Alan Farrell
Question:258. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education the status of the master plan for the new build for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46101/23]
View answerSchools Building Projects
Questions (258)
Written answers
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that this feasibility study has been completed and my Department is currently considering the optimum means to provide a new school building for St Finian’s Community College. In this regard, my Department has and will continue to work closely with the school authority, Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education & Training Board in order to identify the most appropriate solution for the wider education community in the area.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (259)
James Lawless
Question:259. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education to detail the future provision and timescales for the delivery of additional ASD units in Clane, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46122/23]
View answerWritten answers
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 1,216 SNAs will be added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 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 over the last four years and seven new special schools established.
My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, 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, 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 – 253 at primary and 135 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year.
Of these, 12 new special classes have been sanctioned in Kildare, 7 at primary level and 5 at post-primary level, bringing the total number of special classes in Co. Kildare to 116.
Specifically, for the Prosperous/Clane school planning area, the NCSE advises that there are currently 11 special classes for the 2023/24 school year – 7 at primary level and 4 at post-primary level.
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.
In relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, the school has 1 special education class currently. A project under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme will deliver a total of 4 special classes and is at Stage 1 (preliminary design). The project is subject to the normal statutory approval process and it is therefore not possible to provide an indicative date for delivery of the project at this point.
A major building project is currently at Stage 2b (detailed design) for another post-primary school in the area. This project includes accommodation for 4 special classes – 3 of these classes have already been established by the school. The project is subject to the normal statutory approval process and it is therefore not possible to provide an indicative date for delivery of the project at this point.
The NCSE is committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years. 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.
I want to assure you 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 (260)
Alan Dillon
Question:260. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the status of the current application related to infrastructure, SET facilities, or provisions at a school (details supplied); the future plans that have been derived from these assessments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46124/23]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school authority in question
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation 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.
The application is currently being assessed by my officials. Once the application has been assessed, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (261)
Bernard Durkan
Question:261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in the completion of allocated additional classrooms and subsequent appointment of additional teachers in the case of a special school (details supplied), given that the recent start date for students has now been pushed to mid-December 2023 at the earliest, meaning they have been unable to start school in the interim period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46154/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, my Department issued approval to the school authority in question for the provision of three special classrooms and ancillary accommodation.
The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. This programme provides project management supports to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and helps to ease the administrative workload for individual schools in relation to the management and delivery of the project.
The overall construction sector environment is challenging and the Department and the Project Management company are doing everything possible to ensure that the project is delivered as quickly as possible. My Department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of this accommodation and will be working with the school to keep it updated on overall project delivery and timelines. While the project is expected to reach practical completion by 20th December 2023, it is a matter for the school authority to recruit sufficient teachers to fill the teaching posts approved by my Department and this should not be impacted by the capital project.
A senior technical official from my Department and the project manager visited the school in order to identify and advise the school on appropriate contingency arrangements to accommodate the additional enrolments pending the completion of the building project.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (262)
Emer Higgins
Question:262. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46171/23]
View answerWritten answers
The permanent building project for the school referred to by the Deputy forms part of a campus project to deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and a new 16 classroom primary school, including accommodation 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 in April 2023, as part of a bundle of projects issued to the Department's Framework of Design & Build Contractors. The tender process currently takes approximately 8-12 months. Tender returns have recently been received and are currently being evaluated.
Once a Contractor has been appointed, it is anticipated that construction will commence shortly thereafter. My Department will continue to keep the patron body and the school updated as the project progresses and in relation to interim accommodation pending delivery of the permanent accommodation for the school.
School Transport
Questions (263)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:263. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education if an escorted school transport service has been approved for a person (details supplied); when transport will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46172/23]
View answerWritten 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.
Under the terms of the Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.
There was a 30% increase in the number of special educational transport journeys from 2019 to the 2022/2023 school year, and over 1,400 new applications have been received since July alone for the 2023/2024 school year.
Applications for the 2023/2024 school year will be catered for through a mix of new services (some being individual), children being accommodated on existing services where capacity exists, extensions of existing routes and grants to families.
The transport service and escort for the pupil to whom the Deputy refers have been sanctioned. Bus Éireann have advised that this new service is not operating at present due to a procurement issue.
Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible. Bus Éireann is engaging with families where transport was sanctioned and where there may be delays in securing a new service.
A Special Transport Interim Grant has been offered to families of children with special educational needs who, following the application process, are eligible under the terms of the school transport scheme and were awaiting a School Transport service to be put in place.
This grant is a once off payment. The interim grant is offered from the date of application to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until a transport service is ready to commence.
School Textbooks
Questions (264)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:264. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of concerns that schoolbooks under the free schoolbooks scheme are not being covered (details supplied) resulting in a shorter lifespan; if she is satisfied that the guidelines for the scheme are being adhered to; what measures will be taken to ensure compliance with the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46173/23]
View answerWritten answers
Earlier this year, I announced details of Ireland’s first national primary free school book scheme, which will provide free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks, in recognised primary schools and special schools from this September.
The total investment, of over €53 million, significantly increases the funding for school books previously provided to all recognised primary schools and special schools in the country. The implementation of the measure builds on the experience of existing school book rental schemes which were available in the majority of recognised primary schools before this scheme was implemented.
The Board of Management/relevant ETB for each school is responsible for ensuring the effective administration of the new scheme. Schools are permitted discretion in how the free schoolbook grant funding is used on the understanding that it eliminates the overall cost for parents of schoolbooks, workbooks, copybooks and, where possible, some related classroom resources.
The scheme is designed to achieve value for money and schools are expected to adopt a cost conscious approach which includes implementing a loan scheme whereby books are reused where possible. There is nothing in the scheme which precludes schools, who already operated a book rental scheme, from continuing to use books which were previously being used as part of their book rental scheme or from using second hand books generally.
The guidelines outline that in so far as is possible, schools should make every effort to reduce wastage under the scheme and it is recommended that a cover is placed on all books. Schoolbook shops and suppliers may provide a book-covering service at a cost or a school may decide to provide its own book-covering service or consider requesting parents to assist with this task.
The guidelines also outline to schools that parents should be reminded that pupils are expected to mind their books and keep them in good condition during the year. It is a matter for each school to monitor the condition of books as they are returned at the end of the school year as part of their planning, budgeting and ordering books for the following year.
A full evaluation of the first year of implementation of the scheme will be undertaken by my Department in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, in order to inform the guidance, implementation, costs and efficiency of the scheme for future years.
Departmental Correspondence
Questions (265)
Michael Lowry
Question:265. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will review correspondence received from a school (details supplied) given the gravity of the issue raised by the management of the school; if she will make arrangements for officials in her Department to engage with the school without delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46178/23]
View answerWritten answers
The school to which the Deputy refers to was approved a project under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA) for the provision of a two class special education needs base. The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority which appointed a design team who the Department understands are currently preparing initial designs.
Once a Stage 1 (design) Report is submitted to the Department, it will be reviewed by the Department's Professional & Technical officers and their recommendations will be communicated to the school authority. My Department has made contact with the school authority in recent days and will continue to liaise and assist the school as the project progresses.
School Funding
Questions (266)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:266. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education the current ancillary grant given to national schools that have a capacity of over 500 students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46193/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides funding to recognised Primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc. and the Ancillary to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff.
Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant which is outlined in Circular 40/2009.
As the Deputy is aware, an agreement was reached between my Department and Fórsa on improved terms and conditions for grant funded secretaries. Further details are available in Circular 0036/2022.
The amount paid to an individual primary school for capitation and ancillary services is determined by the school’s enrolment. Both of these grants are subject to minimum enrolments and therefore the grant paid to schools with an enrolment of equal to or less than 60 pupils is based on an enrolment of 60 pupils.
The Ancillary Services Grant is subject to a maximum enrolment of 500 pupils. Therefore schools with enrolments of 500 or more are paid this grant based on an enrolment of 500 pupils. There is no maximum limit on the Capitation Grant.
In 2023 the Capitation Grant rate is €183 per pupil and the Ancillary Services Grant rate is €173 per pupil. The 500 pupil cap on the Ancillary Services Grant equates to a maximum grant of €86,500. Within the context of limitations on available resources, this level of funding is considered a reasonable amount to cater for the secretarial and caretaking needs of a large school.
School Transport
Questions (267)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:267. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education if an application for school transport on behalf of a person (details supplied) has been received; when a decision will be made; and if approved, when transport will commence. [46194/23]
View answerWritten 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.
A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education criteria.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
There was a 30% increase in the number of special educational transport journeys from 2019 to the 2022/2023 school year, and already over 1,400 new applications have been received since July for the 2023/2024 school year.
New applications for the 2023/2024 school year will be catered for through a mix of new services (some being individual), children being accommodated on existing services where capacity exists, extensions of existing routes and grants to families.
Bus Éireann has reported that unfortunately, for a small number of families assigned to Special Educational Needs transport services that had been secured, difficulties have arisen in some localities with a small number of contracted services. 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. Bus Éireann is also engaging with families where transport was sanctioned and where there may be delays in securing a new service.
A Special Transport Interim Grant is available to families of children with special educational needs who, following the application process, are eligible under the terms of the school transport scheme and are awaiting a School Transport service to be put in place. The Department will be in direct contact with families in regard to full details of this grant.
This grant is a once off payment. The interim grant is offered from the date of application to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements that families have to put place until a transport service is ready to commence.
Bus Éireann have confirmed that this pupil has commenced on transport from 19th October, 2023.
Public Sector Pay
Questions (268)
Ivana Bacik
Question:268. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education the number of teachers still awaiting remuneration for invigilating and marking State examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46208/23]
View answerWritten answers
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (269)
James Lawless
Question:269. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education the status of the building works for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46241/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, my Department issued approval to the school authority in question for the provision of three special classrooms and ancillary accommodation.
The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. This programme provides project management supports to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and helps to ease the administrative workload for individual schools in relation to the management and delivery of the project.
The overall construction sector environment is challenging and the Department and the Project Management company are doing everything possible to ensure that the project is delivered as quickly as possible. My Department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of this accommodation and will be working with the school to keep it updated on overall project delivery and timelines. While the project is expected to reach practical completion by 20th December 2023, it is a matter for the school authority to recruit sufficient teachers to fill the teaching posts approved by my Department and this should not be impacted by the capital project.
A senior technical official from my Department and the project manager visited the school in order to identify and advise the school on appropriate contingency arrangements to accommodate the additional enrolments pending the completion of the building project.
Grant Payments
Questions (270)
Steven Matthews
Question:270. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the IT grant for primary schools; the timeline for when schools can draw down this funding for this school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46248/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support its implementation, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.
The previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 saw overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility also issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide in late 2021.
My Department intends to issue the next tranche of ICT grant funding in the 2023 to 2024 school year. The specific timing for issue of the ICT grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation.
As part of the forthcoming Review of the National Development Plan, my Department’s aim is to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of minor works and ICT grant funding.
School Funding
Questions (271)
Steven Matthews
Question:271. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding funding to support primary schools with the cost of cleaning following the cessation of the Covid supports to assist with this expense; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46251/23]
View answerWritten answers
More than €400.7 million of additional Covid-19 Capitation grant funding has been made available to recognised primary and post primary schools to provide for the implementation of infection prevention and control measures to reduce the risk of the spread of Covid-19 to date.
Schools have been reminded that the Covid-19 Capitation payment is a temporary measure and is kept under review.
As the Deputy is aware, the continued payment of Covid-19 Capitation grants is determined by the prevailing public health advice at the time.
Budget 2024
Questions (272)
Steven Matthews
Question:272. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the €60 million funding for cost-of-living supports for schools announced in Budget 2024; how this will be allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46252/23]
View answerWritten answers
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 cost-of-living and capitation funding 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 standard capitation rates are different for Community and Comprehensive schools as well as those in the ETB sector as these schools are funded via non-pay budget grants from the Department which are used for schools’ running costs.
As part of the €81 million cost-of-living and 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 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 and Programme grants. 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 understand the need for increased capitation funding and I am pleased that I have been able to provide for significant increases in capitation funding for primary and post-primary schools in Budget 2024 which includes also a permanent restoration of capitation funding as well as an increase for cost of living pressures.