Written Answers Nos. 668-692
668. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if she will provide the details of the 58 schools whose building projects are currently on hold due to capital funding pressures. [12949/23]
View answerMy Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.
Under Project Ireland 2040, we are investing €4.4 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day.
My Department is very appreciative of the strong support provided by Government for our education budget. As part of the supplementary budget, €300m additional capital funding was provided in 2022. This helped to alleviate capital funding pressures that arose in 2022 which was reflective of the strong delivery by my Department of school building projects – particularly to support mainstream provision and special education needs provision. My Department’s overall capital outturn for 2022 was €1.12 billion.
The strong level of delivery is a key driver of capital pressures in the Department. In addition to the normal pressures on the school building budget, there are also additional pressures in the context of requirement to accelerate delivery of accommodation for children with Special Education Needs and also in respect of capacity for continued inflow of Ukrainian and other IP students – particularly at post-primary level where accommodation pressures are more acute
My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for the remainder of 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €860 million. Over 70% of the NDP allocation for 2023 is needed to cover expenditure on contractual commitments on existing projects at construction carried forward from 2022. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for the remainder of 2023, my Department is at the advanced stages of engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023. Progress has been made and the Department is anxious to bring this to resolution very soon. My Department wants to reassure the Deputy and the relevant school communities that school building projects that are currently on hold due to capital funding pressures will be progressed and delivered – it is a question of timing. My Department is aware of the urgency in getting these projects delivered as quickly as possible. The outcome of our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will provide better clarity on the timelines for the progression of these projects. This is a key priority for my Department having engaged directly with Minister Donohue on this matter and will continue to do so with a view to getting our funding pressures resolved as quickly as possible.
I think it is best for communications to be done at individual school level and that is the approach we have taken. The Department will be providing an update to individual schools when our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform concludes. In tandem with this, my Department’s Planning & Building Unit will also be updating Patron Bodies and School Management Bodies at that stage.
Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision. The current status of all projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
669. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if she will review arrangements for additional classroom delivery in County Cork (details supplied) in order to ensure optimum financial efficiency; if the November 2022 approval for a mainstream class and a SEN classroom still stands; if, in view of recent site visits by both her Department’s design team and subsequently by the building contractors she will take steps to ensure that the classroom is delivered in conjunction with the SEN classroom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12950/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that approval has issued for the provision of 1x100m2 SEN and 1 x 80m2 Mainstream classroom Modular units at the school referred.
The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme which provides the services of a Project Manager to assist the School Authority. This approach supports accelerated delivery of the accommodation and maximises assistance to the school for this brief, the project will be delivered from the Department’s Procurement Frameworks which offers schools the option to provide and deliver a turnkey project with efficiency in terms of timelines, experience, tried and tested service with professional Design Teams and Contractors.
The School Authority has overall responsibility for delivery of the project.
670. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) is to remain on a site in the 2023-2024 school year; if her Department will provide additional prefab classrooms in order to accommodate the additional number of students who will be attending the school in September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12964/23]
View answerMy Department can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers will remain on their current site for 2023/2024 school year. Following discussions my Department held with the landlord, it is not possible to locate any more prefabricated buildings on the site due to fire tender access. My Department is satisfied that the school has sufficient accommodation to meet their accommodation requirements for September 2023 and this has been communicated to the schools Patron Body.
671. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the accommodation plan for a school (details supplied) for the 2024-2025 school year; when An Bord Pleanála will make a final decision on the permanent school building in Blackrock; the annual rental cost for the school building in the present location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12965/23]
View answerThe permanent building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme which uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.
The project when complete will provide a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school building and accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs on the permanent site for the school.
An application for Planning Permission for the school was submitted to the Local Authority in June 2021. The initial grant of planning was received from the Local Authority in May 2022 but was subsequently the subject of third party appeal to An Bord Pleanála. The decision on the appeal was due from An Bord Pleanála in November 2022, this was subsequently delayed to January 2023 and has since been further delayed with no new decision date provided.
My Department will not be releasing the rental costs associated for this schools accommodation as they are commercially sensitive.
My Department will continue to address the interim accommodation requirements for the school and will continue to keep the school, through its Patron Body updated in relation to same.
672. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if she will assist a child (details supplied) with their school situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12984/23]
View answerMy Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In 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.
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 may 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.
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.
While my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in Celbridge, 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.
673. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if she will take urgent steps to restore a school taxi service to a pupil (details supplied) in County Cork. [12985/23]
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 €338.9m.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy was removed from the service. The Parents of the pupil referred have been advised of the circumstances in this case. The family can contact officials in the School Transport Section in my Department at school_transport@education.gov.ie where they will be happy to discuss the alternative options available to them.
674. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 421 of 18 October 2022, if she will provide an update in relation to the status of a project for a school (details supplied); and if the project will be on site in Q2 2023. [12988/23]
View answerThe joint major building project including the school referred to by the Deputy is assigned to my Department’s ADAPT (Accelerated Delivery of Architectural Planning and Tendering) programme.
The project is progressing through Architectural Planning – Stage 3 tender action and award. The Design Team was authorised to proceed to retender the project as the first tranche of tenders were deemed unviable.
A new planning application was lodged in August 2022, further information was requested by the planning department in November 2022, we await a decision on planning.
My Department’s Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of overall requirements and available funding. Our most immediate priorities are to cater for September 2023 requirements.
We are engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to be able to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to tender and construction in 2023 and minimise project delays to the greatest extent possible.
675. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) will be fully integrated into the Kilkenny School Completion Programme in order that it can provide school meals to children. [12990/23]
View answerThe School Meals Programme is under the remit of the Department of Social Protection.
My officials sought information from the Department of Social Protection and have been informed that the school referred to by the Deputy has been approved for inclusion in the school meals programme with funding provided for a targeted number of children.
676. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the provision of home tuition for children with complex special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13010/23]
View answerMy Department announced the 2023 Summer Programme on the 9th February 2023. This follows the previous announcement on 17th October 2022 that additional funding was secured in Budget 2023 to run the programme to match the investment in 2021 and 2022, bringing the total funding available to €40m. The terms for the 2023 programme are being implemented following a comprehensive review and engagement with education partners and stakeholders since last summer, including the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism.Once again, all schools will have an opportunity to run a programme for those children that need it the most. This year’s programme will build on the progress that has been made over the last number of years, which has seen participation of children grow from 13,000 in 2019 to over 42,000 in 2022.The central theme for this year’s programme is, ‘Building Confidence and Connections’. The primary aim of this theme is to help our children and young people to realise their potential, to be resilient in dealing with the normal stresses of their lives, to take care of their physical wellbeing and to have a sense of purpose, connection and belonging to their school community.The main priority in 2023 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme. The preferred approach is that children are provided the Summer Programme in school settings where children may have access to fully qualified teachers, adapted fun based activity programmes, special needs assistants and interaction with student peers. The school-based programmes provide a more holistic experience for students and help retain the important connection with school and peers.
However, my Department recognises that not all schools will be in a position to provide a school-based programme. Where their school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable, I can confirm that a home-based programme will be available once again for children with complex special educational needs. The details of the home-based programme will be announced in April on gov.ie/summerprogramme under the link Home-based programme.
677. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if she intends to improve and reform the school transport scheme in time for the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, following the completion of the review of the scheme; if she intends reducing the minimum distances a student has to be from a school to qualify for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13017/23]
View answer726. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if the possibility of extending free school transportation for the 2023-2024 academic year has been considered; if she will take into account the persistent impact the cost-of-living crisis is still having on families, and the significant demand for school transportation in rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13311/23]
View answer727. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if her Department has completed a review of the decision made in July 2022 to allow all valid and concessionary school transport tickets to use the school transport scheme for free during the 2022-2023 academic year; if so, the review's findings and recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13312/23]
View answer728. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will review the eligibility for school transportation currently at primary level, that a family must reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and attend their nearest national school; if she will consider reducing this distance to less than two kilometres for the 2023-2024 academic year, given that many families have both parents and guardians working outside the home; if efforts are ongoing to ensure that more students are accommodated within the school transportation scheme for the 2023-2024 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13313/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 677, 726, 727 and 728 together.
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 4,500 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
A review of the School Transport Scheme commenced in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
Significant consultation has been undertaken as part of this review. A public survey was administered for parents/guardians and students who use the service and those who do not use the service but who would like to. A broad array of stakeholders including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Government Departments were all consulted as part of this review.
Phase 1 of the review examined the impact of eligibility criteria on mainstream pupils who were eligible for transport to their nearest school but attending their next nearest school. The report was completed in June 2021.
Following consideration of this report, for the 2021/2022 school year, the provision of temporary alleviation measures was approved for transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport, but were attending their second nearest school and had applied and paid on time. These measures have been continued for the current 2022/2023 school year, and will again continue in the 2023/2024 school year pending completion of the review.
These measures mean that transport will be provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and, who applied for school transport by the 28th April 2023 and pay for a ticket/enter medical card details by the 9 June 2023.
Phase two of the review has progressed significantly and is being completed in tandem with phase three which is well underway.
While work on the review was impacted somewhat by the current conflict in Ukraine, and by the increased demand for the scheme in summer 2022 due to fees being waived, my officials are working to complete phase 3 of the review within the coming weeks with recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme. Once approved by Government it is planned that the review will be published.
The Bus Éireann portal has now opened for new applications for school transport for the 2023/24 school year. The closing date for new applications is Friday 28 April 2023.
For the 2023/2024 school year, reduced charges of €50 per student at primary level and €75 per student at post-primary level will apply, with a cap per family of €125. Ticketholders will save up to €50 at primary and €275 at post-primary, with an overall reduction in the family maximum contribution of €525 compared to the fees for 2021/2022 school year. This reduction in fees is at a cost of €49m.
Eligible children holding valid medical cards and eligible children with special educational needs remain exempt from paying the annual charge.
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 and payment 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 complete the application and payment 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 an agreed selection process.
678. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education her views on the pause placed on 58 new school buildings; if current delays are expected to affect the 2023-2024, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic school years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13021/23]
View answer679. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education if she will report on her representations to the Minister for Public Expenditure in respect of capital funding pressures preventing the construction of 58 schools; and if she drew his attention to the shortfall for construction of schools in advance of Budget 2023, in particular. [13022/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 678 and 679 together.
My Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.
Under Project Ireland 2040, we are investing €4.4 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day.
My Department is very appreciative of the strong support provided by Government for our education budget. As part of the supplementary budget, €300m additional capital funding was provided in 2022. This helped to alleviate capital funding pressures that arose in 2022 which was reflective of the strong delivery by my Department of school building projects – particularly to support mainstream provision and special education needs provision. My Department’s overall capital outturn for 2022 was €1.12 billion.
The strong level of delivery is a key driver of capital pressures in the Department. In addition to the normal pressures on the school building budget, there are also additional pressures in the context of requirement to accelerate delivery of accommodation for children with Special Education Needs and also in respect of capacity for continued inflow of Ukrainian and other IP students – particularly at post-primary level where accommodation pressures are more acute
My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for the remainder of 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €860 million. Over 70% of the NDP allocation for 2023 is needed to cover expenditure on contractual commitments on existing projects at construction carried forward from 2022. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for the remainder of 2023, my Department is at the advanced stages of engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023. Progress has been made and the Department is anxious to bring this to resolution very soon. My Department wants to reassure the Deputy and the relevant school communities that school building projects that are currently on hold due to capital funding pressures will be progressed and delivered – it is a question of timing. My Department is aware of the urgency in getting these projects delivered as quickly as possible. The outcome of our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will provide better clarity on the timelines for the progression of these projects. This is a key priority for my Department having engaged directly with Minister Donohue on this matter and will continue to do so with a view to getting our funding pressures resolved as quickly as possible.
I think it is best for communications to be done at individual school level and that is the approach we have taken. The Department will be providing an update to individual schools when our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform concludes. In tandem with this, my Department’s Planning & Building Unit will also be updating Patron Bodies and School Management Bodies at that stage.
Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision. The current status of all projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
680. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will urgently review the current situation regarding a school (details supplied) given the school is ready to proceed to construction despite waiting 12 years for the new school; when she expects to have the situation resolved; when the school can expect to get the long-awaited project underway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13026/23]
View answerA major building project for the school in question has been devolved for delivery to Louth County Council.
Following submission of the Tender Report, the Department recently authorised Louth County Council to issue the Letter of Intent to the preferred tenderer. The Supplementary Tender Report was subsequently submitted to the Department in recent weeks and is currently under review. The Department will make contact with Louth County Council following completion of this review.
Running parallel to the review of this particular Supplementary Tender Report, the Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €0.86 billion. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for 2023, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to be able to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023.
We will be providing an update to individual schools when our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform concludes. In tandem with this, my Department’s Planning & Building Unit will also be updating Patron Bodies and School Management Bodies at that stage. Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision. The current status of all projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
681. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if she will list the school building projects in County Meath that have been stalled due to capital funding constraints; if she will outline the implications this will have on project costs and delivery; how and when she will address this delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13030/23]
View answerMy Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.
Under Project Ireland 2040, we are investing €4.4 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day.
My Department is very appreciative of the strong support provided by Government for our education budget. As part of the supplementary budget, €300m additional capital funding was provided in 2022. This helped to alleviate capital funding pressures that arose in 2022 which was reflective of the strong delivery by my Department of school building projects – particularly to support mainstream provision and special education needs provision. My Department’s overall capital outturn for 2022 was €1.12 billion.
The strong level of delivery is a key driver of capital pressures in the Department. In addition to the normal pressures on the school building budget, there are also additional pressures in the context of requirement to accelerate delivery of accommodation for children with Special Education Needs and also in respect of capacity for continued inflow of Ukrainian and other IP students – particularly at post-primary level where accommodation pressures are more acute
My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for the remainder of 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €860 million. Over 70% of the NDP allocation for 2023 is needed to cover expenditure on contractual commitments on existing projects at construction carried forward from 2022. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for the remainder of 2023, my Department is at the advanced stages of engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023. Progress has been made and the Department is anxious to bring this to resolution very soon. My Department wants to reassure the Deputy and the relevant school communities that school building projects that are currently on hold due to capital funding pressures will be progressed and delivered – it is a question of timing. My Department is aware of the urgency in getting these projects delivered as quickly as possible. The outcome of our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will provide better clarity on the timelines for the progression of these projects. This is a key priority for my Department having engaged directly with Minister Donohue on this matter and will continue to do so with a view to getting our funding pressures resolved as quickly as possible.
I think it is best for communications to be done at individual school level and that is the approach we have taken. The Department will be providing an update to individual schools, including any schools impacted in County Meath, when our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform concludes. In tandem with this, my Department’s Planning & Building Unit will also be updating Patron Bodies and School Management Bodies at that stage.
Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision. The current status of all projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
682. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if a pick-up location on a school bus route in County Westmeath will be reconsidered, given that there are more suitable locations in the immediate vicinity in the interest of child safety and safe road usage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13036/23]
View answerI refer to your correspondence in relation to a school bus stop at Conranstown, Co. Westmeath.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department. 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 €338.9m.
The issues raised in the attached documents have been reviewed by Bus Éireann. The Local Area Inspector has also reviewed the existing pickup point and has deemed this pickup point as safe.
The road is not considered to be any more dangerous than other approach roads to pickup points in use throughout the country.
There is an onus of responsibility on parents/guardians to arrange to bring their children to and from the pickup point of a school bus service, taking whatever safety precautions they consider sufficient in doing so, and accompanying the children to ensure their safety and allay any concern, if necessary.
683. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a list of the schools that have been advised of delays in their capital projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13037/23]
View answerMy Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.
Under Project Ireland 2040, we are investing €4.4 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day.
My Department is very appreciative of the strong support provided by Government for our education budget. As part of the supplementary budget, €300m additional capital funding was provided in 2022. This helped to alleviate capital funding pressures that arose in 2022 which was reflective of the strong delivery by my Department of school building projects – particularly to support mainstream provision and special education needs provision. My Department’s overall capital outturn for 2022 was €1.12 billion.
The strong level of delivery is a key driver of capital pressures in the Department. In addition to the normal pressures on the school building budget, there are also additional pressures in the context of requirement to accelerate delivery of accommodation for children with Special Education Needs and also in respect of capacity for continued inflow of Ukrainian and other IP students – particularly at post-primary level where accommodation pressures are more acute
My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for the remainder of 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €860 million. Over 70% of the NDP allocation for 2023 is needed to cover expenditure on contractual commitments on existing projects at construction carried forward from 2022. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for the remainder of 2023, my Department is at the advanced stages of engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023. Progress has been made and the Department is anxious to bring this to resolution very soon. My Department wants to reassure the Deputy and the relevant school communities that school building projects that are currently on hold due to capital funding pressures will be progressed and delivered – it is a question of timing. My Department is aware of the urgency in getting these projects delivered as quickly as possible. The outcome of our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will provide better clarity on the timelines for the progression of these projects. This is a key priority for my Department having engaged directly with Minister Donohue on this matter and will continue to do so with a view to getting our funding pressures resolved as quickly as possible.
I think it is best for communications to be done at individual school level and that is the approach we have taken. The Department will be providing an update to individual schools when our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform concludes. In tandem with this, my Department’s Planning & Building Unit will also be updating Patron Bodies and School Management Bodies at that stage.
Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision. The current status of all projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
684. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education the reason students in a college (details supplied) who are carrying out their programme to be a primary school teacher must pay their own Gaeltacht fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13039/23]
View answerThere are four state-funded higher education institutions (HEIs) providing primary initial teacher education (ITE) and one independent private provider of primary ITE.
The current requirements for Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes takes the form of 2 x 2 week placements, which are outlined in the Teaching Council’s Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education.
Budget 2020 provided for the re-instatement of the grant to cover the full cost of the Gaeltacht Learning Periods (GLPs) for undergraduate and post-graduate students in State-funded primary ITE programmes, with effect from the 2020/2021 academic year. The grant was previously funded by my Department up to the 2012/2013 academic year, when it was ceased due to financial constraints. The rate of student grant for 2023 has been set at an average of €815. This will cover the cost of the undertaking the fortnightly course in 2023. This grant will be made available for undergraduate and post-graduate students in State-funded primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes.
685. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update and status of a school building project in respect of a school (details supplied). [13040/23]
View answer721. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education if he will provide an update on the provision of a new school building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13253/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 685 and 721 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has informed the school patron that the accommodation brief for the building project in question is being prepared and that my Department will be in further contact with the patron when this process has been completed.
686. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education if she will provide details, including the location, of the 58 school building projects due to go to tender or construction in 2023 that are reported to be on hold due to funding issues (details supplied); the engagement her Department has had with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with a view to addressing this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13041/23]
View answerMy Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.
Under Project Ireland 2040, we are investing €4.4 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day.
My Department is very appreciative of the strong support provided by Government for our education budget. As part of the supplementary budget, €300m additional capital funding was provided in 2022. This helped to alleviate capital funding pressures that arose in 2022 which was reflective of the strong delivery by my Department of school building projects – particularly to support mainstream provision and special education needs provision. My Department’s overall capital outturn for 2022 was €1.12 billion.
The strong level of delivery is a key driver of capital pressures in the Department. In addition to the normal pressures on the school building budget, there are also additional pressures in the context of requirement to accelerate delivery of accommodation for children with Special Education Needs and also in respect of capacity for continued inflow of Ukrainian and other IP students – particularly at post-primary level where accommodation pressures are more acute
My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for the remainder of 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €860 million. Over 70% of the NDP allocation for 2023 is needed to cover expenditure on contractual commitments on existing projects at construction carried forward from 2022. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for the remainder of 2023, my Department is at the advanced stages of engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023. Progress has been made and the Department is anxious to bring this to resolution very soon. My Department wants to reassure the Deputy and the relevant school communities that school building projects that are currently on hold due to capital funding pressures will be progressed and delivered – it is a question of timing. My Department is aware of the urgency in getting these projects delivered as quickly as possible. The outcome of our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will provide better clarity on the timelines for the progression of these projects. This is a key priority for my Department having engaged directly with Minister Donohue on this matter and will continue to do so with a view to getting our funding pressures resolved as quickly as possible.
I think it is best for communications to be done at individual school level and that is the approach we have taken. The Department will be providing an update to individual schools when our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform concludes. In tandem with this, my Department’s Planning & Building Unit will also be updating Patron Bodies and School Management Bodies at that stage.
Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision. The current status of all projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
687. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if there are any updates on the Covid cleaning grant for term 2 that was expected in January 2023; and the timeframe in which it will be delivered. [13045/23]
View answerMore than €362 million of additional Covid-19 Capitation grant funding has been made available to recognised primary and post primary schools to provide for the implementation of infection prevention and control measures to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID -19 to date.
As the Deputy is aware, the continued payment of Covid-19 capitation grants is determined by the prevailing public health advice at the time.
I am pleased to confirm that circa €38 million has recently been provided to schools to cater for ongoing enhanced cleaning, PPE and hand hygiene for Term 2 of the 2022/23 school year. This represents a total of €400.7 million to date.
688. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if the €95 per student transition year grant for schools in the free education scheme for post-primary schools directly subsidises the cost of transition year for parents; and if not, if spending is left to the discretion of each school. [13046/23]
View answerTransition Year is a valuable programme for students that offers opportunities for life skills, personal, social and academic development and experience of adult and working life. Transition Year has a unique and important value in the life of students. Currently over seventy per cent of students avail of Transition Year. On 29 March last year, I announced that Transition Year should be available to every student who wishes to participate in the programme. This will be achieved by working with schools to ensure that schools who are constrained in the numbers they can currently accommodate in Transition Year are supported to expand the provision.
I also announced that a revised Transition Year programme statement will be developed through working with schools. This will be available from early 2024 and will help to ensure the delivery of a valuable Transition Year experience for students across all schools participating in the programme. This will include the provision of professional support to teachers and schools in terms of continuous professional development.
Since my announcement significant work has taken place to advance this work. The NCCA has prepared a background paper and brief for the revision of the Transition Year Programme Statement and completed a public consultation on same. The NCCA has also convened a Statement Development Group for the revised Transition Year Programme Statement.
The Transition Year grant is paid on a per capita basis – therefore it increases/decreases in line with actual participants. The rate is €95 per annum per student. The amount of funding provided by my Department for transition year has risen from €3.1m in 2014 to €3.6m this year.
689. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if she will commit to her Department to engaging with all post-primary schools that are accommodating Ukrainian students with regard to the specification required in respect of Ukrainian as a non-curricular language being developed as an option by the State Examinations Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13071/23]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission (SEC) has responsibility for the operation, delivery and development of the State examinations. The SEC provides examinations in a range of subjects in the language area referred to as the non-curricular EU languages. These are languages which do not appear as part of the normal school curriculum but in which students may opt to be examined if they meet certain criteria. Chief among these conditions are the requirements that candidates for these examinations:
- Be from a member state of the European Union
- Speak the language in which they opt to be examined as a mother tongue
- Have followed a programme of study
- Be taking Leaving Certificate English
Another condition is that candidates may undertake examination in one non-curricular language subject only. The examination model is based on that of the First Foreign Language final written examination of the European Baccalaureate, and is offered at Higher Level only. There is no specification nor are there sample papers for non-curricular language subjects.
Ukrainian as a non-curricular language is being developed by the SEC, as an exceptional measure, following the normal arrangements for Non-Curricular EU Language examinations, with the aim that the first examination will be available for students sitting the Leaving Certificate in June 2025.
690. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education if she will list the 58 school building projects which have been halted by her Department [13081/23]
View answerMy Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.
Under Project Ireland 2040, we are investing €4.4 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day.
My Department is very appreciative of the strong support provided by Government for our education budget. As part of the supplementary budget, €300m additional capital funding was provided in 2022. This helped to alleviate capital funding pressures that arose in 2022 which was reflective of the strong delivery by my Department of school building projects – particularly to support mainstream provision and special education needs provision. My Department’s overall capital outturn for 2022 was €1.12 billion.
The strong level of delivery is a key driver of capital pressures in the Department. In addition to the normal pressures on the school building budget, there are also additional pressures in the context of requirement to accelerate delivery of accommodation for children with Special Education Needs and also in respect of capacity for continued inflow of Ukrainian and other IP students – particularly at post-primary level where accommodation pressures are more acute
My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for the remainder of 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €860 million. Over 70% of the NDP allocation for 2023 is needed to cover expenditure on contractual commitments on existing projects at construction carried forward from 2022. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for the remainder of 2023, my Department is at the advanced stages of engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023. Progress has been made and the Department is anxious to bring this to resolution very soon. My Department wants to reassure the Deputy and the relevant school communities that school building projects that are currently on hold due to capital funding pressures will be progressed and delivered – it is a question of timing. My Department is aware of the urgency in getting these projects delivered as quickly as possible. The outcome of our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will provide better clarity on the timelines for the progression of these projects. This is a key priority for my Department having engaged directly with Minister Donohue on this matter and will continue to do so with a view to getting our funding pressures resolved as quickly as possible.
I think it is best for communications to be done at individual school level and that is the approach we have taken. The Department will be providing an update to individual schools when our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform concludes. In tandem with this, my Department’s Planning & Building Unit will also be updating Patron Bodies and School Management Bodies at that stage.
Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision. The current status of all projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
691. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will respond to concerns raised by person (details supplied) in relation to the scope of enquiry into historical sexual abuse in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13083/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, on 7 March 2023 the Government approved the establishment of a scoping inquiry to inform the government response to revelations of historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders.
The scoping inquiry was established in response to recent revelations of historical sexual abuse in a number of day and boarding schools run by religious orders. While these revelations initially focused on the Spiritan Order, revelations and allegations in respect of schools run by other religious orders have since come to light. Having regard to this and the importance of meeting the challenging timeframe which I have set the scoping inquiry, schools run by religious orders will be its priority focus.
It is not the role of the scoping inquiry to make findings of fact in respect of individual religious orders or schools. The scoping inquiry will also not be investigating individual allegations of abuse. Instead, the Lead of the scoping inquiry will, having regard to the outcomes sought by survivors, make recommendations to the Minister on the scope and breath of the Government response to revelations of historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders. The Deputy may wish to note in this regard that it is envisaged the recommended response could also form a template for Government responses in respect of other settings.
The Deputy may also wish to note that elements of the scoping inquiry will focus more broadly on the school sector as a whole, including an analysis of current child protection systems and frameworks within the primary and post-primary sector.
692. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a list of the 58 schools whose building projects have been put on hold from proceeding to either tender or construction phases due to capital funding pressures, in tabular form. [13095/23]
View answerMy Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2022 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.
Under Project Ireland 2040, we are investing €4.4 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day.
My Department is very appreciative of the strong support provided by Government for our education budget. As part of the supplementary budget, €300m additional capital funding was provided in 2022. This helped to alleviate capital funding pressures that arose in 2022 which was reflective of the strong delivery by my Department of school building projects – particularly to support mainstream provision and special education needs provision. My Department’s overall capital outturn for 2022 was €1.12 billion.
The strong level of delivery is a key driver of capital pressures in the Department. In addition to the normal pressures on the school building budget, there are also additional pressures in the context of requirement to accelerate delivery of accommodation for children with Special Education Needs and also in respect of capacity for continued inflow of Ukrainian and other IP students – particularly at post-primary level where accommodation pressures are more acute
My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for the remainder of 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €860 million. Over 70% of the NDP allocation for 2023 is needed to cover expenditure on contractual commitments on existing projects at construction carried forward from 2022. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for the remainder of 2023, my Department is at the advanced stages of engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023. Progress has been made and the Department is anxious to bring this to resolution very soon. My Department wants to reassure the Deputy and the relevant school communities that school building projects that are currently on hold due to capital funding pressures will be progressed and delivered – it is a question of timing. My Department is aware of the urgency in getting these projects delivered as quickly as possible. The outcome of our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will provide better clarity on the timelines for the progression of these projects. This is a key priority for my Department having engaged directly with Minister Donohue on this matter and will continue to do so with a view to getting our funding pressures resolved as quickly as possible.
I think it is best for communications to be done at individual school level and that is the approach we have taken. The Department will be providing an update to individual schools when our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform concludes. In tandem with this, my Department’s Planning & Building Unit will also be updating Patron Bodies and School Management Bodies at that stage.
Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision. The current status of all projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
