Cormac Devlin
Question:272. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14539/23]
View answerSchools Building Projects
Questions (272)
Written answers
I 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. This is a key priority for me.
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.
School Admissions
Questions (273)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:273. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will address the case of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14561/23]
View answerWritten answers
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs (SEN) to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.
It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my Department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion providing supports to children and young people with special educational needs and their schools.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes funding to support children with SEN in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
Over the last three years, my Department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient mainstream, special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years.
The are 81 special classes in Co. Kerry. Of these, 55 are at primary level and 26 are at post-primary level.
Over the last three years, the NCSE have sanctioned 29 new special classes in Co. Kerry. Of these, 20 special classes are at primary level and 9 are at post-primary level.
There are three special schools in Kerry, including the school identified by the Deputy. The school's admission policy states that all decisions on applications for admission to the school will be based on the school’s Admission Policy, the school’s Annual Admission Notice, and the information provided by the applicant in the school’s official application form received during the period specified in our Annual Admission Notice for receiving applications. The school's Admissions Notice for the school year 2023/24 states that the school ceased accepting applications for admission for the 2023/24 school year on 11th November 2022 and that the school will consider and issue decisions on late applications in accordance with the school’s admission policy.
Parents seeking special school and special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ://ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.
I want reassure you also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
As your query refers to an individual placement case, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
School Transport
Questions (274)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:274. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education when two students (details supplied) in County Cork who are approved under the school transport scheme for children with special educational needs will be provided with transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14572/23]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €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.
I am pleased to advise that the both pupils referred to by the Deputy are eligible under the terms of the scheme and sanction has been granted by the School Transport Section of my Department to Bus Éireann for the establishment of a new service for these pupils to the school referred to by the Deputy.
In relation to the first pupil referred to by the Deputy, Bus Éireann have confirmed that the pupil has been availing of a service since the 20th February 2023.
In relation to the second pupil referred to by the Deputy, Bus Éireann have tendered this service in line with procurement guidelines and are in the process of allocating a contractor to operate this service, once a contractor has been sourced, the service will commence. Bus Éireann will liaise with families directly with regard to this matter at that stage.
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services may therefore apply for the interim Special Transport Grant (STG) which is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place and is to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family have put in place until services are finalised.
The family of the second pupil referred to by the Deputy has been contacted by School Transport Section with regard to availing of this Special Transport Grant (STG) until the service commences. If the family require any further assistance, they can contact school_transport@education.gov.ie where an official from School Transport Section will be happy to help with their queries.
School Admissions
Questions (275)
Bernard Durkan
Question:275. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which adequate primary and second level school places remain available to school goers throughout north Kildare, an area of rapid population growth; if she is satisfied that the measures in hand are adequate and attainable in time for the next school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14590/23]
View answerWritten answers
I can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for my Department.
In order to plan for school place needs, 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 enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, 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'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.
Through close engagement with school patrons and authorities, my Department has established a requirement for additional school places at primary and post primary level in a small number of areas across the country. With the support of my Department, a significant number of additional junior infant and first year places have already been made available in schools in recent weeks. Engagement is ongoing with further schools and patrons, including those in North Kildare with a view to making increased provision where necessary. It is expected that these places will become available imminently.
School Transport
Questions (276)
Bernard Durkan
Question:276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if she can give an assurance that the school transport system can be adapted to meet the needs of children in north Kildare, currently unable to access the system while keeping in mind that feeder schools continue to need transport to schools where places are available; if a special coordination of school transport places and school places can be undertaken as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14591/23]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Bus Éireann on behalf of the department arrange the provision of transport for each applicant, the school transport fleet is made up of both contractors and Bus Éireann vehicles which amounts to over 6000 vehicles of which in the region of 94% are owned by private contractors under contract to Bus Éireann for the operation of school transport scheme services.
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 school year, 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 applied by the 29th April 2022 and registered for a ticket by the 29th July 2022.
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.
It is understood that the pupils the area referred to by the Deputy are attending their third or fourth closest school and therefore are not eligible for transport under the terms of the School Transport 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.
Phase 1 of the review, an examination of issues a report on eligibility with an examination of issues for mainstream pupils relating to the nearest and next nearest school was completed in June 2021.
Following commencement of the review the Steering Group presented me with an initial interim report in June 2021, with regard to eligibility and with an examination of issues for mainstream pupils relating to the nearest and next nearest school. Following consideration of this report, for the 2021/2022 school year, the extension of temporary alleviation measures were approved for transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and have applied and paid on time.
These measures will be continued for the current school year and for the 2023/24 school year, pending completion of the review and means 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 apply and pay on time.
While work on the review was impacted somewhat by the challenges of the pandemic and the impact of the current conflict in Ukraine, it is anticipated that the final phases of the review will be completed shortly with recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme.
School Admissions
Questions (277)
Bernard Durkan
Question:277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which efforts continue to be made to provide adequate school places at all levels to prevent stress arising from a lack of school places or lack of school transport and given the necessity of both parents to be in full-time employment; the extent of the efforts that continue to be made in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14592/23]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, My Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential developments in each area.
My Department additionally consults with school patron bodies in order to identify areas with pressures on enrolments.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
In addition to ongoing demographic analyses, my Department continues to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of potential longer-term requirements for educational provision across the country, through the review of the County Development Plans, preparation of Local Area Plans and other relevant statutory planning processes.
Projections of post primary school place requirements are informed by multiple factors, including primary school enrolments in the area and primary to post primary transfer patterns.
While my Department may be aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in an area, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
My Department works 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.
Education Policy
Questions (278)
Bernard Durkan
Question:278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the ongoing efforts, if any, to provide afterschool services given the necessity for both parents to remain in employment due to high mortgages; if it is anticipated that this issue is being provided for in a meaningful way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14593/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides a number of policies and programmes which are supportive of afterschool clubs or activities for students at risk of educational disadvantage.
DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools is a key policy initiative of the Department of Education to address educational disadvantage at school level. In the 2022/23 academic year there are over 1,200 schools in the DEIS Programme serving over 240,000 pupils.
All DEIS schools receive a DEIS grant which is to be used to support the implementation of the schools’ DEIS Action Plan for Improvement. This Plan sets targets under key themes, such as attendance, retention, progression, literacy and numeracy, partnership, transition, wellbeing and examination attainment (post-primary only). A key focus of these themes is that they are targeted at those students most at risk of educational disadvantage. It is a matter for the school Board of Management to allocate DEIS grant funding so that it targets those students deemed most in need; this can include afterschool activities.
The School Completion Programme (SCP) is available to DEIS post-primary and urban primary schools. SCP supports students in relation to school attendance, participation and retention. These interventions and supports may include afterschool clubs, which are allowable under the SCP funding. In March 2021, I announced a 5% increase in funding for the School Completion Programme to support the attendance and participation of vulnerable learners and those at risk of education disadvantage; a further 5% increase was provided under Budget 2023.
My Department first published Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours in October 2017. The purpose of these guidelines was to provide guidance to schools in relation to their current arrangements for the use of school buildings outside of school hours. The Guidelines outline the various scenarios and informs where consent of the Department of Education is required.
The publication of the Guidelines followed a Programme for Government commitment, for the utilisation of primary school buildings for after-school care provision for school age children to offer more options and flexibility to parents, where there is demand for such a service, in partnership with community groups or private providers.
My Department is currently reviewing the guidelines. The review will include consultation with the relevant stakeholders, including representatives of schools and other government departments which engage with the community and voluntary sectors. As part of the Review my Department is conducting a survey of a sample of schools regarding their experience in engaging with community and recreational groups seeking to use school property.
The type of information being sought in the survey includes the current use of schools outside of school hours, the types of activities being catered for, and future use.
The feedback received from the discussions with the relevant stakeholders along with the results of the survey will be used to inform the review of the guidelines by my Department. Following the review, and in consultation with school authorities, the guidelines will be updated as necessary and all schools will be notified of the changes.
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Questions (279)
Bernard Durkan
Question:279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the degree to which the pupil-to-teacher ratio is being improved in all schools in County Kildare and throughout the country, at primary and second level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14595/23]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to seek to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools.
In Budget 2023, I ensured major investment in our schools and I have succeeded in bringing the teacher allocation ratio to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools for the 2023/24 school year which is the lowest ever seen at primary level. This was my third successive Budget which saw an improvement in allocation of teachers to primary schools. Budget 2021 reduced the staffing schedule to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 25 pupils, while Budget 2022 reduced it further to 1 classroom teacher for every 24 pupils. A three point reduction in the retention schedule, in place since 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts. There is no change to the pupil teacher ratio at post-primary level. Teachers are allocated at a ratio of 19:1 in the Free Education System and 23:1 to schools in the fee-charging sector.
The latest figures in relation to pupil teacher ratio shows an improved ratio of teachers to pupils from 15.7:1 to 13.7:1 at primary level when comparing the 2016/17 school year to the 2021/22 school year. This compares favourably with the OECD pupil teacher ratio which is 1:15. In the same period the staffing schedule improved from 27:1 to 25:1. Average class sizes improved from 24.6 to 22.8 in the same period. The budget measures will continue the positive trend of improving class sizes for this school year, and statistics on this will be published at the end of the school year.