Emer Higgins
Question:82. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the main policy achievements of her Department in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54073/23]
View answerWednesday, 6 December 2023
Questions (82)
Written answers
My Department aims to deliver high quality and inclusive education for all children and young people that addresses their needs, interests and ambitions. Forbairt, the Annual Statement of Priorities 2023, provides a roadmap to the delivery of the strategic and operational priorities set out in my Department’s Statement of Strategy 2023-2025.
My Department’s main policy achievements in 2023 include, inter alia:
• Supporting the mental health and well-being of children and young people through implementation of the Well-being Policy Statement and Framework for Practice and Cineáltas: Action Plan for Bullying ensuring, among other needs, that well-being supports recognise the impact of Covid-19 on children and young people.
• Establishment of a dedicated unit which promotes the participation and voice of children and young people in Department policies.
• Publication of the primary curriculum framework, and publication and implementation of a new primary mathematics curriculum.
• Providing access to education to children and young people arriving from Ukraine and through other international protection processes and deliver supports to the sector.
• An acceleration to the national roll-out of the first tranche of revised Leaving Certificate subject specifications by two years to 2025, with further tranches to be introduced each year.
• The introduction of a free Schoolbooks and Classroom Resources Scheme that was expanded to all students accessing the Junior Cycle programme in Budget 2024.
• A number of measures to assist with increased cost of living pressures which includes the waiving of exam fees and reduced charges for school transport.
• The development of new resources to support parents and parent associations who wish to develop voluntary codes regarding smartphone use among primary school children.
• The commencement of the first phase of the Solar for Schools Programme. The scheme will assist schools in reducing their energy costs and their carbon footprint as part of the response to meeting the 2030 and 2050 Climate Action Plan targets for the schools sector.
• The launch of the Creative Youth Plan 2023-2027 that aims to provide everyone from birth to 24 years with more opportunities for creative engagement in every aspect of their lives.
• Continuing progress in the implementation of the National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development – ESD to 2030 that embeds ESD in education and other relevant policies and frameworks as part of a lifelong learning approach.
• Undertaking a comprehensive programme to support the supply of teachers including the approval of 610 additional places on primary initial teacher education (ITE) programmes over two years.
• Continue to make sufficient and appropriate provision for children with special educational needs for the 2023/2024 school year. 389 new special classes have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year – 252 at primary and 137 at post-primary level. Two new special schools announced by Minister Foley and Minister Madigan have been established and will operate under the patronage of the ETB – Cork ETB is the patron for East Cork Community Special School in Carrigtwohill and City of Dublin ETB is the patron for An Cosán Community Special School in Dublin 7.
• Implementation of a responsive evaluation programme of provision for children and young people with special and additional educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.
• The delivery of an Enhanced Summer Programme, to support students at risk of educational disadvantage and help mitigate learning loss as a result of the pandemic
• The establishment of a landmark programme of counselling and mental health supports that are being piloted in a series of primary schools.
• Delivery on the National Development Plan (NDP) to provide school places and upgrade existing infrastructure with a particular focus on provision for students with special education needs and also supporting Ireland’s response to global events.