Written Answers Nos. 272-292
272. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied that there are enough primary and secondary school places in the Ballyfermot area to service the population in the area; or if there is a requirement to increasing the capacity of existing schools or the establishment of new ones; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52212/23]
View answerIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
• The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in the school planning areas in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
• My Department currently has a number of building projects underway for both Primary and Post-Primary schools in the Ballyfermot School Planning Area. The additional capacity being provided by all of these projects is intended to address projected future capacity requirement. The Department will continue to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of their County Development Plans and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across School Planning Areas including in Ballyfermot.
• The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review. Additionally, my Department will continue to liaise with the County Council in respect of its review of the County Development Plan with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across the county.
273. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education to outline plans to tackle the chronic shortage of school places across Lucan, Clondalkin, Newcastle and Rathcoole, where school building projects are progressing too slowly to cope with the surge in demand resulting, in some cases, in children in category one for their local post primary school being placed up to 194th and 229th on waiting lists. [52233/23]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for the Department.
As the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, the Department of Education 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. Additionally, 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, the Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within that particular area and its ability to meet any increased demand. Additional provision is made as necessary, where the existing capacity is insufficient for future needs.
The Department is aware of pressures at post primary level in a number of school planning areas across Dublin, including Newcastle_Rathcoole, Lucan and Clondalkin School Planning Areas. A critical next step is to acquire clarity on the actual number of additional first year places required for 2024 in order for an appropriate solution to be put in place. In that context, schools in a number of areas of enrolment pressure, including Newcastle_Rathcoole and Lucan have been requested to share data on applications for admissions. The Department is liaising closely with schools to ensure that this data is provided as soon as possible, and once it is received the actual requirement for places can be established. The understanding of the actual school place needs will give clarity as to the specific actions that are required.
This close engagement with schools and patrons will also allow the Department to identify particular further capacity requirements for the forthcoming years and put any required solutions in place - beyond those that are already in train - to ensure sufficient school places to meet the needs of students in the area.
In line with the Department's demographic projections of post primary school place requirements there has been a continued growth in enrolments in Newcastle_Rathcoole, Lucan and Clondalkin. In response to the projections of school place needs in these planning areas, the Department is providing significant additional post primary capacity. In Newcastle_Rathcoole, projects are underway to provide new 1,000 pupil school buildings for both Holy Family Community School and Coláiste Pobail Fola. These projects are currently at Stage 3, Tender Stage. In Lucan, projects are underway to provide new 1,000 pupil school buildings for St Joseph's College, Lucan Community College and Griffeen College. The project for St Josephs College is currently at Construction phase, while both projects for Lucan CC and Griffeen College are at Stage 3- Tender Stage.
The current status of all projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie . and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
This also lists all school building projects completed under the Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme, in county order, from 2010 to date.
I can assure the Deputy that Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in Newcastle_Rathcoole, Lucan and Clondalkin for the 2024/25 school year and into the future. Families can be assured that any necessary solution will be delivered so that all of the children in the Newcastle_Rathcoole, Lucan and Clondalkin School Planning Areas will receive a first year place.
274. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education to provide the details of the school transport grant; who can apply for same; what the application process is; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52239/23]
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.
Over 134,000 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. There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.
Under the current terms of the schemes, children are eligible for school 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.
An eligible child for whom no transport service is available may, following an application for transport within prescribed time limits, receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements. This grant is also payable for eligible children who may have to travel 3.2 kms or more to or from a designated pick up/set down point.
Families who are eligible for Remote Area Grant payment and are contacted directly by School Transport Section towards the end of the relevant school year.
Separately, the purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.
In general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest school that is resourced to meet their special educational needs. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
A Special Transport Grant (STG) towards the cost of private transport arrangements may be provided to families of eligible children as follows;
• in situations where Bus Éireann is not in a position to provide a transport service or have contractor/procurement issues until a service becomes available
• behavioural difficulties or medical needs are such as to make the provision of a transport service impracticable
• an escort is considered necessary and the provision of such support is not feasible
• School Transport Section of my Department contact families in this regard, following consultation with Bus Éireann on these applications.
• Tickets were issued for school transport on bus services that had been secured for the 2023/24 school year and unfortunately a number of difficulties arose for Bus Éireann in having services in place for the start of the new school year in some localities with a small number of contracted services. Since families had been issued with a ticket on board one of these services affected, the Department sanctioned an interim arrangement to assist with the cost of alternative arrangements for these families until a service commenced. These families were contacted by School Transport Section in this regard.
275. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) has been approved funding under the summer works scheme to erect a boundary fence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52243/23]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers has no outstanding application pertaining to the erection of a boundary fence under the Summer Works Scheme. The option is open to the school to make an application under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) for funding for this request.
The purpose of the 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.
The SWS plays an important role in the maintenance and upgrade of the condition of our schools. It provides important opportunities for improving the facilities in a school such as upgrading science laboratories and enhancing the energy efficiency of schools through upgrade works to roofs, windows, heating systems. It also provides for the upgrade of the external environment such as fencing, play areas or car parking etc.
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 early 2024 for delivery of projects on a phased basis. Schools will be notified of the details of the SWS in due course.
276. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if school secretaries have had their new pay backdated; if not, when this will happen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52271/23]
View answerMy Department is providing a payroll service for school secretaries with effect from 1st September 2023. There are currently in excess of 2,600 secretaries on payroll.
As part of the implementation of the pay agreement for school secretaries, salary arrears have been calculated for all secretaries eligible for the payment. These arrears payments were received through the payroll on the 23rd November 2023. Those due payments under this first phase also received written correspondence detailing the arrears that were paid. The first phase involved payments to secretaries who are currently on my Department’s payroll system.
The next phase of arrears payments will commence shortly. All secretaries due payments in this next phase will receive written communication containing details of the payments to be made. Secretaries who opted into the new arrangements and are not currently on the Department’s payroll because of retirement or resignation prior to 01/09/2023 will be issued any arrears due in this next phase.
The arrears due to school secretaries is the difference between the new Grade III salary and the grant funded salary for the 21/22 and 22/23 school years. Calculation of the arrears include pay increases that are in line with those given under Building Momentum and, also, increments payable since September 2021 for the calculated Grade III salary.
277. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education what progress has been made to improve pay and terms and conditions for school caretakers, similar to school secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52272/23]
View answerSchool caretakers are valued members of our school communities and the Department is fully aware of the vitally important role played by individuals employed to carry out these duties.
As you have mentioned in 2022 a suite of measures designed to improve the working conditions of school secretaries was agreed and since then comprehensive work to move school secretaries who have accepted this deal has been undertaken by the Department to move secretaries over to the Department's payroll give effect to the terms of the agreement.
The Department is committed to ensuring that school caretakers will be afforded the opportunity to also avail of a similar agreement in the near future. At present there remains a deficit of data on the working patterns, as well as the current terms and conditions of work for caretakers, and a separate, similar process to reach appropriate agreement and to give effect to this will be required.
278. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on advances in her announced plan to introduce a foreign language in primary schools across the State; when it will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52288/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that Languages Connect, Ireland’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017 – 2026 aims to increase and diversify the range of foreign languages taught and learned across the education system.
The Department is planning for the introduction of modern foreign languages for stages 3 and 4 (3rd to 6th class) as part of the broader plan for the introduction of the full redeveloped Primary School Curriculum as set out in the Primary Curriculum Framework published in March 2023
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is in the process of updating the Primary Language Curriculum (2019) to include Modern Foreign Languages for Stages 3 and 4 which will be subject to public consultation in spring 2024. Careful consideration is being given to ensure the introduction of Modern Foreign Languages still retains the cohesive nature of the Primary Language Curriculum across all curriculum languages and the languages of the classroom. This is to allow all languages within the Primary Language Curriculum to be taught in a cohesive way. It is expected that the updated Primary Language Curriculum inclusive of Modern Foreign Languages will be finalised in early 2025 for introduction in schools from September 2025 and implementation on a phased basis from September 2026.
The updated Primary Language Curriculum will encompass Language Awareness and Cultural Awareness in Stage 3 (3rd and 4th classes), incrementally building on children's existing knowledge and awareness of language and culture. This language and cultural awareness model will continue into Stage 4 (5th and 6th classes) with the introduction of a third curriculum language (L3).
Oide, my Department’s professional development service for school leaders and teachers, will put a comprehensive professional development framework in place, to include a range of face-to-face and online supports, to assist school leaders and teachers as they work through the introduction, implementation and embedding of the new curriculum within our classrooms.
In advance of this development, Say Yes to Languages is a primary sampler module now in its third year. This is an eight week, one hour per week, module for 3rd to 6th class pupils using a language selected by the school depending on their resources and demographic. 1,200 primary schools right across the country are participating in Say Yes to Languages this year using fifteen different languages and they receive a grant of up to €1,600 to cover costs. Post Primary Languages Ireland (PPLI) manage the scheme on behalf of the Department and provide support and resources to participating schools. PPLI are also piloting a range of language upskilling models for class teachers participating in the scheme. Further information on Say Yes to Languages is available here: Languages at Primary School | Languages Connect
279. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 240 of 21 November 2023, the steps she will take to ensure that all qualifying applicants to secondary schools in Greystones are accommodated for September 2024; if a copy of the most recent Departmental review on demand for secondary school places for Greystones can be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52289/23]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for the Department.
As the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, the Department of Education 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. Additionally, 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, the Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within that particular area and its ability to meet any increased demand. Additional provision is made as necessary, where the existing capacity is insufficient for future needs.
The Department is aware of pressures at post primary level in the Greystones School Planning Area in part due to the reduction by some schools in the number of first year places being made available for 2024/25. A critical next step is to acquire clarity on the actual number of additional first year places required for 2024 in order for an appropriate solution to be put in place. In that context, schools in a number of areas of enrolment pressure, including Greystones, have been requested to share data on applications for admissions. The Department is liaising closely with schools to ensure that this data is provided as soon as possible, and once it is received the actual requirement for places can be established. The Department is already having discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities regarding potential solutions but the understanding of the actual school place needs will give clarity as to the specific actions that are required.
This close engagement with schools and patrons will also allow the Department to identify particular further capacity requirements for the forthcoming years and put any required solutions in place - beyond those that are already in train - to ensure sufficient school places to meet the needs of students in the area.
In line with the Department's demographic projections of post primary school place requirements there has been a continued growth in enrolments in Greystones. In response to the projections of school place needs in Greystones, the Department is providing significant additional post primary capacity, including a new 1,000 pupil school building for Greystones Community College. Greystones Community College was established in 2020 as a regional solution for the Kilcoole and Greystones area. The project to deliver this new school building is at Stage 3, Tender Stage.
In addition to the above project, the Department has recently delivered a major building project to expand St. David’s Secondary School and is also progressing a building project for Temple Carrig School in Greystones under the National Development Plan. St. David’s Secondary School is a co-educational school and a major building project to deliver state of the art, modern school accommodation for 750 pupils was provided at this school.
Temple Carrig Secondary School Greystones is also a co-educational school and it was established in 2014. There is a project underway to provide accommodation at this school for 1,000 pupils, which is currently at Stage 1, preliminary design stage. A project for 4 Modular mainstream classrooms has also been approved. These classrooms are now on site and the project is nearing completion.
In addition, there is the existing school in the adjacent Kilcoole School Planning Area, Coláiste Craobh Abhann, for which there is a major project approved to expand the school to 1,000 pupils. This project is currently at Stage 2b and is being delivered by the National Development Finance Agency.
I can assure the Deputy that Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in Greystones for the 2024/25 school year and into the future. Families can be assured that any necessary solution will be delivered so that all of the children in the Greystones School Planning Area will receive a first year place.
280. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the new school building for a school (details supplied); the timeline for its completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52311/23]
View answerThe site identification and assessment exercise for the school referred to by the Deputy is ongoing and a potential property has been identified.
An architectural consultant has been appointed to commence an assessment of this potential property.
Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to comment further at this time.
The Department will continue to address the interim accommodation requirements for the school and will continue to keep the patron body and school community updated.
281. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education to list, in tabular form, the number of Irish medium post-primary schools which are ETB and those which are voluntary schools; to add a breakdown of these detailing how many of each are DEIS schools, Gaeltacht schools, multidenominational schools and singular faith schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52328/23]
View answerPlease find attached requested information. Please note data provided is for academic year 2022-2023, the most recent year we have final enrolment data.
|
Academic Year 2022-2023 |
|||||||
|
Patron |
Gaelcholaiste |
CATHOLIC |
MULTI DENOMINATIONAL* |
DEIS |
Non DEIS |
Gaeltacht Area |
Non Gaeltacht Area |
|
ETB |
34 |
34 |
10 |
24 |
17 |
17 |
|
|
ETB & Voluntary |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|||
|
Voluntary |
15 |
12 |
3 |
3 |
12 |
3 |
12 |
|
Grand Total |
50 |
12 |
38 |
14 |
36 |
21 |
29 |
Note: * Multi-denominonal includes schools with an Inter-Denominational Ethos
282. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education when the design team will be appointed for a new school building (details supplied), given that discussions about the site between the Department and the patron of the school in question have been ongoing since early 2020; as well as the expected date of completion of the building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52343/23]
View answerThe permanent school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme and will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including 6 classrooms, for children with special educational needs.
The project forms part of a major campus project on the Clonturk site in Whitehall which will also deliver a second 1,000 pupil post-primary school building and a new 8 classroom primary school building when complete.
The project is in early architectural planning which involves site surveys, school design stages and the preparation of statutory applications. The project will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme which 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 Programme Manager was appointed in Q3 2023 and it is anticipated that the tender process for multi-disciplinary design team consultants will commence in Q1 2024 and complete in Q2 2024, subject to no issues arising.
It is not possible to provide a timeframe for the progression of the project to tender and construction stages until such time as the necessary statutory approvals have been secured.
My Department will liaise with the school and its patron body in relation to the progression of the project.
283. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education to outline any programmes or initiatives which are being undertaken to encourage and support recycling and composting in secondary schools; the position regarding information packs or circulars which are issued to secondary schools to provide advice on standard recycling procedures or practices, and the enforcement of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52352/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that a second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development – ESD to 2030 – co-sponsored by my Department, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, was published in June 2022.
ESD to 2030 aims to ensure that all learners have the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.
A first progress report will be published shortly setting out some of the key achievements to date including:
- Publication of a Sustainability Toolkit for schools to support them in implementing the School Sector Climate Action Mandate and in particular in adopting Sustainability Policy Statements.
- Funding of almost €550,000 delivered to schools in 2023 to support ESD projects, including recycling projects, and a further €270,000 delivered to organisations to support ESD related programmes and projects in schools
- Publication of a quarterly ESD Newsletter – issued to all schools and to over 750 subscribers providing information, advice and examples of good practice for sustainable development in schools including information from time to time on recycling initiatives.
- ESD to 2030 has been published by UNESCO as Ireland’s Country Initiative for implementation of Education for Sustainable Development
- The Department hosted an EU Working Group for Schools on Learning for Sustainability in Kinsale Community School in May 2023 focused on collaboration and partnership for ESD.
- The co-sponsoring Departments will host an ESD Forum for key stakeholders on 1st December in TU Dublin, Grangegorman Campus.
- The appointment of the Irish Second Level Students Union (ISSU) to the Board of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the nomination of a Youth Representative to the EU ECE Youth Platform for ESD
- The mapping of ESD related Continuing Professional Development for teachers and the inclusion of sustainability as a criteria for summer courses for teachers and in the Refund of Fees scheme for Teachers.
The Sustainability Toolkit, published in September 2023, comprises a self-assessment audit for schools, Sustainability Guidelines including an A – Z of all things ESD and a Sustainability Policy Statement template.
There are a wide range of ESD related programmes available to schools including for example: the Green Schools Programme which engages with more than 90% of schools. The Scoilnet ESD portal has links for schools to relevant programmes and resources, as does the Sustainability Guidelines document.
Further information including the Sustainability Toolkit, ESD Newsletter and ESD Funding grantees and their projects is available on the ESD to 2030 webpage here: gov.ie - National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development in Ireland (www.gov.ie) The progress report will be available in the coming days.
284. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that retired teachers with a class A stamp lose the benefit of their supplementary pension if they step in to assist a local school as a substitute teacher; and if she will have this policy changed, considering that so many schools are impacted by the recruitment and retention crisis. [52381/23]
View answerThe pension benefits of teachers, as with all pensionable public servants, are governed by legislation and/or circulars and are paid in accordance with public sector pension policy.
Teachers who paid coordinated pension contributions (Class A) may be entitled to a supplementary pension in order to make up the shortfall in pension for the period between the date of retirement and the date of eligibility for the State Contributory Pension.
Under the rules of the teachers’ pension schemes, a supplementary pension is payable to an individual who:
(i) is in receipt of an occupational pension under the relevant scheme,
(ii) is unemployed, and
(iii) for reasons outside of his or her control, fails to qualify for a social welfare benefit or qualifies for a social welfare benefit at a reduced rate.
Therefore, retired teachers who return to employment are not entitled to receive a supplementary pension for the period of such employment.
The rules surrounding supplementary pensions apply across the public sector and cannot be deviated from in individual cases.
285. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the ongoing review of the school transport scheme; if the review will be completed and recommendations enacted by September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52416/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/23 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 are being provided in the current school year for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 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 is 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.
As you are aware, my Department undertook to complete a review of the School Transport Scheme. The review has been conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
The Technical Working Group and the Steering Group have recently completed their work on the final report of the review. This final report includes recommendations on the future operation of the scheme. The report has recently being submitted by the Steering Group for my consideration.
I am aware that this review is much-awaited, it is recognised that there are improvements which need to be made to the scheme and I know the importance of doing so. I expect to be in a position shortly to bring the review to government, and further to government approval, the review will be published.
286. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if there are any funding options open to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52417/23]
View answerIt is open to the school to make an application under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) for funding for this request.
The purpose of the 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.
The SWS plays an important role in the maintenance and upgrade of the condition of our schools. It provides important opportunities for improving the facilities in a school such as upgrading science laboratories and enhancing the energy efficiency of schools through upgrade works to roofs, windows, heating systems. It also provides for the upgrade of the external environment such as play areas or car parking etc.
The Department is leading an ambitious sustainability agenda and has progressed a wide array of measures to improve the overall sustainability of our school buildings. It is a priority for Government to deliver on Ireland’s ambitious climate agenda and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This includes targets around the decarbonisation of Ireland’s public buildings.
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 2024 for delivery of projects on a phased basis. Schools will be notified of the details of the SWS in due course.
288. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the actions she has taken or if he has plans to provide additional funding to organisations that provide equine therapy and assistance dogs to scale-up service provision across the country; and the estimated cost of undertaking this measure. [52441/23]
View answerEnabling 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.
The policy of the Department of Education is to allocate supports to recognised schools to cater for the needs of pupils with special educational needs in an educational context. Therapeutic services for children with disabilities are provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
In general, schools supporting pupils with special educational needs can draw on a range of interventions, and it is a matter for schools to determine the approach or mix of approaches which they will use in each individual case.
The approach towards each child's education would be based on the individual educational needs of the child and would have regard to the child's individual education plan and supporting professional reports.
The provision of health-related supports is the responsibility of the HSE, and matters in relation to the provision of health-related services for children with disabilities, including physical and sensory therapy supports should therefore be directed to that body or to the Department of Health.
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.
289. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Education for assistance in securing transport arrangements for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52471/23]
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.
Over 134,000 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. There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest Department of Education approved school.
The details supplied by the Deputy indicate that the transport service referred to may be a service operating outside the School Transport Scheme over which the Department and Bus Éireann has no remit.
290. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education if an individual who sat their Leaving Certificate in 2014 and received a C3 in Gaeilge would be permitted to undertake the primary school teaching degree with a college (details supplied) considering that in 2014, a C3 in Gaeilge was the requirement to study primary teaching, but that grade has now increased to a minimum C2; if the fact the individual received the necessary grade at the time of their Leaving Certificate will still qualify them to proceed with their training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52524/23]
View answerThe Irish language is an integral part of the primary school curriculum and teachers are required to be competent in addressing this element of the curriculum, which is based on a communicative approach and places particular emphasis on developing children’s listening and speaking skills.
My Department specifies minimum entry requirements in core subjects: Maths, English and Irish for entry to primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes to ensure that primary teachers have the capacity to lead in these significant areas of student learning. The current Leaving Certificate entry requirement is a H4 in Irish.
All candidates, including school leavers, mature students and university graduates in all public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) accredited to provide ITE must hold the required level of Leaving Certificate Irish or an approved equivalent for entry to Primary ITE programmes.
The entry requirements increased for concurrent programmes from September 2019, and for consecutive programmes from September 2021, in all public and private HEIs. Between 2019 and 2020, the Teaching Council reviewed its policy on standards for programmes of ITE in advance of the second cycle of review and accreditation of programmes of ITE.
Feedback from this process was incorporated into the revised standards: Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education (2020). All new and existing programmes of ITE are now aligned with Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education, for first year intakes. The accreditation cycle under Céim, for existing programmes of ITE is being conducted between 2021 and 2023.
Teachers in primary schools must be qualified to teach the range of primary school subjects to children aged 4 to 12 years. Accordingly, applicants must demonstrate to the Teaching Council’s satisfaction that they are competent to teach the Irish language and to teach the range of primary school curricular subjects through the medium of Irish before being granted full recognition to teach in mainstream classes in primary schools.
This is clearly recognised in the Teaching Council’s Standards documentation, in terms of the standards set out for Irish at primary, against which programmes of initial teacher education are accredited. The new Teaching Council standards state that through all primary level ITE programmes, student teachers’ confidence and competence, in Irish, including oral Irish, needs to be developed to a sufficient level to enable them to teach the Gaeilge primary curriculum.
In this case, the individual concerned does not meet the current minimum entry requirement in Irish based on their Leaving Certificate from 2014. However, it is open to the individual to repeat the Leaving Certificate Examination or pursue a course of study leading to one of the alternative qualifications in Irish as outlined in recently published Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) Entry Requirements and Procedures for 2023. Link: gov.ie - How to qualify as a primary teacher (www.gov.ie)
291. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education if the Teaching Council recognises the International Postgraduate Certificate in Education with International Qualified Teacher Status through Coventry University, England to allow an individual to obtain primary teaching status in Ireland; whether the Oiriúnú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge or An Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge would be required to receive primary teaching status in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52526/23]
View answerThe Teaching Council is the professional standards body for the teaching profession, which promotes and regulates professional standards in teaching. The Teaching Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and in line with the Teaching Council Registration Regulations, 2016. .
The Council registers teachers under five routes of registration namely, Route 1 - Primary, Route 2 - Post-primary, Route 3 - Further Education, Route 4 - Other and Route 5 - Student Teacher. The minimum registration requirements for each route are set out in the Schedule of the Regulations.
In its role as a competent authority, the Teaching Council operates in accordance with the EU Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive (2005/36/EU as amended). As a statutory professional standards body, the Teaching Council is required by law to properly determine and to authenticate the relevant standards and qualifications of all applicants for registration. One of the ways the Council ensures and regulates standards is by ensuring that all teachers entering the profession in Ireland have met the required standards.
Fully qualified teachers who qualify from outside of the Republic of Ireland are eligible to apply for registration with the Teaching Council under the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations.
A fully qualified teacher from outside of the Republic of Ireland must hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS/licence to teach) and full registration (having met any post-qualification registration requirements of that country, e.g., teacher induction). All applications from teachers who qualify outside of Ireland are processed in line with EU Directive.
All applications from fully qualified teachers who qualify outside of the Republic of Ireland are assessed for comparability with graduates of Teaching Council accredited programmes of initial teacher education. All primary teachers are registered conditionally with the condition of the Irish Language Requirement.
Following a holistic assessment of teaching qualifications and relevant teaching experience, CPD, etc, any identified qualification shortfall(s) are added as a condition of registration. Teachers have three years from the date of conditional registration to address conditions via an aptitude test or an adaptation period.
The International Postgraduate Certificate in Education with International Qualified Teacher Status through Coventry University is a new addition to the spectrum of UK primary teaching qualifications and as such, the Teaching Council will have to consider each individual applicant who has undertaken this qualification on their own merits, since as provided for in the EU Directive other detail including relevant teaching experience, other undergraduate qualifications etc. can be taken in to account if relevant. On that basis and as the Council does not accredit programmes of Initial Teacher Education overseas as it does domestic programmes, the Council assesses each overseas application for admission to the register in the usual manner.
292. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Education if a series of data (details supplied) will be provided in relation to the Cork ETB School of Music, showing the situation before and after Covid lockdowns in the 2019-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52528/23]
View answerCork Education and Training Board (ETB) is one of a number of ETBS which receive funding from my Department for the provision of non-mainstream music education. Cork ETB School of Music provides instrumental music education to individual and small group cohorts of students in a multi-campus model. As the information sought is detailed, Cork ETB will respond directly to the Deputy.
