Written Answers Nos. 144-163
144. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a breakdown, by county, of the number of new school builds between 2016 to 2019, in tabular form; if she will provide a similar breakdown, by county, of the number of new school builds between 2020 and to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25364/23]
View answerThrough 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 has a proven track record of delivery. During the period 2018 to 2022, nearly 900 school building projects were completed.
The key drivers of capital investment in the schools sector are as follows:
•demographic change, including keeping pace with delivery of SEN and accommodation for Ukrainian pupils particularly at Post Primary
•alignment with housing provision and national planning at school planning area level,
•construction costs,
•climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.
My Department completed over 180 projects last year within a challenging construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues. This year alone, in excess of 300 school building projects are currently under construction, including 40 new school buildings and 260 projects at existing schools.
Key priorities for my Department are supporting the operation of the school system and adding necessary capacity to cater for special education needs provision, mainstream demographics and catering for students from Ukraine and other countries under the International Protection system.
The current status of all school building projects from 2010 to date is 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 Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a breakdown, by county, of the number of schools that were refurbished between 2016 to 2019, in tabular form; if she will provide a similar breakdown, by county, of the number of schools that were refurbished between 2020 and to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25365/23]
View answerThrough 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 has a proven track record of delivery. During the period 2018 to 2022, nearly 900 school building projects were completed.
The key drivers of capital investment in the schools sector are as follows:
•demographic change, including keeping pace with delivery of SEN and accommodation for Ukrainian pupils particularly at Post Primary
•alignment with housing provision and national planning at school planning area level,
•construction costs,
•climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.
My Department completed over 180 projects last year within a challenging construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues. This year alone, in excess of 300 school building projects are currently under construction, including 40 new school buildings and 260 projects at existing schools.
Key priorities for my Department are supporting the operation of the school system and adding necessary capacity to cater for special education needs provision, mainstream demographics and catering for students from Ukraine and other countries under the International Protection system.
The current status of all school building projects from 2010 to date is 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.
146. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a breakdown, by county, of minor works grants for schools between 2016 to 2019, in tabular form; if she will provide a similar breakdown, by county, of minor works grants between 2020 and to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25366/23]
View answerMy Department recognises the importance of the Minor Works Grant to primary schools. The funding provides good flexibility at local level to assist schools to manage and undertake works that support the operation of the school.
On 11th April 2023, my Department announced €29 million in minor works funding for primary and special schools for the 2023/24 school year.
To provide schools with a good lead in period to plan and undertake works that will support the operation of schools going into the 2023/24 school year, payment of these grants have now been processed.
Schools have the autonomy to use this funding for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds. Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular needs.
The works that can be undertaken under minor works scheme include maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds, improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and physical education equipment, the purchase of floor coverings and window blinds, the purchase of IT related equipment, ventilation improvements, and enhancements to outdoor learning environments.
The table at the link details minor works funding (including Enhanced Minor Works Grant funding) paid from 2016 to date.
147. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a breakdown, by county, of the number of special needs assistants employed in schools between 2016 to 2019, in tabular form; if she will provide a similar breakdown, by county, of the number of special needs assistants employed in schools between 2020 and to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25367/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
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 on special education.
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 additional teaching and care supports. It also includes funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) for an additional 54 psychologists to provide services to special schools and special classes.
In 2023 the number of teaching and special need assistant (SNA) posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs in our schools next year.
For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 SNAs. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. The Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations.
When a school has been allocated an SNA, the Board of Management as the employer, is responsible for filling the vacancy. The decision on whether to employ a full-time SNA to fill a full-time post, or to employ an equivalent number of part-time SNAs rests with the employer.
My Department acts as paymaster to over 3,700 schools whose Boards of Management
are the direct employers of SNAs. SNAs employed within the Education and Training Board (ETB) sector are paid by the respective ETB.
Therefore the information requested in relation to the numbers of SNAs employed is not to hand, however, the NCSE publish statistics on SNA allocations for each school year, by county, in tabular form on their website. These details can be found at: www.ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations .
148. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if mobile and software applications from a company (details supplied) will be banned from Government devices to protect users’ data from being passed to state security services, in light of information outlined in a media report. [25371/23]
View answerNo software applications from Meta Platforms i.e. Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp, are contained on the work container of my Department's corporate smart phones.
All my Department's official mobile devices and the apps which run on them comply with the guidance provided by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). This guidance is based on risk assessments appropriate to the circumstances and is kept under continuous review by the NCSC.
My Department requires all users of corporate devices to exercise appropriate discretion in their use and to comply at all times with Departmental user policies, DPER Circular 09/2019 and the Civil Service Code of Conduct.
149. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 282 of 25 April 2023, when correspondence will issue from the State Examinations Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25397/23]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
150. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of restoring the primary school library fund at a rate of €10 per primary school child; and the additional estimated cost of expanding such a scheme to second-level schools at a rate of €10 per secondary school child. [25406/23]
View answerCurrently the Department’s preliminary data for schools under the Free Education Scheme 2022-2023 indicates there are 558,133 learners in recognised primary and special schools and 406,457 students in post-primary schools. If there was an allocation of €10 per child that would be in the region of €10,000,000 per annum.
As the Deputy is aware, once off funding of €20 million was made available in May 2022 to enable all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme to improve their existing literacy resource banks. Support is being provided so as to ensure that schools can make best use of the grant funding within their schools. In this regard the Department is working with the Public Library Service.
Webinars and the Public Library Resource Guide for Schools provides information for primary and post-primary schools to develop and expand reading and literacy collections within the school setting (www.librariesireland.ie/services/right-to-read/services-to-schools ). The Public Library Supports for Schools are jointly agreed by the Department of Education and the Department of Rural and Community Development.
A teacher’s card is made available to every teacher in every school, which enables each teacher to borrow items for his/her class. As no doubt the Deputy is aware, library membership is completely free of charge for everyone in every library in the country. Further information on the services to schools can be found at www.librariesireland.ie/services/right-to-read/services-to-schools . Libraries Ireland also offer a Digital Library Service, and currently anyone with a library card can access the eBooks, Audio books and eLearning Resources.
The Library Service is also in the process of developing a successor strategy to “Our Public Libraries 2022: Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities” and the Department has agreed with the Library Service to further enhance cooperation so as to increase school usages of the resources that are available through the public libraries.
The Department has issued grants in 2023 for free schoolbooks for all children and young people enrolled in all recognised primary schools, including special schools. Where any surplus funding remains after all other schoolbooks, workbooks, copybooks and related classroom resources costs have been met, a school has the discretion to purchase library books, audio books and other material to increase the literacy(in English, Irish or other languages) and numeracy resources for their school.
I hope this information is of assistance to the Deputy.
151. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education why a reasonable accommodation request for a student (details supplied) with severe dyslexia has been refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25408/23]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
152. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education the current status of Caranua, which has been in existence since 2013, and funds it was set to administer and distribute for the benefit of survivors of institutional abuse; if it has been wound up as was indicated would happen in 2020; what is due to happen to its remaining funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25411/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, Caranua was established in 2013 to disburse the contributions of €110m (€111.38m including interest) provided by the religious congregations following the publication of the Ryan Report, by funding approved services to support the needs of former residents who, as children, suffered abuse in relevant institutions.
As the funding available to Caranua was finite in nature, Caranua announced in May 2018 that it would cease to accept applications from 1 August 2018. All outstanding applications were finalised by Caranua by March 2021.
A General Scheme providing for the formal dissolution of Caranua has been prepared and it is my intention to progress this legislation shortly. Caranua has very limited funding remaining at this point.
153. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education if she has given consideration to allowing childcare providers to offer a service for the summer programme 2023, especially in areas where no such service is currently being offered and where there is definite demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25412/23]
View answerThe Department recently announced details of the 2023 Summer Programme on 9 February 2023. All schools, once again, have an opportunity to run a programme for those children for whom the support would be most beneficial. The main priority in 2023 continues to be those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.
The central theme for this year’s programme is, ‘Building Confidence and Connections’. The primary aim of this theme is to help our children and young people to realise their potential, to be resilient in dealing with the normal stresses of their lives, to take care of their physical wellbeing and to have a sense of purpose, connection and belonging to their school community.
The terms for the 2023 programme are being implemented following a comprehensive review and engagement with education partners and stakeholders since last summer, including the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism. The Department has listened to the feedback and designed this year's programme to encourage even more participation by schools and staff.
This year’s school based programme is open to pupils enrolled in special schools, special classes, pupils who have complex special educational needs in mainstream classes and those who are most at risk of educational disadvantage.
Schools are given flexibility to engage staff that are not currently employed in their schools to support their summer programme. A portal is available for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school based programme in a special school. This portal is currently live on www.educationposts.ie. An advertisement campaign aimed at recruiting student teachers and students in relevant disciplines such as therapy, social care and nursing and others, including early childcare workers and carers, for the role of SNA is currently being promoted in Third Level Colleges. These students will also be able to register their interest in working on this year’s Programme on www.educationposts.ie
This year’s Home-based programme will also be available for pupils with complex special educational needs where their school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable. Full details of the Home Based Summer Programme can be found at www.gov.ie/summerprogramme. All schools have been emailed directly with full details.
The Department is also promoting the Private Group Provider element of the Home based programme where groups and organisations can seek funding to provide programmes, with staffing profiles similar to special classes, and these can support children with more complex needs. The Department is currently engaged with a number of interested groups to develop this service in different parts of the country where it is needed. Private providers, such as childcare providers, will be required to be in compliance with the published terms and conditions for Private Group Provider Arrangements. These terms and conditions are available on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
Lastly, a Department helpline is available at 09064 84292 to address any specific queries regarding this year’s Summer Programme. Alternatively queries can be directed to homebasedsummerprogram@education.gov.ie or schoolsummerprogramme@education.gov.ie as appropriate.
154. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education the amount of money spent annually on transporting children with special educational needs outside their local school catchment area. [25414/23]
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. Of this total cost, €187.6m related to the provision of transport for children with special educational needs which included the payment of bus contractors, the grant funding of school bus escorts to schools and the provision of special transport grants to families.
With regard to the provision of transport for children with special educational needs, the purpose of the “School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs” is to provide a reasonable level of transport service for children with a diagnosed disability and / or special educational need, who, because of the nature of their disability, may not be in a position to avail of a school bus service which would be time-tabled to pick up other children along the route of service.
A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class / special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education criteria.
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.
155. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of children with special educational needs who are waiting for appropriate school places for September 2023. [25415/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs 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). The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
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 special educational needs 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 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 and additional special school places. 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.
As a result of this forward planning, on the 12 April, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two new special schools for the 2023/2024 school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
Along with the two new special schools, 328 new special classes – 217 at primary and 111 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my Department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes.
In October of last year, my Department wrote to all post-primary schools to advise them of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next 3 to 5 years, with an approximate average of 4 special classes in each school.
Enrolments to individual schools are a matter for each board of management.
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-services-contact-list .
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
The NCSE is committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for the coming school year 2023/2024.
I want to 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.
156. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education to outline the number of occasions on which she has used her powers under section 37A to direct a school to provide places for children with special educational needs. [25416/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise that my department is committed, in conjunction with the National Council for Special Education (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.
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 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.
There are a total of 2,537 special classes opened nationwide. Of the 2,537 special classes, 1,798 are at primary level and 739 are at post-primary level.
As both Minister Foley and I announced recently on 12 April, 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 additional capacity being provided in 11 other special schools.
It is intended that places in the new special schools will be prioritised for children who have no offer of a special school place for the 2023/24 school year. Details in relation to the location of the new special schools, the admission process and the number of places to be offered for 2023/24 in each new special school will be confirmed very shortly.
The NCSE will work closely with the families of the children and young people concerned to assist them in accessing the new places which will become available during the 2023/24 school year.
Planning for the establishment and opening of the new special schools will begin immediately. This will include a determination of the size of the school required so that the necessary staff recruitment, school policy development and related arrangements can be put in train. This will also include ongoing communication with the families concerned.
For the 2023/24 school year the the NCSE have also sanctioned 328 new special classes nationwide, 217 at primary level and 111 at primary level. Further additional classes will be sanctioned in the coming weeks.
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.
The Minister has powers under Section 37A of the Education Act to direct a school to provide additional places but this power is only used as a last resort and where all reasonable efforts have failed.
This legal power to compel schools to open new special classes is only used where the following criteria apply:
• there is established need for additional places in an area
• it is considered that the schools involved in the Section 37 process have capacity to open the additional classes and
• all reasonable efforts have been made to support these schools in making the required provision.
The legislation has been used twice to date; initially in the Dublin 15 area in 2019 and more recently in the South Dublin area in 2020, in respect of primary school provision only.
The published documents relating to the two occasions where the Section 37A process was used are available on the departments website on www.gov.ie/en/collection/61cd7-section-37a-notices-2019-dublin-north/ and www.gov.ie/en/collection/61cd7-section-37a-notices-2020-dublin-south/
It is important to note that where possible, children with special educational needs should be accommodated in mainstream education, but where the needs of the children are greater, special classes and indeed special schools are provided. Every effort must be made where special classes exist within a mainstream school to integrate the children and young people in this class with their peers in mainstream classes.
I want to 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 appropriate education.
157. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the name of the accountancy firm that has been commissioned to audit the 21 education centres in Ireland; the amount this exercise will cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25419/23]
View answerIn 2018 my Department tendered for an independent external accountant to audit the 2017 financial statements of the Education Support Centres. The tendering process was carried out in line with public procurement guidelines. This practice has continued since then with the audit of 2022 financial statements currently underway. The accountancy firm currently contracted to do this work is Crowleys DFK. Each centre’s audit is conducted within the framework of FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland and in accordance with International Standards on Auditing. The total amount paid for this work in 2022 was €178,934.
158. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the amount of funding provided to each of the 21 education centres in Ireland for each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25420/23]
View answerMy Department issue funding to the Education Support Centres in three tranches annually following a detailed draw-down process and confirmation that the centres are in compliance with governance requirements. The majority of funding relates to the following categories:
• core grant (for the normal day to day running and operational expenses of the Centre)
• local course grant (for local courses as required in the catchment area)
• minor works grant (for minor repairs/maintenance of premises)
Centres may also apply to be considered for funding under an Emergency Works Scheme. Limited funding under this scheme is available for capital projects such as building repairs each year.
The funding provided to each of the 21 Education Support Centres over the last five years is shown in the table below:
|
Education Support Centre |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
Total |
|
Athlone |
241,475 |
128,453 |
166,409 |
208,726 |
211,806 |
956,868 |
|
Blackrock |
176,717 |
276,000 |
265,966 |
224,025 |
293,540 |
1,236,249 |
|
Carrick on Shannon |
139,330 |
148,552 |
218,169 |
218,049 |
222,354 |
946,454 |
|
Clare |
217,556 |
192,784 |
212,780 |
173,405 |
186,386 |
982,911 |
|
Cork |
210,868 |
191,049 |
308,236 |
298,019 |
314,163 |
1,322,335 |
|
Donegal |
317,595 |
198,823 |
232,281 |
202,983 |
213,501 |
1,165,183 |
|
Drumcondra |
226,725 |
253,126 |
217,814 |
277,447 |
266,243 |
1,241,355 |
|
Dublin West |
222,587 |
174,523 |
282,761 |
255,293 |
326,643 |
1,261,808 |
|
Galway |
344,868 |
389,045 |
243,317 |
243,749 |
263,732 |
1,484,711 |
|
Kildare |
204,981 |
162,490 |
200,506 |
200,819 |
203,377 |
972,173 |
|
Kilkenny |
- |
55,511 |
179,492 |
210,355 |
226,577 |
671,935 |
|
Laois |
117,985 |
154,290 |
185,997 |
187,495 |
191,615 |
837,382 |
|
Limerick |
340,478 |
333,820 |
429,618 |
430,798 |
436,948 |
1,971,662 |
|
Mayo |
212,790 |
212,147 |
176,709 |
227,391 |
231,385 |
1,060,423 |
|
Monaghan |
110,513 |
142,150 |
220,025 |
220,376 |
240,551 |
933,615 |
|
Navan |
244,349 |
166,074 |
243,349 |
243,810 |
248,422 |
1,146,003 |
|
Sligo |
171,480 |
170,034 |
201,056 |
214,824 |
221,373 |
978,767 |
|
Tralee |
248,208 |
86,886 |
216,070 |
228,324 |
233,244 |
1,012,732 |
|
Waterford |
190,413 |
170,327 |
235,289 |
237,113 |
238,589 |
1,071,731 |
|
West Cork |
285,119 |
173,859 |
183,903 |
176,336 |
232,154 |
1,051,371 |
|
Wexford |
237,564 |
149,753 |
243,702 |
247,086 |
249,853 |
1,127,957 |
|
Total |
4,461,601 |
3,929,694 |
4,863,449 |
4,926,422 |
5,252,456 |
23,433,623 |
159. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the number of the 21 education centres in Ireland that will publish their annual and audited accounts on their websites in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25421/23]
View answerEducation Support Centres are independent statutory bodies recognised under Section 37 of the Education Act (1998). Each Education Support Centre is responsible for preparing annual audited financial statements and submitting these to my Department. In accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies each Education Support Centre should publish an annual report and audited financial statements each year, having first presented them to members at the AGM. All Education Support Centres are aware of their obligations in relation to the publishing of their financial statements and my Department will engage with the Centres in this regard.
160. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education how a school can commence engagement with her Department with a view to requesting a new school site and building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25456/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics particularly at post-primary level and for special education needs provision. The immediate priority of my Department is providing new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place.
Under Project Ireland 2040 the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. There will be a rolling 5 year funding envelope which will be updated annually for the period 2026 to 2030 within the Government’s overall NDP funding envelope of €136 billion in exchequer capital (€165 billion total capital including non-Exchequer) that will facilitate building a modern and sustainable school infrastructure.
This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. There will be a strengthened focus on refurbishment and modernisation of existing school stock, in particular cognisance of climate action targets.
In the interim, if a school has a deficit of accommodation it is open to it to apply under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.
Further information on the ASA scheme is available at www.gov.ie/en/service/563cae-additional-accommodation-scheme/
161. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the progression of the review into the school transport scheme; if she will provide an indicative timeline for the publication of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25538/23]
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 149,000 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. There has been an increase of 21% tickets issued to eligible students and 38% tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the current 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 5,200 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
The School Transport Scheme is an important service for families and children.
The purpose of the 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.
A review of the School Transport Scheme is underway. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
Significant consultation has been undertaken as part of this review. A public survey was administered for parents/guardians and students who use the service and those who do not use the service but who would like to. A broad array of stakeholders including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Government Departments were all consulted as part of this review.
Phase 1 of the review examined the impact of eligibility criteria on mainstream pupils who were eligible for transport to their nearest school but attending their next nearest school. The report was completed in June 2021.
Following consideration of this Phase 1 report, for the 2021/2022 school year, the provision of temporary alleviation measures was approved for transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport, but were attending their second nearest school and had applied and paid on time. These measures have been continued for the current 2022/2023 school year, and will again continue in the 2023/2024 school year pending completion of the review.
For the 2023/2024 school year, these measures mean that transport will be provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and, who applied for school transport by the 28th April 2023 and pay for a ticket/enter medical card details by the 9th June 2023.
Phase 2 of the review was completed late last year and phase 3 will be completed shortly. This final report will include 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.
For the 2023/2024 school year, it remains that 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 accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
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.
162. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cé mhéad maoiniú a caitheadh ar TG4 in aghaidh gach bliana ó 2003, agus an ndéanfaidh sí briseadh síos air de réir maoiniú reatha agus caipitil. [24699/23]
View answerMaoinítear TG4 faoi láthair trí leithdháileadh Státchiste ó mo Roinnse, maoiníodh TG4 i bpáirt ó ioncam ó cheadúnais teilifíse idir 2012 agus 2018. Bhain an maoiniú breise a cuireadh ar fáil in 2020 le caiteachas breise a bhí ag teastáil ó TG4 chun tabhairt faoi chláir a sholáthar a bhain le COVID-19, agus in 2022 cuireadh roinnt maoiniú breise ar fáil chun aistriú chuig tarchur ardghléine ar Saorview a éascú.
Sonraítear sa tábla thíos an maoiniú a cuireadh ar fáil do TG4 ó 2003 i leith, miondealaithe de réir maoiniú reatha, caipitil, ceadúnas teilifíse agus breise.
TG4 are currently funded by way of an Exchequer allocation from my Department, having been partially funded by TV licence revenues between 2012 and 2018. The additional funding provided in 2020 related to extra expenditure TG4 was required to undertake to provide COVID-related programming, while in 2022 some additional funding was provided to facilitate a move to transmission in HD on Saorview.
The table below details the funding provided to TG4 since 2003, broken down by current, capital, TV licence and additional funding.
|
Maoiniú TG4 2003-2023 |
|||||
|
Bliain |
Maoiniú reatha |
Maoiniú caipitil |
Ioncam ó na Ceadúnais Teilfíse |
Ioncam Breise |
Iomlán |
|
2003 |
€21,065,000 |
€845,000 |
€21,910,000 |
||
|
2004 |
€22,292,000 |
€869,000 |
€23,161,000 |
||
|
2005 |
€23,989,000 |
€869,000 |
€24,858,000 |
||
|
2006 |
€28,632,000 |
€2,148,000 |
€30,780,000 |
||
|
2007 |
€30,980,000 |
€917,000 |
€31,897,000 |
||
|
2008 |
€35,473,000 |
€917,000 |
€36,390,000 |
||
|
2009 |
€38,913,446 |
€900,000 |
€39,813,446 |
||
|
2010 |
€32,250,000 |
€1,800,000 |
€34,050,000 |
||
|
2011 |
€32,750,000 |
€3,510,000 |
€36,260,000 |
||
|
2012 |
€23,505,000 |
€3,510,000 |
€9,245,000 |
€36,260,000 |
|
|
2013 |
€23,505,000 |
€1,612,000 |
€9,245,000 |
€34,362,000 |
|
|
2014 |
€23,505,000 |
€1,533,000 |
€9,245,000 |
€34,283,000 |
|
|
2015 |
€22,995,000 |
€920,000 |
€9,245,000 |
€33,160,000 |
|
|
2016 |
€23,295,000 |
€2,820,000 |
€9,245,000 |
€35,360,000 |
|
|
2017 |
€28,545,000 |
€1,450,000 |
€4,245,000 |
€34,240,000 |
|
|
2018 |
€29,545,000 |
€2,900,000 |
€4,245,000 |
€36,690,000 |
|
|
2019 |
€34,233,000 |
€2,000,000 |
€36,233,000 |
||
|
2020 |
€34,233,000 |
€3,000,000 |
€1,900,000 |
€39,133,000 |
|
|
2021 |
€36,733,000 |
€4,000,000 |
€40,733,000 |
||
|
2022 |
€40,733,000 |
€4,200,000 |
€116,000 |
€45,049,000 |
163. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cé mhéad maoiniú breise a theastóidh chun straitéis forbartha TG4 a chur i bhfeidhm in aghaidh na bliana, agus an bhfuil sé i gceist ag an Aire í a chur i bhfeidhm. [24700/23]
View answerSan Acht Craolacháin 2009 ceanglaítear ar chraoltóirí seirbhíse poiblí ráiteas straitéise a ullmhu gach 5 bliana, ina ndéantar cur síos ar an gcaoi a bhfuil sé beartaithe acu a gcuid cuspóirí faoin Acht a sheachadadh. Chomh maith leis sin de réir an Achta, ceanglaítear ar Choimisiún na Meán (Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann roimhe seo) athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar na straitéisí, leordhóthanacht an mhaoinithe a chuirtear ar fáil, agus moltaí a dhéanamh maidir leis an maoiniú a theastaíonn.
D’ullmhaigh agus chuir TG4 a ráiteas straitéise don tréimhse 2018 go 2022 isteach i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2017, agus tá straitéis nua á hullmhú acu don tréimhse 2023 go 2027 faoi láthair.
Tar éis athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an straitéis 2018 go 2022, chinn Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann go raibh méadú €6m ag teastáil ar mhaoiniú reatha bliantúil TG4. Thar an tréimhse atá i gceist méadaíodh an leithdháileadh maoinithe bliantúil incháilithe do TG4 go €43.049m, thart ar €4.249m os cionn an leibhéil a moladh.
In 2021, d’fhorbair TG4 straitéis iar-COVID. Cé nach straitéis reachtúil í seo agus nár athbhreithnigh Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann í, mar sin féin, fuair mé €7.3m sa bhreis do 2023, arbh é an t-ardú maoinithe aonair is mó a bronnadh ar TG4 ó bunaíodh é. Áiríodh leis an leithdháileadh seo soláthar do sheoladh chainéal nua Cúla4 do pháistí i mí Mheán Fómhair na bliana seo.
Nuair a fhaightear an straitéis nua, déanfaidh Coimisiún na Meán athbhreithniú ar leordhóthanacht an mhaoinithe atá ar fáil chun an straitéis seo a sheachadadh, agus ar athbhreithniú an Choimisiúin a fháil, scrúdóidh mé aon mholtaí ar aon dul leis an bpróiseas reachtúil.
The Broadcasting Act 2009 requires public service broadcasters to prepare a strategy statement every 5 years, detailing how they intend to deliver on their objects under the Act. Also in accordance with the Act, Coimisiún na Meán (formerly the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland) is required to review the strategies, the adequacy of funding provided, and make recommendations as to the funding required to meet commitments under the strategies.
TG4 prepared and submitted their strategy statement for the 2018 to 2022 period in October 2017, and are currently preparing a new strategy for the 2023 to 2027 period.
Following the review of the 2018 to 2022 strategy, the former BAI determined that TG4 required an increase in annual current funding of €6m. Over the period in question TG4's eligible annual funding allocation was increased to €43.049m, some €4.249m above the level recommended.
In 2021, TG4 developed a post-COVID strategy. While this was not a statutory strategy, and as such was not reviewed by the BAI, nevertheless I secured an additional €7.3m in Budget 2023, which was the single largest funding increase awarded to TG4 since its inception. This allocation included provision for the launch of the new Cúla4 children's channel in September this year.
Upon receipt of the new TG4 strategy, Coimisiún na Meán will review the adequacy of funding available to deliver on this strategy, and on receipt of An Coimisiún's review, I will consider any recommendations which might be made.
