Written Answers Nos. 736-755
736. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Education when the ASD unit will be opened in a school (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63950/22]
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, my Department will spend in excess of €2.6 Billion, or over 27% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes additional teaching and care supports. It also includes funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) for an additional 54 psychologists to provide services to special schools and special classes.
In 2022, funding for an additional 980 teachers and 1,165 special needs assistants was provided. For 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 special needs assistants in our schools next year.
For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 Special needs assistants. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
In 2023, there will be a significant investment in the expansion of the National Council for Special Education, with a total full-year investment of €13 million, in over 160 additional staff. This investment is being undertaken so that the NSCE can respond effectively, compassionately and quickly to the increased need in our education system so that children and their families are fully supported and achieve the best possible education outcomes.
My Department and the NCSE continue to work very closely in planning for the delivery of new places required to meet forecasted demand.
I am satisfied that this approach is delivering. There are a total of 2,544 special classes opened nationwide. Of the 2,544 special classes, there are 1802 at primary level and 742 at post primary level. This compares to a total of 1,839 special classes in the 2020/21 school year.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at: www.ncse.ie
NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. Every support will be made available to schools to progress the opening of special classes in the shortest possible timeframe
It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.
I want to reassure you also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
In May 2022, the school was approved under the Additional Accommodation Scheme 2019 for a 2 Classroom SEN base, 1 Project support room, 3 SET rooms and 3 Mainstream classrooms.
A stage 1/2A report was received and reviewed by the technical team in my Department and combined comments returned to the school in October 2022. The School Authority submitted the Design Team’s response to the combined comments and these are currently under review with the Departments Technical Team. Once this review is complete the School Authority will be notified.
737. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if the pick-up for school transport for a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63959/22]
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 school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest 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 confirmed that this pupil is not eligible for transport as they are attending their second nearest primary school. However, an application for transport was received in Bus Éireann for a school transport service for this pupil for the 2022/23 School year and a concessionary school transport ticket issued to the pupil on 15th August 2022
Bus Éireann has also advised that the family referred to by the Deputy reside 2.5 km from home to the pick up point of the school transport service that they are accommodated on.
738. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 272 of 6 December 2022, if she is satisfied with the situation whereby the State’s capacity to address the issue of child sexual abuse at a location (details supplied) is contingent on its request to the religious order involved to retain all existing records relating to allegations of child sexual abuse; her views on the failure of the State to date to seize all existing records held by the religious order; the risk of evidence being destroyed; the assurances, if any, that she has received that this will not happen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63962/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, I have engaged with the congregation concerned in respect of the importance of ensuring that all records relating to allegations of child sexual abuse are retained. Consideration of any further steps which may required is ongoing.
As the Deputy may also be aware, the Sexual Crime Management Unit at the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) is co-ordinating the Garda investigation into the allegations.
739. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the funding that is available to improve parking and turning movements on primary school grounds in rural areas in which the 80 km speed limit applies to ensure the safety of pupils, staff and parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1001/23]
View answerThe Minor Works Grant is the funding mechanism for schools to deal with small-scale improvement or maintenance works.
The Summer Works Scheme is the funding mechanism for dealing with more significant improvement works that are usually carried out during school holiday periods to minimise disruption to the operation of schools. The Summer Works Scheme operates on a multi-annual basis. It is envisaged at this stage that the Summer Works Scheme will be next opened for new applications later in 2023 for delivery of projects on a phased basis from 2024 onwards. Schools will be notified of the details of the Summer Works Scheme in due course.
740. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if she will consider favourably granting a contract of indefinite duration to a special education teacher, teaching in an offshore island school (details supplied) in view of the unique circumstances of the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1003/23]
View answerThe Department’s Primary Circular 23/2015 and Post-Primary Circular 24/2015 set out the eligibility criteria for the award of a contract of indefinite duration (CID). Under these circulars a teacher should be qualified for the appropriate sector they are teaching in, should have completed in excess of 2 years consecutive fixed term contracts and the post should be a viable post with no objective grounds. These circulars do not provide for award of CID under exceptional circumstances.
Also in accordance with Department Circular 44/2019 and Circular 31/2011, which are available on the Department’s website under www.gov.ie, schools are required to employ appropriately qualified teachers and ensure that unemployed teachers should be offered employment in preference to those who have retired. These measures were taken in an effort to increase employment opportunities for unemployed teachers.
In addition, a Special Education Teacher in a primary school is required to have either Route 1 (Primary) registration or Route 4 (Other) registration in accordance with Department Circular 44/2019. This teacher is Post-Primary qualified and holds Route 2 (Post-Primary) registration status with the Teaching Council.
As this teacher does not satisfy the requirements of the CID Circular 23/2015, the application for CID was refused.
741. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be made on a comprehensive building project for a school (details supplied) to include the replacement of a substandard 1959 building and the provision of a SEN 2 base; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1004/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of application for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school authority in question.
Officials in my Department has engaged with the school authority and further information was submitted for consideration. A technical assessment has been carried out on the 1959 building and my Department are currently liaising with the school on finalising the brief for the project.
742. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the research that has been carried out by her Department into the benefits of ending the provision of homework for primary school pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1028/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for his question regarding research on the provision of homework.
While my Department has not commissioned research on this matter, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) funded a report commissioned by the National Parents Council into parental involvement, engagement and partnership in their children’s learning during the primary school years at Parental Involvement Research Doc.qxp:Layout 1 (mie.ie). The research was undertaken by the Marino Institute of Education and was published in 2019.
While the broad focus of the report is on features of good parent-school partnerships there is also a focus on:
- The role of homework
- Homework in the Irish context
- Homework in the international literature
- Homework and achievement
- Parental involvement with homework
- Children’s voice on homework.
The report also contains recommendations regarding homework, based on the literature review undertaken.
The Department of Education does not issue any guidelines relating to homework being given in schools. It is a matter for each school, at local level to arrive at its own homework policy. In keeping with good practice, the process of drafting a homework policy should involve consultation with teachers, parents and students. Schools can also consider the recommendations from the research report in this regard.
I hope this information is of assistance to the Deputy.
743. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if he will provide an update on providing permanent accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1086/23]
View answerI am pleased to confirm to the Deputy that Agreement in Principle has been reached with the landowner of a 2.8 acre site at Janeville, Carrigaline, County Cork for the development of a permanent building for the school to which he refers.
This is a designated school site within the local Development Plan and the development of this site for a primary school is supported by the Local Authority.
744. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 106 of 26 October 2022, if she will provide an update on a matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1161/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that the school referred to has been approved for a project under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project will provide the following accommodation at the school: 1 x Mainstream classroom including en-suite toilet and & 2 x SET rooms. This project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority and an approval letter was issued in this respect on the 25/11/2022.
The next step in the process is for the school authority to procure a design team to guide the project through the various stages of architectural planning.
745. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 458 of 18 October 2022, if she will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1162/23]
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 is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of my Department. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the scheme nationally.
Routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 3.2 kilometres to travel to a pick-up point. Children are generally expected to make their own way, or to be brought to convenient pick-up points along the main route.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that pupils residing in the Derryleagh and Coomyanna areas and are attending Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, Kenmare are eligible for transport.
The nearest service pickup point to a school transport service operates from the North Square, Sneem, which is approximately 7.0 km to 8.0 km from the areas referred.
Bus Éireann has advised that the local office is currently in the process of establishing an extension to an existing service to cater for the pupils referred to by the Deputy. When this service is established and a start date is available, Bus Éireann will contact the families directly with details.
746. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1167/23]
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.
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.
As an escort could not be sourced on board a school transport service, a Special Transport Grant has been sanctioned from the the commencement of the 2021/2022 school year. School Transport Section of my Department have written to the family in this regard.
747. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education the status of works at a school (details supplied). [1196/23]
View answerA building project has been approved for the school referred to by the Deputy under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme 2022.
The project has been devolved for delivery to Limerick Clare Education & Training Board (LCETB) and an approval letter was issued in this respect on the 29/09/2022 .
The next step in the process will be for the ETB to procure a Design Team to guide the project through the various stages of architectural planning.
748. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the current number of teachers on the substitute supply panel in Kildare; and the number in 2020. [1207/23]
View answerIn Co. Kildare, there are currently 8 Supply Panels, with 33 teaching posts allocated to the scheme, providing substitute cover for 99 schools. This is an increase on the 2020 allocation, where 16 teaching posts were allocated across 5 Supply Panels, covering 78 schools.
749. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there are many Irish students who have completed teacher training in the UK, but are prevented from returning home to assist with the present teacher shortage given that they have not yet completed a UK based probation; and if she has considered measures which would allow them to work in Ireland to complete their probation. [1228/23]
View answerThe Teaching Council is the professional standards body for the teaching profession, which promotes and regulates professional standards in teaching. The Teaching Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and in line with the Teaching Council Registration Regulations, 2016. The Council registers teachers under five routes of registration namely, Route 1 - Primary, Route 2 - Post-primary, Route 3 - Further Education, Route 4 - Other and Route 5 - Student Teacher. The minimum registration requirements for each route are set out in the Schedule of the regulations.
Fully qualified teachers who have qualified outside of the Republic of Ireland are eligible to apply for registration with the Teaching Council. All applications from teachers who qualified abroad are processed in line with the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
A person deemed to be a fully qualified teacher has completed a recognised teacher education qualification and any required programme of induction/period of post-qualification employment in the country in which they qualified and can provide an official letter from the relevant teacher registration body/Competent Authority or Ministry of Education confirming recognition as a fully qualified teacher in the State/country.
Due to the exceptional circumstances presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Teaching Council introduced a range of interventions to support school communities in 2020/2021 including the Covid-19 Amendment Regulation (CAR). On an emergency time-limited basis under CAR, the Teaching Council accepted applications from eligible primary and post-primary teachers who had qualified outside of Ireland but who had not completed the required period of induction in the country in which they qualified.
To ease teacher supply challenges in the context of the current health situation, the Teaching Council in conjunction with the Department of Education are currently engaging on the re-introduction of this amendment regulation. Any updates with regard to additional registration pathways will be published on the Council’s website over the coming weeks.
750. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 323 of 6 December 2022, the position regarding a person (details supplied) being eligible for school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1254/23]
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 has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme. All existing services in this area are currently operating at capacity.
751. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she has considered, given the shortage of teachers at present, allowing Irish students who trained in the UK to complete their induction period back in Ireland to allow them to teach in Ireland. [1280/23]
View answerThe Teaching Council is the professional standards body for the teaching profession, which promotes and regulates professional standards in teaching. The Teaching Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and in line with the Teaching Council Registration Regulations, 2016. The Council registers teachers under five routes of registration namely, Route 1 - Primary, Route 2 - Post-primary, Route 3 - Further Education, Route 4 - Other and Route 5 - Student Teacher. The minimum registration requirements for each route are set out in the Schedule of the regulations.
Fully qualified teachers who have qualified outside of the Republic of Ireland are eligible to apply for registration with the Teaching Council. All applications from teachers who qualified abroad are processed in line with the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
A person deemed to be a fully qualified teacher has completed a recognised teacher education qualification and any required programme of induction/period of post-qualification employment in the country in which they qualified and can provide an official letter from the relevant teacher registration body/Competent Authority or Ministry of Education confirming recognition as a fully qualified teacher in the State/country.
Due to the exceptional circumstances presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Teaching Council introduced a range of interventions to support school communities in 2020/2021 including the Covid-19 Amendment Regulation (CAR). On an emergency time-limited basis under CAR, the Teaching Council accepted applications from eligible primary and post-primary teachers who had qualified outside of Ireland but who had not completed the required period of induction in the country in which they qualified.
To ease teacher supply challenges in the context of the current health situation, the Teaching Council in conjunction with the Department of Education are currently engaging on the re-introduction of this amendment regulation. Any updates with regard to additional registration pathways will be published on the Council’s website over the coming weeks.
752. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if records are kept of the number of boys who leave the Killester, Raheny and Clontarf catchment for school; if she will provide an update on the three proposed school buildings in the Killester, Raheny and Clontarf school catchment; if those new school buildings will account for the number of boys who leave the catchment area for school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1286/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
Data on movement into and out of School Planning Areas as well as transfer patterns between primary and post primary schools forms part of the consideration of potential school accommodation requirements to meet any additional school place needs.
There are 25 primary schools in the Killester_Raheny_Clontarf school planning area. In addition, Killester Raheny Clontarf ETNS was established in 2019 to serve this school planning area. 12 of these 26 schools (in total) are mixed, one is mixed at the Junior Standards, seven are boys' schools and seven are girls'. There are seven current school building projects at primary school in Killester_Raheny_Clontarf and details of these are available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie. These projects include the provision of an 8 classroom building for Killester Raheny Clontarf ETNS, which is currently at Project Brief stage.
At post primary level, there are seven schools in the school planning area: two mixed, one boys' school and four girls' schools. There are a further three boys' schools in adjoining school planning areas.
There are three current school building projects at post primary level in this school planning area, including a new 1,000 pupil school building for Mount Temple Comprehensive School which is currently at Stage 2b.
While the Department is aware of continued pressures and demand for school places in the Killester_Raheny_Clontarf area, 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
The Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, the Department is engaging with patron bodies and school authorities to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train.
Additionally, the Department will continue to work to advance the planned and current projects in Killester_Raheny_Clontarf and to ensure sufficient places for both mainstream provision for both boys and girls, and for pupils with special education requirements both for the coming academic year and into the future.
753. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education the percentage of parents who must seek a change in patronage of a school in order for it to be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1310/23]
View answerThe Government’s objective is to have at least 400 multi-denominational schools in the primary system by 2030 to improve parental choice. I fully support this commitment and I am working with my Department in this respect. The Schools Recon?guration for Diversity process, supporting transfers of schools to multi-denominational patrons in response to the wishes of local families, has been developed in order to accelerate the delivery of multi-denominational schools across the country.
As the Deputy will be aware, in March 2022 I announced that arrangements are being put in place in a number of towns and areas of cities that have no multi-denominational primary schools to identify potential schools and to engage with school authorities, school staff and the school communities with a view to agreeing on a transfer of patronage and change of ethos, where there is sufficient demand for this.
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 engage with school authorities, school staff and the school community with a view to agreeing on a transfer of patronage and change of ethos, where there is sufficient demand for this. This process is about providing information and engaging with, and seeking feedback from, the school community. The voice of the parent and school community is important in the context of a decision to change to a multi-denominational ethos. It is not intended that specific weighting or percentages would apply.
At an information meeting with the facilitator, parents have the opportunity to raise any questions and to share their views. Following engagement with the school community, the facilitator writes a preliminary report reflecting the engagement with the school authorities, staff and parents and submits this to the patron. This preliminary report is circulated to the school community for information and parents and staff can ask questions, provide feedback and share views by e-mailing a dedicated Department e-mail address. This feedback is reflected as appropriate in the facilitator's final report to the school patron.
The pilot has already facilitated increased diversity with the announcement last week that a Catholic school in Athlone – Cornamaddy National School, will be transferring patronage from its Catholic patron to Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board becoming a multi-denominational community national school.
In respect of the other pilot areas, the engagement at local level should be largely concluded in many of the pilot areas by the end of Q1 2023 and this will help clarify the level of demand for reconfiguration in the pilot areas.
It is envisaged that the learning from these pilot areas will inform the process in other areas of the country going forward.
754. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure the number of students attending Irish-medium education is increased from 6.7% to 20% in the next 20 years in line with the objectives within the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1317/23]
View answerWork on the development of a new policy for Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht is under way in my Department. A public consultation process is currently being undertaken to seek the views of interested stakeholders. The information gathered during the public consultation, along with research commissioned by my Department, will inform the development of the new policy.
The key objectives of the policy are in accordance with the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and the Programme for Government 2020 and include, among other things:
- increasing the proportion of children and young people attending Irish-medium schools, including by building on the foundations laid in Irish-medium early learning and care settings (for example, naíonraí)
- exploring how opportunities for the establishment of Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí can be increased as part of the patronage process.
Increasing the number of pupils and students who attend Irish-medium education will be an important measure in increasing the potential labour force of applicants who will be available as the public service aims to ensure that 20% of new recruits to public bodies will be competent in the Irish language by the end of 2030.
755. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure a new Gaelcholáiste will be established within five years in any school area that has a Gaelscoil, but does not already have a Gaelcholáiste; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1318/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for additional school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
A patronage process is run after it has been decided, based on demographic analysis, that a new school is required. An Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) provides objective information to parents in the relevant school planning areas to assist them in making an informed choice about their preferred model of patronage and language of instruction for the new school.
Parents access the OPPS website, which allows them to access the appropriate survey for their area, to input the details of the eligible child(ren) and to select their preferred patron and language of instruction (where applicable). Parental preferences from parents of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of diversity currently available in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of the process.
Following their consideration of my Department’s assessment reports, the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG) submits a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. The NSEG is an external independent advisory group which was set up in 2011 to advise me on the patronage of new schools. The assessment reports and the NSEG recommendations for all such patronage processes are made available on my Department's website.
The Department will continue to liaise with the each Local Authority in respect of their County Development Plan and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas.
