Written Answers Nos. 176-189
176. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the case of a company (details supplied) that, having fulfilled its e-tender obligations for the delivery of modular school units through the public works CF6 contract form, has yet to receive full payment for delivered projects, with overdue amounts exceeding €650,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47081/23]
View answerMy Department provides capital funding to school authorities for the procurement and delivery of modular accommodation to meet their mainstream and special education enrolment requirements. The projects referred to by the Deputy are devolved to individual school authorities who enter into contractual arrangements with the modular supplier and are therefore the responsibility of these school authorities. Payments are made at different stages of the project progression with the final payment made on completion of the project and the final account. In order to assist in so far as possible, my Department will engage with both the supplier and the individual schools in order to expedite any outstanding payments as appropriate.
177. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update in respect of new school buildings for a school (details supplied); the stage that the project is at; and the expected delivery date. [47100/23]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers, has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of bundled school building programmes. This project is part of the bundle referred to as ‘Project Liffey’.
A letter was issued by the Department to the schools to advise that their respective school had been included in the programme and the NDFA has since been in contact with each school to introduce the team, communicate arrangements and discuss the project briefs. The NDFA are currently engaged in meetings to establish the tenders required to appoint a design team. The NDFA have been in contact with the schools in regards to this information and will continue to update the schools as this project progresses. At this early stage, it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project; the NDFA will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
178. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update in respect of new school buildings for a school (details supplied); the stage that the project is at; and the expected delivery date [47101/23]
View answerThe project for the school referred to by the Deputy currently has planning permission and will, along with a number of other projects, be brought to the level of employer-led design with a Design Team assigned to do so under the supervision of my Department’s Project Manager.
My Department’s Project Manager recently completed the Design Team appointments for this programme and it is expected that the project will progress to tender in mid-2024.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school and its patron body in relation to interim accommodation requirements pending delivery of the permanent accommodation for the school.
179. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if financial support is available from her Department to improve educational services at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47104/23]
View answerThe Department operates the Schools Broadband Programme at an annual cost of some €13m, providing connectivity to recognised primary, special and post-primary schools through a range of technologies at the best level of connectivity available based on local infrastructure. The Department is obliged to adhere to procurement regulations and must engage with the selected providers on the DoE framework of providers of broadband services through a tender process to award services. This is the basis on which all state-funding is utilised to ensure transparency and equal treatment for all schools and providers, and adherence to regulatory requirements.
It is important to note that where broadband infrastructure is upgraded across the country and where this upgrade will facilitate faster speeds to a school, every effort is made to ensure that the school can avail of this upgrade as soon as possible, either with their existing provider, or through a change to another provider on our framework within the regulatory parameters applying.
The delivery of high quality internet connectivity for all schools is a key objective of my Department. It is accepted that good connectivity is essential to ensure that schools are facilitated to progress the embedding of digital technologies in teaching and learning and for the implementation of new and revised curriculum.
All Schools Broadband wireless services currently provided by this department through the Schools Broadband Programme are on a dedicated service and therefore, if the school referred to but not named by the Deputy is currently experiencing issues with their Schools Broadband connection, in the first instance, they should make contact with the Schools Broadband Service Desk on 1800334466 to log a fault on the loss or degradation of the broadband service to the school, which will be investigated immediately by the service desk team.
Additionally, as you may be aware, the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area (NBP IA) implementation is underway and my Department is engaging with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications to prioritise school connectivity for those schools in the NBP IA , with the majority of schools to be provided with high speed broadband infrastructure by the end of 2023.
My Department is also concluding a project as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan supported by the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility, to provide high speed connectivity to schools outside of the National Broadband Plan Intervention area, and where commercial provision will not provide such connectivity. It is anticipated that all primary and special schools in the Schools Broadband Programme will be on high speed broadband by the end of 2023/early 2024, with the majority on that level of service currently.
It is not clear from the question if the school the Deputy has tabled this question regarding but not named, is currently part of the School Broadband Programme, so the school is advised to contact the service desk to ascertain whether higher speed connectivity is available for them, and if not, when it will become available through the Programme should they wish to be included.
180. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 55 of 2 February 2023, if she will review the further response received (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47116/23]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for his further question on this matter.
With regard to the questions in the correspondence relevant to the NCSE I have asked the NCSE to consider the questions raised and respond directly to the Deputy.
In relation to the questions regarding the workings of the internal Working Group, as I have outlined previously the group was established in March 2023 and consists of officials from across the Department and its agencies. The Group is tasked with a scoping out exercise to review current practices and policies. Once that work is completed it will report back to me with a proposal on the next steps. It is at that stage I envisage consultation with other stakeholders will take place.
I have attached the Terms of Reference for your information.
181. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education to give an update on a school transport query (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47121/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
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 have been 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.
School Transport Section considers situations such the case outlined by the Deputy on a case by case basis and are currently liaising with Bus Éireann and REALT on this matter.
If seats are available on this service, Bus Éireann will be in direct contact with the families with an update.
182. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the number of primary school teachers allocated in each county for 202324, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47134/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is attached. It should be noted that this is provisional at this time and that final numbers will be known in November when the staffing process has completed at the end of this month.
Budget 2024 has provided for an unprecedented €10.5 billion investment in Education and Schools which includes an increase of €421 million in core current funding, as well as over €80 million in core capital funding. An additional €170 million is also being provided as part of Cost of Living and COVID-19 supports. These additional funds build on significant increases in recent budgets and further enhance the investment in Ireland’s primary and post-primary education system. The significant increased investment is the largest Education budget in the history of the state and reflects government’s commitment to a quality inclusive school system and improved learning outcomes for every student.
In the 3 previous Budgets, I prioritised reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools which has brought the teacher allocation ratio to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the lowest level ever seen at primary level. A three point reduction in the retention schedule, which I introduced in 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts. I also improved teacher allocations for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools which now stand at an average of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively.
The latest figures in relation to pupil teacher ratio shows an improved ratio of teachers to pupils from 15.7:1 to 13.4:1 at primary level when comparing the 2016/17 school year to the 2022/23 school year. Average class sizes at primary improved from 24.6 to 22.8 in the same period. The improvements brought about by Budget 2023 for this school year will be available in the statistical reports published at the end of the school year.
|
COUNTY |
2023-24 Provisional total posts allocated |
|
CARLOW |
525 |
|
CAVAN |
690 |
|
CLARE |
992 |
|
CORK |
4668 |
|
DONEGAL |
1407 |
|
DUBLIN |
10145 |
|
GALWAY |
2268 |
|
KERRY |
1200 |
|
KILDARE |
1921 |
|
KILKENNY |
708 |
|
LAOIS |
770 |
|
LEITRIM |
277 |
|
LIMERICK |
1739 |
|
LONGFORD |
427 |
|
LOUTH |
1223 |
|
MAYO |
1116 |
|
MEATH |
1754 |
|
MONAGHAN |
550 |
|
OFFALY |
790 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
600 |
|
SLIGO |
517 |
|
TIPPERARY |
1379 |
|
WATERFORD |
993 |
|
WESTMEATH |
815 |
|
WEXFORD |
1306 |
|
WICKLOW |
1245 |
183. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education who authorised and ordered an audit into increments payable to casual workers employed by educational training boards across the State; when the audit commenced; whether it has completed; what action was proposed as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47137/23]
View answer184. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education when increments were last paid to casual workers employed by educational training boards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47138/23]
View answer185. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education whether increments will be paid in the future to casual workers employed by educational training boards; if so, whether they will be backdated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47139/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 183 to 185, inclusive, together.
Certain casual workers employed by ETBs are entitled to be paid increments once they meet the appropriate criteria, which can differ depending on the role and the type of contract on which they are employed. The date upon which the increment is paid differs from person to person and if arrears are due these are paid to the appropriate date.
In terms of the question about an “audit into increments payable to casual workers”, the Department is not aware of any such audit specifically into that matter.
From time to time, the Internal Audit Unit for ETBs conducts internal audits in the areas of payroll and human resources. These audits would typically involve processes relevant to the range of ETB employees/staff including casual/part time roles but the Department is not aware of any that has been undertaken specifically on the matter raised.
If the Deputy can provide more specific information the matter can be further examined.
186. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the number of Ukrainian pupils currently enrolled in Irish schools at primary level, by county, in tabular form; the number enrolled at post-primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47143/23]
View answerThe number of pupils from Ukraine enrolled in Irish schools is available in the monthly press release from my Department which includes the figures at both Primary and Post Primary level.
As of the 2nd October 2023, 17,501 Ukrainian pupils are enrolled in Irish schools. Out of that figure, 10,655 of these pupils have been accommodated in primary schools while 6,846 pupils have enrolled in post-primary schools.
Enrolments by County as of the 2nd October 2023
|
County |
Primary |
Post-Primary |
|
Carlow |
169 |
102 |
|
Cavan |
260 |
129 |
|
Clare |
589 |
340 |
|
Cork |
1143 |
705 |
|
Donegal |
912 |
607 |
|
Dublin |
1109 |
807 |
|
Galway |
594 |
385 |
|
Kerry |
1028 |
665 |
|
Kildare |
167 |
127 |
|
Kilkenny |
178 |
147 |
|
Laois |
179 |
104 |
|
Leitrim |
233 |
165 |
|
Limerick |
330 |
299 |
|
Longford |
100 |
71 |
|
Louth |
249 |
197 |
|
Mayo |
575 |
349 |
|
Meath |
334 |
165 |
|
Monaghan |
75 |
54 |
|
Offaly |
168 |
83 |
|
Roscommon |
202 |
86 |
|
Sligo |
306 |
203 |
|
Tipperary |
333 |
206 |
|
Waterford |
278 |
203 |
|
Westmeath |
231 |
142 |
|
Wexford |
558 |
301 |
|
Wicklow |
355 |
204 |
187. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education the budget allocation for the National Educational Psychological Service in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and the budget allocation for same in 2024. [47145/23]
View answerMy Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary and special schools.
The NEPS service provides access for all schools to:
• Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident
• A Casework Service for individual children where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
• A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and
• Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
The budget allocation for NEPS in 2022 was €27.6m and in 2023 was €34.0m.
The final budget figure for 2024 will be available after the Revised Estimate process. However, there has been no reduction to the NEPS overall funding allocation from 2023 to 2024. In addition to the NEPS budget I was also pleased to announce that my Department has secured funding in Budget 2024 to continue the counselling in primary school pilot for an additional year, until June 2025.
188. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total amount of funding approved in the previous round of the sports capital programme through OSCAR; the amount already drawn down by approved sporting organisations; the latest date for sporting organisations to draw down the approved funding; if failure to draw down previously approved funding could impact on approval of current round applications in the case of clubs acquiring additional lands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47126/23]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998 bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
Last year, the final allocations under the latest completed round (2020) of the Programme were announced. The total allocated was over €166 million which was the highest level of funding ever allocated under the Programme. A list of all allocations made under the SCP/SCEP since 2000 is published on my Department's website at:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/471ed5-sports-capital-allocations/
In addition, reviews of each of the most recent rounds of the Programme have been published. These Reviews include, inter alia, statistical information on the breakdown of allocations. A Review of the last round, 2020, can be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/84105-review-of-sports-capital-and-equipment-programme-2020/
A list of payments made under the SCP/SCEP since 2011 is published on my Department's website at:
gov.ie - Sports Capital Programmes Payments (www.gov.ie)
Each grant has a sunset clause which is communicated to grantees at the time of provisional allocation. Where grantees demonstrate reasons for unavoidable delays in drawing down their grants, my Department's approach is to accommodate any reasonable requests for extensions. Any organisation requiring an extension to the timeframe for drawing down a grant should contact the Sports Capital Division of my Department. It should be noted that the SCEP does not fund land purchase.
With regard to future allocations, the latest round of the SCEP (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8 September. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications is now underway but it is clear that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications and it is likely that the total number will exceed the previous record 3,106 applications submitted under the last (2020) round.
Work is now underway on finalising the "Scoring Assessment and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round. This will set out how applications are scored including any implications of previous allocations. I hope to publish this in the coming weeks. Once finalised, the detailed assessment work can then commence. In this regard, it is planned to assess the "equipment-only" applications first with a view to announcing these grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on the assessment of the capital applications with the allocations likely to be announced later in 2024.
189. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if construction works have commenced on the construction of a new national velodrome centre; and, if so, the number of construction companies that applied for the contract but were unsuccessful. [47155/23]
View answerConstruction works have not commenced on the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre. The project is currently at pre-tender approval stage and is subject to the availability of funding and the necessary approvals under the Public Spending Code.
