Written Answers Nos. 656-675
656. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education if schools require planning permission for the installation of temporary accommodation; the assessments, if any, that are carried out in advance of the building; and if any consideration is given to the proximity of residential homes before building takes place. [63148/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that projects which are funded under the Department’s Capital Programme must comply with all statutory approvals including planning permission. The majority of capital projects are devolved to a school authority who would appoint a consultant to oversee and manage their project. The onus is on the consultant to carry out an assessment of the school site to determine the most suitable location for the additional accommodation and to comply with all statutory approvals, including planning permission, or to consider if the project is suitable to be delivered under SI 114 Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Devolpment) Regulations 2001.
657. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education if it is correct that a two-storey temporary accommodation structure is to be placed at a distance of 16 feet away from the back boundary wall of a number of residential properties (details supplied) in relation to the installation of temporary accommodation at a school; if any consultation took place with residents in advance; and if there is any route of action for residents concerned at the proximity of the structure to their home. [63149/22]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that a project which is funded under the Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme has been devolved for delivery to the school authority in question.
Under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme, each school would appoint a consultant to oversee and manage the project. The onus is on the consultant to carry out an assessment of the school site to determine the most suitable location for the modular build and to comply with all statutory approvals, including planning permission, or to consider if the project is suitable to be delivered under SI 114 Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Devolpment) Regulations 2001.
It is open to the residents to raise the aforementioned issues with the school authority in question.
658. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the reason home tutors who provided tuition under the July provision summer programme have not been paid; if she will clarify when payments will now be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63167/22]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department’s Home-Based Summer Programme, the parent/guardian of eligible engage a teacher/SNA for the purposes of providing tuition or care support during the school summer holidays. The Department then provides funding to the tutor on receipt of fully completed Grant Claim Forms after the tuition/care support has been delivered. The closing date for receipt of the Grant Claim Form for the 2022 programme was 06 September 2022. Claim forms that were correctly completed in line with the published terms of the scheme were processed in date order. The first payments issuing on 29 September, and payments continued to issue on a fortnightly basis thereafter. In total, claims in respect of 13,700 children have been paid out. 6,687 teachers and 2,031 SNAs have been paid for their work on the programme.
A very small number of claims have queries outstanding and staff on the Summer Programme team are engaging with the tutors concerned to progress these claims as soon as possible.
659. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education when a retired pensioner from the LCETB can expect to receive their pension increase (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63194/22]
View answerI refer to the Deputy’s question regarding the pension increases for retired personnel from LCETB in respect of the Building Momentum Agreement. The Agreement provides for:
- 3% pay adjustment with effect from 2 February 2022, and
- an increase of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, has been applied with effect from 1 October 2022.
Education and Training Board (ETB) Staff
The National Shared Services Office (NSSO) is responsible for the payment of pensions to retired personnel from the ETB sector.
I am informed by my officials that a significant amount of work is ongoing in relation to this matter and that, due to the complexities of applying the most recent increase to pensions, officials in my Department are liaising with both the NSSO and the ETB sector in relation to same, with a view to ensuring the efficient application of pay increases which impact on pensions in payment.
In light of the foregoing, I understand that the majority of any outstanding pension increases accruing from October 2021 to retired personnel from the ETB sector will be reflected in their pensions in payment by the end of January 2023.
It is anticipated that the increases associated with the extension of the Building Momentum agreement will then be processed and they will commence being applied to retired ETB personnel with effect from February 2023.
660. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if she will introduce new measures to facilitate easier post-primary teacher transfers and redeployment; if she will consider establishing a national voluntary redeployment panel with an online portal to assist with such transfers and redeployment; if the affected teachers would be able to keep their contracts of indefinite duration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63203/22]
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.
The key purpose of the pilot voluntary redeployment scheme is to assist the Department to achieve its objective of redeploying all surplus permanent teachers. To-date the pilot voluntary redeployment scheme has operated in 24 counties
The redeployment process is reviewed annually by my Department and Education Stakeholders, including Teacher Unions. The pilot voluntary redeployment scheme will operate in counties Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly for 2023/24 school year. The criteria for the allocation of teachers to schools including the redeployment arrangements for the 2023/24 school year will shortly be available on the Department's website.
Teachers who apply under the pilot voluntary scheme and are 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.
661. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she has considered the possibility of setting up a panel through which second level teachers could seek to apply to swap positions where they had a need to move, as has been suggested by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63209/22]
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.
The key purpose of the pilot voluntary redeployment scheme is to assist the Department to achieve its objective of redeploying all surplus permanent teachers. To-date the pilot voluntary redeployment scheme has operated in 24 counties
The redeployment process is reviewed annually by my Department and Education Stakeholders, including Teacher Unions. The pilot voluntary redeployment scheme will operate in counties Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly for 2023/24 school year. The criteria for the allocation of teachers to schools including the redeployment arrangements for the 2023/24 school year will shortly be available on the Department's website.
Teachers who apply under the pilot voluntary scheme and are 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.
662. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will review the eligibility criteria for deferred leaving certificate examinations to ensure students who have an unexpected medical emergency such as an epileptic seizure while sitting an examination are eligible for deferred sittings; and if the review will take into account submissions her Department has received from an organisation (details supplied) regarding epileptic seizures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63266/22]
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.
663. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if she will consider a proposal by an organisation (details supplied); if she will engage with the organisation on this motion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63269/22]
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.
The key purpose of the pilot voluntary redeployment scheme is to assist the Department to achieve its objective of redeploying all surplus permanent teachers. To-date the pilot voluntary redeployment scheme has operated in 24 counties
The redeployment process is reviewed annually by my Department and Education Stakeholders, including Teacher Unions. The pilot voluntary redeployment scheme will operate in counties Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly for 2023/24 school year. The criteria for the allocation of teachers to schools including the redeployment arrangements for the 2023/24 school year will shortly be available on the Department's website.
Teachers who apply under the pilot voluntary scheme and are 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.
664. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding post-primary teacher redeployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63272/22]
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.
The key purpose of the pilot voluntary redeployment scheme is to assist the Department to achieve its objective of redeploying all surplus permanent teachers. To-date the pilot voluntary redeployment scheme has operated in 24 counties
The redeployment process is reviewed annually by my Department and Education Stakeholders, including Teacher Unions. The pilot voluntary redeployment scheme will operate in counties Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly for 2023/24 school year. The criteria for the allocation of teachers to schools including the redeployment arrangements for the 2023/24 school year will shortly be available on the Department's website.
Teachers who apply under the pilot voluntary scheme and are 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.
665. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education the status of an application for the special education school grant by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63280/22]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2m.
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 confirm that this pupil has been deemed eligible for the School Transport Scheme.
A Special Transport Grant was offered to the family referred to by the Deputy for the period the pupil did not use a School Transport Service. School Transport Section in my Department are processing the application and a payment will issue to the family in the coming days.
666. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she agrees with ETBI that the current rates for the school meal allowance scheme are unrealistic and causing the scheme to be unworkable; if she will request the Department of Social Protection to review the rates to bring them in line with current economic circumstances; and her views on extending the scheme to make it available to all students. [63284/22]
View answer667. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education her views on whether the school meal allowance scheme should be funded and administered by her Department. [63287/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 666 and 667 together.
Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) is a key policy initiative of my Department to address educational disadvantage at school level.
The School Meals Programme which is under the remit of the Department of Social Protection provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,600 schools and organisations benefitting 260,000 children. The objective of this programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to position them to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The school meals programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement which are central goals under the DEIS plan. Priority for funding under the school meals programme is currently given to DEIS schools.
Officials from my Department engage regularly with officials from the Department of Social Protection regarding the school meals programme which is a key component of the DEIS programme. While the School Meals Programme is under the remit of the Department of Social Protection, the increased investment in DEIS and in the school meals programme demonstrates a shared commitment across Government to address disadvantage.
668. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education when a student (details supplied) will be allocated a school bus ticket. [63292/22]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2m.
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.
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 confirmed that applications for two of the siblings referred to by the Deputy were carried forward from previous years and were received on time. Tickets issued to both of these pupils for the 2022/23 school year. A further application for school transport was received for the third sibling on 24/11/22. Bus Éireann have further advised that although this child is eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme, they did not complete the ticket registration process by the closing date of 29 July 2022. All existing services in this area are currently operating at capacity.
669. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the way that her Department is proposing to deal with applications for leave from secondary and primary school teachers given that in cases in which leave is refused teachers are likely to resign and may go to work in other jurisdictions resulting in the loss of teachers who have built up valuable experience to date to the Irish educational system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63301/22]
View answerThere is a range of statutory and non-statutory leave types available to registered teachers employed in recognised Primary and Post Primary schools. The eligibility criteria for entitlement to each leave type can vary and, in general, the terms and conditions which are applicable to each leave type are published in my Department’s Circular Letters.
Where a teacher wishes to apply for a specific leave type, either statutory or non-statutory, they must apply to their employer. A teacher’s employer is the Board of Management/Manager in the case of primary (excluding community national schools), voluntary secondary, community and comprehensive schools and an Education and Training Board (ETB) for vocational schools/community colleges and community national schools.
Each employer is required to implement a policy on teacher absences, including non-statutory leave schemes e.g. Career Breaks, Job-Sharing etc., which is specific to the needs of the school authority. The welfare and educational needs of the pupils must take precedence over all other considerations. This policy must have due regard to the capacity of the school to meet its obligations to its pupils.
An employer may therefore apply a limit to the number of teachers that may avail of non-statutory leave schemes at any one time. Employers must consider leave applications in the context of other statutory and non-statutory leave applications. They must also take into account the availability of an appropriately qualified replacement teacher.
670. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the absence of school bus supports available to pupils living in Newcastle, County Dublin, and attending the nearest feeder school (details supplied); the reason for the lack of school bus supports for these students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63322/22]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2m.
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.
Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
In general children are eligible for school transport if they meet the distance criteria and are attending their nearest post primary school/post primary centre.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time have been accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Bus Éireann has advised there is currently no school transport service operating from the Newcastle area to the below named school. A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services. Bus Éireann have confirmed, at present, they have not received applications from 10 eligible pupils from the Newcastle area to this school.
Generally, the nearest school for pupils residing in the Newcastle area is Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin. However, depending on their home address, pupils may be eligible or concessionary for transport, depending on whether or not they meet the distance criteria of 4.8 km.
671. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the steps that are being taken to respond to the teacher retention crisis in primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63324/22]
View answerThe recruitment and retention of teachers is a priority area of action for the Department given the importance of ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have available to them qualified, engaged and supportive teachers to support them in their learning.
While I am aware that schools are experiencing challenges in both recruiting teachers and obtaining substitute teachers, I note that currently over 99% sanctioned teacher positions in primary schools and 98% in post primary are filled. Officials have informed me that the rate of early-retirement and resignation is consistent with previous years.
My Department is undertaking a comprehensive programme to support the supply of teachers. Officials engage closely with school management bodies and other education stakeholders to inform this work.
Particular initiatives include providing for the allocation of a significant number of additional posts to primary substitute teacher supply panels in areas where significant challenges in sourcing substitution continue. This brings the total to 610 posts on 151 panels covering more than 2,840 schools. Supply panels work alongside the existing methods of sourcing substitute teachers and schools can also make local arrangements to have their own regular substitutes to call on if needed.
Following from the Department’s Action Plan on Teacher Supply, the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) has developed a portal for the recruitment of teachers to long-term teaching positions. The portal will facilitate the matching of demand and supply and provide an efficient and user-friendly recruitment process for both schools and teachers. I understand that the portal will be available in the coming weeks. This service, known as Sub Seeker matches available primary and post-primary teachers with short-term substitute vacancies. This portal for short-term substitute vacancies was jointly developed by IPPN and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals. To date, almost 12,000 teachers have registered with Sub Seeker.
Additionally a number of measures to enhance the supply of substitute teachers have also been put in place for the current school year; including temporarily suspending the limits that applied to teachers on career break undertaking substitute work during the 2022/23 school year. Job sharing teachers may be employed to work in a substitute capacity during the period they are rostered off, in their own or in other schools.
Retired teachers who have kept their Teaching Council registration represent a source of substitute cover for schools. In that regard the Department agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform a waiver of abatement for retired teachers returning to teach for up to 50 days in each of the three calendar years, 2021 to 2023 inclusive. In 2021, almost 800 retired primary teachers, and over 200 port-primary teachers provided substitute cover in schools.
The Teaching Council has introduced regulations allowing for the registration of 3rd and 4th year undergraduate student teachers under a new registration route: Route 5 (Student Teachers). More than 2,100 student teachers registered under this route. This initiative has enabled the employment of student teachers to cover substitutable vacancies.
At post-primary level the Department has put in place a scheme that allows teachers to teach additional hours in their subject area over the usual 22-hour limit, up to a maximum of 20 additional hours per term.
To meet longer term teacher demand, higher education institutions have developed new 4 year initial teacher education programmes in a number of post-primary priority subject areas, including Irish, mathematics, computer science and modern foreign languages.
In addition, the Department fully funds teachers to participate in upskilling programmes in mathematics, physics and Spanish. The first cohort of participants, approximately 170 teachers, completed these programmes in 2022 and more than 300 teachers will graduate in 2023. It is also intended to commence an upskilling programme in Irish in 2023/24.
The Department introduced a scheme to allow post-primary schools to share teachers, the aim of which is to recruit teachers in high-demand subjects and give teachers a full-time teaching contract.
These measures are underpinned by the Teaching Transforms campaign which promotes the teaching profession and encourages students to follow a career in teaching. The campaign is supported by the dedicated webpage on gov.ie.
It is acknowledged that despite the positive impact of these important actions, work remains to be done to address teacher supply challenges, particularly to ensure the availability of sufficient substitute teachers. The Department continues to work closely and intensively with stakeholders to develop and implement creative solutions to address the teacher supply challenges for schools.
672. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education further to her response to Parliamentary Question No. 56 of 7 December 2022, her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63339/22]
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 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, 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 it does not hold records relating to applications received by schools from parents of children seeking enrolment or for special class placements. Enrolments to individual schools are a matter for each board of management, and therefore outside the remit of the NCSE.
With respect to the number of students waiting on a special class in the county, there were no students known to the NCSE in County Tipperary with a suitable special class recommendation who were unplaced for the 22/23 school year, and the NCSE is currently working with schools for the 23/24 school year to assist in establishing new special class places where schools and parents have indicated a need.
In terms of planning special class/school provision, SENOs engage with schools and with parents on an ongoing basis in order to identify where additional special class places may be required.
Parents seeking special class or special school places for their children are advised to make contact with the NCSE so that their needs can be taken into account in planning specialist provision and for updated information on placements in existing and newly established special schools/classes.
SENOs will continue to work with parents where there are new diagnosis/recommendations in respect of special placements. The contact details for the SENOs for the Tipperary region can be found at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list
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.
673. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education the status of school transport for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63346/22]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2m.
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.
Bus Éireann have advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy applied for school transport under the Post Primary School Transport Scheme and I am pleased to advise that the pupil has received a ticket for a school transport service.
674. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if she will consider changing the current regulations in order that teachers can transfer job location in an easier fashion (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63347/22]
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.
The key purpose of the pilot voluntary redeployment scheme is to assist the Department to achieve its objective of redeploying all surplus permanent teachers. To-date the pilot voluntary redeployment scheme has operated in 24 counties
The redeployment process is reviewed annually by my Department and Education Stakeholders, including Teacher Unions. The pilot voluntary redeployment scheme will operate in counties Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly for 2023/24 school year. The criteria for the allocation of teachers to schools including the redeployment arrangements for the 2023/24 school year will shortly be available on the Department's website.
Teachers who apply under the pilot voluntary scheme and are 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.
675. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education when an individual transport service will commence for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63352/22]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2m.
The purpose of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the scheme children are eligible for transport where they have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability and are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class/special school or unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs.
Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department arrange the provision of SEN transport for each applicant, the care and safety needs while on school transport are considered in each case. Specific transport arrangements are provided in certain circumstances based on the individual needs of the child.
Bus Éireann has advised in the case of the pupil referred to by the Deputy, that an individual service was sanctioned for the pupil on the 8th November 2022 and I am pleased to advise that the service commenced for the pupil on 5th January 2023.
