Written Answers Nos. 288-300
288. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an updated timeframe for the tendering process for a school (details supplied); if a contractor has been appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26175/23]
View answerThe Large scale capital project referred to by the Deputy is at Stage 3 - Tender Action and Award. A Tender process generally takes 8 to 12 months to complete.
A new planning application was submitted in March 2023 and will progress in tandem with the tender process.
289. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the average class size for primary schools in each county in the 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26181/23]
View answer290. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the average class size for post-primary schools in each county in the 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26182/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 289 and 290 together.
Please find attached requested data. 2021-2022 is the most recent year we have final published class data for on the DE website. Class data, including average class size, for the academic year 2022-23 will be available in June 2023.This figure is based on mainstream classes in mainstream schools and are collated from the relevant Class Size tables published on the DES website and can be found at the link below;www.gov.ie/en/collection/class-size-information-at-individual-primary-school-level/ In post-primary schools pupil enrolments vary by subject and so the concept of average class size does not apply. Furthermore enrolments of pupils per subject is available at a school level only so average class size per subject is not available
291. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of digital devices provided to primary schools under the assistive technology scheme in 2023, 2022 and 2021; and the cost per year of same. [26195/23]
View answerThis year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs. An additional €2 million funding was secured in Budget 2023 for the Assistive Technology scheme. This represents an increase of almost 60% on funding allocated previously to this essential support. This increased allocation supports my Department’s commitment to ensure that a full range of resources, not just teachers and SNAs, are available to support children who most need it.
The Assistive Technology Scheme is provided by my Department to supplement the overall approach to providing funding to schools for digital technology and equipment to support children for education purposes. All equipment provided under this scheme supports children who require essential specialist equipment in order to access the school curriculum. I see assistive technology as a critical enabler for those with special educational needs to gain the maximum benefit from a modern technologically focused education system.
Although equipment is sanctioned under the Assistive Technology scheme for use by particular students, it is the property of the school, and the school’s management authority is responsible for maintenance, repair, and insurance of the equipment.
The statistical Information in relation to assistive technology is recorded by individual application. Information under the Assistive Technology scheme from 2021 and the cost per year are included in the below table:
|
Year |
Number of Assistive Technology Applications Funded |
Total Value of Assistive Technology Applications Funded |
|
2021 |
3,766 |
€3,603,563 |
|
2022 |
4,204 |
€3,735,778 |
|
2023 (Jan-May) |
2,291 |
€1,971,484 |
Furthermore, in April 2022, my Department announced the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and associated grant funding for all recognised primary and post-primary schools for digital technology infrastructure.
This strategy will advance the embedding of digital technologies across teaching, learning and assessment, building on the work under previous strategies. It aims to further support the school system so that all students across our schools have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to navigate an ever-evolving digital world successfully.
As part of this strategy an ICT Grant will be provided to schools, with €200 million committed over the period of the Strategy. This approach facilitates multi-annual planning by schools to allow them to plan effectively for all of their children. The Department also funds broadband connectivity to all recognised primary, special and post-primary schools through the Schools Broadband Programme at an annual cost of some €13m.
292. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of digital devices provided to post-primary schools under the assistive technology scheme in 2023, 2022 and 2021; and the cost per year of same. [26196/23]
View answerThis year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs. An additional €2 million funding was secured in Budget 2023 for the Assistive Technology scheme. This represents an increase of almost 60% on funding allocated previously to this essential support. This increased allocation supports my Department’s commitment to ensure that a full range of resources, not just teachers and SNAs, are available to support children who most need it.
The Assistive Technology Scheme is provided by my Department to supplement the overall approach to providing funding to schools for digital technology and equipment to support children for education purposes. All equipment provided under this scheme supports children who require essential specialist equipment in order to access the school curriculum. I see assistive technology as a critical enabler for those with special educational needs to gain the maximum benefit from a modern technologically focused education system.
Although equipment is sanctioned under the Assistive Technology scheme for use by particular students, it is the property of the school, and the school’s management authority is responsible for maintenance, repair, and insurance of the equipment.
Information in relation to Assistive Technology devices that have been provided to post-primary schools to date under the Assistive Technology scheme since 2021and the cost per year are included in the below table:
|
Year |
Number of Assistive Technology Applications Funded |
Total Value of Assistive Technology Applications Funded |
|
2021 |
991 |
€ 915,828.66 |
|
2022 |
1,085 |
€ 870,356.01 |
|
2023 (Jan-Apr) |
483 |
€ 349,770.12 |
|
Total |
2,559 |
€ 2,135,954.79 |
Furthermore, in April 2022, my Department announced the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and associated grant funding for all recognised primary and post-primary schools for digital technology infrastructure.
This strategy will advance the embedding of digital technologies across teaching, learning and assessment, building on the work under previous strategies. It aims to further support the school system so that all students across our schools have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to navigate an ever-evolving digital world successfully.
As part of this strategy an ICT Grant will be provided to schools, with €200 million committed over the period of the Strategy. This approach facilitates multi-annual planning by schools to allow them to plan effectively for all of their children. The Department also funds broadband connectivity to all recognised primary, special and post-primary schools through the Schools Broadband Programme at an annual cost of some €13m.
293. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the full year cost for the digital grants for primary schools. [26199/23]
View answerThe Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published in April 2022 and builds on the achievements of the previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020. It aims to further support the school system so that all students across our schools have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and the skills they need to navigate an ever-evolving digital world successfully. The strategy was developed following an extensive consultation process with all relevant stakeholders including students, parents/guardians, teachers and industry and sets out the various supports and resources available to schools in this important area.
Under the National Development Plan 2021-2030 €200m has been committed to support the implementation of the Digital Strategy. The first tranche of ICT grant funding under the Strategy of €50m in respect of the 2021-2022 school year issued in December 2021, which included funding of €30m for Primary Schools. The remaining funding will issue over the lifetime of the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027.
As with funding under the previous strategy, the funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 issues directly to schools as they are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way in accordance with their digital learning plan.
The full year funding for Primary schools for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 is as follows -
2021: ICT Grant 2021/2022 school year - €30,125,067
2021: Digital Divide ICT grant - €32,724,915
2022: No funding issued
2023: No funding issued year to date.
294. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the full year cost for the digital grants for post-primary schools. [26200/23]
View answerThe Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published in April 2022 and builds on the achievements of the previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020. It aims to further support the school system so that all students across our schools have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and the skills they need to navigate an ever-evolving digital world successfully. The strategy was developed following an extensive consultation process with all relevant stakeholders including students, parents/guardians, teachers and industry and sets out the various supports and resources available to schools in this important area.
Under the National Development Plan 2021-2030 €200m has been committed to support the implementation of the Digital Strategy. The first tranche of ICT grant funding under the Strategy of €50m in respect of the 2021-2022 school year issued in December 2021, which included funding of €19.8m for Post Primary Schools. The remaining funding will issue over the lifetime of the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027.
As with funding under the previous strategy, the funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 issues directly to schools as they are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way in accordance with their digital learning plan.
The full year funding for Post Primary schools for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 is as follows -
2021: ICT Grant 2021/2022 school year - €19,855,079
2021: Digital Divide ICT grant - €16,734,524
2022: No funding issued
2023: No funding issued in the year to date.
295. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of primary and post-primary schools that utilise personal digital devices such as laptops or tablets purchased directly by the parent or guardian. [26201/23]
View answerThe decision to use digital devices is a matter for the Board of Management of each school in the context of their digital learning planning. Where the introduction of new technology is planned, there should be consultation with members of the school community including parents, and such policies should be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Guidance is available to schools on planning for the embedding of digital technologies in teaching and learning. An advice sheet on the adoption of devices in schools is available on the PDST-Technology in Education (PDST-TIE) website, detailing what such devices can offer a school, including educational considerations, purchasing considerations and software.
The Department does not gather information on the policies of schools as to digital devices. The 2013 ICT Census in Schools undertaken by the ERC on behalf of the Department, may contain some information of relevance in this area. This is available at www.erc.ie/documents/ict_cencus2013_summaryreport.pdf.
The new Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027, will advance the embedding of digital technologies across teaching, learning and assessment, building on the work under previous strategies. It aims to further support the school system so that all students across our schools have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to navigate an ever-evolving digital world successfully. The new Strategy will help school communities to further embed digital technology across teaching and learning, and will provide ongoing investment to build technology in schools.
In implementing the Digital Strategy for Schools my Department will enhance and and expand on the range of advice and supports available to schools on the embedding of digital technology in teaching and learning.
296. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of increasing capacity on the school transport scheme by 10%, 25%, 30% and 50%, in tabular form. [26202/23]
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. The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
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 Department reimburses Bus Éireann on a cost recovery basis for a range of costs involved in operating the scheme, including administration costs, the cost of Bus Éireann’s directly provided routes and the cost of private contractors who provide school transport services under contract to Bus Éireann. The cost to increase the scheme under the various percentages is not possible to accurately estimate as various factors would influence the cost of increasing capacity, such as the daily rate charged by private contractors for additional services, the use of spare capacity already in the system particularly at primary level which could be availed of at no extra cost, the parental contribution that would be offset which would depend on the number of children who apply/hold medical cards, etc., and the increased cost to administer the scheme arising from additional services.
297. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number and the cost of school halls for primary schools delivered in 2023, 2022 and 2021, in tabular form. [26203/23]
View answer298. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number and the cost of school halls for post-primary schools delivered in 2023, 2022 and 2021, in tabular form. [26204/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 298 together.
I wish to confirm to the Deputy that investment and expenditure on General Purpose (GP) Rooms and PE Halls is an element of the overall School Building Programme. Almost 95% of the post primary schools that made 2020 Annual Schools Returns have indicated to the Department that they either have a PE Hall, access to a nearby PE Hall, or a project in train that will deliver a new PE Hall which can be used as a sports facility.
The provision of GP rooms and PE Halls, at primary and post primary level respectively, and outdoor hard play areas, form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings. This is also the case where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school. Practically all schools have outdoor play areas and many schools use adjacent local facilities, including community halls, public parks, playing fields and swimming pools.
The typical facilities provided are outlined in the Department's design guidelines for new schools. (Ref TGD-023 “Post-primary School Design Guidelines”), & (Ref TGD-022 “Primary School Design Guidelines”), published on www.gov.ie
Furthermore, as per any new school building, where the site area and building configuration permits, an area may be reserved suitable for use as a practice playing field.
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 Deputy will appreciate that 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. The strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands and will include a PE build and modernisation programme which will enable students in post-primary schools to have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision, particularly also in the context of the roll-out of PE as a leaving-certificate subject. Enhanced and modernised PE facilities will also provide important amenities for local communities.
In relation to costs for GP rooms at primary level and PE halls at post-primary level, as the construction costs for these facilities form part of an overall project construction cost, it is not possible to specifically identify the total expenditure on GP Rooms and PE Halls as requested by the Deputy. However the average cost estimates for these facilities are set out below:
Average cost estimate to build a GP Room and ancillary accommodation in the following school types:
- 4 classroom primary school (176m2): €0.64m
- 8 to 16 classroom primary school (238m2): €0.83m
- 24 to 32 classroom primary school (476m2): €1.64m
Average cost estimate to build a PE Hall including Changing Rooms and Fitness Suite in the following school type:
- 500 or more pupil post primary school (1,048m2): €4.4m
- Smaller post primary school (743m2): €3.15m
The current position on all major projects on the school building programme are updated regularly on my Department's website www.gov.ie
299. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of special needs assistants in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. [26205/23]
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. 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 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 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, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs.
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 will 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 the 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.
SNAs play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools ensuring that these students can access education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
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 Managementare the direct employers of SNAs. SNAs employed within the Education and Training Board (ETB) sector are paid by the respective ETB.
Therefore information 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
The NCSE have confirmed the SNA posts allocated as follows;
|
Year end |
Allocations |
|
2020 |
17,032 |
|
2021 |
18,003 |
|
2022 |
19,219 |
It is estimated there will be 20,406 SNAs by year end 2023, 19,481 SNA posts have been allocated as of 12 May 2023. This number will rise by the end of this calendar year as additional SNAs are allocated to schools from September 2023 for the new school year to support students in mainstream, in new special classes and in increasing capacity in some special schools.
My Department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
300. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of increasing the number of special needs assistants per full year by 5%, 15% and 30%. [26206/23]
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. 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 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 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, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs.
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 the 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.
SNAs play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools ensuring that these students can access education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
My Department acts as paymaster to over 3,700 schools whose Boards of Managementare the direct employers of SNAs. SNAs employed within the Education and Training Board (ETB) sector are paid by the respective ETB.
The NCSE have confirmed that as of 12 May 2023 19,481, SNA posts have been allocated to special classes, mainstream and special schools. This number will rise to over 20,000 by the end of this calendar year as additional SNAs are allocated to schools from September 2023 for the new school year to support students in mainstream, in new special classes and in increasing capacity in some special schools.
The annual current cost at entry of an additional full time Special Needs Assistant is €39,990 including provision for related substitution costs and employer PRSI.
The estimated cost of a 5% increase (974 posts) in current SNA posts as of 12 May 2023 is therefore almost €39 million, the estimated cost of a 15% increase (2,922 posts) is just under €117 million, and the estimated cost of a 30% increase (5,844 posts) is just over €233.7 million.
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.
