Written Answers Nos. 816-835
816. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she is satisfied that adequate steps have been taken to ensure the provision of a new primary school in Newtown, Enfield, County Kildare; the degree to which such provision is capable of meeting the demand in the current and subsequent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2240/23]
View answerMy Department utilises a Geographic Information System (GIS) to support its strategic planning for capital investment. Where the geo-spatial assessment of demand and capacity in an area indicates that additional provision is required my Department considers the options of extending the capacity of a school or schools, or of providing a new school or schools. The timing and duration of the accommodation need is also considered in determining the optimum accommodation solution – for example a short-term accommodation requirement does not require a long-term accommodation solution.
My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction. 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.
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.
However, I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department approved two projects for Newtown NS, Kildare. The first project for 2 x 15m² (1 prefab replacement) and 4 x 80m² has been completed. The second approval for a 2 Class SEN Base is nearing completion of the build.
820. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education on the number of National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, transition consultations for children who are transitioning out of primary school into secondary school that were conducted in 2022. [2283/23]
View answer821. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the way that children can access NEPS transition consultations to assist them transitioning out of primary school into secondary school. [2284/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 820 and 821 together.
NEPS provides educational psychological support to all recognised primary and post-primary schools. This involves direct support in the event of a critical incident, access to national and regional support and development work to build school capacity to support students, access to a NEPS psychologist for responses to queries arising, and access to individual pupil casework where there is such need.
The transition from primary to post-primary can be a stressful event for some pupils and some pupils may need additional support. Schools may use the NEPS case work service to support the transition of some pupils. As this work is part of casework separate data is not kept on consultation on transitions.
822. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the steps that she is taking to ensure that a higher education course (details supplied) for special needs assistants is accredited as a level 7 programme. [2285/23]
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 2018 Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) includes a recommendation for the provision of a national online training programme. Arising from this recommendation my Department awarded a four-year contract to University College Dublin (UCD) School of Education to design and deliver a new national online training programme for SNAs employed in schools. The programme is fully funded by the Department and delivered at no cost to the SNA.
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. In their tender documents UCD indicated that it was intended to deliver the programme at QQI Level 6.
All SNAs who applied to complete the course with UCD did so on the basis that a Certificate of Completion would issue following conclusion of the programme. The subsequent accreditation of the programme was supplementary to this and was completed in line with the tender agreement. UCD is a recognised awarding body and completes accreditation of its own courses, as it did in the case of the SNA programme.
UCD has advised the Department that work has commenced to accredit the programme under UCD’s standard programme approval procedures as a Level 6 Special Purpose Award on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). UCD is also considering how previous graduates from the programme might have their award accredited retrospectively.
There are currently no plans to provide a training programme for SNAs at level 7.
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 I want to assure the Deputy that 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.
823. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the number of children who are waiting on a placement in autism spectrum disorder, ASD, units in County Cork; her plans to open further units given that all units are currently full; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2286/23]
View answerI 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 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 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 2,544 special classes nationwide, with 1,802 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 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.
824. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education the schedule for the commencement and completion of construction of the long-delayed permanent school (details supplied) in Enfield, County Meath, in view of the severe lack of school capacity in Enfield; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2316/23]
View answer825. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education the schedule for the commencement and completion of construction of the interim capacity for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2317/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 824 and 825 together.
The school referred to by the Deputy will move to suitable interim accommodation on the permanent site for the 2023/24 school year, pending delivery of the school's permanent accommodation. Several meetings have been held with the Local Authority in this regard and site works are due to commence in the coming weeks. My Department will continue to liaise with the school’s patron body in relation to the school’s interim accommodation needs.
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.
During January, my Department will be assessing overall requirements for 2023 and associated work programme and will update individual schools of same in due course.
826. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to reports that second level schools in Lucan, County Dublin, have significant waiting lists for first year places for the 2023-2024 school year; the action that her Department is taking to ensure that there is increased capacity available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2327/23]
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.
While the Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in the Lucan 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, including those of schools in the Lucan area, 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 Lucan and to ensure sufficient places for both mainstream provision and for pupils with special education requirements both for the coming academic year and into the future.
827. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education if her Department has considered instating a standard policy across all second level schools in relation to school admission policies, particularly in areas in which capacity issues are apparent; if so, the outcome of the consideration; and if not, if consideration will be given to adopting such a policy. [2328/23]
View answerIn relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools are required to have drafted new admissions policies, which have been approved by the patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. The newly revised school’s admissions policy is published on the schools website. It is a key requirement of the act that all school admission policies are fair and transparent.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The act requires schools to clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. Schools have discretion in relation to their admission criteria and how they are applied. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. My Department does not seek to intervene in the selection criterion that is applied by schools.
All schools must publish an annual admissions notice on the schools website prior to the commencement of the admissions process for the following September. This notice must state the number of spaces that they have available for the intake group for the forthcoming school year. Further to this if the school was oversubscribed in the previous year the school must detail the places that were made available and the selection criteria used to provide places of admission.
The act also provides for schools to share information in relation to applications in a locality to make the administration of the enrolment process more efficient for schools.
828. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education the number of students who availed of the alternative leaving certificate examination in 2019, when first introduced; if students who have availed of this alternative paper have been asked for their opinion on the value of this recourse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2336/23]
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.
829. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil i gceist aici aon chuid den 3.5 uair a chloig atá leagtha síos faoi láthair do mhúineadh na Gaeilge sa tseachtain ó rang an haon go rang a sé a ghearadh sa gCreat Nua Curaclaim Bunscoile; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [2338/23]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, tá an Curaclam Bunscoile á athbhreithniú agus á athfhorbairt faoi láthair. Le blianta beaga anuas tá taighde fairsing náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta, obair le líonra scoileanna agus comhpháirtithe oideachais agus comhairliúchán fairsing le leanaí aois bunscoile mar chuid d’fhorbairt an Chreata Curaclam Bunscoile (CCB) nua.
Tá fís; prionsabail; príomhinniúlachtaí; struchtúr; cuir chuige i leith na foghlama, an teagaisc agus an mheasúnaithe; agus leithdháiltí ama do Churaclam na Bunscoile leagtha amach sa chreat. Soláthraítear treoirphlean sa chreat freisin chun feabhsú an bhunoideachais agus an oideachais speisialta a threorú do na blianta atá le teacht. Tá nasc cruthaithe le heispéiris foghlama a sholáthraítear trí théamaí Aistear: Creatchuraclam na Luath-Óige agus tá ceangal idir é agus na hábhair, na príomhscileanna agus na ráitis foghlama atá sa Chreat don tSraith Shóisearach.
Tá an Creat curtha faoi bhráid mo Roinne ag an gComhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta (CNCM) dá bhreithniú. Tuigim an fonn atá sa phobal oideachais agus sa phobal i gcoitinne go bhfoilseofaí Creatchuraclam na Bunscoile ach ní mór dúinn ár mbreithnithe a thabhairt chun críche ar dtús. Tá an Creat á mheas go cúramach ag m’oifigigh agus agam féin lena chinntiú go dtacóidh sé le boird bhainistíochta, le ceannairí scoile agus le múinteoirí, oideachas cuí a chur ar fáil dár leanaí go léir inár mbunscoileanna agus inár scoileanna speisialta agus go dtacóidh sé le forbairt curaclam bunscoile a fhreastalaíonn ar riachtanais dhaltaí an lae inniu agus na todhchaí.
Foilseofar an Creat nuair a bheidh na breithnithe sin tugtha chun críche.
830. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the new school building for a school (details supplied); the efforts that her Department is making to ensure that students are in the new building as soon as possible; the timeline for the completion of the building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2348/23]
View answerMy 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.
During January, my Department will be assessing overall requirements for 2023 and associated work programme and will update individual schools of same in due course.
831. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an outline of the options available to a person (details supplied). [63159/22]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection provides income supports through a mixture of contributory payments (which are based on a person's social insurance record) and means-tested social assistance payments. The State Pension (Non-contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a State Pension (Contributory), or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
For the purposes of the means-test, it is necessary at the outset for applicants to provide full details of any income(s), assets, savings and investments they hold (and the income(s)/assets of their dependent spouse, civil partner, co-habitant, if applicable).
Following the award of pension, an obligation continues to apply whereby the person receiving the pension (and, where relevant, their qualified adult dependant, personal representative or agent) must notify the Department in a timely manner of any change in their circumstances that may impact on their pension entitlement.
In the case the Deputy has raised, under the means assessment rules for state pension non-contributory, although one person has moved to residential care, a means assessment for the couple still applies. While the spouse’s State Pension Contributory would not be included in the assessment of means, other income, including any private pension paid to either of the couple would be included in a joint assessment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
832. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is entitled to homemaker's credits in respect of the period of time spent rearing their family; if the cumulative number of contributions paid including homemaking credits give them an entitlement to a State pension (contributory) or a reduced level of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63169/22]
View answerAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned reached pension age on 17 March 2009. The Department has no record of an application for the State pension contributory or State Pension non-contributory.
Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). 520 full-rate contributions equate to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment. According to the records of my Department the person concerned has a total of 381 full-rate contributions which falls short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions.
It is considered reasonable to require people claiming a contributory pension to have paid at least 10 years contributions over the term of their working life, before qualifying for a payment. This was also endorsed by the Commission on Pensions.
Both the homemaker’s scheme and home caring credits can be used to improve a person’s rate of pension entitlement. However, a person must satisfy the qualifying conditions for State Pension (contributory) to avail of these.
Following previous representations a copy of the person’s social insurance record has issued to them. If the person considers that additional contributions or credits have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to my Department along with an application for State Pension (contributory).
It is also open to the person concerned to apply for the means-tested State pension (non-contributory). The maximum rate of this pension is set at approximately 95% of the State pension (contributory) rate.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
833. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will provide support for a person (details supplied) whose pension has been reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63184/22]
View answerThe person concerned reached pension age on 24 August 2022. According to the records of my department an application for State Pension (contributory) was received on 19 September 2022.
The person concerned has a total of 1,431 reckonable paid and credited social insurance contributions from 07 May 1975 to the end of December 2021. This equates to a yearly average of 30 contributions giving an entitlement to 90% of the State Pension (contributory) rate of payment. This is the correct rate commensurate with the social insurance record as held by my Department.
To qualify for State Pension (contributory) at the maximum rate, the person concerned would need a yearly average of at least 48 contributions.
I have arranged for a copy of the person’s social insurance record to issue to them. If the person considers that additional contributions or credits have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to my Department and their pension entitlement will be reviewed.
It is also open to them to apply for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory). I have arranged for a State Pension non-contributory application form to issue to them.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
834. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the recommendation from the review group on child maintenance to establish a child maintenance agency was ultimately rejected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63195/22]
View answerI was very pleased to publish the Report of the Child Maintenance Review Group in November, together with my colleague the Minister for Justice.
The Government established a Child Maintenance Review Group in 2020 to examine a number of issues regarding child maintenance in Ireland and to prepare a report for the Minister for Social Protection on:
(i) The current treatment within the Department of Social Protection of child maintenance payments,
(ii) The current provisions relating to the liable relatives regarding child maintenance, and
(iii) The establishment of a State Child Maintenance Agency.
The Government has accepted the Group's recommendations in relation to the social welfare system. These recommendations involve very significant reforms which will be of great benefit to lone parents.
As a result, child maintenance payments will be disregarded in the means test for social welfare payments. It is estimated that this measure will be of direct benefit to approximately 16,000 lone parents at a cost of approximately €10 million per year.
The requirement for lone parents to make efforts to seek maintenance as part of their claim will be removed. This requirement often involved the applicant having to go to Court and so it will remove an additional stress on lone parents and it will also help to reduce the burden on the Courts system.
In addition, the liable relative provisions will be discontinued. This means that my Department will no longer seek to recoup a portion of claim costs from the non-resident parent. I want to be very clear that removing these provisions does not replace or supersede the primary responsibility of parents to maintain their children.
There was no consensus among the Group members regarding the establishment of a Child Maintenance Agency. The Group examined the international position and after significant research found that different countries operate different arrangements. There is no one perfect solution. Even amongst those members of the Group who favoured the establishment of an Agency there were differing views about its role and remit, as well as important Constitutional concerns. Even where an agency were established, there would still be a significant role for the Courts in terms of the difficult issues of enforcement and arrears.
The Minister for Justice is planning significant reforms in the family justice area. I am particularly pleased that the Family Justice Strategy includes a commitment to undertake a review of the enforcement of maintenance orders in the first half of 2023. Proposals for reform will be made by the Department of Justice, if appropriate, including in relation to strengthening attachment orders and examining the feasibility of introducing guidelines on maintenance amounts.
I am satisfied that, taken together, the changes I am making in relation to the social welfare system and the reforms of the family law system being brought forward by the Minister for Justice represent a significant suite of reforms which will go a long way to addressing to concerns being raised.
835. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she agrees the decision not to extend the one-off payment of €500 to those in receipt of the State pension is discriminatory, given those in receipt of the State pension are also in need of financial support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63201/22]
View answerIn response to the ongoing cost of living pressures, I announced on Budget Day that my Department would spend approximately €1.2 billion on social welfare measures to help individuals and families through this difficult period.
This included a range of double payments and lump sum payments that were targeted at those who are most vulnerable including older people, families, carers and those living with disabilities.
The €500 lump sum payment to those on Disability Allowance, Blind Pension and Invalidity Pension was paid to those receiving these payments in the relevant week in November.
Recipients of State Pensions were eligible for the October double payment and the Christmas Bonus.
In November, my Department paid a range of cost of living supports, which included:
- A €400 lump sum payment to all households in receipt of Fuel Allowance, many of whom are pensioners.
- An additional €200 Lump Sum Payment to all persons in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance, the majority of whom are pensioners.
At the start of this month, there was a €12 increase for all weekly schemes, including State Pensions. As there is a proportionate increase for adult dependants, this means that the basic increase for a two-adult household receiving the State Pension (Contributory) is €22.80 per week.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
