Written Answers Nos. 241-254
241. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education her Department’s plans to address the difficult Leaving Certificate Maths higher level paper; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31778/23]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
242. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if her Department purchased or produced any memorabilia such as pens, stationery, pins, badges, mugs or other types of souvenirs to mark or celebrate Pride 2023; if so, the costs incurred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31806/23]
View answerStaff from my Department participated alongside over 1,100 civil and public servants in the Dublin Pride parade on Saturday, 24th June, 2023, under the theme ‘Proud to Work for Ireland’. In line with a number of other civil and public service organisations, my Department provided themed t-shirts to staff members participating in the parade at a total cost of €300 inclusive of VAT. The Pride parade is an important opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges faced by LGBTI+ people and to champion the public service commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
243. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education the reason schools that planned and budgeted around the ICT grant to schools as listed for payment in the FSSU schedule of grants in the 2022/2023 school year have been told that the next tranche of funding for ICT will not arrive until the 2023/2024 school year; if she aware that this effectively leaves schools without any ICT funding for the 2022/2023 school year, despite having been led to believe otherwise and having budgeted for its arrival; if there are plans to rectify this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31820/23]
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 wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation.
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.
244. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education the main policy achievements of her Department since 27 June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31858/23]
View answerMy Department recently published “Forbairt 2023 Annual Statement of Priorities”, a statement of priority actions to be delivered in 2023 which elaborates upon and develops the strategic actions set out in the Statement of Strategy 2021-2023, which sets out the vision, mission and strategic goals that guides the Department’s work programme for the 2021-2023 period. The Department's Annual Reports have also been published and outline the significant work undertaken since June 2020. My Department’s goal has been to deliver high quality and inclusive education for all children and young people that addresses their needs, interests and ambitions.
Significant achievements to date include:
• Payment of over €50 million under the ground-breaking new scheme to eliminate the cost of schoolbooks in primary schools and special schools. More than 558,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools, will benefit from the new scheme.
• The Implementation Plan for the Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying, which commits to implementing each of the 61 actions contained in Cineáltas within a five-year period, commenced in Q1 2023 and a number of actions have been progressed.
• The publication by the NCCA in May 2023 of the redeveloped Junior Cycle SPHE specification, to be rolled out in schools from September 2023
• Provision of €150 million in education measures over a wide range of once-off measures to assist with increased cost of living pressures, which include the waiving of exam fees, reduced charges for school transport, and funding to support increased running costs for recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme, in particular in dealing with challenges they face in the light of rising energy costs.
• The establishment of the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme Delivery Board and the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Partners’ Forum. The Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme Delivery Board has responsibility for overseeing the Senior Cycle redevelopment work.
• Launch of the STEM Education Implementation Plan to 2026, jointly with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. This is the second implementation plan as part of the STEM Education Policy Statement 2017–2026 and sets out the actions which aim to further improve the STEM education experience and outcomes for all learners from early learning and care to post-primary level.
• Partnership between Department of Education and Science Foundation Ireland, with the contribution of over €800,000 by the Department in 2023 towards 10 successful projects under the SFI Discover Programme.
• Establishment of a scoping inquiry, to shape Government’s response to revelations of historical sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders. The scoping inquiry will be informed by reports and inputs from experts across a range of areas, including child protection, restorative justice and, most importantly, survivor engagement as well as analysis of previous inquiries including the Ferns Report, Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse and the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation.
• Launch of the new Primary Curriculum Framework for all primary and special schools, which will shape the work of all primary and special schools for the coming years. This is the first curriculum framework for primary education in Ireland and will shape the work of all primary and special schools for the coming years.
• Consultation on new Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy, jointly undertaken with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. This wide-ranging consultation is part of the development of the successor strategy to the National Strategy Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life 2011 – 2020.
• Launch of the new Creative Youth Plan 2023-2027 for children and young people, jointly with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
• BLAST (Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teachers) will be running in 2023 for the third time. The 2023 programme will enable 475 new arts in education residencies in schools over the course of the year.
• The new intake of Creative Clusters, an initiative taking place as part of Creative Ireland and under the Schools Excellence Fund. Under this scheme to support schools to build capacity in creativity, schools in each cluster will enjoy access to a specialist facilitator, artist or creative expertise in whatever their chosen area of interest or theme might be. These resources will help the schools to build a project of learning and activities tailor-made for their students. There are currently 40 Clusters comprising of 139 schools.
• Publication of the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Policy Statement. The policy statement recognises that ITE is the first step on the continuum of teacher education and acknowledges the commitment to excellence from all involved in preparing teachers of the future, while recognising the benefit that greater clarity will provide to all in the system.
• Establishment of a landmark programme of counselling and mental health supports, to be piloted in a series of primary schools from September 2023.
• Announcement of €29 million in minor works funding for primary and special schools. Schools will have the autonomy to use this funding for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds.
• Publication of ESD to 2030, Ireland’s 2nd National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development, co-sponsored by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. ESD aims to ensure that all learners have the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development and is a key enabler for the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and agenda 2030 and our National Climate Action Plan 2023. Funding of €1m from the DoE in 2023 will support organisations and schools to implement ESD to 2030 projects and initiatives.
• Consultation underway on a 2nd Implementation Plan for Languages Connect, Ireland’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017 – 2026, aiming to improve foreign language proficiency and to increase and diversify the range of languages taught and learned in the education system. Under Languages Connect, four new Leaving Certificate curricular languages were introduced to schools in September 2020 (Lithuanian, Mandarin Chinese, Polish and Portuguese) and were examined for the first time in summer 2022 with circa. 1,500 students sitting one of the four exams.
• Further investment in new teaching posts will see the general average primary staffing schedule reduced by one point, to a historically low level of 23:1 in 2023. This is a further reduction on the already historically low level and the first time such a reduction has been made in three consecutive Budgets.
• The major expansion of the DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools programme that will see the programme extended to an additional 322 schools.
• Additional allocations to the DEIS programme together with a further one point improvement in the staffing schedule for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools has created the largest ever education package to tackle educational disadvantage and represents an increase of over 20 per cent in funding for the DEIS programme over the years 2022 and 2023.
245. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education if she will take steps to ensure that her Department expedites a decision in respect of works to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31878/23]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers applied for asbestos removal works together with the installation of new flooring at the school, which was approved in June 2022 under the Emergency Works Scheme. The school contacted the Department in June 2023 to increase the scope of works under that approval.
The main purpose of the Emergency Works Grant Scheme is to provide for unforeseen emergencies that impact on school buildings. An emergency is a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action and, in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part there of from opening.
As a lot of the works contained in the new proposed scope was outside the remit of the Emergency Works Scheme, the school have been asked to re-examine their new proposed scope and scale back the works to ensure it is appropriate to the Emergency Works Scheme and resubmit for approval. The Emergency Works Scheme will, of course, address any essential works which could pose an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment and any upgrade works beyond the remit of the Emergency Works Scheme may be progressed via separate funding mechanisms within the Department. The Department has been in contact with the Principal with regards to how any residual works might be addressed at a later stage.
246. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when final approval and funding will be approved for modular accommodation for a primary school (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31884/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
An ASA application from the school to which the Deputy refers is currently being assessed and when this is completed the school authority will be notified of the decision. My Department is very cognisant of the timeframe for the new school year and is working to advance matters as quickly as possible.
In addition, my Department is liaising with all schools that have accommodation requirements for the coming school year in relation to their contingency planning arrangements and any supports required for same.
247. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education how the free schoolbook scheme is supposed to be applied by schools; if she is aware that some schools using the scheme are still charging parents for other school supplies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31889/23]
View answerAs Minister for Education, I believe it is crucially important that children and young people are actively supported to access education in its fullest forms. This Government recognises that the cost of preparing children for school each September can be a cause of financial difficulty and worry for many Irish families.
Earlier this year I announced the establishment of Ireland’s first national primary school book scheme. More than 558,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools, will benefit from this new measure. In March, my Department published and issued extensive guidance to schools on the operation of the scheme.
At a minimum, the scheme will provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks for all children and young people in recognised primary schools and special schools and will eliminate the cost of schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks for parents of children and young people enrolled in these schools. Parents/guardians experiencing any issues in relation to this may contact the Department at freeprimaryschoolbooks@education.gov.ie.
Once the cost of schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks has been met and where funding permits, schools should use the grant to eliminate costs of related classroom resources such as pens, pencils and erasers. Related classroom resources may also include items provided by schools where a charge was previously levied on parents, for example, art materials and photocopying. However, it is recognised, that, in some schools, the total book grant provided may not be sufficient to cover the costs of all related classroom resources. Schools must communicate with families and inform them where related classroom resources cannot be provided under the scheme setting out what items are required or what items will be provided by any charge levied on parents under the schoolbook scheme.
In implementing the free schoolbook scheme, schools are expected to adopt a cost conscious approach but it is also important to note that primary schools and special schools will continue to have autonomy to choose books that meet their curricular requirements. The scheme seeks to ensure that value for money is achieved and that primary schools and special schools will be supported to implement it in a way that delivers the best learning outcomes for pupils.
The book grant funding issued directly to schools in April to ensure that schools have sufficient time to implement the scheme in advance of the 2023/24 school year. Schools have received €96 per pupil and this is paid based on validated enrolment figures.
My Department engaged with all relevant stakeholders as to how the scheme will operate. These included: primary school management bodies, unions, the National Parents Council Primary, representatives of booksellers and schoolbook publishers, IBEC, Retail Ireland, the Small Firms Association, Barnardos and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. My Department also engaged with a number of schools, including some of the primary schools participating in the DEIS pilot free book scheme, to learn of their first-hand experience of operating a book rental scheme.
A full evaluation of the first year of implementation of the scheme will be undertaken in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, to inform the guidance, implementation, costs and efficiency of the scheme for future years.
As Minister for Education, I am acutely aware of the various costs faced by families upon the return of their children to school each September and am confident that this new provision will significantly reduce the back to school financial burden for many families.
248. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Joe McHugh den Aire Oideachais an dtabharfaidh sí cuntas ar an mbeartas teanga maidir le hiompar scoile mar éascaíocht do dhaltaí meánscoile a bhfuil cónaí orthu i limistéir Ghaeltachta agus atá ag iarraidh freastal ar an nGaelcholáiste is cóngaraí dóibh; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [31890/23]
View answerIs oibríocht shuntasach í an Scéim Iompar Scoile arna bhainistiú ag Bus Éireann thar ceann na Roinne Oideachais. Sa scoilbhliain reatha, iompraítear breis agus 149,000 leanbh, lena n-áirítear os cionn 18,000 leanbh a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta oideachais acu, go dtí bunscoileanna agus iar-bhunscoileanna ar fud na tíre ar bhonn laethúil.
Tá méadú 21% ar thicéid a eisíodh do scoláirí incháilithe agus méadú 38% ar thicéid a eisíodh ar bhonn lamháltais sa scoilbhliain reatha 2022/23 i gcomparáid leis an scoilbhliain 2021/22.
Ina theannta sin, tá seirbhísí scéim iompar scoile á gcur ar fáil sa scoilbhliain reatha do bhreis agus 5,400 leanbh a tháinig go hÉirinn ón Úcráin.
Ba é costas iomlán na scéime in 2022 ná €338.9m.
Tá leanaí incháilithe le haghaidh iompair ag an mbunleibhéal más rud é go bhfuil cónaí orthu 3.2 ciliméadar ar a laghad ón scoil náisiúnta is gaire dóibh agus go bhfuil siad ag freastal ar an scoil sin, agus ar leibhéal na hiar-bhunscoile más rud é go bhfuil cónaí orthu 4.8 ciliméadar ar a laghad ón iar-bhunscoil/ionad oideachais is gaire dóibh agus go bhfuil siad ag freastal ar an iar-bhunscoil/ionad oideachais sin, de réir mar a chinneann an roinn/Bus Éireann, ag féachaint don éiteas agus don teanga.
Ina theannta sin, leanfar le Bearta Maolaithe Sealadacha ar leibhéal na hiar-bhunscoile don scoilbhliain 2023/2024 go dtí go gcríochnófar an t-athbhreithniú ar an Scéim Iompar Scoile. Ciallaíonn sé seo go gcuirtear socruithe iompair ar fáil do roinnt scoláirí iar-bhunscoile atá ag freastal ar an dara scoil is gaire dóibh, a rinne iarratas agus a chláraigh in am agus a bhfuil cónaí orthu níos mó ná 4.8km ón scoil is gaire dóibh.
Maidir le leanaí atá incháilithe ar iompar scoile agus a bhfuil an próiseas iarratais curtha i gcrích in am acu, déanfar soláthar dóibh ar sheirbhísí iompar scoile áit a mbíonn na seirbhísí sin i bhfeidhm.
Maidir le leanaí nach bhfuil incháilithe ar iompar scoile, ach a chríochnaigh an próiseas iarratais in am, déanfar iad a mheas le haghaidh suíochán spártha a d’fhéadfadh a bheith ann tar éis soláthar a dhéanamh do leanaí incháilithe; tagraítear do shuíocháin den sórt sin mar shuíocháin lamháltais.
Mar gheall ar nádúr an iompair lamháltais do leanaí neamh-incháilithe agus an tosaíocht áiteanna a sholáthar do leanaí incháilithe, d’fhéadfadh go mbeadh barraíocht éilimh ar an soláthar d’áiteanna lamháltais; sna cásanna seo leithdháilfidh Bus Éireann ticéid do shuíocháin spártha trí úsáid a bhaint as próiseas de rogha randamach.
Ar leibhéal na Bunscoile, is chuig an scoil is gaire atá an incháilitheacht d’iompar scoile, ag féachaint don éiteas agus don teanga.
Ar leibhéal na hIar-Bhunscoile, is chuig an ionad oideachais/scoil is gaire atá an incháilitheacht d’iompar scoile, faoi réir eisceachtaí teoranta. Tugann an scéim aird ar éiteas agus ar theanga sa mhéid is go ndéantar eisceachtaí ar incháilitheacht don scéim a mheas i gcás reiligiún mionlaigh agus na Gaeilge.
Ní féidir seirbhís iompar scoile nua a bhunú ach amháin nuair a bhíonn íosmhéid de dheichniúr daltaí incháilithe i gceantar tíreolaíoch ar leith. Tá sé seo freisin faoi réir iarratais agus íocaíochtaí a bheith faighte laistigh de na hamlínte ábhartha.
Dúnadh clárú ticéid le haghaidh Iompar Scoile i dtaca leis an scoilbhliain 2023/24 ar an 28 Aibreán 2023 agus ba é Dé hAoine 9 Meitheamh 2023 an spriocdháta le haghaidh na n-íocaíochta ar líne/cur isteach sonraí cárta leighis uile.
Ag leanúint ar aghaidh ón spriocdháta íocaíochta an 9 Meitheamh 2023, tá Bus Éireann anois ag tabhairt faoi athbhreithniú ar gach iarratas incháilithe ar sheirbhísí Iompar Scoile don Scoilbhliain 2023/24.
249. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education to outline the language policy with respect to transportation in order to facilitate secondary students living in Gaeltacht areas who wish to attend their closest Gaelcholáiste; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31903/23]
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 for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
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.
In addition, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2023/2024 school year pending completion of the review of the School Transport Scheme. This means that transport arrangements are provided for a number of post-primary students who are attending their second nearest school, who have applied and registered on time and who live more than 4.8km from their nearest school.
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, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Under the terms of the scheme, routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis.
At Primary level, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest school, having regard to ethos and language.
At Post Primary level, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest education centre/school subject to limited exceptions.
For the purposes of school transport provision, language relates to the Irish or English language. In practice this means that:
• Children who choose to attend their nearest all-Irish school/unit may be eligible for school transport to that school/unit, even if it is not their nearest school.
• Children who choose to attend their nearest all-English school/unit may be eligible for school transport to that school/unit, even if it is not their nearest school.
New school transport service may only be established where a minimum of ten eligible pupils exist in a distinct geographical area. This is also subject to applications and payments having been received within the relevant timelines.
Ticket registration for School Transport in respect of the 2023/24 school year closed on 28th April 2023 and the deadline for all on-line payments/submissions of medical card details was Friday 9th June 2023.
Following on from the payment deadline of 9th June 2023, Bus Éireann are now carrying out the review of all eligible applications for School Transport services for the 2023/24 School Year.
Any new service can only be established under the terms of the scheme as set out by my Department.
250. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which emergency measures are being taken to ensure the availability of an adequate number of school places at primary and second level, with particular reference to the need to meet any such challenges in September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31917/23]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for my Department.
In 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 of school place requirements.
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.
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.
The Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues across school planning areas through ongoing discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities.
This close engagement will allow the Department to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
The Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO). Contact details are available at www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/
251. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which emergency measures are being taken to ensure the availability of the adequate number of special needs school places at primary and second level, with particular reference to the need to meet any such challenges in September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31918/23]
View answer256. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she expects to be in a position to meet special needs education requirements throughout north Kildare, given the growing population; the extra needs arising therefrom in terms of accommodation and special classes or special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31923/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 256 together.
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this government.
It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
For 2023, the spend by my department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my department will spend over €2.6 billion providing supports to children and young people with special educational needs and their schools.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the department’s total allocation for 2023.
This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants.
The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
Over the last two to three years, my Department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years.
My Department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, on the 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.
Of these new classes, 11 are in Co. Kildare, with 6 at primary level and 5 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Kildare to 115.
The Minister has powers under Section 37A of the Education Act to direct a school to provide additional places but this power is only used as a last resort and where all reasonable efforts have failed.
This legal power to compel schools to open new special classes is only used where the following criteria apply:
• there is established need for additional places in an area
• it is considered that the schools involved in the Section 37 process have capacity to open the additional classes and
• all reasonable efforts have been made to support these schools in making the required provision.
The legislation has been used twice to date; initially in the Dublin 15 area in 2019 and more recently in the South Dublin area in 2020, in respect of primary school provision only.
In October of last year, my Department also wrote to all post-primary schools advising them of the need to begin planning to provide special classes over the next 3 to 5 years.
It is important to note that where possible, children with special educational needs should be accommodated in mainstream education, but where the needs of the children are greater, special classes and indeed special schools are provided. Every effort must be made where special classes exist within a mainstream school to integrate the children and young people in this class with their peers in mainstream classes.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list .
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie
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. My Department continues to liaise with all schools who require reconfiguration works or modular accommodation for the coming school year.
252. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if she will indicate, arising from challenges experienced in the current year throughout north Kildare and nationally in the school transport sector, whether she is in a position to ensure that no school buses pass children who could be accommodated if space on a bus is available, or if a larger bus might suffice; if children who have had their ticket withdrawn, or have been issued with inoperable tickets, might have their cases reviewed in order to ensure safety and compassion for those cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31919/23]
View answer253. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which agreement has been reached in relation to the provision of school transport, including a concessionary to facilitate students attending schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31920/23]
View answer258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she expects they have found the means to resolve the school transport problems in north Kildare affecting Maynooth, Straffan and Clane in particular; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31925/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 252, 253 and 258 together.
The 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 are being 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 the Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
A review of the School Transport Scheme is underway. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
Significant consultation has been undertaken as part of this review. A public survey was administered for parents/guardians and students who use the service and those who do not use the service but who would like to. A broad array of stakeholders including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Government Departments were all consulted as part of this review.
Phase 1 of the review examined the impact of eligibility criteria on mainstream pupils who were eligible for transport to their nearest school but attending their next nearest school. The report was completed in June 2021.
Following consideration of this Phase 1 report, for the 2021/2022 school year, the provision of temporary alleviation measures was approved for transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport, but were attending their second nearest school and had applied and paid on time. These measures have been continued for the current 2022/2023 school year, and will again continue in the 2023/2024 school year pending completion of the review.
For the 2023/2024 school year, these measures mean that transport will be provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and, who applied for school transport by the 28th April 2023 and pay for a ticket/enter medical card details by the 9th June 2023.
Phase 2 of the review was completed late last year and phase 3 will be completed shortly. This final report will include recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme. Once approved by Government, it is planned that the review will be published.
For the 2023/2024 school year, it remains that children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
If families have applied to attend their nearest school in regards to ethos and language and have been advised by the school authorities that it is full, my Department will consider if students can be deemed eligible for transport to the next nearest school. To establish that the nearest school is full parents must provide:-
• The steps taken to enrol their child in the nearest and next nearest schools
• Evidence that an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the school and
• A letter from the School Authorities confirming that the school was full at the time of enrolment.
Families can submit details to the School Transport Section in the Department of Education at school_transport@education.gov.ie .
In cases where the families are attending their third or fourth nearest school, the above documentation will be required for each school in turn. Families who require information in relation to the schools nearer to them can contact the School Transport Section at the above email address.
School Transport Section is currently liaising with Bus Éireann and families in relation to any supporting documentation received.
254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she and her Department are in dialogue with the school authorities in Celbridge, County Kildare, with a view to meeting the needs of existing or proposed new schools, as in the case of the three-school project on the Hazelhatch road incorporating replacement for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31921/23]
View answerThe project the Deputy refers to has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of bundled school building programmes. The shared education campus at Celbridge is in the bundle referred to as ‘Project Liffey’.
A letter was issued by the Department to the schools to advise that their respective school had been included in the programme and the NDFA has since been in contact with each school to introduce the team, communicate arrangements and discuss the project briefs.
The NDFA are currently engaged in meetings to establish the tenders required to appoint a design team. The NDFA have been in contact with the schools in regards to this information and will continue to update the schools as this project progresses.
At this early stage, it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project; the NDFA will be engaging directly with the school authorities to keep them informed of progress.
