Written Answers Nos. 288-302
288. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the reason her Department’s technical design guidelines for SEN design do not provide for covering for outdoor play areas given the nature of Irish weather; if the Department will consider including covering of outdoor play areas in the guidelines so as to ensure children can use facilities at all times and in all weather; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46531/23]
View answerThe accommodation and facilities provided as part of new school building projects have been designed to meet the curricular and operational needs of schools, including the delivery of the Physical Education curriculum, taking account of the number of pupils enrolled in the school.
The General Purpose (GP) rooms form part of a suite of ancillary facilities provided as part of new school buildings. At primary level, new school buildings additionally include a Library, Multipurpose room, Special Education Tuition rooms, and offices. The accommodation provided for new primary and post-primary schools to support children with special educational needs also includes a Central Activities Space, Multi-Activity Room, Daily Living Skills facility and Quiet Spaces.
In addition, my Department’s Design Guidelines for all new schools provides for outdoor multi-use games areas (or hard play areas) and the level of play space provided varies with the size of school. For example, a new 24 classroom primary school with Special Education Needs classes is provided with 3 ball courts, 2 junior play areas, as well as a Secure hard and soft play area and a Sensory Garden.
The GP room is a teaching area that caters primarily for the teaching and learning of physical education. It may also be used for the teaching of other subjects across the curriculum, and may additionally be used for general school assembly or for other functions requiring a large assembly area. My Department provides different size GP rooms depending on the size of the school. A 195m2 GP room is provided as standard as part of new 8 to 16 classroom school buildings, with larger primary schools, with 24 or more mainstream classes, being provided with twice this size. My Department’s Primary School Design Guidelines, which are available at www.gov.ie/en/collection/ddc58-school-building-and-design/ set out the specific design requirements applicable to the design of primary schools, including GP rooms.
The current primary PE curriculum was introduced as part of the Primary School Curriculum (1999). In primary schools, PE is allocated one hour each week within curriculum time and this time will be increased to include Well-being as outlined in the Primary Curriculum Framework, launched in March 2023. The PE curriculum (1999) contributes to children’s overall development by helping them lead full, active and healthy lives. It provides a balanced range of activities for children through six strands: Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Games, Outdoor and adventure activities, and Aquatics.
No provision is made for primary schools to alter the curriculum taught in the school or to choose not to teach particular areas of the curriculum. Teachers are expected to adapt the curriculum to match the facilities available to them in the school and local area. The provision for PE focuses on the delivery of a broad and balanced PE curriculum, taking into consideration the context of the school and the facilities available to them.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics particularly at post-primary level and for special education needs provision. The Deputy will appreciate that the immediate priority of my Department is continued strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for future school years and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision. My Department has no plans to include covering for outdoor play areas in its technical guidance documentation.
289. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education to provide details of all agencies and bodies under the aegis of her Department; if a dedicated Oireachtas email address is available for each; if not, if she will direct that such a dedicated email address be established to facilitate more efficient communication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46540/23]
View answerThe details sought by the Deputy in regard to the aegis bodies in the scope of the question are set out in the table below. I am advised all bodies under the aegis of my Department provide and maintain a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members.
As per the standards set down in Circular 25/2016, my Department ensures that the relevant bodies are reminded of their obligations to ensure arrangements are in place to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas.
My Department will continue to remind the bodies of their obligations under the Circular as part of the delivery of its annual governance review work programme.
|
Name of aegis body |
Dedicated email address for Oireachtas members |
|
An Comhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta |
oireachtas@cogg.ie |
|
State Examinations Commission |
oireachtas@examinations.ie |
|
Teaching Council |
pqrep@teachingcouncil.ie |
|
Educational Research Centre |
oireachtas.queries@erc.ie |
|
National Council for Curriculum & Assessment |
oireachtasqueries@ncca.ie |
|
National Council for Special Education |
oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie |
290. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will consider the case of a child with special needs (details supplied) who is collected from Swords at 7 am before their bus makes a two-hour trip to Donabate, Portrane, Kinsealy, Ballymun, Baldoyle and, finally, to Blackrock, and then spends another 1.5 hours on the return journey home; if she will consider splitting the route and providing a second route as the length of the trip is impacting on the child’s ability to participate in school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46557/23]
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.
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 been advised that School Transport Section are liaising with Bus Éireann in relation to reducing the pupils travel time and as such a new service has been sanctioned for the pupil in question. The family will be contacted directly in this regard.
291. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); the solutions being considered by her Department and Bus Éireann to resolve the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46560/23]
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 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport as they are attending their fourth nearest Post Primary school.
This pupil has been unsuccessful in receiving a concessionary seat in the agreed selection process and the service is operating at maximum capacity.
292. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); the solutions being considered by her Department and Bus Éireann to resolve the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46561/23]
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 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 and capacity exists.
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 pupil’s referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for school transport as they are attending their 3rd nearest Post Primary Centre.
These pupils were unsuccessful in receiving concessionary seats in the selection process and the service is operating at maximum capacity.
293. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); the solutions being considered by her Department and Bus Éireann to resolve the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46562/23]
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.
A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class/special school or unit, that is or can be resourced to meet the child's special educational needs under the Department of Education criteria.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
There was a 30% increase in the number of special educational transport journeys from 2019 to the 2022/2023 school year, and already over 1,400 new applications have been received since July for the 2023/2024 school year.
New applications for the 2023/2024 school year will be catered for through a mix of new services (some being individual), children being accommodated on existing services where capacity exists, extensions of existing routes and grants to families.
Bus Éireann has reported in recent days that unfortunately, for a small number of families assigned to Special Educational Needs transport services that had been secured, difficulties have arisen in some localities with a small number of contracted services.
Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible. Bus Éireann is engaging with families where transport was sanctioned and where there may be delays in securing a new service.
A Special Transport Interim Grant is available to families of children with special educational needs who, following the application process, are eligible under the terms of the school transport scheme and are awaiting a School Transport service to be put in place. The Department will be in direct contact with families in regard to full details of this grant.
This grant is a once off payment. The interim grant is offered from the date of application to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements that families have to put place until a transport service is ready to commence.
Bus Éireann has advised that the service referred to by the Deputy is currently in the procurement process and once a suitable contractor is sourced the service will commence. Bus Éireann will contact the family directly when the service is ready to commence.
294. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); the solutions being considered by her Department and Bus Éireann to resolve the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46563/23]
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 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport as they are attending their third nearest Post Primary school.
They were unsuccessful in receiving a concessionary seat in the agreed selection process and the service is operating at maximum capacity.
295. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education the status of the application by a person (details supplied) for school transport to a special school; if the family can apply for the special transport grant while the issue with the bus is being resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46568/23]
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 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class/special school or 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.
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 advised that a transport service for the child referred to by the Deputy commenced on 16 October 2023.
296. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if school transport or school transport support grants can be extended to a student (details supplied) with special education needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46571/23]
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 has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Under the terms of my 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. The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if s/he is 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 Skills criteria.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO). School Transport Section of my Department has not received an application for the child referred to by the Deputy under the terms of the school transport scheme.
Parents should contact their school principal who will assist in making an application for school transport to the SENO that is affiliated with the school the child is attending.
297. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education in the context of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, if she will provide a schedule of functions of her Department that have been devolved in full or in part, or are in the process of being devolved in full or in part; the date on which the devolutions commenced; and if she will indicate whether any function was returned to the Department subsequently.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46578/23]
View answerIn the context of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, my department has no functions which have been devolved in either full or in part.
298. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if a school bus, which drives through Clane daily, in order to get to Caragh can stop in Clane to pick up two children (details supplied) who have been allocated school transport tickets on the bus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46616/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
There was an increase of 21% in tickets issued to eligible students and an increase of 38% in tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Bus Éireann advise that a record of the pupils mentioned by the Deputy cannot be found on their application system with the details provided and therefore cannot advise on availability of school transport services.
Families who wish to avail of school transport and have their eligibility status assessed should apply on-line in a timely manner to Bus Éireann on Bus Éireann’s website at www.buseireann.ie.
The closing date for school transport applications for the 2023/24 School Year was Friday, 28 April 2023, however families may still apply for school transport following this date, but as the application would be late a seat may not be secured on a service and the family will not be considered for a remote area grant.
299. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the fact that experienced second level teachers such as a teacher (details supplied) who qualified in the UK are being lost to Irish teaching by what are perceived as onerous requirements to duplicate existing qualifications; and her views on whether there is scope for adjusting requirements to make it easier for schools to hire UK-qualified teachers to help meet the shortage that is needed. [46617/23]
View answerThe recognition of teacher qualifications is matter for the Teaching Council, the body with statutory responsibility for establishing and maintaining standards in the teaching profession.
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority, subject to procedures agreed under Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012).
In accordance with 1.1 of Department Circular 31/2011, schools should ensure that people appointed to teach are registered teachers with qualifications appropriate to the sector and suitable to the post for which they are employed. In a post primary school teachers are required to be registered Route 2 with the Teaching Council and have qualifications in the subjects for the post they are appointed to in order to receive incremental salary.
300. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in processing the application for the home schooling of a person (details supplied) given that all requested documentation has been submitted over four weeks ago. [46625/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question.
My Department's Home Tuition Grant Schemes provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. By its nature, it is intended to be a short term intervention.
The Home Tuition Grant Schemes are governed by annual circulars which sets out the purpose, eligibility criteria and details of the scheme. Circular 0024/2023 provides information in relation to the 2023/2024 Home Tuition Grant Scheme and can be accessed by clicking on the following link: www.gov.ie/en/circular/67f37-home-tuition-grant-scheme-20232024-special-education-component/
The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for:
- Early educational intervention for children with autism who meet the scheme’s eligibility criteria
- Students with special educational needs seeking an educational placement in a recognised school
- Students, enrolled in schools, with a significant medical condition, or school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety, which has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, major disruption to their attendance at school
In exceptional cases the Department will consider home tuition applications on behalf of students with a significant medical condition, or diagnoses of school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety which has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, major disruption to their attendance at school. This exception will only apply where a continued absence from school is required to facilitate appropriate medical or therapeutic intervention with a view to the reintegration of the student in their school.
In relation to applications in respect of students with a significant medical condition or a diagnosis of school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety, the principle that home tuition cannot be provided as an alternative to school applies.
Eligibility in exceptional cases is assessed having regard to, although not limited to, the following criteria:
- The student’s attendance levels during the previous school year (i.e. 2022/2023 school year).
- Psychologist’s/psychiatrist’s report which should
- Clearly confirm a diagnosis of school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety.
- Provide details of medical or therapeutic intervention plans in place with a view to reintegrate the student back into his/her school.
- Details of engagement with the relevant support agencies (e.g. School, National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), Education Welfare Officer (EWO), Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Tusla (Child and Family Agency), HSE, NCSE).
In the case referred to by the Deputy, whilst we have received an application in respect of the child concerned, my Department is waiting on the appropriate supporting documentation which had been requested from the parent on the 29 August 2023. Once this has been received, a decision on the application for home tuition will be made as a priority. The documentation, when available, can be returned to: Home Tuition Unit, Special Education Section, Department of Education, Cornamaddy, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
301. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the reason candidates who sat the L2LP Junior Cert Programme will receive their certificates later than those who sat the Junior Certificate; when candidates and/or parents and guardians were informed that this would be the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46640/23]
View answerAs part of the Framework for Junior Cycle (2015) the reporting process at Junior Cycle culminates in the award of the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) to students. The JCPA was awarded for the first time to students who completed Junior Cycle in 2017.
The JCPA is a school based report which reports on student achievement across a broad range of areas of learning in Junior Cycle. The JCPA, alongside other reporting arrangements in Junior Cycle, offers students/teachers/ parents/guardians a clear, broad picture of a child’s learning journey over the three years of Junior Cycle.
The JCPA captures student achievements in a number of assessment elements undertaken over the three years of Junior Cycle, including the grades in the State-certified final examinations at the end of the three years.
It also reports on students’ achievement in Classroom-Based Assessments in subjects and short courses, and in Priority Learning Units (PLUs). As well as this, the JCPA includes reporting on Well-being and other areas of learning.
The JCPA is a school based award using a nationally determined format and generator provided by my Department.
In general, the window for the production of the JCPA opens by the end of the first term of school following the completion of a Junior Cycle programme. Schools are asked to ensure all of the above assessment data is correctly entered on the relevant IT systems prior to the production of JCPAs. This process takes time, which is why the JCPA has always been envisaged as being produced in the latter part of the first term, rather than in line with “results day”, which is the day when the SEC publishes students’ provisional results. This window remains open for a set period of time to facilitate schools in producing that year’s JCPA. The 2023 JCPA production window is expected to open before the end of the current term.
With the introduction of the JCPA, the Junior Certificate is no longer issued by the SEC. However, the SEC continue to issue provisional examination results to each examination student as in previous years. This is in order to facilitate appeals before final results are confirmed. This year the SEC released student’s provisional results on Wednesday 18 October. Final results following the appeals process will be reflected on the JCPA.
302. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if she will approve building works for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46651/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that the school in question was approved capital funding under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme in 2023 for modular accommodation and this project is currently devolved to the school authorities for delivery. The Department anticipate that works will commence on site in the coming weeks with an estimated delivery time of early 2024.
I wish to confirm that my Department just recently received a further application from the school authority in question under the ASA scheme following a request from the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to enroll additional pupils at the school. Officials in my Department are engaging with the school authority and the NCSE regarding this second application to determine the medium and long term requirements at the school. When the assessment process has been finalised, the school authorities will be notified directly.
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.
Over the last two years, the Department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special education placements ahead of each new 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.
