Written Answers Nos. 232-241
232. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of necessary alterations needed in relation to the construction of a school (details supplied); if she can confirm receipt of correspondence regarding same; if she can detail the process her Department will make to address these needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44061/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the major school building project to which the Deputy refers, has been devolved for delivery to Louth County Council. Construction commenced in July 2023.
I acknowledge receipt of recent correspondence and the matters raised therein are being considered by my Department and we will revert in due course.
233. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a solution to a situation regarding a school bus (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44066/23]
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.
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 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats and are subject to a number of terms and conditions
Bus Éireann review all school transport services over the summer months. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.
Bus Éireann has advised that all pupils on the services referred to by the Deputy have been accommodated on services for the 2023/24 school year.
234. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the ongoing issue pertaining to the need for additional accommodation at a school (details supplied); what is the long-term plan for this school accommodation needs; if a permanent structure will be built on the school grounds or is it anticipated that additional modular units will be provided as a short-term measure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44081/23]
View answerI can confirm that an application for additional accommodation was received under my Department's Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme.
Following the assessment of the application, the school authority was approved a devolved permanent project towards the delivery of 5 general classrooms, a 2 SEN base and reconfiguration works to the technology room and preparation area. In 2021, 8 modular classrooms were approved to meet the immediate accommodation requirements of the school.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
In 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.
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.
It is expected that the enrolment pressures in the Cashel School Planning Area will reduce in the short-term as such planned additional capacity comes on stream and as demographic demand moves past its peak. 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 the Cashel SPA.
If the need for additional accommodation arises it is open to the school authority to make an application for additional accommodation through the 'Additional School Accommodation scheme (ASA)' which is available at www.gov.ie.
My Department will continue to work to advance current projects and to ensure sufficient places for both mainstream provision and for pupils with special education requirements both for the coming academic year and into the future. My officials will continue to monitor enrolment trends, population growth, and residential development in this School Planning Area and to keep school place requirements under review. In particular, the impact on school place demand of new arrivals, including Ukrainian students, will inform my Department’s assessment of school accommodation needs. Additionally there will be continued engagement with patrons and school authorities with a view to identifying at an early stage any particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train.
235. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will advise on an appointment for a child (details supplied). [44090/23]
View answerMy Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary and special schools.
The NEPS service provides access for all schools to:
• Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident
• A Casework Service for individual children where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
• A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and
• Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
Where a school does not have an assigned psychologist due to a vacancy, a psychologist from the local NEPS team undertakes the role of advisory psychologist to respond to queries that the school may have. In relation to the pupil referred to, the school should contact their local NEPS office to discuss how best to support the pupil.
236. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the capital project for a school (details supplied); if a timeframe is available for the commencement of the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44091/23]
View answerThe 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.
This project is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme and is currently at tender stage. The Invitation to Tender 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 interim accommodation requirements pending the delivery of the permanent school building.
237. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education the full complement of buildings and lands owned by her Department, or by agencies under the aegis of her Department in County Clare; if they are currently in use, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44154/23]
View answerA list of properties owned by me as Minister for Education located in County Clare is set out below. The listed properties include properties where the control and management of the property has been transferred to a school patron who operates the school in the property. All of the properties are being used for educational purposes:
|
Roll Number |
Name |
Address |
|
19838P |
Gaelscoil Sc Mhichil Chiosog |
Bóthar an Ghoirt, Inis, Co. An Chláir |
|
19849U |
Gaelscoil Donncha Rua |
Sionna, Co An Chlair |
|
20245S |
Ennistymon National School |
Ennistymon, Co Clare |
|
81007U |
Shannon Comprehensive School |
Shannon, Co. Clare |
|
91447I |
St Caimin's Community School |
Tullyvarraga, Shannon, Co. Clare |
|
91448K |
Kilrush Community School |
Kilrush, Co. Clare |
|
91518F |
Ennistymon Community School |
Ennistymon, Co. Clare |
My officials have been in contact with each of the agencies under the remit of the Department in regard to the Deputy’s query. I am advised that there are no properties, owned by the aegis bodies, that fall within the scope of the question.
238. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education to allocate a teacher to a school (details supplied) to cover shortages there. [44187/23]
View answerThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria. The final meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board, for the 2023/24 school year, will be held later this month. Schools that submit an application to this meeting will be informed of the outcome of their appeal ahead of the October mid-term break. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
239. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that a number of primary school children in Donabate (details supplied) have been unable to find a school placement locally and will now have to now travel by public transport to Swords to school; if she will immediately begin the process of acquiring a site for the other proposed primary schools which form part of the proposed educational hub in the Donabate Local Area Plan, given this unacceptable situation that has now arisen with local children in Donabate having to go to primary school outside of their hometown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44208/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for additional school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.
In 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, including CSO Census data, Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
The total for the population enumerated in Census 2022 was 5,149,139 persons which is an increase of 8% since April 2016. Any change arising from an increase in the number of pupils directly linked to the Census is likely to be marginal in the short term relative to the overall challenge of meeting our targets. This is because we already have the precise enrolment numbers for all of the children covered by the census. The only immediate change is likely to be to the projected intake to infant classes next September but this would already have been tracked through monitoring of child benefit data.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes as there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
At primary level the most recent projection for the Donabate school planning area indicate the projected peak year for enrolments is 2026 with numbers remaining static in the short term and decreasing thereafter.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
There are 3 projects planned in the Donabate school planning area and when completed, will cater for the demand for school places in the area:
Gaelscoil na Mara (Roll Number 20530R) Brief: New 16 Classroom School and SEN. Project Brief Stage (this includes determining the project brief and schedule of accommodation).
St Patrick's BNS (Roll Number 16267G) Brief: 2 SEN Unit. Stage 1 (Stage 1 is the Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief).
Scoil Padraig (Roll Number 18412W) Brief: 1 class SEN, 2x SET and 4x MCR. Stage 1.
As the Deputy is aware, there is a designated school site in the Corballis, Donabate area identified for the Gaelscoil referred to.
The design and the delivery of a school on the designated site, is dependent on road infrastructure and services to be delivered as part of the residential development, on these lands.
The residential development was granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála in November 2022. Unfortunately, judicial review proceedings have been lodged in respect of An Bord Pleanála’s decision.
My Department now await the outcome of the judicial review process, prior to advancing the plans for the provision of a primary school at lands in Corballis, Donabate.
The Department will continue to liaise with the Local Authorities in respect of their County Development Plan and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas.
240. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of school transport routes in Longford and Westmeath which are currently not running; and the number of children affected. [44217/23]
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.
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 133,000 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.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Parents of a child wishing to avail of school transport services, are required to apply on-line to Bus Éireann’s website at buseireann.ie/schooltransport
The closing date for new applications for the school year 2023/24 was 28 April 2023.
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.
All school transport services are reviewed over the summer months. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that all services for Longford/Westmeath are operating as planned.
241. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of teachers and staff recruited by schools over the summer period who have not yet received their salaries or wages, per county, in tabular form. [44220/23]
View answerI wish to outline to the Deputy details of the procedures to process applications for teachers and school staff appointments at the start of each new school year, and the commitment of staff of my Department to efficiently process these applications.
Early in the New Year, each school is advised by my Department of their teaching allocations for the forthcoming school year. It is the responsibility of the school Management Authority to ensure that all teaching posts are filled. Vacancies may arise in schools as a result of additional teaching posts being allocated, retirements, teachers moving to another school, career breaks, job sharing arrangements, or other absences.
Once a school has selected a successful candidate for a vacancy, they must provide the teacher’s appointment details to my Department in order to be set up on payroll. These details are provided in an appointment form and include details of the teachers’ appointment, type of contract, Teaching Council registration details, bank details, etc.
My Department gives an annual commitment to Schools, teachers, Unions and Education Partners that all correctly completed appointment forms received in Payroll Division in late June or early July will be paid on the first pay date in September. For the 2023/24 school year, these dates were 7th July 2023 for primary school teachers and Non Teaching Staff, and 30th June 2023 for post primary schools.
Appointment forms received after these dates are processed in date order of receipt. The majority of these appointment forms are also processed in time for salary payments to be made on the first pay date of September, or as early as possible thereafter.
There are, however, many instances where a school forwards a late appointment form after the start of the school year. This may be because it has taken some time for the school to recruit someone to a vacant position.
There are also instances where incomplete information is initially received and additional information is required in order to complete the processing of the appointment.
Schools may also continue to submit applications for fixed term contracts for school staff up to 31st October.
In some instances, schools may have commenced to appoint persons locally, but may not have submitted the appointment forms to my Department.
Accordingly, it is not possible to advise the Deputy how many staff recruited by schools for the 2023/24 school year have not yet received salaries or wages. My Department only becomes aware that a person may have been recruited by a school, once the appointment form has been submitted to my Department.
I wish to reassure the Deputy that staff in my Department are in direct contact with schools and teachers, on an ongoing basis. They are highly aware of the financial pressure that late payments of salary can place on teachers, especially newly qualified teachers and every effort is made to resolve issues as soon as possible and to ensure prompt payment. The majority of appointment applications have now been processed for the 2023/24 school year, and any outstanding applications are dealt with as soon as possible upon receipt of the appointment forms.
