Written Answers Nos. 276-297
276. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the Employment Regulation Order in relation to the minimum rate of pay for security workers and the High Court injunction currently taking place. [30590/23]
View answerOn 3 August 2022, the former Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail announced his intention to issue an Order to give effect to a statutory recommendation of the Labour Court concerning minimum rates of remuneration and other terms and conditions in the Security Sector. The Order was to apply from 29 August 2022.
On 24 August 2022 my Department was informed that High Court had granted an injunction prohibiting the commencement of the proposed Statutory Instrument giving effect to the new Employment Regulation Order for the Security Industry.
At this moment in time the Order cannot be proceeded with and the matter is before the courts.
277. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will amend the current Workplace Relations Act 2015 that changes the way cases under the Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 are heard and dealt with. [30593/23]
View answerThe WRC Act was amended by way of emergency legislation in 2021. The Act amended the WRC Act and associated provisions in other acts, including the Equal Status Acts, on matter relating to the administration of justice as highlighted by the Supreme Court in its Zalewski judgment. Please see Workplace Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 (Number 29 of 2021).
278. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he will honour the terms of the Employment Regulation Order for the security industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31145/23]
View answerOn 3 August 2022, the former Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail announced his intention to issue an Order to give effect to a statutory recommendation of the Labour Court concerning minimum rates of remuneration and other terms and conditions in the Security Sector. The Order was to apply from 29 August 2022.
On 24 August 2022 my Department was informed that High Court had granted an injunction prohibiting the commencement of the proposed Statutory Instrument giving effect to the new Employment Regulation Order for the Security Industry.
At this moment in time the Order cannot be proceeded with and the matter is before the courts.
279. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the industry sector as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions, if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of the Department Of The Environment, Climate And Communications in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31173/23]
View answerIn January of this year, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications established a Heat and Built Environment Taskforce to accelerate and drive delivery in relation to retrofitting, renewable heat, district heat and decarbonisation of the building stock. The overarching aim of the Taskforce is to identify work on the critical path to key targets under each area, ensure alignment in the development of policies and activities underway across Government departments, and proactively manage risks to ensure targets are achieved.
The Taskforce is chaired by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and its membership comprises senior officials from Government Departments and agencies with retrofitting, renewable heat, district heating networks, decarbonisation of heating and operational energy use optimisation in the building stock related actions under the Climate Action Plan. The Taskforce’s Terms of Reference and Minutes of its meetings and objectives are available on gov.ie
An Industrial Heat Decarbonisation Working Group under the Taskforce has been established to oversee and support the development of a Roadmap for the decarbonisation of industrial heat.
The link between fossil fuels and economic progress must be completely decoupled. Under the sectoral emission ceilings agreed in July 2022, the industry sector must reduce emissions by 35% by 2030 from the 2018 baseline. The majority of emissions from industry arise from the generation of heat in manufacturing processes. We must reduce the impact of this heat demand through greater energy efficiency, and by switching away from fossil fuels for generating that heat. Decarbonising our manufacturing sector alongside our energy sectors is key to Ireland’s future economy and competitiveness.
Under Climate Action Plan 2023, my Department is leading on the development of this roadmap to set out the key policy interventions required to progress the decarbonisation of our industrial heat. The roadmap will include a pathway to the electrification of low temperature heat, and the prioritisation of decarbonised gas for use in high temperature heating. The roadmap will develop actions for inclusion in the next Climate Action Plan and will address the three carbon budget periods up to 2035.
The Industrial Heat Decarbonisation Working Group has met twice to date, since its establishment in spring of this year and will meet more regularly over the coming months as it accelerates development of the Roadmap, to be delivered in Q4 of this year. The membership of the group has been agreed and is chaired by officials from my Department. Relevant officials from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications attend each meeting of the Working Group.
280. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the built environment sector as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of the Department Of The Environment, Climate And Communications in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31174/23]
View answer281. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the built environment sector as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of the Department Of The Environment, Climate And Communications in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31178/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 281 together.
In January of this year, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications established a Heat and Built Environment Taskforce to accelerate and drive delivery in relation to retrofitting, renewable heat, district heat and decarbonisation of the building stock. The overarching aim of the Taskforce is to identify work on the critical path to key targets under each area, ensure alignment in the development of policies and activities underway across Government Departments, and proactively manage risks to ensure targets are achieved.
The Taskforce is chaired by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, and its membership comprises senior officials from Government Departments and agencies with retrofitting, renewable heat, district heating networks, decarbonisation of heating and operational energy use optimisation in the building stock related actions under the Climate Action Plan. The Taskforce’s Terms of Reference and Minutes of its meetings and objectives are available on gov.ie
My Department is represented on the Taskforce by senior officials from the Enterprise Strategy, Competitiveness and Evaluation Division including officials from the Climate Acton and Energy Policy Unit. Since its first meeting in March the Taskforce has examined a wide range of issues including District Heating, Anaerobic Digestion/Biomethane, Social Housing and Domestic Retrofit, Public Sector, Commercial Buildings and Green Skills.
As set out in the Taskforce’s Terms of Reference there are a number of working groups established to deal with specific tasks under the remit of the Taskforce. Of the six Working Groups, I have a particular interest in the Industry Working Group and the Commercial Built Environment Roadmap Working Group given my responsibility for the sectoral emissions in these areas as per the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021.
The Climate Action Plan 2023 sets out our level ambition for decarbonising the commercial built environment. A detailed roadmap is being developed, led by my Department and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, which is also supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research and Science, the SEAI and other agencies. This Roadmap will set out the key existing and new policy interventions to achieve the objectives set out to reach the targeted level of abatement from our commercial buildings.
The Commercial Built Environment Roadmap Working Group have met on three occasions since March and has discussed the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD), the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), relevant data availability, the elements to be included in the roadmap, and their approach to engagement with stakeholders. There are now stakeholder engagements scheduled, with sectoral representative bodies for sectors identified as having a high carbon abatement potential, including those from tourism and hospitality, retail, office users and also include commercial landlords.
The Working Group is scheduled to complete its roadmap for the Commercial sector by Q3 this year.
282. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if the XEX status of guidance councillors will be restored in all secondary schools where their hours are based on the number of students in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31304/23]
View answer329. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will reduce the ratio of full-time guidance counsellors in order to increase the amount of guidance counsellors available to students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31305/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 329 together.
Guidance counselling in post primary schools is holistic and may include personal counselling, educational counselling, career counselling or combinations of these. It is a key part of the school guidance programme, offered on an individual or group basis as part of a developmental learning process and at moments of personal crisis. It assists students to develop self-management skills, which will lead to effective choices and decisions about their lives.
Whole school guidance is the current model of guidance provided in post-primary schools, where each school forms a team to collaboratively design and develop a whole-school Guidance plan as a means of supporting the needs of all students. Guidance counselling, provided by a qualified guidance counsellor, is one aspect of whole school guidance.
The 2012 budget measure reduced approximately 600 guidance posts from schools. This was an alternative measure that avoided a cut to mainstream subject posts at that time.
• Budget 2016 restored 300 posts
• Budget 2017 restored 100 posts
• Budget 2018 restored 100 posts
• The final 100 posts were a temporary measure in the COVID allocations in 2020/21 and 2021/22. These posts were restored on a permanent basis in 2022/23. Hence, all guidance posts have now been fully restored.
There are 928 guidance posts allocated to the post primary system for academic year 2023/24. The posts are allocated separately and transparently and outside of the quota on the schedule of posts. The annual Circular on staffing arrangements states clearly that these hours must be deployed to guidance activities including guidance counselling. The Circular also states that the autonomy rests with school management to run the school and deploy the guidance allocation appropriately in order to meet the guidance needs of students.
The Minister believes that the guidance has an important role to play in supporting students. In addition to full restoration of posts, steps taken to strengthen guidance provision include:
• Establishment of a Guidance unit within her Department to develop and co-ordinate guidance policy. Work to date includes leading the development of a draft Framework for Lifelong Guidance with a view to ensuring every person has access to high quality guidance within and beyond the education sector; developing guidance to support Guidance Counsellors in implementing their role and responsibilities; developing guidance to support Guidance provision at Junior Cycle level; reviewing provision of guidance in Special schools, working with other Departments and agencies and wider stakeholders to ensure effective guidance provision
• Establishment of a dedicated guidance advisor team as part of the Teacher Support Services to work directly with guidance counsellors in schools and support them in their work
Finally, in the context of their work in developing the Framework on Lifelong Guidance, the Minister has asked her officials to consider further steps to strengthen guidance provision, including reviewing the allocation model for guidance.
283. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that there is an anticipated shortage of school places in an area (details supplied); and if measures are being taken to provide additional temporary or permanent accommodation. [30492/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
The level of demand volume across school planning areas with an increasing net requirement ranges from small to medium increases that are likely to be accommodated by existing schools through to significant projected growth that may require additional provision. Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
My Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas (SPA's) including the school planning areas around North Cork. Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school there are not available to all pupils
• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies around the country to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
New schools are established by my Department on the basis of identified demographic demand in an area, and only after consideration of the capacity of existing schools to absorb the expected school place demand.
Additionally, the Department will continue to work to advance the planned and current projects in Mitchelstown and to ensure sufficient places for both mainstream provision and for pupils with special education requirements both for the coming academic year and into the future.
Currently there are three separate projects ongoing for Mitchelstown School Planning Area. Once completed, they will provide an additional 3,563 sqm of education space. The additionality this will provide is reflected in 72 additional mainstream places, 48 replacement mainstream places and 42 additional SEN places.
284. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that there is an anticipated shortage of school places in an area (details supplied); and if measures are being taken to provide additional temporary or permanent accommodation. [30493/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
The level of demand volume across school planning areas with an increasing net requirement ranges from small to medium increases that are likely to be accommodated by existing schools through to significant projected growth that may require additional provision. Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
My Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas (SPA's) including the school planning areas around North Cork. Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school there are not available to all pupils
• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies around the country to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
New schools are established by my Department on the basis of identified demographic demand in an area, and only after consideration of the capacity of existing schools to absorb the expected school place demand.
Additionally, the Department will continue to work to advance the planned and current projects in Fermoy and to ensure sufficient places for both mainstream provision and for pupils with special education requirements both for the coming academic year and into the future.
Currently, the ongoing projects in Fermoy School Panning area will provide in excess of an additional 7,500sqm, with additional mainstream classes (Primary) of 14, additional SEN classrooms (Primary) of 7. These projects also provide additional mainstream places (Post Primary) of 480; additional SEN places (Post Primary) of 18 and new 7 new SET rooms.
285. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update in relation to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30495/23]
View answerMy Department is currently planning to install modular accommodation for the school on the site to which the Deputy refers. There are also contingency measures being looked into as the interim accommodation will not be ready in time for the start of the upcoming academic year, due to time constraints. One contingency option is that the school may be split over two locations, which should be only for a short term solution and my Department will assist the school to make the necessary arrangements to facilitate parents only having to make one school drop off.
My Department is currently looking into all options and is continuing to liaise with the patron and school to keep them informed of all developments.
286. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education if she will urgently consider approving emergency works for a primary school (details supplied) in County Leitrim following recent damage caused by subsidence recently. [30499/23]
View answerThe Emergency Works applications to which the Deputy refers have been assessed by my Department and I wish to advise the Minister that approval for these works has been granted. An email has been sent to the school in this regard advising it of same.
287. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a copy of the final draft report of the school facilitator in the Raheny Diversity Pilot initiative to parents of children in Raheny who have requested one, noting that one has already been provided to the Catholic archbishop as patron. [30506/23]
View answerIn respect of the pilot area to which the Deputy refers, the facilitator prepared a preliminary report with a recommendation, based on engagement with stakeholders, including school staff and parents on whether there is sufficient demand for transfer of patronage and change of ethos or whether the school community wishes to remain under the patronage of the Catholic Church, and submitted this to the patron.
This preliminary report to the patron was circulated to the school community, including staff and parents, and a dedicated e-mail address was provided so that the school community could provide any feedback/views. As part of the process, my Department collated this and provided it to the relevant facilitator, who reflected this, as appropriate, in the facilitator’s final report to the patron.
The facilitator’s final report was submitted to the patron who reflected on the level of demand as indicated in the report. The patron then communicated with the schools on whether there was sufficient demand for transfer of patronage and change of ethos or whether the school would remain under Catholic patronage. In this instance the facilitators recommendation in their final report remained unchanged, there is a majority interest in Raheny for the three schools to remain under the Catholic patronage.
In relation to the pilot reconfiguration process in general, the engagement at local level across the seven pilot areas was largely concluded at the end of Q1 2023 and the process has been very helpful in clarifying the level of demand for reconfiguration.
As this was a pilot process it was always intended to review its operation and examine the learnings. The review, by my Department, of the process in these pilot areas and the engagement with the school communities is underway. The review is considering the learnings going forward, including the aspects that worked well, the elements that can be improved upon and the pathway on the process for providing multi-denominational options for parents in other towns and areas of the country going forward.
It is the intention of my Department to publish the final facilitator reports for the schools engaged with as part of this pilot in due course.
288. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education what plans there are to maintain staffing levels in a school (details supplied) to ensure there will continue to be a teacher per class in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30508/23]
View answerThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board.
The appeal submitted by the school referred to by the Deputy has been deemed ineligible by the Appeals Board, as the grounds of the appeal did not meet the appeal criteria published in Circular 0006/2023. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
289. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education what arrangements are in place to provide maternity leave for primary school teachers whose children have been born through surrogacy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30511/23]
View answerLeave entitlements for public servants, including teachers, are determined by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. Under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998, the Minister for Education, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, is authorised to determine the terms and conditions of employment for teachers employed in approved teaching posts funded by monies provided by the Oireachtas.
Currently, as there is no legislative entitlement to surrogacy leave in Ireland, there is no overarching civil service or public sector policy pertaining to leave entitlements for surrogate parents.
The recognition of surrogacy is a matter for Government as a whole, and is not within the remit of my Department.
290. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the approval for a new school extension project (details supplied) as of June 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30517/23]
View answerI am pleased to inform the deputy that the school in question was approved funding under the Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for the provision of a four classroom Special Education Needs unit as an extension to the existing school building, secure hard & soft play areas, a sensory garden and associated works to the school car park.
As the Deputy is aware, this project is devolved to Louth & Meath Education Training Board for delivery on behalf of the school authority. A Stage 2B detailed architectural design report was submitted on behalf of the school authority and this is currently being reviewed by the Department's professional and technical team. This review is nearing completion following which my Department will engage directly with the delivery body in order to provide as much practical support and advice on how best to proceed with this important project for the school and wider community.
291. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the review of the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30530/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
There has been an increase of 21% in tickets issued to eligible students and an increase of 38% in tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.
In addition, school transport scheme services have been provided in the 2022/2023 school year for over 5,400 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 at an advanced stage. 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 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 2022/2023 school year, and will again continue in the 2023/2024 school year pending completion of the review.
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.
Pending completion of the School Transport review, there will be no removal or downsizing of buses/routes for the 2023/2024 school year.
292. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education what the current Department of Education policy is regarding the care of old school roll books; if there are plans to digitise old school roll books and make them available to the public online; if her Department is satisfied with the current storage of the books in each individual school; whether there are any plans to transfer custody of the books to the county libraries or national archives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30540/23]
View answerThe Department of Education does not hold individual pupil attendance records at Primary or Post Primary School Level. Pupil attendance records are the responsibility of the individual school(s).
All school records and data must be maintained and processed in compliance with the GDPR and the Data Protection Acts. The responsibility for compliance with the legislation rests with each school in their role as data controller. It is a matter for the Board of Management, who are responsible for the day-to-day running of the school under the Education Act, to arrange the appropriate retention and storage of school records.
With regards to older school roll books/registers or instances where a school is now closed, records are often held by the Chairperson of the Board of Management or the headquarters of the relevant religious order.
The records are not “Departmental records” as defined by the National Archives Act 1986 and so are not subject to national archives legislation. I understand that if approached by a primary school offering its records for deposit, the National Archives directs them to local authority archives services or the local studies section/department of the relevant County Library, many of whom have been acquiring national school records (including roll books) for a number of years.
293. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 515 of 13 June 2023, if an adequate response will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30541/23]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of Special needs Organisers (SENOs), for fulfilling the functions of the Council within a designated area in relation to the identification of and delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with disabilities.
The Council employs SENOs to provide a nationwide system of local services. Locally based SENOs consult widely with parents/guardians, teachers, health care professionals, school authorities, HSE and other relevant government agencies.
SENOs are assigned by region, rather than on a county basis. Co. Kildare falls under South East Team 2, which currently comprises of 3.5 SENOs, team manager and regional manager. This team covers the areas of Kildare, Wicklow & Part of Wexford and previously consisted of 6 SENOs. Based on this current allocation of SENOs, there are currently 2.5 vacancies in this South East Team, which covers County Kildare.
I understand that a recent SENO recruitment competition has led to the NCSE extending offers of employment to successful candidates. Consequently, 3 newly appointed SENOs are expected to commence on this team in early July, with a further 2 SENOs commencing in late July. Therefore it is intended that in August 2023, a total of 8.5 SENOs, team manager and regional manager will be engaged in the provision of services in the South East Team 2 region.
Where a SENO vacancy arises, a SENO point of contact is assigned to the area to assist schools, parents and local services until the position is filed. Essential services are maintained through cover provided from available staff resources. If parents are unsure of the SENO for their area, they can contact the team manager for the region, who will be able to inform them of the SENO’s details providing interim cover. A list showing the Regional Manager, Team Manager, and SENO contact details can be found on the regional contact list on the NCSE website.
It is a priority that the NCSE is properly resourced to have a visible and effective presence in our schools and to guide and support our parents and children on their educational journey. The €13 million investment announced in budget 2023 will see an increase of over 50% in overall staffing levels in the NCSE, with an up to 60% increase in the case of 73 current SENOs. This funding will that ensure the NCSE can continue to deliver real and meaningful supports for children, families and schools. The NCSE is currently engaged with the planning process in respect of the expanded headcount and service delivery on foot of Budget 2023 announcement. This process will establish the priorities, work program, the staffing levels required and critical path activities to be undertaken in parallel by NCSE and the Department, to give effect to the recent budgetary announcement whilst also ensuring current service delivery is maintained.
294. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the status of a building project at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30542/23]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers to was approved funding under the Additional Accommodation Scheme (ASA) in order to provide three Special Education Teaching rooms. The project is devolved for delivery to the school authority who appointed a Design Team to manage the project.
A Tender Report was received by my Department in December 2022 and upon review the Department agreed with the school’s Design Team’s recommendation to have the project retendered.
A new Tender Report was completed and recently submitted to my Department. This submission was reviewed by officials and additional information and clarification was requested in order to progress the project. Once this information is provided, the project will be assessed in full and a response issued to the school.
295. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Education the reason the ICT grant to primary schools for the current academic year has been withdrawn; her plans to restore this vital grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30584/23]
View answerUnder the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 overall investment of €210m 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 €200m to support schools over the period committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m 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 years.
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.
296. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education if her Department has provided any policies or circulars to schools on recycling furniture they no longer want; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30623/23]
View answerI would like to inform the Deputy that the Furniture & Equipment Scheme is a devolved scheme and as such the responsibility for purchasing and disposing of furniture would lie with the relevant school authority in the first instance. My Department keeps the performance of schemes such as the Furniture & Equipment Scheme, including the need for updated policies and circulars, under review.
297. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education what steps will be taken to allay parent concerns regarding a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30749/23]
View answerThe Board of Management of a school is the employer of teachers and other staff of the school as set out in Section 24 of the Education Act, 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act, 2012). The Department of Education is not the employer of teachers. The Department acts as Paymaster on behalf of a school’s Boards of Management who employ teachers and pays teachers upon instruction from Boards of Management.
Circular Letter 0054/2019 deals with leave schemes for registered teachers employed in recognised primary and post primary schools. The terms of the circular require each school to develop and maintain a policy on teacher absences, including non-statutory schemes e.g. job sharing, career breaks, unpaid leave, specific to the needs of the school authority. In drawing up this policy, the welfare and educational needs of the pupils must take precedence over all other considerations and must be in accordance with the rules of this Circular.
This policy shall have due regard to the capacity of the school to meet its obligations to its pupils and may therefore apply a limit to the number of teaching staff that may avail of non-statutory leave schemes at any one time. Employers must consider applications in the context of other statutory and non-statutory leave and must also take into account the availability of an appropriately qualified replacement teacher.
