Written Answers Nos. 111-130
111. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the proposal to create a DEIS plus band for schools with high levels of support needs to assist with disadvantage; and if she will consider creating a DEIS plus model to provide additional supports to pupils who need it. [31596/23]
View answerMy Department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential. Supplementing these universal supports, the DEIS programme provides a targeted and equitable way to address concentrated educational disadvantage that promotes equity and has benefits for students.
My Department now spends approximately €180million annually providing additional supports to 1,200 schools in the DEIS programme. This includes an additional €32m allocated following my announcement to extend the programme to an additional 322 schools from last September. This now means that approximately 240,000 students or 1 in 4 of all students are now supported in the programme.
Within the DEIS programme, the highest levels of resources are targeted at those primary schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage. Schools in this category are accorded DEIS Urban Band 1 status. There are currently 306 primary schools in DEIS Urban Band 1, including 79 primary schools who were included in the band for the first time last September as part of the extension of the programme. Schools in this band receive a more beneficial staffing schedule, home school community liaison support as well as access to the school completion and school meals programmes. Schools in DEIS Urban Band 1 also receive a DEIS grant that reflects the schools’ high levels of educational disadvantage and priority access to the support of the National Educational Psychologists Service (NEPS).
My Department is continuing to undertake work towards achieving its vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. It also recognises that we need to target resources to those schools who need them most. That is why my Department has undertaken a programme of work to explore the allocation of resources to schools to address educational disadvantage. To support this work my Department have invited the OECD Strength Through Diversity: Education for Inclusive Societies Project to review the current policy approach for the allocation of resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage in Ireland. This review will provide an independent expert opinion on the current resource allocation model for the DEIS programme and, drawing on international examples, inform a policy approach for an equitable distribution of supplementary resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage attending all schools, both DEIS and non-DEIS.
The OECD review will be complimented by a programme of work by my Department which will look at reviewing individual resources and allocation approaches. This work will consider the allocation of resources within the DEIS programme. It will also seek to ensure that schools are supported to ensure every child has an equal opportunity to achieve their potential.
I am aware of the proposal referred to by the Deputy. In the context of the ongoing work in my Department in relation to resource allocation to address educational disadvantage, officials from my Department met with a number of the principals involved in the proposal last week. The officials noted the barriers many children in their schools face, preventing them achieving their potential in education. My officials noted the efforts and initiatives the schools have put in place to support those most vulnerable children in their schools in order to provide them with an equal opportunity to learn. The information provided from that meeting, together with consultations with other stakeholders, will inform my Department’s work in this area as it continues to develop.
112. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education the estimated number of children and families that will benefit from the free schoolbooks scheme in primary schools in counties Cork and Kerry for 2023-2024, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31438/23]
View answerI recently announced details of Ireland’s first national primary school book scheme, which will provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks, in recognised primary schools and special schools.
It ensures equity of opportunity in education, where all pupils are supported to fulfil their potential and reflects the importance this Government places on education. The scheme will benefit over 558,000 children and young people, across every county in Ireland including some 63,130 children in Co Cork and 16,224 children in Co Kerry. My Department does not hold data on the number of families of pupils in primary schools.
The total investment, of over €50 million, significantly increases the funding for school books currently provided to all recognised primary schools in the country. The implementation of the measure will build on the experience of the existing school book rental scheme which is available in the majority of recognised primary schools and on the free school books pilot provided to over 100 primary DEIS schools in recent years.
Schools have received €96 per pupil and the funding, based on pupil enrolment figures, was paid in April.
This ground-breaking, permanent measure will ease some of the financial burden facing families with the back-to- school costs.
113. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education her plans to resolve teacher shortages in the coming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31654/23]
View answerThe recruitment of teachers is a priority area of action for the Department given the importance of ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have available to them qualified, engaged, and supportive teachers to support them in their learning.
The Department is undertaking a comprehensive programme to support the supply of teachers, including:
• Primary substitute teacher supply panels will continue to operate in 2023/24. The arrangements for their operation are being finalised.
• Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) who qualify outside Ireland and apply before 1 February 2024 will continue to be able to complete induction (Droichead) in Ireland. This measure seeks to enhance the supply of NQTs available to schools and is particularly relevant for Irish teachers who have studied and qualified abroad and who may wish to return to the Irish education sector.
• 3rd year undergraduate teachers will be eligible to apply for registration with the Teaching Council under registration Route 5 (Student Teachers). More than 2,700 student teachers registered under Route 5 last year. This initiative supports the employment of student teachers to cover substitutable vacancies.
• A waiver of abatement for retired teachers returning to teach for up to 50 days in each of the three calendar years, 2021 to 2023 inclusive has been agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. A communications campaign has also been launched to encourage retired teachers to take up short-term substitute positions.
• Following on from the Department’s Action Plan on Teacher Supply, the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) has developed a portal for the recruitment of teachers to long-term teaching positions. The portal will facilitate the matching of demand and supply and provide an efficient and user-friendly recruitment process for both schools and teachers, including teachers working abroad who wish to apply for posts here. I am pleased to note that the portal was launched on 26 June and has begun advertising posts.
In addition to the above, a number of new measures have recently been put in place:
• The implementation of a pilot of the teacher sharing scheme in a small number of post primary schools. The pilot teacher sharing scheme will facilitate two schools to collaborate to provide high priority subjects, and to enhance the teaching hours available for those teachers employed on less than full hours.
• Publication of a request for tender for a programme to increase the number of teachers registered to teach Irish in post primary schools, to commence in 2024.
• Additional supports for post primary schools to recruit teachers through Turas Abhaile. Turas Abhaile is an initiative of the post-primary school management bodies and National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) which has assisted teachers based abroad to return teach in Ireland since September 2019. The Department recently approved the provision of additional funding to the ACCS that will allow Turas Abhaile to expand their services to include targeted recruitment and marketing campaigns, and the provision of direct support to post-primary schools that experience recruitment challenges.
Measures targeted at supporting the long-term supply needs of the system are also already in place, including:
• At primary level, I approved 610 additional places on ITE programmes over the next two academic years (2023/24 and 2024/25).
• At post-primary level, the Department has increased the number of places on teacher upskilling programmes in mathematics, Spanish and physics. The programmes are delivered outside of class time and are offered at no cost to the teacher. Approximately 170 places were provided in the first intake across the three programmes with an increase in places to over 300 in 2023. The Department is also considering additional upskilling programmes in other priority subject areas.
• The Teaching Transforms campaign continues to promote the teaching profession and encourage students to follow a career in teaching. The campaign uses digital, radio and video media, and is supported by a dedicated webpage, www.gov.ie/teachingtransforms. It should be noted that at this point CAO first preference choices for post-primary teaching have increased this year by 11%.
The Department is also considering a range of additional measures for 2023/24, including the continuation of the teaching hours’ extension scheme in post primary schools and measures to enable those teachers who are job-sharing or on career break to undertake substitute work.
The Department meets on a regular basis with the school management bodies and the teacher unions on this very important issue and we will continue to work intensively with all stakeholders to develop and implement creative solutions to address the teacher supply challenges facing schools.
114. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education how much funding has been provided to Cork schools by her Department under the emergency works scheme and the additional accommodation scheme for the period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31606/23]
View answerThis information needs to be extracted from the financial management system within My Department and my officials will forward this information directly to the Deputy once this has been completed.
115. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that all students who need it will have access to school transport in September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31655/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/23 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 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 were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
New school transport routes are established on a demand-led basis, subject to eligibility requirements. A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
The closing date for new applications for the 2023/2024 school year was Friday 28th April 2023. The closing date for payment/entering medical details for tickets for the 2023/2024 school year was Friday 9th June 2023.
Bus Éireann are now reviewing all school transport services over the summer months. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.
Pending completion of the School Transport review, there will be no removal or downsizing of buses/routes for the 2023/2024 school year.
116. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education for a list of primary and post-primary schools that have been issued with funds by her Department to buy, or that have been issued with air purifiers and HEPA filters for their classrooms; and a list of schools that have not been issued with same. [31157/23]
View answerMy Department’s Guidance in relation to managing in a Covid environment set out the practical steps for improving ventilation and where poor ventilation continued to exist in a particular room/area, air cleaners may be considered as an additional measure in conjunction with other methods of ventilation that are available. This was in line with the Expert Group guidance which identified that in areas with poor ventilation that structural interventions and measures to increase natural ventilation should be completed. Where such structural interventions or measures were not possible in the short term, that consideration should be given to using stand-alone HEPA filter devices in poorly ventilated spaces pending the completion of structural interventions.
My Department provided additional support in the context of Covid-19 through the provision of CO2 monitors and payment of enhanced minor works grants to schools in the free scheme, circa €100 million in 2020 and €32 million in 2021. This funding enabled schools to address both their reconfiguration requirements and also to address small-scale ventilation improvements at school level. Primary schools also received standard Minor Works Grant totalling €90 million during this period.
As there is no one solution that fits all scenarios, each school required bespoke analysis and an appropriate ventilation solution matched to the specific room size and volume. Given that each school setting is different, individual schools were best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular needs in line with the Department’s Guidance. In this context the requirements for each school were determined locally by schools and my Department does not therefore hold this type of information centrally.
Schools that identified inadequate ventilation in a room can utilise their minor works grant (for minor improvements) or apply for emergency works grant assistance to address ventilation enhancements on a permanent basis. If a school feels that its individual space may require specific technical specialist advice then the assistance of a Chartered Engineer or Registered Architect can be sought. In the case where a school has difficulty engaging a Chartered Engineer or Registered Architect my Department can assist, with a dedicated ventilation team available to support school principals in this regard.
As of the end of May 2023, 38 schools have applied for additional funding under the emergency works scheme to assist with ventilation. Of these, 32 have been approved, 2 were incorrectly classified as ventilation-related and assessed separately, 2 were rejected, 1 is under assessment and 1 is awaiting the school to revert with further information. None of these applications were for the funding of HEPA filters and contact was made with each of the schools who had applications rejected to advise them how best to proceed.
117. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the capital funding plans for the expansion of a school (details supplied) to accommodate growing numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31162/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy, that my Department has no current record of receiving an application for additional accommodation from the school in question.
My Department's capital investment programme provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for existing schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified. All school capital projects that have been approved, by my Department, under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA), may be viewed on my Department’s website, www.gov.ie, which is updated regularly.
The purpose of my Department’s ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.
It is open to the school in question to submit an application for the ASA scheme. This application will be assessed by my officials and the school authorities will be contacted directly with a decision.
118. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will provide additional supports for parents who must purchase devices such as a tablets and so on, for the new school year; if her Department has plans to purchase centrally such devises on behalf of schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31599/23]
View answerDecisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is a matter for the Board of Management of each school. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents when planning for the introduction of digital technologies including devices with cost and other implications being fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a decision is made.
Schools, in conjunction with parents, are responsible for decisions on the use of digital technology, including tablet devices, laptops, and learning platforms, and how best to manage their integration into classroom practice reflective of their own context and requirements.
The Professional Development Service for Teachers Technology in Education (PDST-TIE) offers advice and supports to schools on digital learning. Advice sheets are available on digital technology in education, including on the adoption of laptops and tablets in schools.
The Digital Strategy for Schools 2027, which builds on the progress made under the previous Digital Strategy, will be underpinned by an investment of some €200m included in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 providing continuity of funding following the €210m that issued to schools to support the previous strategy. The first tranche of the successor Digital Strategy ICT grant funding issued to schools in December 2021. This funding issued directly to schools as schools are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort and to meet those requirements in the most appropriate way. This can include the purchase of ICT devices such as tablets, hybrid devices, or laptops.
In addition, the Department as part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) under Next Generation EU funding facility, issued a once-off grant of €50 million in December 2021 to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme in order to support those learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide,
On the 26th April I announced a free schoolbooks scheme for primary schools, totalling over €53 million. This significantly increases the funding for school books currently provided to all recognised primary schools in the country, and will eliminate the cost to all families for schoolbooks at primary school, including workbooks and copybooks.. In addition, my Department currently provides a book grant of over €10.2 million to all recognised post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books, including book rental schemes (which can include ebooks), and all schools are encouraged to operate book rental schemes to help alleviate costs to parents.
My Department has established Single Provider Frameworks for the purchase of laptops and desktop PCs, to enable schools to easily access such infrastructure with transparent costing. Schools can also access procurement mechanisms for Apple devices established by HEAnet Ireland's National Education and Research Network. The Schools Procurement Unit (SPU) established by my Department is the central support resource for providing guidance to all primary and post-primary schools (except ETB schools) on any procurement-related issue. The SPU delivers free advice and practical support to schools to help them achieve improvements in their procurement processes, practices and outcomes.
119. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education the number of appeals made under section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to the Secretary General of her Department in 2021 and 2022, respectively and to date in 2023; the number of these appeals in each category; the number of cases each year to which an appeals committee was appointed; the further number of these appeals where a hearing was conducted; the final number of these appeals that were upheld; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31510/23]
View answerSection 29 of the Education Act 1998 as inserted by section 7 of the Education (Admissions to schools) Act 2018 provides for an appeal, where a board of management, or a person acting on behalf of the board of management (normally the school principal) refuses to admit a student to a school, suspends a student for not less than 20 days or permanently excludes a student.
Section 29 D of this legislation provides for an oral hearing to be provided in circumstances where the appeal taken relates to a suspension of not less than 20 days, a permanent exclusion and a refusal to enroll decision that is for reasons other than oversubscription.
Section 29 E of the legislation provides that any appeal taken in respect of refused enrolment due to oversubscription, will be considered without an oral hearing.
Each appeal type, both oral and paper based is considered and determined by a three person appeal committee, appointed by me, as Minister, in accordance with section 29 A(1) of the Act.
Within each appeal type these is a provision for the hearing committee to allow or disallow or refuse to hear or determine the appeal before them. Section 29D, E and F outline the considerations that the appeals committee must make in determining each appeal. An appeal committee of three persons is appointed to consider each appeal.
The attached table provides details of appeals taken since 12th November 2020, the date section 7 of the Education (Admissions to schools) Act 2018 was commenced.
|
YEAR |
Appeal Category |
Received |
Appeals that went to hearing |
Appeals that were allowed |
Disallowed |
Withdrawn |
Refused to hear/determine |
|
2021 (12/11/20 to Aug 2021 |
Paper based |
304 |
247 |
11 |
148 |
57 |
88 |
|
Oral appeals |
79 |
59 |
15 |
34 |
20 |
10 |
|
|
Total |
383 |
306 |
26 |
182 |
77 |
98 |
|
|
2022: September 21 to August 2022 |
Paper based |
266 |
225 |
4 |
159 |
41 |
62 |
|
Oral appeals |
75 |
63 |
20 |
39 |
12 |
4 |
|
|
Total |
341 |
288 |
24 |
198 |
53 |
66 |
|
|
2023: September 2022 to March 2023 |
Paper based |
184 |
156 |
7 |
94 |
28 |
55 |
|
Oral appeals |
37 |
33 |
9 |
21 |
4 |
3 |
|
|
Total |
221 |
189 |
16 |
115 |
32 |
58 |
120. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 137 of 25 January 2023, if the ongoing school transport review will facilitate children in September 2023 who cannot gain access to their nearest school due to a shortage of school places and would then not qualify for school transport as they would not be attending their nearest school or second nearest school; if she will give specific consideration to an area in County Cork (details supplied) which experiences this issue every year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30828/23]
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 were provided 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 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 have been continued for the current 2022/2023 school year, and will again continue in the 2023/2024 school year pending completion of the review.
These measures mean that transport will be provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and, who applied for school transport by the 28th April 2023 and pay for a ticket/enter medical card details by the 9th June 2023.
It is planned the review will be completed shortly at which point decisions on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme will be taken.
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 complete the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
In addition, as mentioned above, temporary alleviation measures will be 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.
In relation to the specific issues raised by the Deputy it is understood that the pupils in the area referred are attending their third or fourth closest school and therefore are not eligible for transport under the terms of the School Transport Scheme.
However, 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, the Department of Education will consider if students can be deemed eligible for transport to the next nearest school. These families can submit details to the School Transport Section in the Department of Education where their request can be assessed.
121. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to ensure that teachers in Dublin can afford accommodation near their jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31653/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to the delivery of quality public services and will continue to approach public service pay in a balanced way that is reasonable and fair to both public servants and to the taxpayer. However, the Government acknowledges that the housing issue and the current price pressures in society present particular challenges and are a source of concern for all public service workers, including staff in the education sector.
Housing remains a priority matter for Government, led by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Housing for All strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to step up housing supply and put affordability at the heart of the housing system.
The Government has provided for further pay increases for public sector staff to October 2023 (totalling 8.5% to 9.5% increases over the entire agreement) including for over 100,000 staff in the school sector as well as retired staff.
In terms of teacher pay, by October, a teacher on point 1 of the scale will earn over €41,000 each year, an increase of more than €10,000 since 2012. A teacher on point 14 of the scale will earn at least €62,430, and those on the top point will earn at least €77,000.
In addition, as part of the agreement, there is a specific provision in relation to new entrant teacher pay that allows for the skipping of an incremental point. Taken with earlier similar measures, new entrant teachers will move up the salary scale more quickly.
Building Momentum also provided for a sectoral bargaining process to deal with outstanding claims. The teacher unions have decided to use this fund to settle certain claims including the restoration of a Professional Master of Education allowance for post primary new entrant teachers and increases in principal allowances in the primary sector.
Taken together these measures have provided for significant improvements in the pay of teachers in the last 2 years.
122. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education the steps she will take to meet the identified need for a secondary school in Dublin 8; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31592/23]
View answerIn order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections 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.
While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures 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 they 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.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
The most recent projections for Dublin_8 School Planning Area indicate a slight increase in requirements at post primary level up to 2031 followed by a projected reduction in enrolments thereafter.
A new co-educational, multi-denominational school under the patronage of Educate Together was established to serve the Dublin 8 school planning area, along with Dublin 2, Dublin 4, Dublin 6, Clonskeagh school planning areas as a regional solution. In 2020 the school opened in interim accommodation and the major project, which will provide for a 1,000 pupil school when complete, is currently at stage 3. This new school will reduce pressure on schools in the Dublin 8 school planning area.
The Department will continue to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of their County Development Plans and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas including in Dublin_8.
123. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education the plans that are in place to ensure the maximum number of second-level students who apply for places under the school transport scheme for the 2023-2024 academic year will get them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31591/23]
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.
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 will be 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.
In addition, pending completion of the review of the School Transport Scheme, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2023/2024 school year. Under these measures, transport will provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by the 28th of April and paid/entered medical card details by the 9th June 2023.
Officials in my Department meet with Bus Éireann on a regular basis to discuss school transport matters. In order to plan for services for the 2023/2024 school year, officials in my Department and Bus Éireann began the planning process in late 2022, and held numerous meetings to discuss the upcoming school transport requirements. They will continue to engage throughout the summer months.
For the first time, the payment closing dates were brought forward to allow more time for Bus Éireann to source capacity for the upcoming school year.
The Bus Éireann family portal has closed for all applications and payments and will reopen on 30 June 2023. This closure is necessary to allow Bus Éireann to process applications, arrange transport, assess all applications and determine whether they are eligible or concessionary and cater for Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMS) as soon as possible for the 2023/24 school year.
Any application made after 28 April 2023, or any payment/medical card details submitted after 9 June 2023 are late applications. Where a late application is made, a ticket is not guaranteed.
Bus Éireann plans to issue tickets to eligible students who have applied and paid/entered medical card details on time in July. After this allocation is complete, where seats are available, concessionary tickets will be issued.
Pending completion of the School Transport review, there will be no removal or downsizing of buses/routes for the 2023/2024 school year.
124. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education the estimated number of children and families that will benefit from the free schoolbooks scheme in primary schools in counties Limerick, Clare and Tipperary, respectively for 2023-2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31436/23]
View answerI recently announced details of Ireland’s first national primary free school book scheme, which will provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks, in recognised primary schools and special schools.
It ensures equity of opportunity in education, where all pupils are supported to fulfil their potential and reflects the importance this Government places on education. The scheme will benefit over 558,000 children and young people, across every county in Ireland, including some 23,074 children in Co Limerick, 13,586 children in Co Clare and 18,594 children in Co Tipperary. My Department does not hold data on the number of families of pupils in primary schools.
The total investment, of over €50 million, significantly increases the funding for school books currently provided to all recognised primary schools in the country. The implementation of the measure will build on the experience of the existing school book rental scheme which is available in the majority of recognised primary schools and on the free school books pilot provided to over 100 primary DEIS schools in recent years.
Schools have received €96 per pupil and the funding, based on pupil enrolment figures, was paid in April.
This ground-breaking, permanent measure will ease some of the financial burden facing families with the back-to-school costs.
125. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cad é líon na n-aonad Gaeilge in iar-bhunscoileanna an Stáit; an bhfuil aon scrúdú déanta ar éifeacht na n-aonad ó thaobh oideachais trí Ghaeilge de le hais Gaelcholáistí; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [30559/23]
View answerLéirítear ar chóras P-POD (Post-Primary Online Database) mo Roinne go bhfuil 25 iar-bhunscoil tar éis féin-tuairisciú go bhfuil roinnt ábhar á múineadh acu trí mheán na Gaeilge do roinnt dá scoláirí nó dá scoláirí ar fad.
Tugann an Chigireacht i mo Roinnse faoi chuairteanna cigireachta ar scoileanna le hAonaid agus ar Ghaelcholáistí mar ghnáthchuid de chlár na cigireachta.
Tá obair ar bun i mo Roinnse chun polasaí nua a fhorbairt don oideachas lán-Ghaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht. Ceann de spriocanna na forbartha polasaí sin ná polasaí a fhorbairt ar bhunú agus ar inbhuanaitheacht Aonaid/Sruthanna chun an soláthar oideachais trí mheán na Gaeilge a neartú.
Tá taighde coimisiúnaithe ag an gComhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) chun anailís a dhéanamh ar an soláthar reatha in Aonaid agus i Sruthanna. Cuirfidh an taighde seo eolas luachmhar ar fáil chun bonn eolais a chur faoi fhorbairt pholasaí don oideachas lán-Ghaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht. Beidh an taighde seo curtha i gcrích níos déanaí i mbliana.
***********************
My Department’s P-POD system (Post-Primary Online Database) shows that 25 post-primary schools have recorded themselves as teaching some subjects through the medium of Irish to some or all of their students.
The Inspectorate in my Department carry out inspections on schools with Units (Aonaid) and on Gaelcholáistí as part of the normal inspection programme.
Work is underway in my Department on the development of a new policy for Irish-medium education outside of the Gaeltacht. One of the objectives of the policy development process is to develop a policy on the establishment and sustainability of Units/Streams (Aonaid/Sruthanna) to strengthen Irish-medium education provision.
Research has been commissioned by An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) to analyse existing provision in Units (Aonaid) and in Streams (Sruthanna). This research will provide valuable information to inform the development of policy on Irish-medium education. This research is due to be completed later this year.
126. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education the dates when a review of the operation of sections 28 and 29 of the Education Act 1998 have been conducted as mandated under the Act; the person or persons who carried out any such review in each case; the outcome of these reviews; her plans, if any, to have further reviews carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31506/23]
View answerSection 29 of the Education Act 1998 was revised in November 2020 by the insertion of section 7 of the Education[ Admissions to Schools ] Act of 2018. There is no mandatory requirement to review this amended section of the Education Act.
Section 28 of the Education Act of 1998 relates to a grievance procedures to be put in place following consultation with the patrons of recognised schools, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations and recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers.
The Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill which was initiated in the Seanad in October 2019 and completed the second stage in the Dáil on 8th July 2021 is currently awaiting an order for progression to Committee Stage.
My Department is continuing to engage with key stakeholders and the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on the Bill. Once enacted, consultation will commence in relation to the drafting of the Charter guidelines, which include grievance procedures under Section 28 of the Education Act.
127. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education for an update on the school reconfiguration pilot programme. [31570/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to “achieve the target of at least 400 multi-denominational primary schools by 2030, to improve parental choice”.
In recent years there has been considerable progress towards increasing the numbers of multi-denominational primary schools.
In 2022, there were 166 primary schools with a multi-denominational or inter-denominational ethos.
For historical reasons, most primary schools are State-aided parish schools, with the local Bishop as patron, although this pattern is changing. It is recognised, including by the Catholic patrons, that more diverse provision is required to cater for our changing society.
The Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity process, supporting transfers of schools to multi-denominational patrons in response to the wishes of local communities, has been developed in order to accelerate the delivery of multi-denominational schools. When a school transfers from the patronage of one patron to another, the school remains open with the same roll number and operating from the same school property. All State-funded primary schools follow a common national curriculum and are subject to the same rules and regulations.
In March 2022 I announced that arrangements were being put in place in a number of towns and areas of cities that had no multi-denominational primary schools to identify potential schools and to engage with school authorities, school staff and the school communities with a view to agreeing on a transfer of patronage and change of ethos, where there was sufficient demand for this.
The engagement at local level across the seven pilot areas was largely concluded at the end of Q1 2023.
Two schools, Cornamaddy National School in Athlone and St. Enda’s Primary School in Whitefriar Street, Dublin 8, are transferring from Catholic patronage to the local Education and Training Board, becoming multi-denominational community national schools. My Department is hopeful that there will be a number of other transfers of patronage and change of ethos to multi-denominational in the short term.
As this was a pilot process it was always intended to review its operation and examine any lessons. My Department is continuing a review of the process over the course of the summer and following consultation with relevant stakeholders, this will be finalised and published in the autumn. It is envisaged that it will include a strategy and framework for delivering on the Government commitment for increasing multi-denominational provision.
The review is looking at the engagement with the school communities as well as taking on board the views of the facilitators and the feedback from parents and staff of schools involved in the pilot. My Department is engaging with representatives of the Catholic patrons and representatives of the main multi-denominational patron bodies, as part of this work.
The review is considering any lessons, including the aspects that worked well, the elements that can be improved upon and the process for providing multi-denominational options for parents in other towns and areas of the country going forward.
My goal remains to establish a strong process, that has the support of patrons and local communities, and which will enable us to continue to increase the number of multi-denominational primary schools across the country.
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.
128. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cén uair a bheidh múinteoirí in ann clárú i nGaeilge leis an gComhairle Mhúinteoireachta ar líne sa bhealach céanna ar féidir é a dhéanamh i mBéarla, agus cén fáth nach raibh sé in ann é seo a dhéanamh ó thús agus cad é an mhoill le rogha Ghaeilge a bheith ar fáil dóibh súid atá ag clárú nó ag athchlárú ós rud é go bhfuil sé riachtanach orthu chun dul ag múineadh sa Stáit. [26650/23]
View answerTá Chomhairle na Mhúinteoireachta tar éis comhairle a thabhairt gur chuir siad tús le tairseach clárúcháin nua, My Registration/MoChlarú, a chuirfidh réitigh ceann go ceann ar fáil i dtaobh próisis chlárúcháin. Tá an obair sin ag céim forbartha um an dtaca seo, agus tá i gceist go n-oscófaí an tairseach i mí Iúil.
Bhí tionchar ag dúshláin earcaíochta laistigh den earnáil TF dá conraitheoir ar obair forbartha ar an tairseach.
Idir an dá linn, tá bearta eatramhacha i bhfeidhm ag an gComhairle le gur féidir le múinteoirí cláraithe athnuachan a dhéanamh ar a gclárú nó iarratas a chur isteach ar ghrinnfhiosrúchán i nGaeilge.
Is fíor ardtosaíocht don Chomhairle Mhúinteoireachta é leagan Gaeilge den tairseach, My Registration/Mo Chlárú, a chur i bhfeidhm. Tá eolas ar fhorbairt na tairsí, MyRegistration/Mo Chlarú, as Gaeilge agus eolas ar na bearta eatramhacha maidir le clárú a athnuachan agus iarratas a chur isteach ar ghrinnfhiosrúchán i nGaeilge ar fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin na Comhairle Múinteoireachta.
129. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a child (details supplied) has a school place in an autism class this September. [31155/23]
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.
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 the 12th of April, Minister Foley and I announced the establishment of 2 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, 380 new special classes – 250 at primary and 130 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, 76 are in Dublin, with 52 at primary level and 24 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Dublin to 540.
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. Local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details on the NCSE's website: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list. SENO's are available to offer advice and assist in recommending the appropriate educational and support services for students.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is also 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 2023/24.
As your query refers to an individual placement case, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
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.
130. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31672/23]
View answerThe school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design & Build programme and is currently at planning stage.
The project when complete will deliver a new 16 classroom primary school, including four classrooms for children with special educational needs.
A pre-planning meeting was held with the Local Authority on 28th June 2023. A planning application will be lodged as soon as possible.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school and their patron body in relation to interim accommodation needs pending delivery of their permanent accommodation.
