Tuesday, 17 Oct 2023

School Transport

Questions (253)

Thomas Gould

Question:

253. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education whether she will consider the provision of a larger school bus in upper Glanmire to assist eight families who are still without transport. [45175/23]

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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 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. 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 an agreed selection process.

Bus Éireann has advised that the bus that currently services Glanmire, a large 53 seater bus is catering for eligible, TAM (Temporary Alleviation Measures), and concessionary ticket holders. Bus Eireann further advise that this service is currently operating to capacity.

School Facilities

Questions (254)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

254. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education her plans to assist with the shrinking play area at a school (details supplied) due to building extensions and a growing school population; if the current situation regarding inadequate parking space at the school will be reviewed and addressed, including ongoing safety issues presenting due to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45191/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

I wish to advise the Deputy, that my Department is not in receipt of a current application from the school in question, for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme.

The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.

At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has very recently received correspondence from the school in question regarding retrospective funding for the play area at the school. Officials in my Department will consider the correspondence received and will liaise with the school authority directly.

As part of it’s planning for 2023 and beyond, Department officials are working on the arrangements for the next phases of the summer works programme. It is envisaged at this stage that, a new Multi-Annual SWS with a focus on climate action and energy conservation will be opened for new applications in late 2023 or early 2024 for delivery of projects on a phased basis from 2024 onwards. Schools will be notified of the details of the SWS in due course.

The purpose of the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works which, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The SWS operates on a multi-annual basis and was last opened for applications in 2019. It will be open to the school in question to apply for funding under the Summer Works Scheme.

School Curriculum

Questions (255)

Michael Lowry

Question:

255. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 228 of 10 October 2023; if he will confirm when the work on the Junior Certificate School Programme review will physically recommence; what is the new timeline for completing this review; when its findings will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45193/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

Work is now ongoing to recommence the review of the Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP), which was paused as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. At this stage there is no timeline for the completion of the review. However, my officials are actively engaged in progressing this important review in as timely a manner as possible.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (256)

Seán Haughey

Question:

256. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education the current position regarding building works at a schools (details supplied); when these works will be complete; when the school will be opened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45194/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The current position regarding the schools referred to by the Deputy are as follows;

Griffeen Community College:

The permanent school building project for Griffeen Community College 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.

Holy Family Community School Rathcoole:

The large scale capital project at Holy Family Community School, 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.

Divine Mercy Junior & Senior schools

The joint major building project for Divine Mercy Junior & Senior schools is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design. My Department met with both schools and their Design Team in December 2022 to discuss proposed changes to the school design as additional classrooms for children with special educational needs were approved for both schools.

The Design Team submitted a revised design option for my Departments’ review, and an architectural design workshop to discuss the submitted design option was held on 26th September 2023.

The Design Team have recently submitted further revisions to the design options which are currently under review by my Department. Once agreement is reached on the proposed design, the Design Team will proceed to prepare a revised Stage 2(b) Submission including a new Planning Permission application, and other statutory applications, along with a revised suite of Tender documents.

St Thomas JNS & Scoil Áine SNS Lucan:

The joint major building project for St Thomas JNS & Scoil Áine SNS will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme. The ADAPT Programme uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning to Tender and Construction.

The Design Team are currently at the initial stage of Architectural Planning, Stage 1 – Preliminary Design, where the Design Team will assess the site and current school buildings and prepare their initial sketch schemes. A preferred design option, including the scope and extent of works to be carried out will be established during this early stage.

Until the project design is at a stage where statutory approvals are secured by the Design Team, it will not be possible to provide an estimated onsite date.

School Transport

Questions (257)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

257. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to provide an update in respect of school bus transport for a person (details supplied), as a response has not been received from Bus Éireann directly yet. [45203/23]

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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 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 Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for School Transport if they are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class, special school or a unit that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education and Science criteria.

Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of my Department. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.

Bus Éireann will try to facilitate requests for set down at addresses other than the child’s home address provided the alternate address is on the route of the existing service and the arrangements are the same throughout the school year. However, in general, it is not possible to facilitate atypical school transport arrangements which involve additional mileage, inconvenience to other children on the service, additional cost to the State or where Bus Éireann have concerns regarding a child's safety.

Bus Éireann has advised that the request referred by the Deputy for the pupil referred would have a deviation to the route of an existing service and would incur additional cost to the State and therefore cannot be granted under the terms of the current scheme.

School Textbooks

Questions (258)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

258. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the breakdown per capita of what will be the allocation to 1st, 2nd and 3rd years of the Government’s expansion of the schoolbook grant; and if the criteria will be the same as that currently in place for primary schools. [45207/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

As Minister for Education, I believe it is crucially important that children and young people are actively supported to access education in its fullest forms. This Government recognises that the cost of preparing children for school each September can be a cause of financial difficulty and worry for many Irish families.

As part of Budget 2023, I announced a major investment of over €50 million to provide free schoolbooks in recognised primary schools and special schools. This was a landmark moment in Irish education and one that furthers our goal to provide free education for all and ensure that every child can benefit from free education.

The introduction of this measure directly addressed our commitment under the Programme for Government to commence a free schoolbooks scheme pilot in September 2020 and expand the scheme to schools nationwide, as resources allow.

To further the delivery of our important government commitment, last week I announced that funding is allocated under Budget 2024 to extend the free schoolbooks scheme to all students in junior cycle years in public post primary schools. The total funding available for this extension of the scheme is €67 million.

The grant for this scheme will be paid based on the previous year’s validated enrolment figures which, for the 2024/25 school year, will be the enrolment numbers for the current 2023/24 school year.

The most recent validated enrolment figures which is held by my Department on junior cycle enrolments show that 208,736 students were enrolled in junior cycle years in the 2022/23 school year.

It is estimated that up to 213,000 students, in over 670 schools across all counties, will benefit from this new measure, which will commence from September 2024.

Guidance on the new junior cycle free schoolbooks scheme will be developed over the coming period as part of our engagement process with all stakeholders. The scheme will aim to ensure that value for money is achieved, and that schools will be supported to implement the scheme in a way that has the best learning outcomes for junior cycle students. Similar to the scheme at primary level, administrative supports will be provided to schools in order to roll out the scheme. Details of the funding, including the per capita rate and the administrative support element, will be set out in the guidance to schools.

The grants will be paid to recognised post primary schools as early as possible. I am conscious of the need for post primary schools to have sufficient time to implement the scheme in advance of the start of the 2024/25 school year. Schools are not required to apply for this grant funding as the grants will be paid directly to schools in line with the actual student enrolment on 30 September 2023.

As Minister for Education, I am acutely aware of the various costs faced by families upon the return of their children to school each September and am confident that this new provision will further and significantly reduce the back to school financial burden for many families.

School Funding

Questions (259)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

259. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education in relation to Budget 2024, if the Financial Support Services Unit will have any additional moneys available for schools that are facing financial hardship that sees a rapid increase in pupil numbers after 30 September 2023 cut-off date. [45208/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU) is an important source of advice and support for school management and finance personnel on financial governance matters and enables them to comply with the provisions of the Education Act 1998 in terms of accountability, transparency and financial responsibility for State funds.

As part of its role, the FSSU provides schools with support and advice in relation to budget management and financial reporting.

The FSSU website is also an invaluable resource which provides a wide range of templates, guidelines, videos and webinars focused on finance which will be of benefit to all School Boards of Management and those involved in the preparation of school accounts.

It gives me great pleasure to have secured €10.5 billion in total funding for Education in Budget 2024. This significant increase in funding ensures that the total budget is at the highest ever for our primary and post primary schools. The funding will ensure continued reduced costs for families; it will continue to tackle disadvantage and it will provide further supports to safeguard inclusive education for all school communities.

This year’s Budget will provide targeted funding for school communities with an increase in capitation of over €81 million.

The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €183 per pupil at Primary level and at post primary the standard rate is €316 per student for voluntary secondary schools. The Capitation grant is based on recognised enrolments in September of the relevant school year. The standard capitation rates are different for Community and Comprehensive schools as well as those in the ETB sector as these schools are funded via budgets.

As part of the capitation package in Budget 2024 I am pleased to have secured €21 million as a permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs. This will support a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools from September 2024. This will bring the basic rate of capitation to €200 per student in primary schools and to €345 in voluntary secondary schools. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational needs. This represents an increase of circa 9.2% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates.

The €81 million secured for capitation also includes €60 million as part of the Cost of Living measures in Budget 2024. All recognised Primary and Post-Primary schools in the Free Education scheme will benefit from this additional capitation funding which will be paid at an average rate of €49 per pupil at Primary level and €75 at Post-Primary level. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational needs.

Schools also receive an Ancillary Services Grant. The standard rate is €173 per pupil in Primary schools and €224.50 per student in Post-Primary schools.

Primary schools with less than 60 pupils are paid the Capitation and the Ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils. At Post-Primary level, schools with less than 200 students receive ancillary related grants on the basis of having 200 students.

Schools also receive a range of other grants including Book Grants, Programme grants etc. For the 2023/24 school year I introduced a landmark new scheme that signifies a new chapter in Irish primary education to provide free school books for all primary and special school pupils. The total free primary book grant amount paid to date in 2023 is €53.5m.

I am very pleased to say that I have secured funding to extend the free school books scheme to junior cycle students from the start of the next school year in September 2024. The total funding available for this extension of the scheme is €67 million.

I am pleased that I have been able to provide for significant increases for school communities in Budget 2024. My Department will continue to support any school that has particular difficulties.

National Educational Psychological Service

Questions (260)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

260. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide a breakdown of allocation specifically to NEPS as contained in Budget 2024, which appears to state a reduction of funding of over €20 million. [45209/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

My 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.

As part of the consolidation of Departmental salaries within the Administration subheads in 2024 for ‘Vote 26: Office of the Minster for Education’ all salary costs are now being presented under subhead line ‘(i) Salaries, Wages and allowances’. This is part of an overall Government Accounting reforms to ensure as much as possible consistency across Voted expenditures and accounts for each Vote.

Therefore, in 2023 the expenditure for NEPS pay and non-pay costs were allocated and reported within the Administration subhead ‘(viii) National Education Psychological Services’. In 2024, the pay element of the NEPS is now recorded under the administrative subhead ‘(i) Salaries, Wages and allowances’. In 2024, this reallocation of NEPS pay expenditure to another subhead line has resulted in a decrease to the (viii) subhead line allocation and a corresponding increase to the (i) subhead line. This has not resulted in any reduction to NEPS overall funding allocation from 2023 to 2024. The final budget figure will be available after the Revised Estimate process. In addition to the NEPS budget I was also pleased to announce that my Department has secured additional funding in Budget 2024 to continue the counselling in primary school pilot for an additional year, until June 2025.

School Staff

Questions (261)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

261. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the breakdown of the 1,000 AP posts in primary and post-primary schools. [45210/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

I recognise the key role school leadership has in promoting a school environment which is welcoming, inclusive and accountable.

As part of Budget 2024, funding of €4 million will be made available to provide 1,000 additional posts of responsibility in the school system for the 2024/25 school year. This is in recognition that school leaders play a key role in improving educational outcomes by creating a positive school climate and environment as well as motivating and empowering educators and learners within their school communities.

The Department will shortly be revising the Schedules of Posts of Responsibility for the Primary and Secondary Sector and it is at that stage when the split of the 1000 additional posts between both sectors will be known. It is expected that in so far as possible that there will be an even split of the new posts between both sectors which also includes Special Schools.

School Transport

Questions (262)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

262. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education when outstanding reps for school transport queries (details supplied) will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45244/23]

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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 134,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.

Contact details for Bus Éireann’s School Transport offices can be found by clicking the following link: Contact your local School Transport Office - Bus Éireann - View Ireland Bus and Coach Timetables & Buy Tickets (buseireann.ie)

Bus Éireann has put in place a dedicated customer care call centre and a ‘contact form’ on www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport to assist families specifically with school transport queries. Families that have queries can contact the call centre on: LoCall 0818 919 910. Operating hours are 09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday.

Bus Éireann also have a dedicated email address for public representatives to contact them with any queries: representatives@buseireann.ie.

Bus Eireann has advised that the local office are currently assessing the queries referred to by the Deputy and responses will be issued as soon as possible. Bus Éireann endeavours to answer queries in a timely manner.

School Textbooks

Questions (263)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

263. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education what provision is being made to secondary schools to administer the new free school books scheme for junior cycle (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45250/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

As Minister for Education, I believe it is crucially important that children and young people are actively supported to access education in its fullest forms. This Government recognises that the cost of preparing children for school each September can be a cause of financial difficulty and worry for many Irish families.

As part of Budget 2023, I announced a major investment of over €50 million to provide free schoolbooks in recognised primary schools and special schools. This was a landmark moment in Irish education and one that furthers our goal to provide free education for all and ensure that every child can benefit from free education.

The introduction of this measure directly addressed our commitment under the Programme for Government to commence a free schoolbooks scheme pilot in September 2020 and expand the scheme to schools nationwide, as resources allow.

To further the delivery of our important government commitment, last week I announced that funding is allocated under Budget 2024 to extend the free schoolbooks scheme to all students in junior cycle years in public post primary schools. The total funding available for this extension of the scheme is €67 million.

It is estimated that up to 213,000 students, in over 670 schools across all counties, will benefit from this new measure, which will commence from September 2024.

In recognition of the work required in schools associated with implementing this scheme, my Department intends to put in place a grant payment, for schools, for administrative support.

The Administrative Support Grant for the roll out of junior cycle free books will be similar to the support my Department provided to primary schools earlier this year whereby a grant was provided to the school to employ an individual or individuals to work for a specified number of days to carry out the administrative work on the scheme. Although the rate is based on a daily rate, schools had the autonomy to use the equivalent hours over the course of the months leading up to the start of the school year as they consider most suitable for their own needs.

Although there are book rental schemes with mature administration systems in place in many post-primary schools already, for the successful rollout of the junior cycle free schoolbooks scheme, I am conscious that post-primary schools will need to receive support for the administration of the scheme. My Department will develop detailed guidance for schools around the implementation of the scheme and this guidance will include details on how the administrative support grant will be calculated for each post-primary school.

As Minister for Education, I am acutely aware of the various costs faced by families upon the return of their children to school each September and am confident that this new provision will further and significantly reduce the back to school financial burden for many families. I am also aware that schools play a vital role in achieving this goal and I want to ensure that they will be supported to implement the scheme in a way that has the best learning outcomes for junior cycle students.

School Transport

Questions (264)

Colm Brophy

Question:

264. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update in relation to bus transport for children at schools (details supplied) in Dublin South-West; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45251/23]

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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 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 current terms of the scheme, pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible. Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.

Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level are being continued for the current school year. Under these measures, which were initially introduced in 2019, transport will be provided where there is a route in operation and where capacity exists for concessionary post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied and paid on time.

The closing date for applications for school transport for 2023/2024 school year was 28 April 2023, and the closing date for payment/entering medical card details was 09 June 2023.

Bus Éireann has advised that no applications have been received on their on-line application system for mainstream/ transport for children with special educational needs.

Bus Éireann has put in place a dedicated customer care call centre to assist families specifically with School Transport queries. Families that have queries can contact the call centre on: LoCall 0818 919 910. Operating hours are 09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (265)

John Lahart

Question:

265. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the reason a new school (details supplied) might not have had special classes designed into the structure at architectural planning stage along with associated requirements such as sensory (if required); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45252/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority 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 educational 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.

My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.

As a result of this forward planning, earlier this year, 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, 389 new special classes – 252 at primary and 137 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year.

In Dublin, 77 new special classes have been sanctioned, 51 at primary level and 26 at post-primary level, bringing the total number of special classes in Co. Dublin to 540.

Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at: www.ncse.ie/special-classes

As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes.

In October of last year, my department wrote to all post-primary schools to advise them of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next 3 to 5 years, with an approximate average of 4 special classes in each school.

My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for the 2024/25 school year, including in the school planning area referred to by the Deputy.

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

My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (266)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

266. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to issues raised regarding a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; the steps her Department is taking to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45253/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

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. Further progress has been made in Budget 2024 where 26% of my department’s budget will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs, representing a 5% increase on Budget 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 and in 2024 a further 744 teachers, and 1,126 SNAs will be added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs.

This will mean there will be close to 20,000 teachers and over 21,000 SNAs working in the area of special education. Together we will have over 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 educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews.

In relation to the teacher supply issues raised by the school referred to by the Deputy, the Department is undertaking a comprehensive programme to support the supply of primary and post-primary teachers. The teacher supply measures include:

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

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

-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.

-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.

-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.

-At primary level, 610 additional places have been approved 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.

Budget 2024 also provides funding to support applicants undertaking the professional masters in education programme.

In relation to the school accommodation issues raised, I wish to confirm that a major capital project to develop a 16 classroom school with accommodation for pupils with special education needs is included in my department’s school building programme. The project is at stage 1 of the architectural planning process and my department is currently engaging with the school authority regarding the accommodation brief.

I want to assure you also that my department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (267)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

267. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will address the disparity that exists in the School Summer Programme whereby children in multi-disability classes in mainstream primary schools are required to be in school for a longer day, and yet receive the same funding allocation as children in special schools who are not required to attend a full day; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45263/23]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

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

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

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

The terms and conditions for the 2023 Summer Programme were implemented following a comprehensive review and extensive engagement with education partners and stakeholders, including the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism. The Department also engaged with management bodies, schools and parents with a view to encouraging more schools to participate in the 2023 programme.

This year’s school based programme was open to pupils enrolled in special schools, special classes, pupils who have complex special educational needs in mainstream classes and those who are most at risk of educational disadvantage.

Children who were entering primary school in September 2023 and who met the above criteria were also eligible for the programme.

In 2023, a pilot scheme specifically for special schools was introduced. The Special School Pilot Programme recognised the complexities of organising a summer programme in special school environments and was designed to ensure supports were targeted. These targeted measures included a higher level of capitation to cover the running costs of the scheme whilst additional grant funding was provided in order to mitigate against their unique circumstances that arise during the summer months.

As part of the pilot, the length of the core day was also reduced from the full school day to 10 am – 2 pm in special schools only. This again recognised the challenges associated with running the programme in a special school, particularly the logistical and practical concerns that would not be present in mainstream schools to the same extent, such as break time routines and transport concerns.

In relation to primary mainstream schools, a new Scheme under the Summer Programme was also introduced. This Primary Mainstream School Scheme replaced the Inclusion and Special Class programmes of previous years and it allowed for a more cohesive and inclusive approach. It was still open to schools to offer places to pupils enrolled in special classes, pupils who have complex special educational needs in mainstream classes and those who are most at risk of educational disadvantage.

To further support the inclusive approach of this scheme, primary mainstream schools were given more options in relation to numbers of groups that they could provide a programme for. Previously, there were defined allocations in relation to the number of groups that schools could run a programme for, based on the size of a school. This approach was now more reflective of meeting the individual needs of a school and the children who were eligible to take part. As part of this inclusive approach, there was no change to the hours in the school day when running the Primary Mainstream Scheme.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (268)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education in the contest of the school building programme, the extent to which continuous and urgent provision is being made to accommodate school-going children at primary and second level throughout Kildare north; the extent to which discussions have taken place or are so doing with the various school authorities to ensure advanced planning and delivery of school buildings is in line with emerging requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45307/23]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

As the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (or GIS) to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. In addition, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform the Department’s projections of school place requirements.

Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, including North Kildare areas, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity and identifies any requirement for additional provision.

It is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not always be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by factors such as duplication of applications or school of choice - this is, where pupils can't get a place in their preferred school but there are places in other schools in the area.

Through engagement with school authorities and patrons, and having accounted for factors such as duplication of applications, my Department has established that a requirement exists for increased provision at schools in North Kildare.

My officials are leading engagement with the relevant school patrons and authorities to put the necessary solutions in place for the 2024/25 and future school years. This includes the use of existing spare capacity, sanctioning of works to existing accommodation, and the accelerated provision of modular accommodation.

My Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Under the National Development Plan, a total of almost €250m has been invested in schools in County Kildare over the last five years. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for the North Kildare area.

These projects include recently completed new school buildings in Maynooth and Naas. Additionally, a number of further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned, including in Prosperous, Kilcock, Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip, Naas and Clane.

With regard to special educational needs provision, 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.

The National Council for Special Education, or NCSE, has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational 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.

My Department has also been progressing building projects for a number of special schools in Kildare, which include new school buildings for St Raphaels, Cebridge; St Anne’s Special School, Curragh; and St Marks Special School, Newbridge.

I can also confirm that ten new special classes – five at primary and five at post-primary level – were sanctioned by the NCSE for opening across Kildare in the 2023/24 school year. The Department continues to work with the NCSE in relation to the short-term requirements for special class and special school places and also the more strategic and longer-term requirements.

I can assure the Deputy that the Department will continue to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in North Kildare and across the county for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (269)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which special needs provision in terms of school places continues in line with requirements and discussions with the various school authorities, with the need to ensure the elimination of waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45308/23]