Written Answers Nos. 202-211
202. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the present position regarding the provision of SEN accommodation at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28962/23]
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 of State with responsibility for special education and 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.
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 for the next school year 2023/24. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class and special school places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements, consideration of school accommodation capacity and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, on 12 April, the Minister, Deputy Foley and I announced the establishment of two new special schools for the 2023/24 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.
Of these new classes, three are in Leitrim. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in County Leitrim to 24.
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 three to five years, with an approximate average of four special classes in each school.
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: www.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: 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.
As the question relates to a specific school, my Department will ask the NCSE to consider the matter and provide a direct response.
I want to reassure the Deputy 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.
203. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in relation to providing additional permanent accommodation and upgrade existing accommodation at a school (details supplied); when this project will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28963/23]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers was approved funding under my Department's Additional School Accommodation Scheme for the provision of 11 general classrooms, 3 special education teaching rooms, 1 multimedia room, 1 textiles room, 1 science laboratory and preparation area, a 3 special education needs (SEN) base and removal of 3 prefabs at Carrigallen Vocational School.
The project is devolved to MSLETB for delivery and my Department is currently awaiting the submission of the Design Team's Stage 1 architectural design report.
This school was also granted approval for the provision of modular accommodation comprised of special education and mainstream classrooms. The procurement of modular accommodation within the overall construction sector environment is challenging and the Department is doing everything possible to ensure that suitable modular accommodation is delivered as quickly as possible. My Department will be engaging with MSLETB on the most appropriate method of expediting this project.
204. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the building works at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28965/23]
View answerI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has been approved for a project under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme 2022.
The project will provide the following accommodation at the school: 2 x SET Rooms and 2 x SEN Base.
This project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority and is currently at Stage 1.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the Stage 1 Design Report for the project was received by my Department and is being reviewed by the Technical Team in my Department at present and as soon as an update is available they will revert directly.
205. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education when her Department intends to pay the ICT grant to schools this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28976/23]
View answerUnder the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 overall investment of €210 million issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding was to support schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to embed the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
The new Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200 million to support schools over the period committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50 million issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.
It is hoped to issue the next tranche of funding in the 2023-2024 school year. As with all such funding, the issuing of the grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department.
It is anticipated that the funding committed to under the NDP will be available to support the implementation of the Digital Strategy to Schools in future year.
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 recently announced €29 million in minor works funding for primary and special schools can be used not only for the maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds but also for the provision of ICT infrastructure in schools.
206. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education when a person (details supplied) will be allocated a placement in a special school setting; and the efforts that are being made by her Department and the NCSE to ensure an appropriate placement is available to the person at the earliest opportunity. [28998/23]
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 of State with responsibility for special education and 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.
The NCSE has responsibility for co-ordinating 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 for the next school year 2023/24. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class and special school places, consideration of improved data-sharing arrangements, consideration of school accommodation capacity and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, on 12 April, the Minister, Deputy Foley and I announced the establishment of two new special schools for the 2023/24 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.
Of these new classes, 69 are in Dublin, with 48 at primary level and 21 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Dublin to 534. There are currently 38 special schools in Dublin with a provisional enrolment of 2,482 children in September 2022.
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: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
As the Deputy's query refers to an individual placement case, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
The NCSE is committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for the coming school year 2023/24.
I want to reassure the Deputy 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.
207. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the measures being taken to address the issue regarding the recent Leaving Certificate maths exam paper 1, given that concerns have been expressed by teachers and students about the wording and structure of the Leaving Certificate maths exam paper, which has caused confusion and uncertainty among students who sat the exam, to ensure fairness for all affected students; how impacted students will be accommodated in terms of grading and assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28999/23]
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.
208. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the scheme for awarding incremental credit to secondary school teachers for relevant experience in a non-teaching role; if she can provide guidance on what constitutes relevant work; if she will list the type of work which could be considered relevant for a teacher of home economics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29003/23]
View answer209. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the scheme for awarding incremental credit to secondary school teachers for relevant experience in a non-teaching role; if she can confirm if work with children of secondary school age who have challenging behaviours and who are dealing with issues such as recovery from drug addiction and who have been mentored by the teacher seeking credit can be included in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29004/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit to post primary teachers are set out in my Department’s Circulars, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC). Circular 29/2007 is the relevant circular here.
Circular 29/2007 requires the teacher to demonstrate that their previous non-teaching service is relevant to their role as a teacher. Furthermore this circular requires my Department to be satisfied that this previous relevant non-teaching experience is directly relevant to the post to which the teacher is appointed. Therefore with regard to the specific examples to which the Deputy refers, my Department must ensure that there is direct relevance to the role of (i) a home economics teacher and (ii) a teacher who is teaching students with challenging behaviours.
Should this previous relevant non-teaching service have taken place before the teacher qualifies as a teacher, and is deemed to be relevant to teaching, this service may be considered for the award of incremental credit. If it can be established satisfactorily that some of the duties carried out have relevance to the subject area(s) in which a teacher is recognised, credit may be awarded on a pro-rata basis.
A teacher may appeal to the Post Primary Independent Incremental Credit Appeals Committee if their application for an award of incremental credit application with respect of previous non-teaching service is limited or refused. This independent Committee is comprised of an independent chairperson, a TUI representative, an ASTI representative, representative of school management and two officers of my Department.
210. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if her Department will examine and act upon the information outlined in correspondence from a person (details supplied), in relation to their experience regarding the nearest available school, to ensure that in this coming academic year, children are guaranteed the bus places they need on the basis of eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29007/23]
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.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 5,000 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine. The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9 million.
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 commenced in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
Phase 1 of the review 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 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 continued for the 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 9 June 2023.
Phase two of the review has progressed significantly and is being completed in tandem with phase three which is well underway.
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 km from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 km 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.
In addition, as mentioned above, temporary alleviation measures have been continued for the 2023/2024 school year, pending completion of the review.
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.
Bus Éireann has advised that this family are not eligible for transport as they are attending their third nearest Post Primary Centre and in the current school year 2022/23 the existing service is at present operating to capacity.
Bus Éireann has also advised that applications and payment has been received on time for these pupils for the 2023/24 school year and that tickets will be allocated subject to the usual terms and conditions of mainstream concessionary transport.
If families have applied to attend their nearest school in regards to ethos and language and have been advised by the school authorities that it is full, my Department will consider if students can be deemed eligible for transport to the next nearest school.
To establish that the nearest school is full parents must provide:
The steps taken to enrol their child in the nearest and next nearest schools
Evidence that an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the school and
A letter from the School Authorities confirming that the school was full at the time of enrolment.
Families can submit details to the School Transport Section in the Department of Education at school_transport@education.gov.ie. To date School Transport Section has not received the required documentation detailed above from this family. In cases where the families are attending their third or fourth nearest school, the above documentation will be required for each school in turn. Families who require information in relation to the schools nearer to them can contact the School Transport Section at the above email address.
211. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education her views with regard to the schedule of enrolment of pupils governing in the appointment and retention of mainstream class teachers in ordinary schools, Gaelscoileanna and Gaeltacht national schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29010/23]
View answerUnder the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools and supporting small schools and I am delighted that significant progress has been made.
In Budget 2023, I ensured major investment in our schools and I have succeeded in bringing the teacher allocation ratio to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools for the 2023/24 school year which is the lowest ever seen at primary level. This was my third successive Budget which saw an improvement in allocation of teachers to primary schools. Budget 2021 reduced the staffing schedule to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 25 pupils, while Budget 2022 reduced it further to 1 classroom teacher for every 24 pupils. 2021 saw the introduction of a three point reduction in the retention schedule, which assists schools which would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts.
This significantly increased investment reflects my commitment and that of Government to support the educational success of learners and to provide a quality inclusive school system with improved learning outcomes for all.
This builds on measures in previous budgets which has seen improvements in the overall allocation of teaching posts and specific targeted measures for small and isolated schools as well as primary schools on our islands.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board, including a specific measure aimed at small schools.
