Written Answers Nos. 51-66
51. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the application for additional school accommodation for a named school (details supplied); if she will provide a timeline for a letter of acceptance to this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18384/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department received an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question in July 2022. My Department responded to the school with an offer of accommodation in August 2022, to which the school responded in January 2023, agreeing to the proposal. In February 2023 the school was in further contact with my Department raising additional queries and my officials have been in contact with the school on a number of occasions since, via email and telephone.
My Department's Planning and Building Unit will continue to liaise with the school authorities in respect of this application.
52. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a guaranteed timeline for the beginning of the major building project for a school (details supplied); if she will estimate how long this will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18387/23]
View answer57. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education to confirm the contacts with the board of management of a college (details supplied) following her recent announcement giving the go-ahead to deal with the accommodation needs of the college; the details of the schedule now being followed, in view of the concerns of the college community that progress be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18428/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 57 together.
I want to assure the Deputy that my Department is working extremely hard to ensure that schools are built as quickly as possible so that children and young people have access to a physical environment where they can receive a high standard of education and feel safe, valued and nurtured. My Department has a strong track record of delivery with over 180 projects delivered last year notwithstanding the high levels of construction inflation. There are circa. 300 school building projects currently at construction which includes 40 new school buildings and 260 projects at existing schools.
The permanent school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is a campus project to deliver a 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including four classrooms, for children with special educational needs and a 16 classroom primary school and accommodation, including two classrooms, for children with special educational needs. The campus project is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme.
I can confirm that the project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been approved to proceed to tender. The Invitation to Tender for the project issued on the 18th April 2023 as part of a bundle of projects issued to a Framework of Design & Build Contractors.
The tender process currently takes approximately 8-10 months. Once a Contractor has been appointed, it is anticipated that construction would commence shortly thereafter.
My Department looks forward to getting this school building project delivered as quickly as possible and in the meantime will continue to liaise with the school and their Patron Body in relation to interim accommodation needs pending delivery of their permanent accommodation.
53. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a guaranteed timeline for the beginning of the major building project for a school (details supplied); if she will estimate how long this will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18388/23]
View answerI wish to confirm agreement has been reached to facilitate the continued rollout of urgently required school building projects in both mainstream and special education settings, including to enable the project for the school to which the Deputy refers proceed to construction.
The major project for the construction of the new school building is currently at Stage 3 (tender action) and a preferred bidder identified, as this is a large project Reserved Specialists are also required and the tender process for the Reserved Specialists is on-going. My Department will continue to keep the School Authority updated as the project progresses.
55. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education an bhfuil sí ar an eolas gur laghdaíodh an t-am do mhúineadh na Gaeilge sna bunscoileanna ó 5 uair an chloig sa tseachtain in 1971 go 3.5 uair an chloig sa tseachtain in 1999 agus go bhfuil sé molta anois é a laghdú go 3 uair an chloig sa tseachtain in 92% de scoileanna faoi Chreatchuraclam na Bunscoile (2023), agus ag an am céanna nár tháinig athrú ar na spriocanna foghlama don teanga ná ar an ról atá le himirt ag bunscoileanna i sealbhú teanga i gcaitheamh na tréimhse sin agus dá réir, an féidir leis an Aire aon taighde atá aici, ina léirítear nach raibh gá a thuilleadh leis an uair an chloig go leith a cailleadh in 1999, a roinnt, agus ar an gcaoi chéanna, an féidir léi aon taighde a roinnt ina léirítear nach raibh gá leis an leathuair an chloig atá le cailleadh faoi Chreatchuraclam na Bunscoile (2023) chun na spriocanna foghlama agus an sealbhú teanga céanna a bhaint amach ag an mbunleibhéal. [18426/23]
View answerI gCreatchuraclam na Bunscoile, soláthraítear méadú ar an méid ama a thugtar don Fholláine agus tugtar uair an chloig sa tseachtain freisin chun teangacha iasachta a thabhairt isteach ón tríú rang ar aghaidh. Chun na hathruithe sin a dhéanamh, b’éigean roinnt ama a bhaint ó gach réimse eile den churaclam, teangacha san áireamh.
Faoi mar a sonraíodh roimhe seo (CP 14243), faoi Chreatchuraclam Nua na Bunscoile, níl aon athrú tagtha ar an leithdháileadh ama don Ghaeilge i scoileanna ina ndéantar an teagasc trí mheán an Bhéarla ón leithdháileadh ama faoi churaclam 1999 do na naíonáin shóisearacha agus do na naíonáin shinsearacha (2.5 uair an chloig sa tseachtain) agus tá laghdú de 30 nóiméad déanta air ón gcéad rang go dtí an séú rang (ó 3.5 uair an chloig sa tseachtain go dtí 3 uair an chloig sa tseachtain).
Is mian liom a mheabhrú don Teachta go bhfuil Am Solúbtha faoi Chreatchuraclam na Bunscoile á thabhairt ar ais agus go dtugann sé sin deis do scoileanna an t-am sin a úsáid le haghaidh tréimhsí breisithe de dhomhainfhoghlaim i gceann amháin nó níos mó de na cúig réimse curaclaim, lena n-áirítear réimse na dteangacha. Ar fud na bliana, d'fhéadfadh scoil cinneadh a dhéanamh Am Solúbtha a úsáid do cheann amháin nó do roinnt díobh seo a leanas nó díobh go léir chun freagairt do riachtanais/dhúshláin maidir le teagasc agus foghlaim sa Ghaeilge:
• Leithdháileadh seachtainiúil sa bhreis ar leibhéal na scoile don Ghaeilge ar feadh téarma/scoilbhliana agus múinteoirí ag ullmhú eispéiris foghlama atá oiriúnach agus saibhir agus iad ag freagairt do riachtanais foghlama a gcuid leanaí
• tréimhsí breisithe de dhomhainfhoghlaim i ngnéithe dá gcuid foghlama sa Ghaeilge (Seachtain na Gaeilge, teanga ó bhéal, filíocht, scéalaíocht, logainmneacha)
• gníomhaíochtaí scoile uile nó rannpháirtíocht i dtionscnaimh agus in imeachtaí áitiúla, réigiúnacha agus náisiúnta a bhaineann leis an nGaeilge (drámaí, scéalaíocht, naisc le scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge, cuairteanna ó Ghaeilgeoirí, ceol agus amhráin Ghaelacha, Cúla 4, Foghlaim TG4)
• úsáid a bhaint ar cuir chuige oideolaíocha ar leith a bhaineann tairbhe as tréimhsí ama breisithe (FCÁT - áit a ndéanann múinteoirí réimse eile den churaclam a theagasc trí Ghaeilge thar thréimhse ama).
Rinneadh Creatchuraclam na Bunscoile a fhorbairt trí thaighde agus comhairliúchán suntasach agus is mian liom aird an Teachta a tharraingt ar an taighde atá ar fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin an CNCM anseo agus ar an staidreamh fadaimseartha Saol Scoile Páistí.
Is mian liom a mheabhrú don Teachta freisin go bhfuil athrú suntasach tagtha ar theagasc agus ar fhoghlaim teangacha i gcoitinne agus go gcreidim gurb amhlaidh a chuirfidh an curaclam nua seo feabhas ar shealbhú teanga sa Ghaeilge. Mholfainn don Teachta féachaint ar an mbonn suntasach taighde atá faoi thabhairt isteach Churaclam Teanga na Bunscoile (CTB), an chéad réimse den churaclam nua a tugadh isteach i ngach seomra ranga bunscoile agus atá ailínithe leis an gCreat nua. Is féidir teacht ar an taighde anseo:
ncca.ie/en/primary/primary-developments/language/the-primary-language-curriculum/.
Curaclam comhtháite teanga is ea CTB ina mbaintear leas as taighde comhaimseartha agus a thacaíonn le haistriú scileanna ó theanga amháin go teanga eile trína struchtúr comhroinnte agus a chur chuige tacúil i dtaca le teagasc agus foghlaim. Tugann CTB aitheantas do na turais foghlama teanga a bhfuil na leanaí go léir orthu i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge. Tugann sé aitheantas freisin don éagsúlacht teangacha, lena n-áirítear Teanga Chomharthaíochta na hÉireann, a úsáidtear i mbunscoileanna agus i scoileanna speisialta na hÉireann agus baineann sé leas astu. Is féidir liom a dhearbhú don Teachta go bhfuil mo roinnse tiomanta do chur chun cinn na Gaeilge inár scoileanna go léir agus go bhfuil sé tábhachtach go dtuigfí CTB agus Creatchuraclam na Bunscoile ar an iomlán.
Tugann an Tionscadal um Fhoghlaim Chomhtháite Ábhar agus Teangacha (FCÁT) de chuid mo roinnese deis do leanaí i suíomhanna um Fhoghlaim agus Cúram na Luath-Óige (FCL), bunscoileanna agus iar-bhunscoileanna, tumoideachas páirteach sa Ghaeilge a bhlaiseadh agus leas a bhaint as ar mhaithe le hinniúlacht agus muinín na bhfoghlaimeoirí agus a meon i leith na Gaeilge a fheabhsú. I measc na dtionscnamh Gaeilge eile a dtacaíonn mo Roinn leo tá:
• Tacaíocht don chlár Gaelbhratach, scéim duaisbhunaithe ina dtugtar aitheantas oifigiúil do scoileanna atá gníomhach maidir le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge ar fud na scoile, i gcomhar le Gael Linn trí Fhoras na Gaeilge.
• Cómhaoiniú a dhéanamh ar Fhoclóir Gaeilge/Gaeilge Fhoras na Gaeilge i gcomhar leis an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán (RTCEGSM).
• Ag obair le RTCEGSM chun tacú lena gClár Gníomhaíochtaí um Ealaíona Bunaithe ar an nGaeilge.
• Forbairt Leanúnach ar an gClár Séideán Sí.
Tá an Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) ag obair leis an Roinn seo freisin chun a gealltanas maidir leis an straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge a chomhlíonadh i gcomhréir lena sainchúram.
Tá súil agam go ndearbhaíonn an méid sin don Teachta go bhfuil mo Roinnse tiomanta i gcónaí d’úsáid na Gaeilge a mhéadú i measc ár bhfoghlaimeoirí go léir agus creidim go mbeidh curaclam nua na bunscoile lárnach sa mhéid sin.
56. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the proposed building programme at a school (details supplied); if she will confirm the schedule now being followed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18427/23]
View answerThe large scale capital project for the school referred to by the Deputy was recently approved to proceed to Stage 3 - Tender action and award. A tender process can take 8-12 months to complete.
58. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education to provide an update and estimated timeline for a school building project (details supplied); if the tender document for the school has been issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18444/23]
View answerI want to assure the Deputy that my Department is working extremely hard to ensure that schools are built as quickly as possible so that children and young people have access to a physical environment where they can receive a high standard of education and feel safe, valued and nurtured. My Department has a strong track record of delivery with over 180 projects delivered last year notwithstanding the high levels of construction inflation. There are circa. 300 school building projects currently at construction which includes 40 new school buildings and 260 projects at existing schools.
The permanent school building project referred to by the Deputy will deliver a 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including four classrooms, for children with special educational needs. The project is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme.
I can confirm that the project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been approved to proceed to tender. The Invitation to Tender for the project issued on the 18th April 2023 as part of a bundle of projects issued to a Framework of Design & Build Contractors.
My Department looks forward to getting this school building project delivered as quickly as possible and in the meantime will continue to liaise with the school and their Patron Body in relation to interim accommodation needs pending delivery of their permanent accommodation.
59. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education to provide an update and estimated timeline for a school building project (details supplied) to include a detailed schedule of works with proposed completion dates; when the additional temporary accommodation units will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18445/23]
View answerThe project for the school to which the deputy refers is devolved for delivery to Kildare & Wicklow Educational Training Board (KWETB).
The Brief for this project is to provide an extension to the existing school, the demolition of a section of the building and the refurbishment of some of the existing building.
The building project was recently approved by the Department to proceed to Stage 2b of the architectural planning process and the next step for the Design Team will be to obtain the statutory planning approvals.
To address the accommodation needs at the school, the Department has approved additional modular accommodation. The Planning and Building Unit will keep the school’s accommodation needs under review.
At this stage it is not possible to provide details or a timeline for completion of the project, KWETB will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
62. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will consider a change in the way in which July Provision is considered as part of a teacher’s work (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18524/23]
View answerThe Department recently announced details of the 2023 Summer Programme (formerly July Provision) on 9 February 2023. All schools will have an opportunity to run a programme for those children that need it the most. The main priority in 2023 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.
The Summer Programme is reliant on schools, teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) choosing to participate on a voluntary basis. The pay rates for teachers and SNAs participating in the Summer Programme are in line with agreed terms and public service pay agreements. Public service pay is dealt with through centralised engagement and collective bargaining between Government and the public service unions. Payment to teachers and SNAs in respect of the Summer Programme is not pensionable nor is a superannuation contribution deducted from the gross remuneration paid. It is therefore not counted for service.
Full details of the Summer Programme is available on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
65. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education when the ancillary grant will be paid to national schools; what advice is being issued to schools to cover staffing costs for the delay in the payment of the grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18602/23]
View answerMy Department provides funding to recognised Primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc. and the Ancillary to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff.
Schools are permitted to regard the capitation and ancillary grants as a combined grant. It is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs.
As the Deputy is aware, an agreement was reached between my Department and Fórsa on improved terms and conditions for grant funded secretaries. Further details are available in Circular 0036/2022.
A bulletin was issued to schools by my Department recently advising them of the work that has been ongoing to implement this agreement so that secretaries who accepted it can be paid on my Department’s payroll from 1st September 2023.
In relation to payment of the Ancillary Grant referred to by the Deputy, my Department has engaged with Management Bodies in order to discuss the interim arrangements for payment of the grant due up to 31st August 2023.
Arrangements are being finalised for the payment of the grant.
66. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education to provide her response to the recommendation in the UCC report Housing and Sustaining Communities on the west Cork Islands to support young families on the islands through services and infrastructure, including free ferries where access to schooling is not available on the islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18603/23]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
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.
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.
School transport funded by my Department is intended to cater for children and young person’s attending schools at primary and post primary level. Funding for ferry transport to islands is outside the remit of the School Transport Scheme and is a matter for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media.
