Wednesday, 20 Sep 2023

School Transport

Questions (263)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

263. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the status of an appeal (details supplied). [39617/23]

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Written answers

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.

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.

On the 7th of August 2023 an appeal in respect of school transport for the family referred to by the Deputy was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board. The Board will liaise directly with the appellants when the appeals are due for consideration.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (264)

Matt Carthy

Question:

264. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she is considering the development of a special school for children with disabilities in County Monaghan; the status of any such plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39647/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education (Deputy Josepha Madigan)

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 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 has been substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.

This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the department’s total allocation for 2023.

This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).

In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs.

For the first time ever there will be over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 SNAs. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.

The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special education needs.

Over the last number of 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 almost 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over the last four years.

In April, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two 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, 388 new special classes – 252 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year.

Of these new special classes 3 are in Co. Monaghan, 1 at primary level and 2 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Monaghan to 42.

I want to reassure the Deputy that both my department and the NCSE will continue to monitor and review the need for further new special schools or the expansion of existing special schools over the coming months and years.

It is particularly important to consider the distances that some of our students are travelling in order to access a special school placement, and this is a key consideration when we decide to establish any new special school or expand provision in an existing special school.

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

I want to reassure the Deputy 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 and education.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (265)

Richard Bruton

Question:

265. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will indicate her plans to open a school (details supplied) which has not yet opened as anticipated. [39658/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

With regard to the special school referred to by the Deputy, it is expected that the school will open during Term 1 of the new school year.

My Department is liaising closely with the school's patron to support the new school opening and is working to deliver required building works at the earliest possible date.

My Department will continue to be in contact with the relevant school authorities in this regard.

EU Directives

Questions (266)

Holly Cairns

Question:

266. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education to detail the preparations being undertaken by her Department in advance of the European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882); the guidance that is being issued by her Department to organisations and businesses in advance of the enactment of the directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39664/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department recognises the central importance of accessibility and are committed to improving or enhancing accessibility in accordance with the Directive and proposed legislation, including in relation to the provision of information, Information Communications Technology, transport, assistive technologies and public buildings. My Department are also actively considering emerging technologies to develop innovative solutions to accessibility challenges thereby providing real benefit to our citizens with disabilities in the years ahead.

School Staff

Questions (267)

Seán Haughey

Question:

267. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education the measures she is taking to bring about an increase in the number of teachers taking up positions in primary and post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39679/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

Ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have available to them qualified, engaged teachers to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government. The Department of Education works with school management bodies, teacher unions and other education stakeholders in this regard

The Department is undertaking a comprehensive programme to support the supply of teachers. To support the supply of substitute teachers:

• Primary substitute teacher supply panels will continue to operate in 2023/24.

• Job-sharing teachers may be employed to work as substitutes during the period they are rostered off duty and the limits on substitute work applying to teachers on career break have been suspended.

• Post primary teachers can provide up to 35 additional hours substitute cover per term in the subject they are qualified to teach.

• 3rd year undergraduate teachers are eligible to apply for registration with the Teaching Council under registration Route 5 (Student Teachers). The registration process for student teachers is due to commence in October. More than 2,700 student teachers were registered under Route 5 last year.

• A waiver of abatement for retired teachers returning to teach for up to 50 days in each of the three calendar years 2021 to 2023 inclusive has been agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform.

Other measures include:

• The implementation of a pilot of the teacher sharing scheme in a small number of post primary schools. The pilot scheme will facilitate two schools to collaborate to provide high priority subjects, and to enhance the teaching hours available for those teachers employed on less than full hours.

• Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) who qualify outside Ireland and apply before 1 February 2024 will continue to be able to complete induction (Droichead) in Ireland. This measure seeks to enhance the supply of NQTs available to schools and is particularly relevant for Irish teachers who have studied and qualified abroad and who may wish to return to the Irish education sector.

• Following from the Department’s Action Plan on Teacher Supply, the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) operates a portal for the recruitment of teachers to long-term teaching positions. The portal facilitates the matching of demand and supply and provides an efficient and user-friendly recruitment process for both schools and teachers, including teachers working abroad who wish to apply for posts here.

• Turas Abhaile is an initiative of the post-primary school management bodies and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) which has assisted teachers based abroad to return teach in Ireland since September 2019. Turas Abhaile matches available post primary teachers with specific vacancies.

Measures targeted at supporting the long-term supply needs of the system which are already in in place include:

• At primary level, I approved 610 additional places on initial teacher education programmes over the next two academic years (2023/24 and 2024/25).

• At post-primary level, the Department has increased the number of places on teacher upskilling programmes in mathematics, Spanish and physics. The programmes are delivered outside of class time and are offered at no cost to the teacher. Approximately 170 places were provided in the first intake across the three programmes with an increase in places to over 300 in 2023. A new programme to upskill teachers in Irish is planned for 2024 and the Department is also considering additional upskilling programmes in other priority subject areas.

• The Teaching Transforms campaign continues to promote the teaching profession and encourage students to follow a career in teaching. The campaign uses digital, radio and video media, and is supported by a dedicated webpage, www.gov.ie/teachingtransforms .

The Department meets on a regular basis with the school management bodies and the teacher unions on this very important issue and we will continue to work intensively with all stakeholders to develop and implement creative solutions to address the teacher supply challenges facing schools.

School Staff

Questions (268)

Seán Haughey

Question:

268. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if she will introduce flexible budget arrangements similar to that which were introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to allow school principals recruit and pay substitute teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39680/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

In response to the difficulties being experienced by some schools in sourcing substitute teachers, my Department launched a number of measures ahead of the commencement of the 2023/2024 school year which have been designed to assist schools in sourcing appropriately qualified substitute teaching cover to support teaching and learning in schools. These measures include:

• Allowing teachers who job share to work in a substitute capacity during periods they are rostered off duty, provided for under Information Note TC/IN 0006/2023

• The removal of the limits on the number of hours teachers on Career Break can carry out substitute work, provided for under Information Note TC/IN 0007/2023.

• The extension of the Teaching Hours Extension Scheme into the 2023/2024 school year and setting the number of additional hours that can be thought for the school term at 35 hours provided for under Department Circular 0035/2023.

The Department will continue to work intensively with all stakeholders to develop and implement solutions to address challenges being experienced by some schools in sourcing substitute teachers.

Teaching Qualifications

Questions (269)

Seán Haughey

Question:

269. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if she will review the qualifications needed to take up primary and post-primary teaching; if she will consider, in particular, the case of students with relevant qualifications in the education system having to undertake a two-year professional masters in education; if this could be reduced to one year instead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39681/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

Changes to the duration and content of all initial teacher education (ITE) programmes were made in response to recommendations in the National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among children and Young People 2011-2020 and were incorporated into the Teaching Council’s Policy Paper on the Continuum of Teacher Education and Criteria and Guidelines for Programme Providers. The changes made to post graduate ITE programmes included the reconfiguration of their content and an increase in their duration to two years.

The lengthened and reconfigured programmes include substantial periods of school placement as central to student teacher development.

Accreditation of ITE programmes and the standards required to be registered as a teacher in Ireland are the responsibility of the Teaching Council. Revised standards for ITE were set out by the Teaching Council in Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education, published in 2020. These include a number of mandatory areas including seven core elements -

Inclusive Education

Global Citizenship Education

Professional Relationships and Working with Parents

Professional Identity and Agency

Creativity and Reflective Practice

Literacy and Numeracy

Digital Skills

Céim reaffirms that post-graduate ITE programmes shall be a minimum of two years’ duration.

These reforms are focused on improving the quality of teaching in our schools, which is central to the educational outcomes of our children. The changes made to the content and duration of the ITE programmes for primary and post primary teaching are in line with the aims of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy and aim to ensure that newly qualified teachers are better equipped for the needs of modern day classrooms.

It is acknowledged that there are challenges around the availability of teachers at present. Earlier this year, I announced the approval of 610 additional places on primary initial teacher education programmes over the next two years. This measure is in addition to a number of measures taken and underway which are intended to address current challenges in the area of teacher supply in primary and post-primary schools. I and my Department continue to work collaboratively with the education partners to ensure teacher supply.

Many programmes of initial teacher education remain oversubscribed and there are no plans to reduce the current duration of the postgraduate ITE programmes to one year.

Teacher Training

Questions (270)

Richard Bruton

Question:

270. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education whether modules in special education have become a mandatory element in teacher training; and if not, if she would consider such a change since it is of such growing importance in inclusive teaching skills. [39682/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

Céim – Standards for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) was published by the Teaching Council in November 2020. Céim sets out the requirements that all ITE programmes in Ireland must meet in order to gain accreditation from the Teaching Council. It is also a benchmark for anybody seeking to register as a teacher in Ireland. The review by the Teaching Council of 68 existing programmes in 14 providers in accordance with the Céim standards commenced in November 2021 and will continue into 2023.

As part of the review, the previous sixteen mandatory elements for all programmes of ITE have been updated and amalgamated into seven core elements, one of which is: Inclusive Education.

Inclusive Education is described as ‘any aspect of teachers’ learning aimed at improving their capacity to address and respond to the diversity of learners’ needs; to enable their participation in learning; and remove barriers to education through the accommodation and provision of appropriate structures and arrangements to enable each learner to achieve the maximum benefit from his /her attendance at school’. Furthermore, the standards reference that ‘the Teaching Council’s view of a truly inclusive approach to professional practice recognises that teachers encounter a diverse range of needs in the course of their teaching, regardless of setting. This will include additional learning needs (e.g. autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia) and learning needs associated with diverse linguistic, socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic (including Traveller community, Roma) backgrounds.’

School Funding

Questions (271)

Steven Matthews

Question:

271. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the pathfinder energy retrofit project for a school (details supplied); if she will provide a timeline for the commencement of works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39683/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department has a strong record with respect to sustainable energy in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in design and specification.

My Department’s approach to the decarbonisation of the school sector is predicated on establishing a credible phased pathway to zero emissions, and meeting 2030 public sector targets through an evidence based approach, informed by the Department’s Energy Research Programme which has been in place from 1997 with over 54 different research strands.

There has been a strong early focus on energy efficiency in the school sector. In 2009 my Department provided 100% funding for a school sector insulation scheme. This programme enabled all schools to apply for 100% funding to upgrade the fabric insulation in their school buildings with the focus on cavity wall and attic insulation.

An enhanced water conservation scheme for the school sector was completed in 2010 via a 100% funded programme of works that saw existing school buildings improving hot and cold water conservation and reducing costs in use.

Since 2009, schools designed and built in accordance with the Department’s schools technical guidance documents have achieved A3 Building Energy Ratings.

Current schools typically achieve up to 20% higher energy performance and 25% better carbon performance than required by Building Regulations.

In addition, 10% of primary energy in these schools is provided via solar photovoltaic panels. Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is also provided.

The National Development Plan 2021-2030 published on 4th Oct 2021, provides capital funding of over €4.4bn for investment in school infrastructure during the period 2021 to 2025. There continues to be a strong Climate Action dimension to this modernisation programme.

My Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications have developed a jointly funded school sector decarbonisation pathfinder programme. It is administered by the Planning and Building Unit in my Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in partnership with devolved delivery support from Limerick and Clare Education Training Board.This Pathfinder programme is paving the way for, and informing, a much larger national decarbonisation school sector programme.

The budget for the pathfinder programme of works from 2017 to 2023 is circa €110 million.

This pathfinder is a great example of collaboration ensuring the deployment of new design approaches and technologies are introduced to the school sector on an evidence based approach. This programme continues to assist my Department to explore options and test various solutions for decarbonised energy efficiency solutions in our broad range of school building types.

It is facilitating research on a range of typical retrofit options for schools, which will be tried and tested. It is providing valuable development information for a solution driven delivery strategy which will be founded on a solid evidence base that has proven the robustness and scalability of renewable solutions within the school sector.

Each school undergoes a comprehensive assessment to ensure that the measures are suitable for that school and will deliver value to both the school and learnings for the national retrofit programme.

The works typically involves upgrades to the building fabric including wall and roof insulation, doors and windows, air tightness improvements, LED lighting and heating upgrades as well as renewable technologies.

This pathfinder programme has completed work to date in 49 schools across Ireland.

Work is progressing in an additional 15 schools.

A Building Energy Rating (BER) of B is the targeted energy rating for these schools.

The pathfinder is paving the way for, and informing a larger schools national programme for the energy retrofit of schools and will play a key part of meeting delivery of the Climate Action Plan.

The next step in relation to the decarbonisation pathfinder programme as detailed in Climate Action Plan 2023 is to create an accurate scalable model for resourcing and delivery for the school sector. This will include an initial pilot to test the national delivery model processes and procedures, this will commence in 2024.

The 2023/24 Pathfinder is jointly funded with a targeted budget of €50 million from the Department of Education and Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Department of Education with delivery support from Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board.

The schools for the 2023 programme are:

• Leixlip Community School, Kildare

• Catherine McCauley Special School, Limerick

• Carndonagh Community School, Donegal

• St Joseph’s National School, Kingscourt, Cavan

• Presentation Girls Primary School, Maynooth

• Holy Rosary School, Wicklow

• Hazelwood College, Limerick

• St Colmcille’s Community School, Dublin

• Scoil Thomas Primary School, Dublin

• Scoil Neassain Primary School, Limerick

The school to which the Deputy refers is currently at design stage. It is expected the Contractor will be appointed by the end of the year with works commencing in Q2 2024.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (272)

Richard Bruton

Question:

272. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the delay in the planned opening of a school (details supplied); if she will indicate how this came about; and whether the issues can be quickly resolved. [39684/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The 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.

The school commenced operation in the new school building on Friday 1st September, two days later than anticipated due to resource and material supply difficulties experienced by the contractor in the latter stage of the build. My Department agreed the revised return date with the school and its patron body in advance of the scheduled return to school and provided regular updates on progress during this period.

School Transport

Questions (273)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

273. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the number of students who have applied for a school transport but are left without transport this September; the urgent steps she is taking to alleviate the issues; if she has engaged with Bus Éireann to increase the retirement age for school bus drivers, which would immediately increase the supply of school bus drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39691/23]

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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 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.

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 has reported that unfortunately, for a small number of families assigned to school transport services, a number of difficulties have arisen in some localities with just under 2% of contracted services nationally affecting less then 2% of those pupils who have been issued with a ticket. These services were secured for the 2023/2024 school year however, Bus Éireann was informed at the last minute that due to driver/contractor unavailability, services could not commence as expected. These services are not cancelled, and the Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible.

It is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years. However, Bus Éireann part-time school bus drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70. This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.

The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. While Bus Éireann have informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time, the matter will continue to be kept under review.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (274)

Seán Haughey

Question:

274. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education her plans for a new school building for a school (details suppled); when it is proposed that this building will be complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39694/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The permanent school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including four classrooms, for children with special educational needs. The project is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme.

The estimated completion of Phase 1 is Q1 2024 and will deliver accommodation for some 680 pupils and accommodation, including a temporary classbase and multi-sensory room, for children with special educational needs.

The estimated completion of Phase 2 is Q3 2024, which will deliver the remainder of the accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs.

My Department will continue to keep the patron body and the school updated as the project progresses.

School Staff

Questions (275)

Richard Bruton

Question:

275. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if there is a higher-than-usual number of full-time posts in schools which remain vacant this September; if she considers it appropriate that some of the rules surrounding who can act as a substitute in such roles should now be relaxed; if not, if other changes could be made to offer other possibilities to local school leaders to find ways to deliver services while these posts remain vacant after repeated advertising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39698/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The recruitment and appointment of teachers is a matter for individual schools and ETBs. As the recruitment process is still ongoing and teacher appointments are currently being processed by Payroll Division, it is not possible at this stage to confirm the current number of vacant teaching posts. A clearer position in relation to the number of persons appointed to posts for the 2023/2024 school year will be known by Quarter 4 2023, when schools conclude the majority of their appointments.The Department is aware that a number of schools are experiencing some challenges recruiting teachers for their schools this year. The Department meets on a regular basis with school management bodies and teacher unions on this very important issue, and has recently met with school management bodies in this regard.Fixed term replacement teacher posts must be filled according to the current rules for teacher recruitment. These include that the recruited teacher shall be offered a fixed term contract. There is also a requirement that a person employed in a teaching position is registered with the Teaching Council in order to be paid by the public purse. This is provided for under legislation and therefore it is not possible for the State to pay a person whose Teaching Council Registration is pending.There is an exception to this rule which permits an unregistered person to be employed in a substitute capacity for up to 5 days in place of a teacher. Teachers who carry out substitute work and who are not on supply panels, or who do not hold a permanent/fixed term contract in their own right, can be used to fill vacant posts where a school cannot secure a teacher on a longer-term basis. However, the school must continue to seek to recruit a teacher on a longer-term contract for that post.The Department will continue to work intensively with all stakeholders to develop and implement solutions to address the teacher recruitment challenges being experienced by some schools.

Site Acquisitions

Questions (276)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

276. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education whether a permanent site has been identified for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39709/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

As the Deputy is aware, the site identification and assessment exercise for the new Ériu Community College is ongoing. Potential site options have been identified, including a Minister-owned property.

The Deputy will appreciate that negotiations in respect of site acquisitions are, by their nature, sensitive and for that reason I am not in a position to provide further information at this time.

Education Policy

Questions (277)

Carol Nolan

Question:

277. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if her Department supports the principle that teachers at both primary and post-primary level should avoid engaging in politicised or personal advocacy work within the classroom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39718/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

Under the relevant legislation, all schools are managed by the school board of management/ education and training board (ETB). The boards of management and school principals have a responsibility for the quality and effectiveness of education and the management of staff in a school.

The Teaching Council of Ireland requires all registered teachers to comply with its Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers (2nd Edition, 2016) which under Part 2 Professional Integrity states that teachers should “… 2.5 avoid conflict between their professional work and private interests which could reasonably be deemed to impact negatively on pupils/students.” According to the Teaching Council, the purpose of the Code is threefold:

1. It serves as a guiding compass as teachers seek to steer an ethical and respectful course through their career in teaching and to uphold the honour and dignity of the teaching profession.

2. It may be used by the education community and the wider public to inform their understanding and expectations of the teaching profession in Ireland.

3. It has an important legal standing and is used by the Council as a reference point in exercising its investigative and disciplinary functions under Part 5 of the Teaching Council Acts, 2001 - 2015, dealing with fitness to teach.

School Curriculum

Questions (278)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

278. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to introduce additional measures through the school curriculum to deal with issues in relation to minors who gamble (details supplied); if she will outline what measures are in place presently, if any; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39723/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

Schools have a role to play in supporting their students to develop the key skills and knowledge to enable them to make informed choices when faced with a range of difficult issues, including drugs, alcohol and gambling. This is mainly done through the Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme.

SPHE forms part of the mandatory Wellbeing area of learning at Junior Cycle. Wellbeing in Junior Cycle is about young people feeling confident, happy, healthy and connected, and it is one of the principles that underpins Junior Cycle education.

An updated Junior Cycle SPHE specification was published by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) in May 2023 and is being rolled out for first years in all schools from this month. It places a strong focus on the development of important life skills that young people need growing up in a fast changing and complex world. The learning outcomes of the Making Healthy Choices strand in the updated specification include that students should be able to "discuss societal, cultural and economic influences affecting young people when it comes to making healthy choices about smoking, alcohol and other addictive substances and behaviours, and how harmful influences can be overcome in real-life situations". In the specification’s Glossary of Key Terms, addictive behaviours are defined as including “gaming, gambling and social media addictions” .

Work is ongoing to update the SPHE specification for Senior Cycle. In the course of consultation on the Background Paper and Brief for the redevelopment of Senior Cycle SPHE, participants commonly talked about addictive substances and behaviours such as alcohol use and gambling and the need for students to be enabled to recognise addiction and the impact of addiction on emotional wellbeing, on decision-making and on family and friends. This learning is addressed in the draft specification which is currently open for consultation until 18 October. I encourage everyone to submit their views to this consultation before then, which can be done via the NCCA’s website, www.ncca.ie

Schools Building Projects

Questions (279)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

279. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the reason the building project at a school (details supplied) has been further delayed; if she will provide a date on which the project will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39730/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The large scale capital project at the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award.

The reserved specialist tender report is under review by my Department. Discussions are ongoing with the Design Team to assist in the completion of the review.

When this process is complete and subject to no further issues arising, my Department will be in further contact with the school authority.

School Transport

Questions (280)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

280. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she will fund extra seats for a school bus (details supplied) in Rathcormac, County Cork). [39758/23]

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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 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.

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 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 have advised that the school in question currently has one 53 seat bus service carrying 26 eligible pupils and 27 concessionary pupils. Bus Éireann have confirmed that 11 concessionary pupils were not successful in obtaining tickets for the 23/24 school year.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (281)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if all efforts can be made to ensure a school place in a local ASD unit can be provided in the case of the son of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39760/23]