This is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
In addition to that, my Department operates a multi-annual Summer Works Scheme, Emergency works Scheme, Pathfinder Programme and Minor Works Grant Scheme which together aim to improve and maintain school buildings.
The table below shows the total capital expenditure under the School Building Programme for Cork for the past 5 years:
Capital Spend on School Building projects in Cork
|
2018 (Millions) |
2019(Millions) |
2020(Millions) |
2021(Millions) |
2022(Millions) |
|
42 |
58 |
82 |
98 |
148 |
155. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the estimated number of ASD secondary school unit places in Cork for 2023. [62664/22]
View answer162. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the estimated number of ASD primary school unit places in Cork for 2023 [62829/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 162 together.
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs (SEN) to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.
It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my Department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
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 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 funding for new special classes, new special school places, additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
Over the last two to three years, my Department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years.
The NCSE have sanctioned 103 new special classes at primary level and 46 new special classes at post-primary level over the last 3 years in County Cork.
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.
At local level, the 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.
The NCSE have sanctioned a total of 2,548 special classes nationwide, with 1,806 at primary and 742 at post-primary. As the demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, my Department and the NCSE are engaging with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes. My Department has also recently written to all post-primary schools to advise them of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes.
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.
It is important to note that where possible, children with special educational needs should be accommodated in mainstream education, but where the needs of the children are greater, special classes and indeed special schools are provided. Every effort should be made where special classes exist within a mainstream school to integrate the children and young people in this class with their peers in mainstream classes.
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 appropriate education.
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
156. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if she has considered reopening the Early Start Programme in order that new schools can apply. [62665/22]
View answerThe Early Start programme was established in 1994, and is a one-year intervention to meet the needs of children aged between 3 years and 5 years who are at risk of not reaching their potential within the school system. It involves an educational programme to enhance overall development, help prevent school failure and offset the effects of social disadvantage.
Since the inception of Early Start, the early childhood education and care landscape has changed significantly with the introduction of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme in 2010, and the extension of this scheme to a two-year programme in 2018. The ECCE scheme is under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and officials of my Department and its agencies co-operate closely with that Department, particularly in relation to Síolta and Aistear, the national quality and curriculum frameworks for early learning and care, and the initial professional education of Early Years Educators.
While the ECCE scheme is the national universal two-year pre-school programme available to all children, the Early Start programme continues to run in 40 primary schools in designated areas of urban disadvantage, and has capacity for 1,620 children each year. Early Start units attached to primary schools are staffed by teachers and child care workers. The programme opens each year for new child enrolments.
157. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the current number of teachers on the substitute supply panel in Cork; and the number in 2020. [62666/22]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the information for the teacher supply panels in Cork is available for the last two school years and is as follows:
|
School Year |
No of Supply panels |
No of Teachers Allocated |
No of Teachers Appointed |
|
2021-2022 |
18 |
72 |
62 |
|
2022-2023 |
18 |
65 |
63 |
The Teacher Supply panels work alongside the existing methods of sourcing substitute teachers in primary schools and schools can also make local arrangements to have their own regular substitutes to call on if needed.
158. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education the reason that four months after school transport was granted to a student (details supplied), they still have no transport. [62725/22]
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 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, the 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.
I am pleased to advise that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible under the terms of the scheme and a sanction has been sent by School Transport Section of my Department to Bus Éireann for the establishment of a new service for the pupil to the school referred to by the Deputy.
Bus Éireann have tendered this service in line with procurement guidelines and are in the process of allocating a contractor to operate this service, once a contractor has been sourced, the service will commence. Bus Éireann will liaise with the family directly with regard to this matter at that stage.
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 these services 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 at: school_transport@education.gov.ie for more information on how to apply for this grant.
159. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a child (details supplied) who is attending second-level will be allocated a seat on a school bus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62745/22]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my 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 have been 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.
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 pupil referred to by the Deputy in this case is a mainstream eligible pupil to their selected school. Their application is a rollover application from previous years, and therefore was received on time. The family did not request transport on their family portal account and therefore were not successful in obtaining a ticket. The service is currently full to capacity and no further tickets can be issued at this time.
