James Browne
Question:589. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education if the development of a school (details supplied) is going ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17885/23]
View answerSchools Building Projects
Questions (589)
Written answers
The school to which the Deputy refers was approved under the Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for 1 x 96m2 Mainstream Classroom, en-suite toilets, and 1 x WC for assisted users.
The project is currently at Stage 3 of the architectural planning process. The school recently submitted the Tender Report to the Department for review.
The Department will revert to the school shortly with the outcome of this tender review.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (590)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:590. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the new-school-build for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17967/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is currently planning the delivery of a major campus project on the current site of the school referred to by the Deputy.
The project will deliver two new 1,000 pupil post - primary schools and 1 new primary school (8 classrooms) on this site.
My Department is currently developing the accommodation brief for this significant campus development and is engaging with the school patrons as part of this process.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (591, 592)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:591. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the level of engagement between her Department and Dublin City Council in relation to a new primary school for the Meakstown area of Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17972/23]
View answerPaul McAuliffe
Question:592. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education her plans for a new school in the Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17973/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 591 and 592 together.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing local pressures and demand for primary and post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas including school planning areas in Dublin 9 and 11.
Where 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 either one, or a combination of, the following:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including those of schools in Dublin 9 and 11, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate further action to that already in train, including the provision of modular accommodation where necessary.
The Department has engaged with Dublin City Council in regards to the 2022-2028 County Development Plan. The Jamestown Industrial Estate Lands close to the Meakstown area have been identified in the plan as having significant potential for re-generation. It is noted that the Jamestown land bank has the potential to deliver a significant number of residential units (2,200+). A site has been zoned within the Jamestown lands for a future primary school should the projected population materialise as a result of the development of the potential residential units within this land bank. The County Development plan provides that a masterplan for the lands shall be prepared and that consultation will take place with all the key stakeholders, of which the Department of Education is one. The Department will continue to engage with the Council regarding this area.
Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands. It is expected that the enrolment pressures in this, and other areas will reduce in the short-term as such planned additional capacity comes on stream and as demographic demand moves past its peak.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in the school planning areas in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
My Department is currently planning the delivery of a major campus project on the current Clonturk Community College site in Whitehall. The project will deliver two new 1,000 pupil post-primary schools and 1 new primary school (8 classrooms) on the Clonturk site. One of the new post- primary schools will be for Ellenfield Community College to replace their existing school. The new school will include a 4 classroom SEN Base. The other new post-primary school is a replacement school building for Clonturk Community College. The expanded post-primary schools will provide circa 1,200 additional co-educational, multi-denominational post-primary school places in North Dublin City.
The Department is currently developing the accommodation brief for this significant campus development and is engaging with the school patrons as part of this process.
The requirement for additional school places in Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 is kept under on-going review. My Department will continue to liaise with the local Council in respect of its review of the Development Plan with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements.
Question No. 592 answered with Question No. 591.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (593)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:593. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the number of school building projects currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17979/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Education has a proven track record of delivery, with over 180 projects completed last year within a challenging environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.
There are circa 300 school building projects which are currently under construction, including 40 new school buildings and 256 projects at existing schools. There are over 1,000 other school building projects in the Department’s pipeline at various stages of development. The Department also continues to support schools with the successful integration of over 15,000 Ukrainian students within the school system.
The table below provides an overview of all school building projects currently in progress under the Large Scale Capital Programme and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme.
|
County |
Project Brief |
Stage 1 (Site Acquisition & Preliminary Design) |
Stage 2a (Developed Sketch) |
Stage 2b (Detailed Design) |
Stage 3 (Tender Stage) |
Stage 4 (Onsite) |
|
Carlow |
|
13 |
1 |
6 |
|
7 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
9 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
|
Clare |
1 |
16 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
|
Cork |
10 |
109 |
15 |
19 |
6 |
24 |
|
Donegal |
|
19 |
9 |
9 |
5 |
20 |
|
Dublin |
31 |
98 |
14 |
45 |
18 |
55 |
|
Galway |
4 |
36 |
4 |
12 |
6 |
16 |
|
Kerry |
2 |
34 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
13 |
|
Kildare |
3 |
25 |
4 |
9 |
1 |
12 |
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
11 |
3 |
5 |
|
15 |
|
Laois |
15 |
3 |
4 |
|
2 |
|
|
Leitrim |
|
8 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
Limerick |
2 |
38 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
18 |
|
Longford |
1 |
12 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Louth |
|
14 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Mayo |
2 |
34 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
14 |
|
Meath |
1 |
16 |
12 |
11 |
6 |
17 |
|
Monaghan |
|
8 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
|
Offaly |
|
9 |
2 |
7 |
|
10 |
|
Roscommon |
|
15 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
Sligo |
|
11 |
2 |
1 |
|
5 |
|
Tipperary |
|
29 |
6 |
7 |
2 |
14 |
|
Waterford |
|
10 |
3 |
3 |
|
10 |
|
Westmeath |
2 |
9 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
Wexford |
|
15 |
2 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
23 |
2 |
12 |
1 |
6 |
|
Total |
65 |
636 |
115 |
184 |
63 |
296 |
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.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (594)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:594. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education if a new school (details supplied) build project will now proceed to construction. [18003/23]
View answerWritten answers
The building project to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of the tender process, and a recommended bidder has been identified. Subject to no issues arising, it is envisaged that construction will commence in Quarter 2 with an estimated completion timeframe of 24 months.
School Accommodation
Questions (595)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:595. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education the status of an application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18004/23]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question.
My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. Key priorities for the 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 accommodation needs of the school in question are being prioritised and a decision will issue to the school authorities as soon as possible in this regard.
State Examinations
Questions (596)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:596. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education to explain why leaving certificate language oral exams take place at Easter; if the impact on students was taken into account when this change was made; and if she intends to review this decision. [18026/23]
View answerWritten answers
For 2022, the Leaving Certificate oral examinations took place outside of school time over the first week of the school Easter holidays. This was in response to the need to take steps to limit teacher absences from schools given challenges associated with sourcing substitute teachers. It was intended to minimise further disruption to teaching and learning in schools and in particular for those candidates preparing for their examinations.
The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has responsibility for the operation and delivery of State examinations. I requested the SEC to undertake an evaluation of the 2022 experience of holding Oral and Music Practical examinations at Easter so as to inform the approach for 2023. Following a preliminary review, the SEC extended the arrangements that applied in 2022 for the Oral examinations in Irish and the Modern Foreign Languages for a further year. These examinations were held over the Easter holidays from Saturday 1 April to Thursday 6 April last.
A more extensive evaluation involving engagement with all of the stakeholders is required to fully assess the impact of holding the oral examinations at Easter, in order to advise me on the timing of Oral examinations in future. This evaluation will be undertaken as part of a more comprehensive review of the overall issue of examiner supply for the State examinations.
School Staff
Questions (597)
Paul Kehoe
Question:597. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the secondary subjects with the highest number of vacant teacher posts, such as metalwork, woodwork, Spanish, computer science and so on, from one to ten, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18099/23]
View answerWritten answers
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for individual school authorities, subject to procedures agreed upon under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012). My Department does not currently collate data on vacant posts in post-primary schools per subject.
The recruitment of teachers is a priority area of action for the Department given the importance of ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have available to them qualified, engaged, and supportive teachers to support them in their learning.
My Department is undertaking a comprehensive programme to support the supply of post-primary teachers, including:
• As a temporary measure, post-primary teachers can provide additional hours of substitute cover in the subject they are qualified to teach. The number of additional hours that can be taught per term has been increased from 20 to 35 for the remainder of the 2022/23 school year.
• For 2022/23, higher education institutions have introduced flexibility in the delivery of initial teacher education programmes to allow student teachers to provide more substitute cover.
• The Teaching Council introduced regulations allowing for the registration of 3rd and 4th-year undergraduate student teachers under registration Route 5 (Student Teachers). More than 2,700 student teachers have registered under route 5 to date. This initiative supports the employment of student teachers to cover substitutable vacancies.
• A waiver of abatement for retired teachers returning to teach for up to 50 days in each of the three calendar years, 2021 to 2023 inclusive has been agreed upon with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
• For 2022/23, job-sharing teachers may be employed to work in a substitute capacity during the period they are rostered off, in their own or in other schools, and the limits on substitute work applying to teachers on career break have also been suspended.
• The Department provided details of the staffing arrangements for the 2023/24 school year to schools before the end of January. This will facilitate schools to begin recruitment for the 2023/24 school year earlier than in 2022.
• Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) who qualify outside Ireland may now complete induction (Droichead) in Ireland under a new measure implemented by the Teaching Council. This measure seeks to enhance the supply of NQTs available to schools.
Measures targeted at supporting the long-term supply needs of the system have also been put in place.
• The Department has increased the number of places on post primary teacher upskilling programmes in mathematics, Spanish and physics. The programmes are delivered outside of class time and are offered at no cost to the teacher. Approximately 170 places were provided in the first intake across the three programmes with an increase in places to over 300 in 2023.
• A new programme for post-primary teachers to upskill in Irish is planned for commencement in 2023/2024. The Department is also considering additional upskilling programmes in other priority subject areas.
• The Department introduced a scheme to allow post-primary schools to share teachers, the aim of which is to recruit teachers in high-demand subjects and give teachers a full-time teaching contract. It is expected that a pilot of the scheme will be introduced in a number of locations for the 2023/24 school year.
In addition to the above measures, the Teaching Transforms campaign continues to promote the teaching profession and encourage students to follow a career in teaching. The campaign uses digital, radio and video media, and is supported by a dedicated webpage, www.gov.ie/teachingtransforms. It should be noted that CAO first preference choices for post-primary teaching have increased this year by 11%.
The Department meets on a regular basis with school management bodies and teacher unions on this very important issue and we will continue to work intensively with all stakeholders to develop and implement creative solutions to address the teacher supply challenges for schools.
School Admissions
Questions (598)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:598. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education if she will assist a child (details supplied) in obtaining a school place in Kilkenny. [18116/23]
View answerWritten answers
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 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.
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.
The Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO). Contact details are available at www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/
School Transport
Questions (599)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:599. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education what arrangements have been put in place in relation to applying late for school transport for pupils who have not been accepted into any school to date because of the enormous pressure on schools in the Galway city area, which her Department is aware of and working on, as the closing date for applications for school transport is at the end of this month; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18147/23]
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.
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. Families who wish to avail of school transport and have their eligibility status assessed are encouraged to apply on-line before the closing date to Bus Éireann on Bus Éireann’s website at www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis in accordance with the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme and subject to the following conditions:
• an application is made by the deadline date
• there is an existing service in place
• there is spare capacity on the service;
• routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis
Any remaining seats left after eligible children are accommodated will be allocated to concessionary children. Where the number of applications for transport on a concessionary basis exceeds the number of seats available, Bus Éireann will determine the allocation of the tickets using an agreed selection process.
In cases where the Department is satisfied that the nearest school is full, eligibility for school transport will be determined based on the distance that children reside from their next nearest school having regard to ethos and language. To establish that the nearest school is full parents/guardians must provide certain documentary evidence including confirmation that an application for enrolment in the nearest school was made within the deadline dates specified by the school and confirmation from the school authorities that the school was full. Individual queries in respect of this matter may be addressed to School Transport Section of my Department at school_transport@education.gov.ie.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
The Bus Éireann family portal is now open for new applications only for school transport services for the 2023/24 school year. New applications are considered as:
• Pupils who will be attending junior infants in primary school or first year in post-primary school for the first time in 2023.
• Pupils that may move home address or will be attending a new school for the 2023/24 school year.
The closing date for new applications is Friday 28 April 2023. Any new applications made after the closing date are considered late applications and families are not guaranteed a seat.
Parents do not need to make a new application if they have already applied in previous year(s) as their child’s application will ‘rollover’ for the 2023/24 school year. All existing and new applicants are required to pay/enter medical card details by the closing date Friday 9th June 2023.
The Bus Éireann family portal is open to accept payments/medical card details from the 3 April 2023 until 9 June 2023. Payment made after the deadline date will be deemed late and a seat may not be available to families at that stage.
Question No. 600 answered with Question No. 577.
Question No. 601 answered with Question No. 579.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (602)
Robert Troy
Question:602. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the application for additional buildings of a school (details supplied). [18150/23]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy that an Additional Schools Accommodation application was received and processed for the above school. My officials in Devolved Section have been in recent liaison with the school authorities regarding the requirements for the speedy completion of the above project.
Disabilities Assessments
Questions (603)
Alan Kelly
Question:603. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education when a child (details supplied) will get their appointment with the National Educational Psychological Service. [18152/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all recognised primary and post-primary schools. This involves direct support in the event of a critical incident, access to national and regional support and development work to build school capacity to support students, access to a NEPS psychologist for responses to queries arising, and access to individual pupil casework where there is need via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
NEPS does not maintain waiting lists, but in common with many other psychological services and best international practice, has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution oriented consultative approach to maximise positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Where reasonable progress is not made, following a school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, a psychologist may become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment. This system allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually.
It is important to note that under the Special Education Teacher model pupils do not have to have a psychological assessment, or a diagnosis of a disability, in order to access supports in the school.
Where a parent/guardian has a concern about their child’s progress in school, they should request a meeting with the Principal to discuss the child's needs and the supports the school have put in place, and if appropriate to consider a consultation with a NEPS psychologist.
In relation to the pupil to which the Deputy refers, NEPS has not received a Request for Intervention from the school which this pupil attends at this time.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (604)
Alan Kelly
Question:604. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education when a child (details supplied) will get a place appropriate to their growing needs [18153/23]
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 NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with SEN nationwide.
In relation to the student referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has confirmed with my Department that the local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) , is aware of this student, and will work with and offer personalised guidance and recommendations to his parents on the appropriate educational placement for him.
The NCSE is committed to collaborating with parents and schools in the area to provide special education placements as appropriate to each student’s needs.
However, it should be noted that enrolment of students in a school is a matter for each individual school having regard to their own enrolment/admissions policy. The NCSE has no role in regard to enrolments or in regard to waiting lists for places in any school.
My Department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places for the next school year 2023/2024. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class and special school places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements, consideration of school accommodation capacity and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As both Minister Foley and I announced just last week, 2 new special schools are being established for the 2023/2024 school year - one in Carrigtwohill, east Cork and one in the Dublin 7 area - with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools, including Scoil Aonghusa in Co. Tipperary.
In addition, the NCSE have sanctioned 218 new special classes for the coming school year 2023/2024. Further classes will be sanctioned over the coming weeks. 9 of these new special classes have been sanctioned in schools in Co. Tipperary with 8 at post-primary level. Information on all special classes, including the new classes sanctioned are available on the NCSE website and via the local SENO.
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.
School Uniforms
Questions (605)
Holly Cairns
Question:605. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to require all schools to use generic uniforms and to give students the option to wear trousers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18175/23]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Education Act 1998, all recognised schools are managed by the school board of management on behalf of the schools’ patrons or trustees or the relevant Education and Training Board (known as the management authority).
Individual school authorities are responsible for the drawing up of a school policy in relation to the wearing of uniforms. Decisions on changes to school uniform polices are a matter for the schools at local level. Schools are advised to consult with parents and students when drafting a policy on uniforms.
The Student and Parent Charter Bill is currently progressing through the Dáil. The legislation particularly recognises the importance of listening to the voice of children and students. It is intended that the bill will enhance this by actively inviting and responding to comments and feedback from children in an age appropriate manner.
The Bill will enable students and parents to be better informed about matters relating to their school. Under national guidelines provided for in the legislation, schools will be required to provide a range of information to students and their parents on school plans and policies.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (606)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:606. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education for a breakdown of the 92 new special classes nationally; if any of these places will be allocated to Kilkenny; the schools in Kilkenny will they be allocated to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18186/23]
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 NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
Over the last two to three years, my Department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient 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.
My Department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes for the next school year 2023/2024. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
Just last week, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two new special schools as part of a comprehensive update on enhanced education provision for students with special educational needs. These two new special schools will be established in Carrigtwohill, east Cork and Dublin 7 for the 2023/24 school year. Also capacity will be expanded in 11 other special schools around the country.
Along with the two new special schools, I also confirmed that 218 (126 at primary and 92 at post-primary level) new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the coming school year 2023/2024, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks . 5 of these new special classes are in Co. Kilkenny, 3 at primary level and 2 at post-primary level.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local Special Educational Needs Organisers (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-service
The NCSE is committed to collaborating with parents and schools in the area to provide special class placements as appropriate to each student’s needs. We encourage parents to stay in touch with their local SENO, who can provide essential information on the most appropriate placements for their children.
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.