Tuesday, 24 Jan 2023

Schools Building Projects

Questions (361)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

361. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will receive its new permanent school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3160/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at Stage 3 of Architectural Planning – Tender Action, which includes for the appointment of a building contractor.

The final prequalification process is complete and the Design Team are finalising Tender Documents.

A tender process usually takes between 8 and 12 months to complete.

My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme, including the project mentioned by the Deputy. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300 school building projects for delivery under my 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.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (362)

James Lawless

Question:

362. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of a campus project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3167/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The project the Deputy refers to has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of bundled school building programmes. The shared education campus for the project in question is in the bundle referred to as ‘Project Liffey’.

A letter issued from the Department to the Project Liffey schools in 2022 to advise that their respective school had been included in the programme. The NDFA has since been in contact with each school to introduce the team, communicate arrangements and discuss the project briefs.

The next step is for the NDFA to procure a Design Team for the project bundle to progress the projects through the design stages. An estimated timeline for the completion of the project will be available once the design stages have concluded.

School Admissions

Questions (363)

Duncan Smith

Question:

363. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if a school place will be allocated to a child (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3209/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:

My Department is committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential. My Department strives to ensure that every child has access to an educational experience that is appropriate to their needs and supports both their academic and personal development.

Our policy, which is set out in the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 (EPSEN) is that children with SEN should be educated in mainstream placements with additional supports provided as appropriate.

Where children require more specialised educational settings, such as special classes or special schools, the Department and National Council for Special Education (NCSE) ensures that the necessary resources and supports for such placements are provided in line with the needs of the child.

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.

As part of Budget 2023, additional funding is being provided to allow the NCSE recruit additional staff, including SENOs. These additional resources should ensure that the NCSE can better support parents and schools in relation to the provision of special education needs places.

Significant improvements have been made to the forward planning process for special education places over the last 2 to 3 years, including:

- the inclusion of special classes in all new schools by default (e.g. 4 class in a 1000 pupil post-primary school).

- improving the use of Geographic Information Systems in planning for special classes and special school places and

- increased engagement with key stakeholders such as patron bodies and management bodies, particularly at post-primary level.

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.

The NCSE is statutorily responsible for planning and coordinating provision at both a local and a national level and advising my Department in this regard. 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.

As part of Budget 2023, my Department’s budget was substantially increased, by over 10%, meaning that for 2023 the 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.

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.

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.

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

It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school.

My Department wants to reassure you also that it 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.

As the query refers to an individual, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (364)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

364. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education when a climate-focused multi-annual summer works scheme will be opened for new applications in 2023; if there will also be a separate summer works scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3210/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

As the Deputy is aware, 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.

As part of it’s planning for 2023 and beyond, my Department's officials are working on the arrangements for the next phases of the summer works programme. It is envisaged at this stage that, a new Multi-Annual Summer Works Scheme with a focus on climate action and energy conservation will be 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.

School Textbooks

Questions (365)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

365. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education the progress made to date on the roll-out of her Department’s programme for free primary school books; the engagement she has had to date with the education partners and other stake holders regarding this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3233/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

As part of Budget 2023, I announced over €50 million to provide free books to primary school pupils within the free education scheme from September 2023. This measure will eliminate the cost to these families for all school books at primary school, including workbooks. It delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to extend the free school book pilot, currently in 102 DEIS primary schools, as resources permit. The free primary school books scheme will benefit up to 540,000 pupils in approximately 3,240 recognised primary schools, including over 130 special schools.

The implementation of the measure will build on the existing school book rental scheme which is available in some 96% of recognised primary schools and on the free school books pilot provided to over one hundred primary DEIS schools in recent years. Schools buy books directly from school book suppliers at present as part of the implementation of the school book rental scheme. It is currently planned on the basis that funds will be provided directly to schools to purchase school books and related classroom resources.

Initial stakeholder engagements were held in December last and over the coming period my Department will be engaging further with the education partners and other stakeholders to roll out the measure in time for the 2023/24 school year.

Guidance for primary schools on the free schoolbooks measure will be developed. The scheme will seek to ensure that value for money is achieved, and that schools will be supported to implement the scheme in a way that has the best learning outcomes for pupils. Schools will continue to have autonomy to choose books that meet curricular requirements. My Department will consider the information from the 102 schools involved in the free school book pilot when developing the guidance.

Site Acquisitions

Questions (366, 368)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

366. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education the current status of the identified site for a new school campus (details supplied) in County Wexford; if the school building is progressing at this site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3282/23]

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Johnny Mythen

Question:

368. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education the timeframe for a new school campus (details supplied) in County Wexford. [3284/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 366 and 368 together.

The project for Wexford Educate Together National School is part of a campus project for two schools in Wexford, the other school being Selskar College. The project is devolved for delivery to Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB).

The Department received the Stage 1 Report following a meeting with WWETB and its Design Team and understands that WWETB also shared this report with the Educate Together school authority.

My Department purchased a site subject to planning permission to accommodate the school referred to by the Deputy. During the design process some potential site constraints have been identified which are being fully investigated by WWETB and their design team. My Department is engaging directly with WWETB in relation to the options for progressing the delivery of both schools. It is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project at this early design stage.

Site Acquisitions

Questions (367)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

367. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education if her Department has located alternative suitable sites for a new school campus (details supplied) in County Wexford. [3283/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department purchased a site subject to planning permission to accommodate the school referred to by the Deputy. The building project for the school is devolved for delivery to Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB). During the design process some potential site constraints have been identified, which are being fully investigated by WWETB and their design team. My Department is engaging directly with WWETB in relation to options for progressing the delivery of the school building project.

Question No. 368 answered with Question No. 366.

Site Acquisitions

Questions (369)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

369. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education the consultations that took place between her Department and Wexford County Council in relation to the potential identified site for a new school campus (details supplied) in County Wexford. [3285/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department worked closely with officials from Wexford County Council (WCC) under the Memorandum of Understanding to identify a suitable site for the provision of the school referred to by the Deputy. WCC identified the site purchased, as potentially suitable for the development of a primary school under the MOU in late 2016. A meeting was held in 2017 between Department Officials and Wexford County Council to review a preliminary assessment of the sites identified by Wexford County Council and some other potential options. At this meeting Wexford County Council officials confirmed that they considered the site in question to be suitable for the primary school development.

School Admissions

Questions (370)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

370. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education the number of primary school places there should be in Wexford town, County Wexford; the number of school places there are in the current school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3286/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

As 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.

Projections of school places in the Wexford town area are anticipated to remain generally stable. However, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area

- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils

- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues across school planning areas through ongoing discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities.

This close engagement will allow my Department to identify at an early stage particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.

In relation to school places, 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.

School Textbooks

Questions (371)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

371. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education when the details of the free books to primary school scheme will be announced; how local bookshops will be consulted on the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3287/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

As part of Budget 2023, I announced over €50 million to provide free books to primary school pupils within the free education scheme from September 2023. This measure will eliminate the cost to these families for all school books at primary school, including workbooks. It delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to extend the free school book pilot, currently in 102 DEIS primary schools, as resources permit. The free primary school books scheme will benefit up to 540,000 pupils in approximately 3,240 recognised primary schools, including over 130 special schools.

The implementation of the measure will build on the existing school book rental scheme which is available in some 96% of recognised primary schools and on the free school books pilot provided to over one hundred primary DEIS schools in recent years. Schools buy books directly from school book suppliers at present as part of the implementation of the school book rental scheme. It is currently planned on the basis that funds will be provided directly to schools to purchase school books and related classroom resources.

Initial stakeholder engagements were held in December last and over the coming period my Department will be engaging further with the education partners and other stakeholders to roll out the measure in time for the 2023/24 school year.

Guidance for primary schools on the free schoolbooks measure will be developed. The scheme will seek to ensure that value for money is achieved, and that schools will be supported to implement the scheme in a way that has the best learning outcomes for pupils. Schools will continue to have autonomy to choose books that meet curricular requirements. My Department will consider the information from the 102 schools involved in the free school book pilot when developing the guidance.

School Transport

Questions (372)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

372. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied) concerning school transport in County Cork; and if she will intervene in the matter. [3290/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The 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 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.

Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using a random selection process.

Bus Éireann has advised that they are currently assessing all the school transport applications received for the school referred to by the Deputy and that all the children who are deemed eligible for school transport will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. Bus Eireann will liaise directly with all the families concerned.

Teacher Training

Questions (373)

Mick Barry

Question:

373. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education if she will consider a review of the minimum requirement of a leaving certificate O4 grade in mathematics to enter primary teacher training colleges; if she will consider allowing for other methods to allow students to meet the level of mathematics required in tandem with studying primary teaching; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3291/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department specifies the minimum entry requirements in the core subjects: Irish, English and Mathematics for entry into primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes to ensure that primary teachers have the capacity to lead in these significant areas of student learning. The current Leaving Certificate entry requirement is a O4 in Mathematics.

All candidates, including school leavers, mature students and university graduates must hold the required level of Leaving Certificate Irish, English or Mathematics or an approved equivalent for entry into primary ITE programmes.

In the case of a mature student or a student entering the postgraduate programme who does not meet the minimum entry requirement in Irish, English or Mathematics, it is open to the candidate to repeat the Leaving Certificate Examination or pursue a course of study leading to the one of the alternative qualifications in the subject(s) concerned as outlined in the published Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) Entry Requirements and Procedures for 2023 Link: gov.ie - How to qualify as a primary teacher (www.gov.ie).

Public Procurement Contracts

Questions (374)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

374. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the details of each publicly funded Government contract awarded to a company (details supplied); the exact value and location of each contract, including the tendering procedures involved, the number of other companies and entities tendering for the same contracts since June 2017, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3298/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department has no record of any capital contracts awarded to the company referred to by the deputy.

School Admissions

Questions (375)

Duncan Smith

Question:

375. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education why no alternative school place has been offered to a child (details supplied).; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3337/23]