Tuesday, 5 Dec 2023

Written Answers Nos. 242-255

School Funding

Questions (242)

John McGuinness

Question:

242. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if an application for funding for emergency works submitted by a school (details supplied) has been approved. [53383/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

An application for Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) funding was received from this school under Category 10: External Environment works in respect of a play area. This application has now been approved and the school has been informed of this decision.

School Staff

Questions (243)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

243. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will consider initiating a campaign to attract qualified Irish primary and secondary school teachers working overseas to return to Ireland, and creating a unit within her Department to lead such an initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53415/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified, engaged teachers available to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government.

Attracting qualified teachers, whether working overseas or not, is required to address teacher supply issues. As a result, several measures are already in place to support teachers who either qualified abroad or in the State and who are working abroad to work in Ireland. These include:

• Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) who qualify outside Ireland may complete induction (Droichead) in Ireland. Teachers must apply no later than 1 February 2024 to be eligible. This measure seeks to enhance the supply of NQTs available to schools and is particularly relevant for Irish teachers who have studied and qualified abroad and who may wish to return to the Irish education sector.

• The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers in respect of previous service in countries such as the UAE is outlined in Circulars 10/2001 for primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for post-primary teachers. An award of incremental credit is made to teachers who satisfy the criteria in those circulars. This was agreed in the first instance by the Teacher Conciliation Council. This Council is comprised of representatives of the teacher unions, school management bodies, the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, and the Department of Education chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.

• Following on from the Department’s Action Plan on Teacher Supply, the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) operates an online portal for the recruitment of teachers to long-term teaching positions. The portal facilitates the matching of demand and supply and provides an efficient and user-friendly recruitment process for both schools and teachers, including teachers working abroad who wish to apply for posts here.

• Turas Abhaile is an initiative of the Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools (ACCS) and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) which has assisted teachers based abroad to return to teach in Ireland since September 2019. Turas Abhaile matches teachers with specific vacancies and participating schools facilitate online interviews to suit the preferences of candidates.

In addition to the above measures, the Teaching Transforms campaign promotes the teaching profession and encourages students to follow a career in teaching. The campaign is supported by a dedicated webpage, which includes useful information for teachers seeking to return to work in Ireland or who have qualified outside the State (www.gov.ie/teachingtransforms).

Additionally, Budget 2024 contains a range of measures that demonstrate my commitment to continued investment in our education system.

• A professional masters’ of education incentive scheme will be introduced for newly qualified teachers graduating in 2024. Those newly qualified teachers who graduate with a PME will, subject to conditions, be eligible for an incentive payment of up to €2,000. This incentive payment will be paid to eligible primary and post-primary teachers in 2025.

• Additionally, there will be an expansion in the number of upskilling programmes available. These programmes, which are free to teachers, increase the number of teachers who are qualified to teach in-demand subjects and reduce the level of out-of-field teaching. These new upskilling programmes in Irish, French, politics and society, and computer science will be in addition to existing upskilling programmes in maths, physics and Spanish.

• An additional 1,000 posts of responsibility will be provided in the school system for the 2024/25 school year. This is in recognition that school leaders play a key role in improving educational outcomes by creating a positive school climate and environment as well as motivating and empowering educators and learners within their school communities.

Teaching is an attractive career choice:

• there has been an increase of 20% in the number of students graduating from initial teacher education programmes between 2018 and 2023, and 27% increase in the number registered with the Teaching Council during this period.

• almost 3,800 newly qualified teachers have registered with the Teaching Council to date in 2023, with over 121,000 now on the Teaching Council register.

• CAO first preference choices for post-primary teaching increased this year by 14%, in addition to a 9% increase in 2022.

• starting pay for Primary teachers is over €41,000 and for post-primary teachers over €42,000 since October under the extension to Building Momentum.

My Department continues to engage closely with education stakeholders to develop further, innovative measures to address teacher supply issues.

School Funding

Questions (244)

Michael Ring

Question:

244. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if IT grants will be allocated to primary schools this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53428/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support its implementation, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.

The previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 saw overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.

Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility also issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide in late 2021.

My Department intends to pay the next tranche of ICT grant funding in the 2023 to 2024 school year. The specific timing for issue of the ICT grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation.

As part of the forthcoming Review of the National Development Plan, my Department’s aim is to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of minor works and ICT grant funding.

School Accommodation

Questions (245)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

245. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the assistance available to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9 regarding an urgent structural issue facing them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53434/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The school to which the Deputy refers applied for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for a roof replacement which was outside the scope of the EWS. The school was asked to scale back the works to leak repairs only. The revised application has been received by my Department, these works have been approved and the school has been informed.

School Funding

Questions (246)

Pauline Tully

Question:

246. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 294 of 28 November 2023, to detail the amount of funding provided to each individual national school in County Cavan in each of the years referenced. [53436/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Since 2020 we have invested in the region of €3.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 690 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects. School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. We also have over 200 modular accommodation projects that are very well advanced for delivery or at construction stage.

This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.

Since 2020 in Cavan alone, we have invested in excess of €36m in primary schools and completed 8 primary school building projects. Currently, 5 primary school building projects are under construction in Cavan. There are also 4 primary school modular accommodation projects that are well advanced for delivery or at construction stage.

The key drivers of capital investment in the schools sector are as follows:

•demographic change, including keeping pace with delivery of SEN and accommodation for Ukrainian pupils particularly at Post Primary level,

•alignment with housing provision and national planning at school planning area level,

•climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.

Key priorities for my Department are supporting the operation of the school system and adding necessary capacity to cater for special education needs provision, mainstream demographics and catering for students from Ukraine and other countries under the International Protection system.

Capital spend on Primary Schools in Cavan:

Roll Number	School Name	School Level	County	Total 2020-2023	2020	2021	2022	2023
01356U	KILNALECK MIXED NS	Primary	Cavan	.06m	.02m	.03m	.m	.01m
05627W	BAILIEBOROUGH MODEL SCHOOL	Primary	Cavan	.18m	.02m	.01m	.11m	.03m
06998Q	ST PATRICKS NATIONAL SCHOOL	Primary	Cavan	.1m	.09m	.01m	.m	.01m
08143P	SCOIL MHUIRE NS	Primary	Cavan	.04m	.02m	.01m	.m	.01m
08453H	CRUABANAI N S	Primary	Cavan	.06m	.03m	.02m	.m	.01m
08490N	ST CLARES NS	Primary	Cavan	9.69m	-.02m	.85m	3.51m	5.19m
08948L	MILLTOWN NS	Primary	Cavan	.52m	.03m	.01m	.02m	.46m
10146K	CORLISS NS	Primary	Cavan	.04m	.02m	.01m	.m	.01m
11205F	KILLESHANDRA NATIONAL SCHOOL	Primary	Cavan	.04m	.02m	.01m	.m	.01m
11409V	BALLYCONNELL CENTRAL NS	Primary	Cavan	.04m	.02m	.01m	.m	.01m
11517B	CAVAN NO 1 SCHOOL	Primary	Cavan	.14m	.07m	.04m	.m	.02m
11541V	FARNHAM NS	Primary	Cavan	.21m	.08m	.02m	.1m	.01m
12099O	BILLIS NS	Primary	Cavan	.1m	.02m	.07m	.m	.01m
12312L	DARLEY NS	Primary	Cavan	.09m	.06m	.01m	.m	.02m
13203L	ST PATRICKS MIXED NS	Primary	Cavan	.04m	.02m	.01m	.m	.01m
13271F	FAIRGREEN NS	Primary	Cavan	.04m	.02m	.01m	.m	.01m
14073G	CASTLETARA NATIONAL SCHOOL	Primary	Cavan	.09m	.03m	.02m	.03m	.01m
14211P	S N LATHRACH 2	Primary	Cavan	.11m	.03m	.07m	.m	.01m
14320U	CORLEA NATIONAL SCHOOL	Primary	Cavan	.05m	.03m	.01m	.m	.01m
14336M	ST PATRICKS NS	Primary	Cavan	.34m	.12m	.01m	.16m	.04m
14399N	KILLYGARRY N S	Primary	Cavan	.2m	.1m	.09m	.m	.01m
14732U	GARRYSALLAGH NS	Primary	Cavan	.14m	.07m	.01m	.04m	.01m
15120R	KILLYCONNAN NS	Primary	Cavan	.08m	.02m	.01m	.04m	.01m
15452T	KILDALLON NS	Primary	Cavan	.07m	.05m	.01m	.m	.01m
15502I	KILLINKERE NS	Primary	Cavan	.31m	.03m	.01m	.01m	.26m
16057S	CONVENT OF MERCY NS	Primary	Cavan	.14m	.04m	.01m	.m	.09m
16083T	ST MARYS NATIONAL SCHOOL	Primary	Cavan	.67m	.32m	.34m	.m	.02m
16093W	BALLYCONNELL MXD NS	Primary	Cavan	.1m	.04m	.03m	.02m	.01m
16316Q	ARVA NS	Primary	Cavan	.05m	.03m	.01m	.m	.01m
16390F	SCOIL BHRIDE	Primary	Cavan	.11m	.02m	.05m	.02m	.01m
16520P	DRUNG 1 NS	Primary	Cavan	.23m	.05m	.01m	.15m	.01m
16767D	CORONEA N S	Primary	Cavan	.03m	.02m	.01m	.m	.01m
16921K	ST FELIMS NS	Primary	Cavan	.41m	.26m	.14m	.m	.01m
16959M	S N CORRABHA	Primary	Cavan	.04m	.03m	.01m	.m	.01m
17230L	SCOIL NAISIUNTA CNOC RUA	Primary	Cavan	.23m	.05m	.13m	.01m	.04m
17240O	SN TAMHNACH DHUIBH	Primary	Cavan	.04m	.02m	.01m	.m	.01m
17326B	ST FELIMS NS	Primary	Cavan	.6m	.04m	.02m	.52m	.01m
17440W	ST MOGUES NS	Primary	Cavan	.05m	.02m	.01m	.m	.01m
17479D	SCOIL MHUIRE LACKEN	Primary	Cavan	.09m	.07m	.01m	.m	.01m
17531C	BAILE NA MONA	Primary	Cavan	.06m	.02m	.01m	.m	.02m
17601U	DERNAKESH NS	Primary	Cavan	.07m	.03m	.01m	.m	.03m
17625L	CNOC AN TEAMPAILL	Primary	Cavan	.33m	.05m	.01m	.13m	.13m
17630E	KNOCKBRIDE EAST NS	Primary	Cavan	.04m	.02m	.01m	.m	.01m
17780A	BALLYHAISE NATIONAL SCHOOL	Primary	Cavan	.39m	.08m	.01m	.m	.29m
17990L	SN DROM CNAMH	Primary	Cavan	.09m	.02m	.03m	.m	.03m
18059J	BAILIEBORO NS	Primary	Cavan	1.03m	.04m	.03m	.11m	.84m
18127A	SN MHUIRE	Primary	Cavan	.04m	.02m	.01m	.m	.01m
18340A	S N PADRAIG	Primary	Cavan	.09m	.06m	.02m	.m	.01m
18346M	GREAGHRAHAN NS	Primary	Cavan	.05m	.02m	.01m	.m	.02m
18355N	AUGHADREENA NATIONAL SCHOOL	Primary	Cavan	.11m	.1m	.01m	.m	.01m
18393V	S N CILLIN	Primary	Cavan	.12m	.02m	.01m	.08m	.01m
18518P	SN CORR LORGAN	Primary	Cavan	.05m	.03m	.01m	.m	.01m
18564W	S N LEITIR	Primary	Cavan	.14m	.03m	.11m	.m	.01m
18833A	S N LATHRACH	Primary	Cavan	.05m	.03m	.01m	.m	.01m
18857O	CARRIGABRUISE NS	Primary	Cavan	.05m	.03m	.01m	.m	.01m
19202Q	DRUMKILLY NS	Primary	Cavan	.12m	.03m	.08m	.m	.01m
19285A	KILL NS	Primary	Cavan	.37m	.02m	.28m	.06m	.01m
19322D	KILMORE CENTRAL NS	Primary	Cavan	.04m	.02m	.01m	.m	.01m
19326L	BUTLERSBRIDGE NS	Primary	Cavan	.28m	.08m	.02m	.01m	.18m
19363R	MULLAHORAN CENTRAL NS	Primary	Cavan	.35m	.03m	.3m	.02m	.02m
19378H	S N BHAILE AN AIRIDH	Primary	Cavan	.2m	.02m	.17m	.m	.01m
19418Q	CASTLERAHAN CENTRAL NS	Primary	Cavan	.27m	.14m	.13m	.m	.01m
19432K	CROSSKEYS CENTRAL NS	Primary	Cavan	.16m	.02m	.08m	.m	.06m
19439B	HOLY FAMILY SPECIAL SCHOOL	Special Education	Cavan	11.05m	5.75m	4.16m	.33m	.91m
19527V	CABRA CENTRAL NATIONAL SCHOOL	Primary	Cavan	.04m	.02m	.01m	.m	.01m
19568M	ST PATRICKS	Primary	Cavan	.28m	.02m	.01m	.2m	.04m
19596R	CROSSERLOUGH NS	Primary	Cavan	.04m	.02m	.01m	.m	.01m
19608V	MULLAGH CENTRAL NS	Primary	Cavan	.16m	.12m	.02m	.m	.02m
19679V	ST AIDAN'S NATIONAL SCHOOL	Primary	Cavan	.05m	.02m	.01m	.01m	.01m
19871N	ST PATRICKS NS	Primary	Cavan	.04m	.02m	.01m	.m	.01m
19921C	DRUNG NO 2 NATIONAL SCHOOL	Primary	Cavan	.04m	.02m	.01m	.m	.01m
19983B	ST CLARES NS	Primary	Cavan	2.3m	1.28m	.72m	.02m	.3m
20026G	GS AN CHABNAIN	Primary	Cavan	.1m	.02m	.04m	.m	.03m
20134J	ST MICHAELS NATIONAL SCHOOL	Primary	Cavan	.07m	.02m	.01m	.03m	.01m
20172R	ST JOSEPHS NS	Primary	Cavan	1.5m	.07m	.02m	.m	1.39m
20277I	ST MICHAELS NATIONAL SCHOOL	Primary	Cavan	.73m	.03m	.02m	.56m	.11m
		Total		36.4m	10.4m	8.6m	6.3m	11.m

School Staff

Questions (247)

Seán Canney

Question:

247. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education what progress her Department has made regarding redeployment facilities for post-primary teachers, which are necessary to develop a system which allows for more teachers to be deployed to work in their local communities and fill roles which desperately need to be filled in different counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53443/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Earlier this year the Department received a report from a Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) working group. The report proposed the creation of a national relocation scheme whereby teachers would identify the locations that they would like to relocate to through a portal and then effectively “swap” with teachers in that location. The proposal included findings from a survey undertaken by the TUI on the commute to work of members.

Any initiative that seeks to ensure that the educational needs of children are prioritised is to be welcomed. This proposed relocation scheme may be beneficial for those who are commuting considerable distances, and on the environment more generally, however, a number of challenges are apparent.

It should be noted that an existing voluntary redeployment pilot operates that is distinct from the relocation scheme proposed by the TUI. The key purpose of the pilot voluntary redeployment scheme is to assist the Department to achieve its objective of redeploying all surplus permanent teachers.

Officials of my Department met with TUI representatives where an overview of the proposal was presented by the TUI and a discussion followed. The proposal has been considered by my department and a reply, based on the discussions and the report received, has recently been received by the TUI.

In that reply, the Department has advised the TUI that it would welcome a jointly agreed proposal from management bodies and post-primary teacher unions on a relocation scheme. The reply highlights some of the challenges that such a scheme would present. These include determining the criteria for a proposed relocation, the resolution of disputes that may arise, and whether the terms and conditions of teachers would continue if they relocated. The reply also emphasises the need to take into account the views of the management bodies and other union representatives.

Addressing these, and any other issues that the representatives of school management bodies may raise, would be a pre-requisite to further consideration of this proposal by the Department.

The Department meets regularly with the teacher unions on many issues relating to teachers. The Department will continue to work intensively with all stakeholders to develop and implement creative solutions to address the needs of teachers and teacher supply challenges facing schools including this proposal for a teacher relocation scheme.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (248)

Colm Burke

Question:

248. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education when a review being undertaken by her Department in respect of a Stage 2B submission will be finalised (details supplied); and when the school contacted about the outcome of this review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53516/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to the school authority.

The brief for this project includes an extension to the existing school buildings, as defined in the schedules of accommodation, decanting if required, necessary to satisfactorily develop the post primary school on its existing site.

The Stage 2b report has been received and is currently under review in my Department. The review is nearing completion and my Department will revert to the school authority directly on the outcome and the next steps to progress this project.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (249)

Mark Ward

Question:

249. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education at what stage is the planned construction of a school (details supplied); when she expects this development to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53632/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to the Central Remedial Clinic. The brief includes both the development of a new school building for pupils with special educational needs and a clinical services building. The delivery body has appointed a design team to manage the progression of the project.

The project is currently at Stage 2a (detailed design) of the architectural planning design process. Once the Stage 2a Report is received from the delivery body, my Department's professional and technical officials will review this and share their advice and recommendations with the school authority. Thereafter, the next stage of the process involves obtaining of the necessary statutory approvals, preparation of procurement documents for tendering and construction in due course.

As the project is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for its completion. However the Central Remedial Clinic as the delivery body, will continue to engage directly with the school community to keep it fully informed of progress.

Departmental Communications

Questions (250)

Carol Nolan

Question:

250. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if her Department operates an X account (formerly Twitter) or any other social media account, and if such accounts are verified through a subscription fee; the policy in place that guides when any of these accounts can ‘like’, endorse or support a posting on X or other social media platforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53651/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The Department of Education operates an X account (formerly Twitter) and a LinkedIn account. Both accounts are verified. No subscription has been paid.

The Department uses social media platforms as part of how it communicates with the public and will continue to keep all platforms under review with a view to ensuring it can share its messages with the public in the most effective manner. The Department’s social media accounts are broadcast-only channels and the policy in place for endorsing posts is to endorse organisations and programmes that are funded by the Department.

School Funding

Questions (251, 257)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

251. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she will engage with schools on the return of unspent Covid grants to the FSSU; whether this return can be reconsidered in some cases (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53674/23]

Richard Bruton

Question:

257. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if the unspent moneys for Covid in a DEIS school can be reallocated to meet other pressing needs, such as in a case (details supplied). [53758/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 257 together.

My Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.

In addition to these grants, €20 million in funding was issued during the mid-term break, to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. This funding is the first tranche of an overall additional €60 million funding announced as part of Budget 2024 measures designed to assist schools with increased day-to-day running costs such as heating and electricity. A further €40 million in funding will be delivered in 2024.

I understand the need for increased capitation funding and I am pleased that I have been able to provide for significant increases in capitation funding for primary and post-primary schools in Budget 2024 which includes also a permanent restoration of capitation funding as well as an increase for cost of living pressures.

This year’s Budget will provide targeted funding for school communities with an increase in capitation of over €81 million.

The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €183 per pupil at Primary level and will be paid to schools in January & June 2024 for the 2023/24 academic year.

As part of the capitation package in Budget 2024 I am pleased to have secured €21 million as a permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs. This will support a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools from September 2024. This will bring the basic rate of capitation grant to the pre-2011 level of €200 per student in primary schools and to €345 in voluntary secondary schools. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational Needs. This represents an increase of circa 9.2% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates.

Schools also receive an Ancillary Services Grant. The standard rate is €173 per pupil in primary schools and €224.50 per student in post-primary schools.

More than €400.7 million of additional Covid-19 Capitation grant funding has been made available to recognised primary and post-primary schools to provide for the implementation of infection prevention and control measures to reduce the risk of the spread of Covid-19 to date.

Schools have been reminded that the Covid-19 Capitation payment is a temporary measure and is kept under review. The continued payment of Covid-19 capitation grants will be determined by the prevailing public health advice at the time.

Schools are not permitted to spend or retain monies allocated from the Covid grant for any upkeep or maintenance in the school.

The services of the Financial Support Serviced Unit (FSSU) are available to all Primary schools and this includes advice and assistance with financial matters including budgeting. You may contact them at 01 910 4020 or email [e-mail] if you feel this would be of benefit to your school.

School Transport

Questions (252)

Matt Carthy

Question:

252. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she will engage with Bus Éireann to address the situation where a child whose application has been sanctioned is still waiting to be assigned transport (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53689/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

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.The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.I am pleased to advise that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible under the terms of the scheme and a sanction has been sent by School Transport Section of my Department to Bus Éireann for the establishment of a new service for the pupil to the school referred to by the Deputy.Bus Éireann manages the operation of the school transport scheme which includes the procurement tender process to include services provided by contractors under the scheme. This is a competitive procurement process conducted in accordance with the negotiated procedure under national and EU procurement legislation.

New applications for the 2023/2024 school year are be catered for through a mix of new services (some being individual), children being accommodated on existing services where capacity exists, extensions of existing routes and grants to families.

Bus Éireann has reported that unfortunately, for a small number of families assigned to Special Educational Needs transport services that had been secured, difficulties have arisen in some localities with a small number of contracted services. These services are not cancelled, and the Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible. Bus Éireann is also engaging with families where transport was sanctioned and where there may be delays in securing a new service.

Bus Éireann has advised that this service was tendered in line with procurement guidelines and no bids were received from contractors to operate the service. Bus Éireann further advised that the route went out for tender again in a recent batch and it is currently being evaluated by their Procurement Department.

A Special Transport Interim Grant is available to families of children with special educational needs who, following the application process, are eligible under the terms of the school transport scheme and are awaiting a School Transport service to be put in place. The School Transport Section of my Department have been in direct contact with family in regard to full details of this grant.

This grant is a once off payment. The interim grant is offered from the date of application to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements that families have to put place until a transport service is ready to commence.

School Staff

Questions (253)

Francis Noel Duffy

Question:

253. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Education if there is any intention of improving access to guidance counselling in second level schools and colleges of further education as the current allocation of 573 students to one full-time guidance counsellor is insufficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53719/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The Department has allocated an equivalent of 928 guidance posts for the current school year 2023/24. Each school receives an allocation for guidance that is separate from the general allocation to schools. In this way, the hours for guidance are ring-fenced. The hours for guidance are subject to change each year as they are calculated with regard to student numbers in each school.

Measures announced by the Department as part of a number of budgets starting in 2016 fully restored the allocation of time allocated to guidance in schools from the initial reduction in budget 2012. Hence, the allocation for guidance has returned to that of pre-recession. However, the model of guidance provision in schools has evolved over the ten years in question. A model of whole school guidance applies in the contemporary post-primary system.

The whole school guidance allocation model allows for a balanced, school-wide approach to the three elements of guidance, personal/social, educational and career guidance. Guidance hours are allocated to personnel by school management in each school. In allocating guidance hours, school management consider a range of factors including but not limited to (i) the needs of students and (ii) the student support team in the school at large.

The 2023/24 circulars on staffing arrangements/ allocations, published in January 2023 provides the following text agreed with the School Management Bodies in relation to the assignment of ring-fenced Guidance Counselling hours. (Circulars 0002,0003 and 0004 of 2023)

“In deploying the guidance allocation, schools are encouraged to give due consideration to the pivotal role the qualified guidance counsellor plays in the implementation of the whole school guidance plan. The guidance counsellor will require time for individual student appointments, for Guidance lessons, and general guidance related work within the context of the Whole School Guidance plan”.

The Chief Inspector’s report (2022) notes that whole school guidance is provided to students through a variety of approaches. This report notes that whole-school guidance was of high quality, well-integrated and collaborative in supporting students and involved a wide range of staff with specific roles and functions. Other good practice in relation to whole-school provision included the establishment of very effective student support teams which facilitated an appropriate focus on student welfare and clear referral pathways, both internal and external. This would indicate that the current allocation model is effective in supporting the whole school approach to guidance provision.

The National Strategic Framework for Lifelong Guidance and accompanying Action Plan (2023-2030) will be published shortly. Within these publications are a number of actions relating to post-primary guidance within the lifelong landscape. Implementation of the actions will progress shortly after publication. The Guidance Unit in my Department will continue to research and create policy to support guidance practice in post-primary schools.

My Department continues to engage closely with education stakeholders to develop further, innovative measures to further improve the provision of guidance in schools.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (254)

Réada Cronin

Question:

254. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if a new classroom which was to be ready in October for a school in Maynooth (details supplied) will be ready, in January 2024; if the school will have the teacher needed for the children who have arrived and will arrive from playschool; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53723/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that approval under the Additional School Accommodation scheme issued to the school in question for the provision of three special classrooms and ancillary accommodation.

The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. This programme provides project management supports to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and helps to ease the administrative workload for individual schools in relation to the management and delivery of the project.

Kerrigan Sheanan Newman Construction Consultants (KSN) has been appointed, from the Department’s Framework, to design and tender the project. This consultant is leading the project through the various stages of planning process and construction. The School Authority has devolved responsibility for delivery of this project.

My Department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of this accommodation and will be working with the school to keep it updated on overall project delivery and timelines. It is expected that the first phase (classroom accommodation) will reach practical completion in December allowing pupils to access the classroom with the second phase (external works) currently programmed to reach practical completion in January 2024. The project manager is in frequent contact with the School Authority regarding programme timelines. I also wish to advise that t is a matter for the school authority to recruit sufficient teachers to fill the teaching posts approved by my Department and this should not be impacted by the capital project.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (255)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

255. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education the reason a child (details supplied) has been refused SNA support despite the recommendations of their teacher; if this decision will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53729/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.

For 2023, the spend by my department on special education has been substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education. Further progress has been made in Budget 2024 where 26% of my department’s budget will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs, representing a 5% increase on Budget 2023.

This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and funding for the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).

In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 SNAs and in 2024 a further 744 teachers, and 1,216 SNAs will be added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.

The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.

SNAs play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools ensuring that these students can access education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.

SNAs are allocated to schools as a school based resource and not to individual children. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual principal/board of management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.

It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.

The NCSE have published the SNA allocations for the 2023/24 school year, this list is available on the NCSE's website at www.ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations.

Schools can apply to the NCSE for a review of its SNA allocation if it is insufficient to meet the needs of its students. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website: www.ncse.ie/application-for-sna-exceptional-review.

The NCSE manages the exceptional review process and handles each case individually. Some review requests can be concluded as an office based exercise, whilst others require a school to be visited in order to observe the current deployment of SNA support in the school setting.

Following the outcome of the review, the NCSE can make the local special educational needs officer (SENO) available to the school to discuss their current deployment of SNA supports in the school and to put these supports to the best advantage of the students. NCSE in-school support is also available to schools to offer further guidance and support.

As the NCSE have the responsibility for allocating SNAs to schools I will arrange to have your query referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

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.