Thursday, 13 Jul 2023

Written Answers Nos. 361-374

Schools Building Projects

Questions (361)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

361. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education if the hall at a school (details supplied) can be returned to school use by September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34785/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I can confirm 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.

Officials in my Department are engaging with the school regarding proposed SEN class provision which is expected to involve works on the parish hall property. The parish is making the hall available to the school in question without any need for the Department to be involved in ownership arrangements.

The ASA application in question is currently being assessed and when the assessment process is completed the school authority will be notified of the decision.

Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Questions (362, 363)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

362. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cén fáth nach bhfuil Tuarascáil Réitigh Foirgníochta (BFR) curtha ar fáil do Bhord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Chill Dara agus Chill Mhantáin chun gur féidir le scoil (sonraí tugtha) foirgneamh buan nó foirgnimh bhuana a bheith aici amach anseo ar shuíomh amháin. [34811/23]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

363. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais cén uair a chuirfear suíomh buan ar fáil do scoil amháin (sonraí tugtha) atá scaipthe thar dhá shuíomh faoi láthair i seanfhoirgneamh nach bhfuil oiriúnach chun oideachas ceart a chur ar dhaltaí an Ghaelcholáiste, gan aon spás taobh amuigh ná clós scoile a bheith ag an nGaelcholáiste, agus seomraí ranga an Ghaelcholáiste a bheith gan solas an lae cheal fuinneoga. [34812/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 362 and 363 together.

Tá tionscadal tógála don scoil dá bhfuil tagairt déanta ag an Teachta mar thosaíocht ag mo Roinn agus tá sé ar intinn againn an treoir chóiríochta don tionscadal seo a chur chun cinn a luaithe is féidir.

Idir an dá linn, tá mo Roinn ag obair le pátrún na scoile chun dóthain cóiríochta a chinntiú do riachtanais eatramhacha na scoile, fad a bhíonn soláthar an phríomhthionscnaimh idir lámha.

I measc na bpríomhthosaíochtaí do chlár oibre mo Roinne tá leanúint le soláthar láidir chun tacú le feidhmiú an chórais scolaíochta le haird ar leith ar phleanáil chun cinn don scoilbhliain 2023/24 agus ina dhiaidh sin agus freisin le haird ar leith ar thacú leis an soláthar riachtanas speisialta.

Question No. 363 answered with Question No. 362.

School Transport

Questions (364)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

364. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if there is any situation where a remote area school transport grant may be awarded for the 2023-2024 school year when the initial application for school transport was late; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34818/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

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 current 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.

In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.

Under the terms of my Department’s School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms at primary and 4.8kms at post-primary and are attending their nearest 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 are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.

Children who are eligible for school transport but for whom no service is available may be offered the Remote Area Grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements. The Remote Area Grant is also payable for eligible children who may have to travel 3.2kms or more to or from a designated pick up/set down point.

The closing date for receipt of applications for the 2023/2024 School Year was Friday 28th April 2023.

An eligible child for whom no transport service is available may, following an application for transport within the prescribed time limits, receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements.

Applications for school transport for the 2023/2024 school year can still be made through the Bus Éireann school transport portal after this date but will be treated as a late application. Applications that are deemed late will not be considered for a remote area grant for that year.

Should the circumstances remain the same and there is no service in place for the 2024/25 school year, following a timely application, a family may be considered eligible for a remote area grant from the commencement of the 2024/25 school year.

School Admissions

Questions (365)

Patrick Costello

Question:

365. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education the intake ratio at secondary level for all school planning areas, broken down by individual school planning area, in tabular form. [34903/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Please find requested data at the link.

All new schools established since 2011 to meet demographic demand are required to prioritise the enrolment of children from within the designated school planning areas which the school is being established to serve. However, it is important to note that this does not preclude schools from enrolling pupils from outside of the designated school planning area, rather it reflects the need to accommodate in the first instance the demographic for which the school was established.

Schools

School Admissions

Questions (366)

Patrick Costello

Question:

366. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education the current capacity at secondary level, broken down by individual school planning area, in tabular form. [34904/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The information sought by the Deputy is currently being collated by officials within my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.

Education Policy

Questions (367)

Patrick Costello

Question:

367. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education to provide a map of each school planning area. [34905/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The information requested by the Deputy i.e. individual maps of the 314 school planning areas, is not readily available and would represent a significant administrative burden to compile. However, if the Deputy wishes to nominate a number of school planning areas, I would be happy to provide individual maps of these areas directly to the Deputy.

Departmental Staff

Questions (368)

Michael Ring

Question:

368. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education the number of personnel in her Department at Principal Officer level or above who, on retiring from that position, were subsequently appointed to a State or semi-State board over the past ten years. [34919/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The filling of board posts for bodies under the aegis of my Department is informed by guidance issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) which codifies the processes for the filling of vacancies.

In line with DPENDR's guidance, my Department uses the Public Appointments Service (PAS) which has responsibility for managing an accessible and transparent process. Applications are made through the dedicated website www.stateboards.ie. This website is used by PAS to both inform the public of vacancies and to collate expressions of interest in vacancies. An assessment process is undertaken by PAS leading to the creation of a list of candidates suitable for appointments to boards. Under General Data Protection Regulation guidelines my Department is limited in the personal information it has the authority to retain on file and does not retain records of the previous employment history of the board member who has been assessed though a transparent recruitment process as being suitable for the position.

A full list of board members serving on State Boards under the aegis of my Department is available at the link gov.ie - Membership of State Boards (www.gov.ie).

The Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour, which is supplied to all staff members in my Department, details the requirements for all staff members on the acceptance of outside appointments following resignation or retirement where the nature and terms of such appointment could lead to a conflict of interest or the perception of such. In addition, it also states that civil servants who hold positions which are “designated positions” for the purposes of the Ethics Acts shall not, within twelve months of resigning or retiring from the service, accept an offer of appointment from an employer outside the Civil Service or accept an engagement in a particular consultancy project, where the nature and terms of such appointment or engagement could lead to a conflict of interest, without first obtaining approval from the appropriate authority.

Disability Services

Questions (369)

Holly Cairns

Question:

369. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education to detail the system for the maintenance and recycling of specialist equipment for children with physical disabilities, such as specialist seating and changing tables; whether other schools or organisations can avail of such equipment when they are no longer needed in the school of origin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34963/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The Furniture & Equipment Scheme is a devolved project and, as such, the responsibility for the management of the equipment, once purchased, is a matter for the relevant school authority.

School Staff

Questions (370)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

370. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the recorded start date of a teacher (details supplied) for pension purposes in her Department's records as there seems to be some confusion about it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35104/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I can confirm that officials from the Pension Unit of my Department are currently in contact with the person referred to in your correspondence in relation to her pensionable status and pensionable service. Officials in Pension Unit expect to bring these matters to a satisfactory conclusion in the coming days.

School Staff

Questions (371)

David Cullinane

Question:

371. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost to increase guidance counsellor provision by 50%; the number of WTE required; and the estimated cost of providing an additional guidance counsellor in each secondary school. [35140/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I can advise the Deputy that Guidance Counsellors are allocated on a Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) based on the number of students enrolled in the school. As set out in the staffing circular staffing circular www.gov.ie/en/circular/84e36-staffing-arrangements-in-voluntary-secondary-schools-for-the-202324-school-year/.

“Each school receives an allocation in respect of Guidance Provision. It is calculated by reference to the approved enrolment, including PLC pupils. The allocation is the difference between the PTR of 19:1 and a reduced PTR:

School Category	Reduced PTR
Free Education Scheme – Non DEIS	18.4
Free Education Scheme – DEIS	17.65
Fee Charging	18.60

In deploying the guidance allocation, schools are encouraged to give due consideration to the pivotal role the qualified guidance counsellor plays in the implementation of the whole school guidance plan. The guidance counsellor will require time for individual student appointments, for Guidance lessons, and general guidance related work within the context of the Whole School Guidance plan”.

The current allocation of Guidance Counsellors for post-primary schools for 2023/24 is 928 posts. The average cost of employing a teacher is currently €73,270 (incl ER PRSI).

The estimated cost therefore, to increase the current allocation of Guidance Counsellors by 50% (464 posts) would be 464 x €73,270 = €33,997,280 per year.

There were 727 post primary schools in Ireland in 2022/23. The estimated cost of providing an additional full time guidance counsellor to each post-primary school would be 727 x €73,270 = €53,267,290 per year.

Education Policy

Questions (372, 373)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

372. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education where the equity and fairness is for the young Irish students in the North of Ireland who are not able to avail of the same postmarking adjustments of final year exams that apply in the South. [35181/23]

Sorca Clarke

Question:

373. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will make adjustments to ensure that final-year students in the North of Ireland will benefit from postmarking of exams in the same way students in the 26 counties do to ensure equity for all students on the island of Ireland. [35182/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 372 and 373 together.

The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has responsibility for the development, operation and delivery of the State examinations, which may be sat by Irish students or students of other nationalities who fulfil the entry criteria. Arrangements for the delivery of final year examinations in Northern Ireland is necessarily a matter for the relevant authorities there.

2022 marked the return to externally delivered examinations for all candidates at both Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle, with over 130,000 sitting the examinations that year. This was a welcome step towards normality, after the calculated and accredited grades processes which were implemented in 2020 and 2021.

In February of 2022 I announced a range of measures to address genuine and serious concerns that had been raised about the 2022 exams, in the context of ongoing public health challenges at that time. Those measures included further changes to the exam papers beyond adjustments that had been made at the start of the school year, designed to give students added choice and time in the exam hall, relieving pressure and ensuring greater fairness in the context of variation across schools as a result of the pandemic.

In regard to the Leaving Certificate specifically, the arrangements for the 2022 examinations included a commitment that the results would be, on aggregate, no lower than those of 2021. In order to achieve this, a “post-marking adjustment” was made to all of the results. This achieved the objective of ensuring that the class of 2022 were not disadvantaged when compared to the class of 2021. It also ensured grades were no higher than the previous year.

For 2023, adjustments have also been made to assessment arrangements for students due to sit State examinations in 2023, to take account of the disruption to their learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have also been clear that there should not be a “cliff edge” return to pre-pandemic grade levels. In order to ensure that there is no sharp decrease in grades, a post-marking adjustment will also be made in 2023, as was the case in 2022 for those students who sit the Leaving Certificate examination. Work is ongoing to ensure that the approach in implementing this will be fair and will be student-centred.

Question No. 373 answered with Question No. 372.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (374)

Pauline Tully

Question:

374. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education which primary schools in counties Cavan and Monaghan are taking part in the Summer Programme; the timeframe in which each school is running the Summer Programme; which post-primary schools in counties Cavan and Monaghan are taking part in the Summer Programme; the timeframe in which each school is running the Summer Programme; which special schools in counties Cavan and Monaghan are taking part in the Summer Programme; the timeframe in which each school is running the Summer Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35209/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

Details of this year’s Summer Programme were announced by the Department on 9 February 2023. Again, all schools have an opportunity to run a programme for those children that need it the most.

The central theme for this year’s programme is ‘Building Confidence and Connections’. The primary aim of this theme is to help our children and young people to realise their potential, to be resilient in dealing with the normal stresses of their lives, to take care of their physical wellbeing and to have a sense of purpose, connection and belonging to their school community.

The main priority in 2023 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.

The Summer Programme is reliant on schools and their staff choosing to participate on a voluntary basis. However, the Department has engaged with management bodies, schools and parents with a view to encouraging more schools to participate in the 2023 programme. This year, the Primary School Scheme combines the Inclusion Programme and Special Class elements from last year into one cohesive scheme for mainstream primary school bring a more targeted approach for children with special educational needs.

This year also introduces a new adjustment to the scheme for special schools. This programme has been designed and developed to ensure supports and funding are targeted to enhance the availability of a school-based programme for pupils in special schools.

As part of this pilot, a National Coordinator was appointed to liaise with special schools to help facilitate them run a programme. A series of live recorded webinars directed specifically at encouraging as well as assuaging any concerns of Special Schools have recently taken place and are available to view on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.

Schools are given flexibility to engage staff that are not currently employed in their schools to support their summer programme. A portal has been available for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school based programme in a special school. Student teachers and students in relevant disciplines such as therapy, social care and nursing and others, including early childcare workers and carers, have also been able to register their interest in working on this year’s Programme.

This year’s Home-based programme is again available for pupils with complex special educational needs where their school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable.

Details of this year’s Home-based programme have been published which include full details on eligibility criteria. Full information has also issued to schools directly and published on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.

Regarding the Deputy's request in relation to which schools in Cavan and Monaghan are taking part in this year's programme, schools were invited to register an interest in running the summer programme. Final data in relation to participating schools will not be known until all summer programmes have concluded. I can confirm that the following schools in Cavan and Monaghan have registered to participate in this year's programme:

Primary School Scheme:

Roll Number	School	No. of weeks	Start Date	If weeks are not consecutive, start date of next block
00359V	St. Louis Girls National School, Park Road, Monaghan.	2	26/06/2023
05627W	Bailieboro Model N S, Bailieborough, Co. Cavan.	2	29/06/2023
08490N	St Clare's Primary School, Ard Mhuire, Cavan.	2	14/08/2023
08490N	St Clare's Primary School, Ard Mhuire, Cavan.	2	17/07/2023
08948L	Milltown N S, Monea, Milltown, Co. Cavan.	2	03/07/2023
14399N	Killygarry N S, Killygarry, Co. Cavan.	2	26/06/2023
15142E	Naomh Micheal, Donaghmoyne, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.	4	26/06/2023	14/08/2023
15654I	Knockconnon N S, Knockconan, Emyvale, Co. Monaghan.	2	26/06/2023
16083T	Virginia Mxd N S, Virginia, Co. Cavan.	2	26/06/2023
16093W	Ballyconnell Mxd N S, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan.	2	26/06/2023
16202B	Castleblayney Convent National School, Laurel Hill, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan.	2	10/07/2023
16520P	St Mary's N.S., Drung, Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan.	2	10/07/2023
16921K	S N Beal Atha na nEach, Ballinagh, Co. Cavan.	2	03/07/2023
16923O	Urbleshanny N S, Carrowhatta, Scotstown, Co. Monaghan.	2	26/06/2023
17240O	S N Tamhnach Dhuibh, Tunnyduff, Bailieborough, Co. Cavan.	2	26/06/2023	10/07/2023
17625L	Cnoc an Teampaill, Knocktemple, Virginia, Co. Cavan.	2	26/06/2023
17686I	Scoil Mhuire Bns, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan	2	17/07/2023	14/08/2023
18028V	Corr A Chrainn National School, Corracrin, Emyvale, Co. Monaghan.	2	23/06/2023
18059J	Bailieboro N S, Tanderagee, Bailieborough, Co. Cavan.	4	26/06/2023
18539A	Scoil Naomh Mhuire, Tullybuck, Clontibret, Co. Monaghan.	2	26/06/2023
19162H	Threemilehouse N S, Threemilehouse, Co. Monaghan.	2	26/06/2023
19326L	Butlersbridge Ns, Butlersbridge, Co. Cavan.	2	26/06/2023
19418Q	Castlerahan Central Ns, Castlerahan, Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan.	2	26/06/2023
19469K	Naomh Oliver Plunkett, Tossey, Loughmourne, Co. Monaghan.	3	26/06/2023
19596R	Crosserlough N S, Crosserlough, Co. Cavan.	2	26/06/2023
19608V	St Killians N S, Mullagh, Co. Cavan.	4	26/06/2023
19780K	Scoil Bride, Mullaghrafferty, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan.	3	03/07/2023
19983B	St Clares Ns, Virginia Road, Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan.	2	26/06/2023
20026G	Gaelscoil Bhreifne, Cnoc An Choiligh, An Cabhán, Co An Chabháin.	2	03/07/2023
20120V	St Tiarnach's Primary School, Roslea Road, Clones, Co. Monaghan.	2	26/06/2023
20327U	Gaelscoil Lorgan, Baile Na Lorgan, Co. Mhuineacháin.	2	26/06/2023

Post-Primary School Scheme:

Roll Number	School	No. of Weeks	Start Date	If weeks are not consecutive, start date of next block
64750G	Patrician High School, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan.	2	14/08/2023
70360C	St. Mogue's College, Bawnboy, Co Cavan.	2	26/06/2023
72171J	Largy College, Analore Rd, Clones, Co Monaghan.	2	19/06/2023
72180K	Inver College, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.	2	15/07/2023
72190N	Castleblayney College, Dublin Road, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan.	2	05/06/2023	14/08/2023
72210Q	Beech Hill College, Tirkeenan, Monaghan, Co Monaghan.	2	09/08/2023
91351S	Bailieborough Community School, Bailieborough, Co Cavan.	2	26/06/2023

Special School Scheme:

Roll Number	School	No. of weeks	Start Date	If weeks are not consecutive, start date of next block
19439B	Holy Family S S, Cootehill, Co. Cavan.	2	28/06/2023