Written Answers Nos. 721-741
724. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 367 of 13 July 2023 (details supplied), if she will provide the relevant maps for Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. [38816/23]
View answerMaps of Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow school planning areas are being posted directly to the Deputy.
725. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education if any of the 314 school planning area boundaries have changed since 2010; and if so, if she will provide maps of those SPAs before and after any such changes. [38817/23]
View answerIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas. The boundaries of the school planning areas that are currently in place have not changed since 2010 and so there are no maps to be provided.
726. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the request by a school (details supplied) to modify its building plan to replace three proposed basketball courts with one multi-use games area, and to add equipment, long jump facilities and an all-weather track bearing in mind that these facilities will allow the leaving certificate curriculum to be delivered, will enhance sports participation in the school and will provide sporting facilities in a fast-growing community where facilities are very scarce. [38834/23]
View answerMy Department is currently reviewing the request and will revert to the school and its patron body in due course.
727. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the provision of school transport for a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38836/23]
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 was 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.
Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Bus Éireann have confirmed that the pupil to whom the Deputy refers is eligible for school transport. Medical card details were input on 9th August 2023 and a ticket has issued to the family for the 2023/24 school year.
728. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education the current position regarding building works at a school (details supplied); when these works will be complete; when the school will be opened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38838/23]
View answerThe building project for the school referred to by the Deputy has provided a new 16 classroom primary school including accommodation for children with special educational needs and was delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the school commenced operation in the new school building on Friday, 1 September, 2023.
729. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a bus issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38841/23]
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 was 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.
Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class/special school or unit, that is or can be resourced to meet the child's special educational needs under the Department of Education criteria.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
There was a 30% increase in the number of special educational transport journeys from 2019 to the 2022/2023 school year, and already over 1,400 new applications have been received since July for the 2023/2024 school year.
New applications for the 2023/2024 school year will be catered for through a mix of new services (some being individual), children being accommodated on existing services where capacity exists, extensions of existing routes and grants to families.
Bus Éireann has reported in recent days that unfortunately, for a small number of families assigned to Special Educational Needs transport services that had been secured, difficulties have arisen in some localities with a small number of contracted services.
Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible. Bus Éireann is engaging with families where transport was sanctioned and where there may be delays in securing a new service.
A Special Transport Interim Grant is available to families of children with special educational needs who, following the application process, are eligible under the terms of the school transport scheme and are awaiting a School Transport service to be put in place. The Department will be in direct contact with families in regard to full details of this grant.
This grant is a once off payment. The interim grant is offered from the date of application to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements that families have to put place until a transport service is ready to commence.
730. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if she will provide clarification on when the reimbursement of bus expenses for a school (details supplied) will be processed to support IP and Ukrainian children attending school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38846/23]
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 was 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.
Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Commercial contractors who provide transport for schools on a private hire or commercial basis but who are not contracted by Bus Éireann to operate on the Department’s School Transport Scheme do not fall under the remit of the Department of Education.
In relation to issue referred to by the Deputy, the School Transport Section of my Department will liaise with the school directly on the matter.
731. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the status of all new-build and refurbishment projects, if any, in post-primary schools (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38874/23]
View answer732. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the status of all new-build and refurbishment projects, if any, in primary schools (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38875/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 731 and 732 together.
Under Project Ireland 2040, we will be investing at least €5 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day.
My Department has a proven track record of delivery. During the period 2018 to 2022, nearly 900 school building projects were completed. This includes 159 projects in Dublin.
The key drivers of capital investment in the schools sector are as follows:
• demographic change, including keeping pace with delivery of SEN and accommodation for Ukrainian pupils particularly at Post Primary
• alignment with housing provision and national planning at school planning area level,
• construction costs,
• climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.
My Department completed over 180 projects last year, including 50 projects in Dublin, within a challenging construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.
This year alone, in excess of 300 school building projects are currently under construction, including 40 new school buildings and 260 projects at existing schools.
Key priorities for my Department are supporting the operation of the school system and adding necessary capacity to cater for special education needs provision, mainstream demographics and catering for students from Ukraine and other countries under the International Protection system.
The current status of all school building projects, including schools referred to by the deputy, are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
733. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if there are any plans to construct a new primary or post-primary school to serve the Northwood area of Santry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38876/23]
View answerIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing local pressures and demand for primary and post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas including school planning areas in Dublin 9.
Where 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 either one, or a combination of, the following:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department will be investing at least €5 billion over the period 2021 to 2025. The key drivers of capital investment in the schools sector are as follows:
• demographic change,
• alignment with housing provision and national planning at school planning area level,
• construction costs, and
• climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.
It is expected that the enrolment pressures in this, and other areas will reduce in the short-term as such planned additional capacity comes on stream and as demographic demand moves past its peak.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in the school planning areas in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
My Department is currently planning the delivery of a major campus project on the current Clonturk Community College site in Whitehall. The project will deliver two new 1,000 pupil post-primary schools and 1 new primary school (8 classrooms) on the Clonturk site. One of the new post- primary schools will be for Ellenfield Community College to replace their existing school. The other new post-primary school is a replacement school building for Clonturk Community College. The expanded post-primary schools will provide circa 1,000 additional co-educational, multidenominational post-primary school places in North Dublin City.
The additional capacity being provided by all of these projects is intended to address projected future capacity requirement. 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 9.
734. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education the reason that a secondary-school student (details supplied) has not been given a seat on the school transport bus, in view of the fact that they have availed of school transport as a concessionary pupil for the past four years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38878/23]
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 was 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.
Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
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, 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 a random selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy was unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary seat for the 2023/24 school year. The service is currently operating to capacity.
735. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education whether the bus capacity currently serving a school (details supplied) will be increased in order to facilitate the large number of concessionary ticket holders who held tickets last term, but who will have no school transport for the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38896/23]
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 was 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.
Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
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.
Children are eligible for mainstream 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.
Under the terms of my Department’s School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for school transport where they have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability and are attending the nearest recognised school/class that is resourced to meet their special educational needs. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers.
Bus Éireann plans and manages the countrywide network on behalf of the Department to ensure that services are provided in line with the specific requirements of the Department. While Bus Éireann operate a small number of routes directly, the majority of school transport routes are operated by private contractors. Bus Éireann is responsible for contracting private operators in line with procurement legislation for school transport routes nationwide.
Bus Éireann is also responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of my Department. 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.
A report on the matter raised by the Deputy has been sought from Bus Éireann by my officials. Bus Éireann are currently investigating the matter and will provide the required report in the coming days. Officials from the School Transport Section in my Department will provide a comprehensive response to the Deputy on foot of this report.
736. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will be reimbursed transport costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38920/23]
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 was 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.
Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Commercial contractors who provide transport for schools on a private hire or commercial basis but who are not contracted by Bus Éireann to operate on the Department’s School Transport Scheme do not fall under the remit of the Department of Education.
In relation to issue referred to by the Deputy, the School Transport Section of my Department will liaise with the school directly on the matter.
737. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education if a construction contractor has been appointed for a permanent build project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38932/23]
View answerThe permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Management team to progress the project through the stages of architectural planning, tendering and construction.
The project when complete will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school including accommodation for children with special educational needs.
The Invitation to Tender for the project issued on the 18th April 2023, as part of a bundle of projects issued to a Framework of Design & Build Contractors. The tender process currently takes approximately 8-10 months. Once a Contractor has been appointed, it is anticipated that construction would commence shortly thereafter.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school and its patron body in relation to the school's interim accommodation requirements pending delivery of the permanent accommodation.
738. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education if she can indicate the schedule of when a permanent build project (details supplied) will start construction; when it is scheduled for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38933/23]
View answerThe permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Management team to progress the project through the stages of architectural planning, tendering and construction.
The project when complete will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school including accommodation for children with special educational needs.
The Invitation to Tender for the project issued on the 18th April 2023, as part of a bundle of projects issued to a Framework of Design & Build Contractors. The tender process currently takes approximately 8-10 months. Once a Contractor has been appointed, it is anticipated that construction would commence shortly thereafter.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school and its patron body in relation to the school's interim accommodation requirements pending delivery of the permanent accommodation.
739. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the reason the ICT grant promised to primary schools has not been paid; if the reason is linked with the new book grant scheme for primary schools; if she can indicate when she expects an ICT grant to be paid to schools; if her Department can ensure that it is paid on an annual basis to allow for schools to upgrade their ICT equipment in a sustainable manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38936/23]
View answerThe new Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support its implementation, 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.
This continues the commitment to enable schools to invest in ICT which saw €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding under the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020. This funding enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility also issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide in late 2021.
Since June 2020, and over the past three Budgets, I have continuously secured funding to support measures aimed at supporting schools and parents to reduce costs. One of the most important policies in this regard has been the establishment of Ireland’s first national primary school book scheme, which will provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks, 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 this current expenditure measure. This scheme is completely separate to the ICT grant funding for schools which is based on capital funding.
My Department intends to pay the next tranche of ICT grant funding in the 2023 to 2024 school year.
The specific timing for issue of the ICT grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation.
As part of the forthcoming Review of the National Development Plan, my Department’s aim is to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of minor works and ICT grant funding.
740. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Bus Éireann needs to extend the 70-years-of-age limit for driving buses as many companies contracted to Bus Éireann for school transport have drivers leaving owing to this age limit which is causing a lot of the issues around school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38972/23]
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 was 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.
Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
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.
While over 90% of services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on 7,000 school routes. This includes vetting and background checks.
Bus Éireann has reviewed the matter referred to by the Deputy and has advised that from the age of 70, all drivers even of private cars must complete a medical report form signed by a registered medical practitioner. This is a Road Safety Authority requirement for any licence category applied for at age 70. It exists because of the known effects of aging on eyesight, on cognitive and physical performance, the increased risk of co-morbidities and the increased likelihood of drivers taking a number of medications. For public transport, and especially large capacity public transport carrying children, these risks are increased as the potential harm that could result is that much greater.
The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. While Bus Éireann keep the age limits of drivers under review, they have informed my Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time.
741. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if there are plans for those who previously opted out of the supervision and substitution scheme to opt back in; if it is the case that only those who have been appointed to a post as a school principal or deputy principal can opt back in; if there are plans to amend this given the ongoing shortage of teachers and the recruitment crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38994/23]
View answerWith effect from the beginning of the 2013/14 school year, participation in the Supervision and Substitution (S&S) scheme is compulsory for all post-primary teachers, save for those who had availed of the opt-out arrangements prior to this date. Circular 0047/2017 also subsequently set out the arrangements whereby teachers who previously opted out from compulsory participation in the S&S scheme under Circular 0006/2014 could opt back in to the S&S scheme.
With regard to Principals and Deputy Principals, following agreement at the Teacher' Conciliation Council (TCC) my Department recently published Circular 0032/2023 Supervision and Substitution Scheme – Opt-in for Principals and Deputy Principals with effect from 1 September 2022. The TCC is part of the scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for Teachers and was set up to deal with claims and proposals relating to the terms and conditions of employment of teachers to which the Department, management representatives and unions are all party.
This recent Circular is confined to teachers who previously opted out from compulsory participation in the S&S Scheme under Circulars 0006/2014 or 0047/2017, and who have subsequently been promoted to a permanent Principal or Deputy Principal position since opting out. This offer to opt back into the S&S Scheme is provided on the basis that such permanently appointed principals and deputy principals carry out S&S duties as part of their roles and agree to be included on S&S rosters as applicable.
Discussions are currently ongoing under the auspices of the TCC in relation to the option for other teachers to opt-in/opt-out of the S&S scheme under certain conditions. As the proceedings of the TCC are confidential, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment while it remains under consideration.
