Written Answers Nos. 358-367
358. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education when the long-awaited review of the school transport scheme is due to be completed and the recommendations published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53101/23]
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.
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.
359. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education the number of school transport escorts that are employed by schools across the State in each of the years 2016 to 2023, in tabular form. [53106/23]
View answer360. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education the total amount of grants provided to schools for the employment of school transport escorts in each of the years 2016 to 2023, in tabular form.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53107/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are 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 is a facility within the Special Educational Needs Transport Scheme for the appointment of a School Transport Escort, where a child’s care and safety needs while on school transport are such as to require the support of a School Transport Escort.
Under the Education Act 1998, the Principal/Board of Management (“School Management Authority”) is responsible for the operation of the school and is the employer of the School Transport Escort and therefore responsible for all employment matters relating to their School Transport Escort. The Department of Education (“Department”) provides grant funding for the employment of the School Transport Escort and sets the rate of pay.
As escort hours differ, the grant funding made to schools is based on escort hours rather than the number of escorts.
The table below shows the total number of hours worked by school bus escorts, including sub escorts where are required by schools, in a school year and the total amount paid to schools in relation to school bus escorts.
|
Year |
No. of Hours Worked by School Bus Escorts |
Total Amount paid to School Bus Escorts |
|
2017/18 |
1,711,332 |
€29,653,000 |
|
2018/19 |
1,870,393 |
€32,347,000 |
|
2019/20 |
1,951,921 |
€32,943,000 |
|
2020/21 |
2,152,051 |
€40,159,000 |
|
2021/22 |
2,395,433 |
€46,651,000 |
361. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if the provision of additional school accommodation for a school (details supplied) is expected to be completed in time for the current school year or for the year commencing September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53117/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of an application, under the Additional School Accommodation scheme, from Corpus Christi Girls National School. The purpose of the Additional School Accommodation scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
I am pleased to confirm that the application from Corpus Christi Girls National School has been assessed and has been approved to progress to the next stage. The project involves reconfiguration of the existing school and parish hall to establish two special education classes, along with two mainstream classrooms, a special education tuition room and a universal access toilet. Additionally, a request from the school's patron for a change of status to co-educational with effect from the 2024/25 school year has been approved by my Department.
The consideration of the accommodation requirements for the school in question forms part of the Planning and Building Unit’s overall assessment of its work programme and priorities in the context of available capital funding. It is the intention of my Department to progress this approved project through the Project Manager Framework, which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects. My Department does not have a definitive timeline for delivery of the project however my officials, through the engagement of the School and the Project Manager will endeavor to deliver this project as quickly as possible.
I can assure the Deputy that the provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department. My officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs in the school in question and the wider School Planning Area for future years.
362. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education to indicate the extent to which she continues to liaise with the parents and management of various schools throughout north Kildare, with a view to ensuring the availability of school transport in the widest form possible, whether on a concessionary or regular basis with particular reference to children attending schools in Maynooth from Straffan, Clane, Prosperous and Rathcoffey, given the present circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53138/23]
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 134,000 mainstream 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.
The purpose of the 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 school.
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 are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where capacity exist.
In addition, 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 routes are in place 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.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
In general the pupils from the above areas are not eligible for school transport as they are attending their 3rd or 4th closest school. However my Department has received correspondence from two schools in relation to their capacity and availability to enrol pupils outside of their catchment area and this is being assessed by both School Transport Section with regard to capacity issues in the area which have been highlighted to the Planning and Building Unit and also by Bus Éireann who will reassess the eligibility status of students based on this information.
If the eligibility of a pupil is changed following the above assessments, Bus Éireann will contact the families directly.
363. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which efforts continue to be made to provide adequate school places at all levels to prevent stress arising from a lack of school places or lack of school transport, and given the necessity of both parents to be in full-time employment; the extent of the efforts that continue to be made in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53139/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (or GIS) to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. In addition, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform the Department’s projections of school place requirements.
Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity and identifies any requirement for additional provision. Additional provision is made as necessary, where the existing capacity is insufficient for future needs.
The Department is aware of pressures for school places in some areas throughout the country. 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 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.
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 across the country for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
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.
Bus Éireann have reported that there are particular issues with resource availability (drivers/contractors) or there have been zero bids for contracts in certain areas. This is against a backdrop of significant shortages of drivers in the labour market overall and competing demands for drivers to deliver additional public transport initiatives such as Connecting Ireland and Bus Connects/Local Link services. Bus Éireann have confirmed however that no services were cancelled they are working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible.
Bus Éireann is providing those affected by the contractor/driver issues with regular updates on the status of their transport service. However, please be advised that Bus Éireann has put in place a dedicated customer care call centre and a ‘contact form’ on their website (buseireann.ie/school transport) to assist families specifically with School Transport queries. Families that have queries can contact the call centre on: Local 0818 919 910. Operating hours are 09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday.
364. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the ongoing efforts, if any, to liaise with the Minister for Children with a view to providing in-house afterschool services in all primary schools throughout the country to ensure seamless transition between education and care facilities for all children, and given the necessity for both parents to remain in employment due to high mortgages; if it is anticipated that this issue is being provided for in a meaningful way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53140/23]
View answerThank you for your further enquiry on this matter.
As stated previously, funding for pre-school services is a matter for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. My colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has policy responsibility for school-age childcare.
By way of information, generally capital funding by the Department of Education is reserved for the provision of mainstream school accommodation for primary education upwards, as well as for children with special educational needs.
It is, however, Department of Education policy to support the wider use of school facilities, for community usage, where possible. In 2017 my Department published 'Guidelines for the Use of School Buildings Outside of School Hours'. These guidelines are currently being updated and the new Procedures (as they are now called) are expected to be published very shortly.
365. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which new school buildings are required throughout north Kildare, whether replacement or the building of new schools; the progress to date in this regard, and the schedule for the provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53141/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (or GIS) to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. In addition, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform the Department’s projections of school place requirements.
Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, including North Kildare areas, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity and identifies any requirement for additional provision. Additional provision is made as necessary, where the existing capacity is insufficient for future needs.
The Department is aware of pressures for school places in School Planning Areas across North Kildare. 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 Maynooth, Prosperous_Clane, Kilcock and Celbridge 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.
My Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Under the National Development Plan, a total of almost €250m has been invested in schools in County Kildare over the last five years. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for the North Kildare area.
These projects include recently completed new school buildings in Maynooth and Naas. Additionally, a number of further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned, including in Prosperous, Kilcock, Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip, Naas and Clane.
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, 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.
I can assure the Deputy that the Department will continue to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in North Kildare and across the county for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.
366. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which ongoing dialogue continues between her Department, the KWETB and the relevant school authorities in Maynooth, County Kildare at pre-primary, primary and post-primary levels with a view to ensuring that sufficient places are being made available to meet the demand of the current and subsequent years without interruption either in respect of continued building where required, the planning of any new schools, or the acceleration of ongoing work in all schools, including gaelcholáiste; if satisfactory results can be achieved before the new school year next year; if she is satisfied that work in progress or steps yet to be taken can proceed without interruption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53142/23]
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. The Deputy may be aware that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for early years education outside the formal education system, including pre-school provision through the free Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE).
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 for school places in Maynooth School Planning Area. A critical next step is to acquire clarity on the actual number of additional school 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 Maynooth, 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 school place requirements there has been a continued growth in enrolments in Maynooth School Planning Area. My Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Under the National Development Plan, a total of almost €250m has been invested in schools in County Kildare over the last five years. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for Maynooth.
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, 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.
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 Maynooth 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 Maynooth School Planning Area will receive a school place.
367. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which ongoing dialogue continues between her Department, the KWETB and the relevant school authorities in Kilcock, County Kildare at pre-primary, primary and post-primary levels with a view to ensuring that sufficient places are being made available to meet the demand of the current and subsequent years without interruption either in respect of continued building where required, the planning of any new schools, or the acceleration of ongoing work in all schools; if satisfactory results can be achieved before the new school year; if she is satisfied that work in progress or steps yet to be taken can proceed without interruption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53143/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (or GIS) to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. In addition, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform the Department’s projections of school place requirements.
The Deputy may be aware that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for early years education outside the formal education system, including pre-school provision through the free Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE).
Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, including Kilcock School Planning Area, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity and identifies any requirement for additional provision. Additional provision is made as necessary, where the existing capacity is insufficient for future needs.
The Department is aware of pressures for school places in the Kilcock School Planning Area. 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 Kilcock School Planning Area, 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.
My Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Under the National Development Plan, a total of almost €250m has been invested in schools in County Kildare over the last five years. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for the Kilcock School Planning Area.
These projects include a number of further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned, including new schools buildings in Kilcock School Planning Area.
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.
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 across Kilcock School Planning Area for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.
