Written Answers Nos. 141-154
141. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if the new SPHE curriculum for senior cycle which is currently under redevelopment will be made mandatory, as recommended recently by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9915/23]
View answerAccess to sexual and health education is an important right for students. Currently, Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is a mandatory curriculum subject in all primary schools and in post-primary Junior Cycle. Relationships and Sexuality Education (or RSE) is required at all levels, from primary through to Senior Cycle. My Department has set out the content for each of these programmes in SPHE syllabuses and guidelines.
As set out in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to developing inclusive and age appropriate curricula for RSE and SPHE across primary and post-primary schools.
The work of updating the curricula in SPHE and RSE follows on from a 2019 National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) review of RSE across primary and post-primary. The review involved students, parents, teachers, school leaders, researchers and organisations, with a view to gaining a full appreciation of the nature of young peoples’ needs and experience of RSE and this included responses from nearly 8,000 parents. That review said there was unanimous agreement among students about the importance of RSE. Students said that they wanted a safe and inclusive environment where they can discuss, ask questions and talk about all aspects of relationships and sexuality.
Following the publication of this review, my Department continues to work closely with the NCCA in developing updated SPHE curricula. A draft revised Junior Cycle specification was published for consultation by the NCCA in July 2022, with the consultation process running to October 2022. The consultation took feedback from teachers and students as well as other interested groups and individuals. That consultation has informed the NCCA’s finalising of the Junior Cycle specification, which is currently being considered in my Department ahead of planned implementation in schools in September.
Work on Senior Cycle specifications has begun. In October 2022, a background paper was published for consultation on the NCCA website, which identified a number of issues for discussion including status and time allocation. A report on the consultation, including views on the matter of status and time allocation, was published on the NCCA's website together with the background paper and will inform the work of the NCCA in developing the specification.
The NCCA intends that the Senior Cycle draft specification itself will be available for public consultation in the third quarter of this year, with a view to implementation in schools in September 2024. There has been no made decision at this stage as to whether SPHE will be mandatory in the new Senior Cycle.
142. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the reason three schools in Youghal, County Cork did not qualify for DEIS status at a post-primary and primary level despite the fourth school being awarded DEIS status on an appeal to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13212/23]
View answerMy Department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential. Supplementing these universal supports, the DEIS programme provides a targeted and equitable way to address concentrated educational disadvantage that promotes equity across the primary and post-primary sector.
In March last year, I announced the single largest expansion of the DEIS programme, benefitting 347 schools. This means that the DEIS programme now supports over 240,000 students in over 1,200 schools addressing educational disadvantage.
Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model, which is an objective, statistics-based model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
The DEIS identification process is based on the principle of concentrated disadvantage and the proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school. The DEIS identification model aimed to identify those schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage or the highest proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school using the school's enrolment data and national census data as represented by the Pobal HP Deprivation index which is publicly available.
A detailed paper on the refined DEIS identification model is available on gov.ie at www.gov.ie/en/publication/a3c9e-extension-of-deis-to-further-schools/#how-schools-were-selected-for-inclusion-in-deis.
It is possible for neighbouring schools to have a different profile in terms of proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and the relative weighting of disadvantage apportioned in each. The designation of neighbouring schools as DEIS or non DEIS does not mean that there is no educational disadvantage present in a non DEIS school, but that the concentrated level of educational disadvantage is different. Gender of students, or the designation of a school as single or mixed is not a factor in the DEIS identification model.
While the DEIS programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, I also recognise that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. The extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one component of work in my vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential.
Since June 2020, and over the past three Budgets, I have secured funding to provide measures to support children in this regard. As part of Budget 2023, I announced over €50 million to provide free books to primary school pupils within the free education scheme from next September. I have also further improved the staffing schedule for all primary schools to 23:1, the lowest it has ever been.
In addition my Department will continue to provide additional resources and funding, including English-language supports, to support pupils from Ukraine who have enrolled in our schools, both DEIS and non-DEIS.
Following the National Census 2022 held on the 3rd April last, it is envisaged that an updated HP Deprivation Index will be generated by Pobal and will be available in Q3 of 2023. My Department will engage with Pobal in relation to this process. The updated HP Deprivation Index, when available, will be considered by my Department to help inform future resource allocation to tackle educational disadvantage.
The next phase of work will consider all schools, within and outside the DEIS programme and explore the overall allocation of resources to schools to tackle educational disadvantage. Part of this programme of work will involve consultation with relevant stakeholders over the coming months.
143. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education when next year's special needs assistant allocation will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14342/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and advise that the provision of education for children with special needs is a priority for Government and for me as Minister for Special Education and Inclusion. This is reflected in my Department’s 2023 budget allocation of more than €2.6 billion to support special education. This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department of Education’s total allocation for 2023.
Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) provide schools with additional adult support staff to assist children with additional care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate attendance by those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.
My department has allocated 1165 additional SNA’s to schools in the past year and in Budget 2023 an additional 1194 SNA’s are being provided to support schools and will be allocated as follows: 735 to support students in new special classes, 124 to support students in new special school places and 335 to support students in mainstream classes.
For the first time ever we will have over 20,000 Special needs assistants in schools in 2023.
The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations for the 2023/2024 school year are presently being development by my department and will be advised to schools as soon as possible and in line with previous year timelines.
144. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education if she will give approval for the design team to proceed on works for temporary accommodation to cater for an ASD unit at a school (details supplied). [14131/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has issued an approval 'in principle' to the school in question, for the purchase of modular accommodation of 2 x 80m2 SEN classrooms, under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme.
My 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 €860 million. 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 engaging 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.
I want 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. I am well 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 me. I have 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.
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.
145. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the reimagined senior cycle of education for post-primary students, equity and excellence for all: where the student is at the centre of their senior cycle experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14190/23]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that in March 2022, I announced an ambitious programme of work for a reimagined Senior Cycle of education where the student is at the centre of their Senior Cycle experience. In my announcement, I set out a clear vision for Senior Cycle.
Significant progress has been made to date in implementing the vision I set out last March, and this work continues.
My announcement highlighted the need for strong implementation structures to be put in place to support Senior Cycle redevelopment. Indeed, on 28 February I announced the appointment of the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme Delivery Board which will oversee the reform work and report regularly to me on progress. I was pleased to attend the inaugural meeting of the Board recently on 8 March 2023, and further meetings of the Board have been scheduled.
Introducing significant change at Senior Cycle needs to be thought through carefully and it is essential to ensure that the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), State Examinations Commission (SEC), my Department and schools can work through the changes with all stakeholders over a sustained period of time.
In recognition of this, on 28 February I also announced my intention to establish the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Partners’ Forum, a representative stakeholder engagement group which will underpin the collaboration necessary to support implementation and, where appropriate, further developments under the programme.
Work on Senior Cycle redevelopment is ongoing, and much has been achieved since the March 2022 announcement, including:
- Oral examinations were held at Easter in 2022 and will be held at Easter again this year, outside of school time;
- Access to the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) has been broadened through the removal of subject specific requirements. These are the first steps which will ultimately lead to a more integrated Leaving Certificate available to all students.
- Subject background papers for the two new subjects (i) Drama, Film and Theatre Studies and (ii) Climate Action and Sustainable Development) and also for Business have been prepared with public consultations on same completed;
- Subject Development Groups for the two new subjects and for Business have been convened, with Groups holding regular meetings since then;
- Statement Development Group for the revised Transition Year Programme Statement convened, with several meetings held to date;
- The NCCA has recently opened the public consultation on the Background Paper and Brief for the development of the follow-on modules for Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes (L1/L2LPs). The closing date for submissions is Friday, 28th April 2023.
- Detailed consideration of the operation of the Network School approach for the introduction of new and revised subjects from September 2024.
Our focus now is on advancing the planning in relation to the approach to Network Schools, with further engagement with the NCCA and other key partners underway ahead of the launch of an Expression of Interest process to schools seeking their participation.
In addition, the NCCA will publish in September 2023 a schedule of subject specification revisions which will provide the roadmap through which all subject specifications, beyond those being introduced in September 2024, will be given effect.
146. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education if the procurement process for school bus contracts considers the distance a company has to travel to and from a school and how this fits in with reaching our Climate Action targets; if he will review the procurement process for school bus contracts with the view of ameliorating this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10567/23]
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 4,500 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Bus Éireann manages the procurement tender process to include services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme.
This is a competitive procurement process conducted in accordance with the negotiated procedure under national and EU procurement legislation.
The scheme is operated using a mix of Bus Éireann owned vehicles and privately owned contractor vehicles under contract to Bus Éireann to operate on the scheme. There are currently in the region of 6,750 vehicles operating on the scheme.
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. It will build upon the commitments within the Programme for Government as they relate to school transport, including examining options to reduce car journeys and assessing how the School Transport Scheme can work in liaison with the Safe Routes to Schools Programme. Decisions on the future operation of the Department School Transport Scheme, and associated Climate Action Plan actions, will be taken following the consideration of the Steering Groups recommendations.
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 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.
147. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that the decision to put 58 school building projects on hold (details supplied) has the knock-on effect of further delaying the move of a school from its current temporary location in prefabs to its permanent location, meaning the school has now been waiting 27 years for a permanent home; her views on whether this delay is unacceptable; if she will take urgent and immediate action to prevent this further delay and ensure that the school will be in its permanent location not later than 2025 when it will celebrate its 30 year anniversary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14159/23]
View answerI wish to advise that the school referred to by the Deputy will relocate to an existing building currently occupied on an interim basis by another school while awaiting the construction of a building project for that school.
In this regard, the building project for that school is at an advanced stage of the tender process. The project is currently on hold to proceed to construction due to capital funding pressures.
My 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 €860 million. 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 engaging 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.
My Department want 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.
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 2023/2024 school year.
148. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the reason the building plans of many schools are being put on hold. [13574/23]
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.
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.
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.
149. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the development of L1 and L2 specifications in Leaving Certificate Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14189/23]
View answerThe National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) commenced work in December 2018 to develop Leaving Certificate Irish specifications for T1 and T2 in December 2018. A consultation on draft specifications was opened in February 2021. The consultation report was approved by the NCCA Council at the end of last year, and subsequently submitted to my Department. The NCCA published the report on 15 March last.
In publishing, the NCCA has noted that one of the strongest themes to emerge from the consultation was that a shared vision and purpose in relation to Leaving Certificate Irish has not yet been achieved, and that questions about the model of curricular provision need to be considered.
In light of the consultation findings, the NCCA is now pausing development work on the draft T1 and T2 specifications and will undertake additional research, deliberation and consultation with teachers, students, parents and all stakeholders on possible ways forward for Leaving Certificate Irish.
It is welcome that the extensive consultation undertaken by the NCCA has ensured that the diversity of views on this can be considered. The further research to be undertaken now by the NCCA will ensure a robust evidence base on how to proceed, and I welcome its plans to ensure that stakeholders continue to be at the core of this process.
150. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that four in five secondary teachers say the new junior cycle is not preparing students adequately for progression to Leaving Certificate study according to a report by an organisation (details supplied). [13575/23]
View answerIn July 2015, the then Minister for Education and Skills published the Framework for Junior Cycle 2015. Implementation of the Junior Cycle was carried out on a phased basis, commencing in September 2014, with the introduction of English for first year students. By 2019, all subject specifications had been introduced, with all subjects in the 2022 examinations being assessed under the new specifications.
For the level 3 programme, the level taken by the majority of Junior Cycle students, engagement with course specifications is at a common level in most instances. This has the advantage of ensuring that students are not directed into a particular level of learning at too early a stage in their academic and personal development. This approach enables students to have the experience and aspiration to achieve to their highest possible level so that they have greater options available to them at Senior Cycle, including studying at higher level in the Leaving Certificate examination.
Mathematics, along with Irish and English, are exceptions to this. As a central part of the Junior Cycle programme for all students, these subjects are offered at two levels, higher and ordinary. This is reflected in the externally assessed state-certified examination. This approach is consistent with aims and targets concerning Literacy and Numeracy. Classroom-Based Assessments in second year and in third year are set at a common level.
My Department is aware of the report published in January 2022, to which the Deputy has referred.
While the Junior Cycle Framework is in the relatively early stages of its implementation, the reception and impact of the new courses being studied, and their assessment, is under review and evaluation. A team of independent researchers from the School of Education at the University of Limerick was commissioned by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (the NCCA) to explore the implementation and impact of the Framework. It is a mixed methods, multi-dimensional longitudinal research study, exploring the experiences of schools over a period of 4 years and the first report of this study was published by the NCCA in October last year.
The first report from this study was published last October. It provides valuable insights on the Framework for Junior Cycle implementation and how it is being experienced now in classrooms by teachers and students. It indicates very positive findings about what is at the core of this change – the shift towards key skills, towards greater professional collaboration among teachers and above all towards more student-centred learning. As might be expected it also indicates some challenges and some areas of implementation where more work may be needed.
The report identifies transition to Senior Cycle and preparedness for Leaving Certificate as one of the tentative themes emerging, and future work within this Longitudinal Study is to consider the issue of continuity between Primary, Junior and Senior Cycle in more detail alongside the other tentative themes. That will in due course help to provide us with valuable insights and learnings to support this ongoing change process.
It can be noted that the revision of Leaving Certificate subject specifications as part of Senior Cycle Redevelopment will also ensure appropriate alignment and continuity between Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle.
151. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on school transport for the coming year; the cost for parents; and the number of places that will be provided next year. [14329/23]
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.
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 are now accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
In addition, temporary alleviation measures have been continued for the current 2022/23 and the 2023/2024 school year(s), pending completion of the review and this means that transport is provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who apply and pay by the closing dates.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
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. This means that 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.
The Bus Éireann portal is now open for new applications. The closing date for new applications is 28th April 2023 and full details on eligibility can be found by clicking: gov.ie/schooltransport.
The Bus Éireann portal will open for payment/entering medical card details for School Transport tickets for the 2023/24 school year between the 3rd April and the 9th June 2023.
Applications or payments made after the closing date will be deemed late and families may not be guaranteed a seat at that stage.
Payment or registering medical card details for all pupils who wish to be considered for the allocation of a ticket for the 2023/24 school year must be made by the 9th June 2023.
Families are strongly urged to make sure that they pay/enter medical card details on time. As the school transport scheme is demand led and the closing dates to submit an application and payment has not yet passed, it is not possible to provide details on the numbers that will use the service in the 2023/2024 school year.
152. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the date for the release of the SNA allocations. [14308/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and advise that the provision of education for children with special needs is a priority for Government and for me as Minister for Special Education and Inclusion. This is reflected in my Department’s 2023 budget allocation of more than €2.6 billion to support special education. This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department of Education’s total allocation for 2023.
Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) provide schools with additional adult support staff to assist children with additional care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate attendance by those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.
My department has allocated 1165 additional SNA’s to schools in the past year and in Budget 2023 an additional 1194 SNA’s are being provided to support schools and will be allocated as follows: 735 to support students in new special classes, 124 to support students in new special school places and 335 to support students in mainstream classes.
For the first time ever we will have over 20,000 Special needs assistants in schools in 2023.
The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations for the 2023/2024 school year are presently being development by my department and will be advised to schools as soon as possible and in line with previous year timelines.
153. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education if she will permit the opening of a third ASD unit at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11732/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application from the school in question, under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme.
My 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.
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 school to which the Deputy refers is among the many school accommodation needs across the country being considered as part of this process.
My Department will be in further contact with the school authorities in due course.
154. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a full update on a long awaited school (details supplied); if the project will be delayed by the current Departmental funding issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13919/23]
View answerThe project for school referred to by the Deputy is in early architectural planning which involves site surveys, school design stages and the preparation of statutory applications.
It is anticipated that the planning application for the permanent school will be lodged in Q2 2023.
My Department must then await a decision on planning from the local authority. A notification to grant planning can be received after 8 weeks, although there is an opening for the Local Authority to request further information (RFI). There is always also the possibility of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála (ABP).
As with any school building project progressing to tender, this can only occur once planning has been secured. Tender processes are currently taking approximately 8 to 10 months.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school’s patron body in relation to the school’s interim accommodation needs pending delivery of the permanent accommodation for the school.
