Written Answers Nos. 277-296
278. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the reasoning behind the exclusion of persons over 70 years of age from driving buses under the school transport scheme; the engagement she or her Department have had with Bus Éireann with a view to increasing the age limit, particularly in light of the ongoing shortage of bus drivers for the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55930/23]
View answerWhile over 90% of services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on over 7,000 school routes. This includes vetting and background checks.
It is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years. However, Bus Éireann part-time school bus drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70. This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.
The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. While Bus Éireann have informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time, the matter will continue to be kept under review.
Bus Éireann and Department officials meet regularly to discuss operational and policy matters.
279. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the measures underway to reinstate school transport route F6313 as a matter of urgency, in light of the impact that the loss of service is having on the students concerned, and on their families, who are required to make a 100km round trip to school twice per day; the details of any engagement she or her Department have had with the families concerned, particularly with a view to providing alternative transport for the children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55931/23]
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.
Bus Éireann is very conscious of the specialised nature of transport provision for pupils with special educational needs under the School Transport Scheme. All services are planned to meet the individual requirements of children travelling, with the majority of services operating on a door-to- door basis.
Bus Éireann endeavours to provide a high quality service to all children travelling with us under the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs. I wish to assure you that the School Transport team is continuing to prioritise arrangements to ensure transport can be sourced and put in place as soon as possible.
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.
Bus Éireann has advised that a service referred to by the Deputy is currently in the procurement process. Bus Éireann continues to keep families updated on a regular basis.
In situations where a transport service is not in place, a Special Transport Grant (STG) towards the cost of private transport arrangements may be provided to families of eligible children.
Officials in School Transport Section in the Department of Education have contacted families of eligible children with details of the special transport grant to assist with the cost of alternative arrangements until the commencement of a service.
280. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the position regarding an ASA application lodged by school (details supplied); if consideration is being given by her Department to the request by school that the proposed extension be included as part of its Adapt 18 programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55973/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is very recently in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question.
The purpose of the ASA 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 or at other schools in the area.
The ASA application from the school to which the Deputy refers is currently being assessed and when this is completed the school authority will be notified of the decision. This assessment will take account of the nature and timing of any accommodation need at the school.
There is also a major project on site for this school for an extension/refurbishment to existing accommodation to provide for 540 pupils. This project is expected to be completed in quarter 4 next year.
281. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sí a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [55992/23]
View answer282. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sí a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [56012/23]
View answer283. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sí a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 20% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [56030/23]
View answer284. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sí a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana seo an céatadán 20% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [56048/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 281 to 284, inclusive, together.
Tá an Roinn Oideachais lántiomanta a ndualgais reachtúla faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (leasú) 2021 a chomhlíonadh.
Tá mo Roinnse ag obair chun a chinnitiú go gcuirfear ar a laghad 20% d’fhógraíocht ar bith ar fáil i nGaeilge agus go n-úsáidfear ar a laghad 5% d’aon airgead a chaitear ar fhógraíocht in aon bhliain chun fógraíocht a dhéanamh ar na meáin Ghaeilge.
Cuirfear eolas maidir lenár gcomhlíontacht i leith fógraíochta trí Ghaeilge faoi bhráid an Choimisinéara Teanga i mí an Mhárta 2024 lena fhoilsiú, i gcomhréir leis an Acht.
Níorbh fhéidir an t-eolas a d’iarr an Teachta a thiomsú san am a bhí ar fáil ach, a luaithe a beidh sé curtha le chéile, tabharfaidh mo Roinn freagra díreach dó.
285. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the main policy achievements of her Department since 27 June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56105/23]
View answerThis year my Department published “Forbairt 2023 Annual Statement of Priorities”, a statement of priority actions to be delivered in 2023 that elaborates upon and develops the strategic actions set out in the Statement of Strategy 2021-2023, which sets out the vision, mission and strategic goals that guides the Department’s work programme for the 2021-2023 period. The Department's Annual Reports have also been published and outline the significant work undertaken since June 2020. My Department’s goal has been to deliver high quality and inclusive education for all children and young people that addresses their needs, interests and ambitions.
Significant achievements to date include:
• Funding of over €53 million in 2023 for the free primary schoolbooks scheme, which commenced in September 2023, providing schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks to all primary school pupils in the Free Education Scheme. Further funding of €67 million has been allocated to extend the scheme to all Junior Cycle students from September 2024.
• Over €20 million in additional capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-today running costs. This will support a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools, bringing the basic rate of capitation to €200 per student in primary schools and to €345 in post-primary schools.
• Provision of €323 million in education measures over a wide range of temporary measures to assist with increased cost of living pressures, which include the waiving of exam fees, reduced charges for school transport, and funding to support increased running costs for recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme, in particular in dealing with challenges they face in the light of rising energy costs.
• Announcement earlier this year of €29 million in minor works funding for primary and special schools. Schools have the autonomy to use this funding for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds.
• Since 2020 the budget for special educational needs has increased from €1.9bn to €2.7bn for 2024. Funding of €13m has been secured for the expansion of the National Council of Special Education (NCSE) to allow for an additional 161 staff. Almost 3,000 special classes are now in operation nationwide. These classes can provide for over 18,000 students. In addition, 6 new special schools have been established and 4 more have been announced for the 2024/25 school year. The number of special education teaching and special needs assistant posts has increased to over 40,000.
• The budget to fund the Summer Programme has risen from €20m annually to €40m every year since 2021 and there has been an increase of 300% in student participation since 2019.
• €6 million in one off funding to support and promote attendance in primary, post-primary and special schools. This campaign is designed to promote the importance of attendance at class or school level will be rolled out by Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) and the Department of Education and will run throughout the 2023/24 school year.
• Continued investment in new teaching posts has seen the general average primary staffing schedule reduce by three points, to a historically low level of 23:1 in 2023. This is the first time such a reduction has been made in three consecutive Budgets
• Publication of the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Policy Statement. The policy statement recognises that ITE is the first step on the continuum of teacher education and acknowledges the commitment to excellence from all involved in preparing teachers of the future, while recognising the benefit that greater clarity will provide to all in the system.
• A new Integrated Teacher Education Support Service (Oide) launched in September 2023. This system sets out a new vision to support the Professional Learning of teachers and school leaders in Ireland through the development of high quality, innovative and responsive Professional Learning which will enable them to meet the educational needs of all learners in a changing world while providing high quality Professional Learning supports and services.
• In March 2022, I announced an ambitious programme of work for a reimagined Senior Cycle where the student is at the centre of their Senior Cycle experience. In September 2023, I announced a significant acceleration of parts of the programme, with national introduction of the first tranche of revised Leaving Certificate subject specifications in schools in 2025, two years earlier than previously planned. Draft specifications for six of the subjects in this first tranche, including Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Arabic, Latin, and Ancient Greek, were published on 7 December 2023 and a public consultation on the drafts is open until 23 February 2024.
• The publication by the NCCA in May 2023 of the redeveloped Junior Cycle SPHE specification was rolled out in schools from September 2023.
• A draft revised Transition Year Programme Statement has been published and a public consultation on the draft concluded in October 2023. Work is now underway within the NCCA to finalise the Programme Statement, pending its introduction to schools in 2024.
• Launch of the new Primary Curriculum Framework for all primary and special schools, which will shape the work of all primary and special schools for the coming years. This is the first curriculum framework for primary education in Ireland and will shape the work of all primary and special schools for the coming years.
• Consultation on new Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy, jointly undertaken with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. This wide-ranging consultation is part of the development of the successor strategy to the National Strategy Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life 2011 – 2020.
• Consultation is underway on a second Implementation Plan for Languages Connect, Ireland’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017 – 2026, aiming to improve foreign language proficiency and to increase and diversify the range of languages taught and learned in the education system. Four new Leaving Certificate curricular languages were introduced to schools in September 2020 (Lithuanian, Mandarin Chinese, Polish and Portuguese) and were examined for the first time in summer 2022 with circa. 1,500 students sitting one of the four exams. 1,200 primary schools are rolling out the Say Yes to Languages 8 week sampler module in 15 languages in 2023/24.
• Launch of the STEM Education Implementation Plan to 2026, jointly with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. This is the 2nd implementation plan as part of the STEM Education Policy Statement 2017–2026 and sets out the actions which aim to further improve the STEM education experience and outcomes for all learners from early learning and care to post-primary level.
• The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published in April 2022 and builds on the achievements of the previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020. It aims to further support the school system so that all students across our schools have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to navigate an ever-evolving digital world successfully. The strategy sets out the various supports and resources available to schools in this important area. The strategy is underpinned by an overall investment of €200m, €50m of which has already issued directly to schools.
• Partnership between Department of Education and Science Foundation Ireland, with the contribution of over €800,000 by the Department in 2023 towards 10 successful projects under the SFI Discover Programme.
• Launch of the new Creative Youth Plan 2023-2027 for children and young people, jointly with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
• BLAST (Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teachers) running in 2023 for the third time. The 2023 programme enables 425 new arts in education residencies in schools over the course of the year.
• The new intake of Creative Clusters, an initiative-taking place as part of Creative Ireland and under the Schools Excellence Fund. This scheme supports schools to build capacity in creativity. Schools in each cluster will enjoy access to a specialist facilitator, artist or creative expertise in whatever their chosen area of interest or theme might be. These resources will help the schools to build a project of learning and activities tailor-made for their students. There are currently 40 Clusters comprising of 140 schools.
• Publication of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to 2030, Ireland’s 2nd National Strategy on ESD, co-sponsored by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. ESD aims to ensure that all learners have the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development and is a key enabler for the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and agenda 2030 and our National Climate Action Plan 2023. Over €1 million has been delivered to schools and organisations in 2022 and 2023.
• A Sustainability Toolkit for Schools was published in September 2023, supporting schools in implementing the School Sector Climate Action Mandate.
• Launch of the Schools PV Programme which will fund up to 6 kWp of roof-mounted solar PV for all eligible schools and 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 single largest expansion of the DEIS programme announced in 2022, which benefited 361 schools. The programme now includes in the region of 1,200 schools and supports approximately 240,000 students. 1 in 4 students and 30% of schools are now supported in the programme. This expansion added an additional €32million to the Department’s expenditure on the DEIS programme from 2023, bringing the overall allocation for the programme to €180 million.
• In January 2021, responsibility for the administration of the Schools Completion Programme (SCP) transferred back to my Department, Additional funding was secured to provide for an extension of SCP supports to 28 additional schools that were included in DEIS for the first time in September 2017, and a 5% overall increase in funding for the School Completion Programme. In addition, a further increase of 5% for SCP was negotiated under Budget 2023.
• A programme of work to explore the allocation of resources to schools to address educational disadvantage is currently being undertaken. To support this work, the OECD have been invited to review the current policy approach. This review will provide an independent expert opinion on the current resource allocation model for the DEIS programme and drawing on international examples, inform a policy approach for an equitable distribution of supplementary resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage attending all schools, both DEIS and non-DEIS.
• The “Supporting Traveller and Roma (STAR) in education pilot project was established in 2019, under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, and extended to June 2024, with the aims of improving attendance, participation and retention in specific Traveller and Roma communities regionally. There are four pilot areas: Galway, Wexford, Dublin and Cork. Additional resources provided include an additional Educational Welfare Officer (EWO), an additional Home School Community Liaison coordinator (HSCL) and two Traveller/Roma community education workers from the local communities employed by local Traveller/Roma support groups.
• A separate initiative, funded under Dormant Account Funds provides for 10 new Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) coordinators in 14 non-DEIS post-primary schools with high numbers of Traveller and Roma students. These HSCL coordinators will also have access to funding to implement and run initiatives to encourage improvements in school attendance, retention and progression for Traveller and Roma students. In addition, the funding has allowed the creation of a new coordinator post with responsibilities across the four STAR pilot sites and for facilitating effective information-sharing between STAR teams and the 10 new HSCL coordinators. Funding for these measures have continued for 2023.
• The Implementation Plan for the Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying, which commits to implementing each of the 61 actions contained in Cineáltas within a five-year period, commenced in Q1 2023 and a number of actions have been progressed.
• Establishment of a new National Policy Group for Lifelong Guidance. This group comprises senior officials from the Department of Education, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Department of Social Protection, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Department of Education chair the group which is to steer the development of a coherent, long-term strategic framework for lifelong guidance. The National Strategic Framework for Lifelong Guidance and accompanying Action Plan (2024-2030) is expected to be published shortly.
• In 2022, an enhanced scheme of Irish Sign Language (ISL) provision commenced.
• Two programmes have been established to support the transition for young people with disabilities to improve access to, and opportunities for, post-school options.
• Establishment of a landmark programme of counselling and mental health supports, to be piloted in a series of primary schools from September 2023.
• A number of pilots such as the Nursing Pilot programme and the Towards Inclusion pilot have been initiated.
• Establishment of a scoping inquiry, to shape Government’s response to revelations of historical sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders. The scoping inquiry will be informed by reports and inputs from experts across a range of areas, including child protection, restorative justice and, most importantly, survivor engagement as well as analysis of previous inquiries including the Ferns Report, Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse and the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation.
286. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the scheme to install solar panels for schools; how many applications have been received and processed to date; if work has commenced or been completed on any school; the estimated average cost to install solar panels per school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56121/23]
View answerI was delighted to launch together with the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Ossian Smyth the Solar for Schools scheme . It will allow up to 4,000 schools nationwide to get solar PV panels to reduce their energy bills and their carbon emissions.
This ties in with the strong ethos of environmental awareness and climate sustainability among our students and the wonderful work they do in this area, most notably with the Green Flag initiative.
It will provide eligible schools with 6 kilowatts of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels.
The scheme will be funded from the Government’s Climate Action Fund, in line with the Government’s recognition that taking action on climate change is central to Ireland’s social and economic development.
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 solar PV panels in schools will also be connected to the electricity grid, so that the schools can generate income by powering other homes and businesses with clean energy when schools are closed at weekends and during school holidays.
Monitoring software will also be provided to each school, to allow review and discussion of the energy generated each day for staff and students.
As well as the obvious financial and climate benefits, it is expected that the visibility of the solar panels on schools will also deliver the added benefit of encouraging discussion and uptake of the technology in the wider community.
The Solar for Schools (Schools’ Photovoltaic (PV)) scheme will be rolled out on a phased basis, commencing with a call for applications to over 1,600 schools from 11 designated areas across the country.
The first phase opened for applications on 30th November 2023. All schools in the first phase have been contacted by the Department and invited to apply from that date. To date, 753 applications have been received, of which 508 have begun the tendering process.
The intention is to include a further eight counties in phase two in Q2 2024 and the remaining eight counties in Q4 2024. It is intended that all eligible schools across the country will have the opportunity to apply to the scheme by end 2024.
The phasing of the programme will ensure a managed and steady flow of work for solar PV contractors. The data gathered during the first phase will also allow for any improvements in the design of the scheme to be implemented in the second and third phases. Counties in the first phase were selected to obtain a good geographical spread including a balance of rural, urban, island, Gaeltacht schools in all regions of the country, as well as targeting counties that have not benefitted from other recent Department of Education climate related initiatives.
Schools in the following areas are invited to participate in the first phase: Co. Clare, Co. Donegal, Dublin City Council area, Co. Galway, Co. Kerry, Co. Kilkenny, Co. Leitrim, Co. Limerick, Co. Offaly, Co. Waterford and Co. Wicklow.
School authorities will be provided with funding from the Department of Education to have the PV panels installed by a registered contractor, with guidance from the Department.
There are currently 200 Non-domestic solar PV Installers registered with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and 350 domestic solar PV installers. The Solar for Schools Programme is expected to encourage more companies to enter the installer market.
The exact budget for the scheme is not being released because it is commercially sensitive. This is because of the need to ensure that contractors deliver competitive quotes rather than basing them on the average funding available per school. The Department of Education will be monitoring the spending under the scheme to ensure that it delivers value for money.
287. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a schedule of all active new school construction projects and expansion projects in Kildare and Wicklow; the stage each project is at; and the target delivery date of each. [56122/23]
View answerSince 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. There are also 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.
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.
Currently, 9 Large Scale & ASA projects are under construction in counties Kildare & Wicklow. There are also 32 other Large Scale & ASA projects that are well advanced for delivery in counties Kildare & Wicklow, and a further 10 Modular Accommodation that are very well advanced for delivery or at construction stage.
The current status of all school building 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.
The table below shows all projects currently in construction in counties Kildare & Wicklow
Projects on site in counties Kildare & Wicklow:
|
County |
Roll Number |
School Name |
Delivery Programme |
|
Kildare |
15769C |
Scoil Eimhinn Naofa & St Peter's NS, Monasterevin |
Large Scale project - New School building |
|
Kildare |
19455W |
St. Mark's Special, Newbridge |
Large Scale project - New School building |
|
Kildare |
19796C |
St Patrick's BNS, Clane |
Large Scale project - New School building |
|
Kildare |
17872F |
St Conleth's/ St Mary's, Newbridge |
Large Scale projects - Extension & Refurbishment |
|
Kildare |
17873H |
St Conleth's Infant school |
Large Scale projects - Extension & Refurbishment |
|
Kildare |
18288B |
Scoil Mhichil Naofa, Athy |
Large Scale projects - Extension & Refurbishment |
|
Kildare |
19897I |
Scoil Ui Riada, Kilcock |
ASA project - Extension |
|
Kildare |
61661P |
Salesian College, Celbridge |
ASA project - Extension |
|
Wicklow |
61860V |
Dominican College, Wicklow Town |
ASA project - Extension |
|
Kildare |
11976K |
Scoil Choca Naofa |
Modular accommodation project |
|
Kildare |
70650L |
Athy Community College |
Modular accommodation project |
|
Kildare |
91505T |
St Wolstan's Community School |
Modular accommodation project |
|
Wicklow |
20242M |
Blessington ETNS |
Modular accommodation project |
|
Wicklow |
68081J |
Temple Carrig Secondary School |
Modular accommodation project |
288. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of temporary school accommodation requests, that is, new rented space and prefab classrooms, she has received from schools in Wicklow and Kildare in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; if she will provide a schedule of schools that have made these requests; the number approved and delivered; and the number refused. [56123/23]
View answerTemporary prefab accommodation in schools may be rented or purchased and funded by the Department or by the school authority itself, with or without Department sanction.
As the Deputy will appreciate, within the context of a rapidly increasing school population combined with arriving Ukrainian children, my Department's priority is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place. In this regard, it is sometimes necessary to make use of temporary accommodation in order to meet the accommodation needs of schools.
The timing and duration of the accommodation need is also considered in determining the optimum accommodation solution – a short-term accommodation requirement does not require a long-term accommodation solution. For example, a school may require a temporary building in circumstances where a major school construction project is planned. Such temporary accommodation is removed when the major project concerned is completed. The length of time it is necessary to make use of temporary rented accommodation will vary from project to project.
My Department is taking an integrated approach with the Prefab Replacement Programme through the replacement of prefabricated units as part of large-scale and devolved projects and as part of new projects approved under the Additional School Accommodation scheme.
There are over 1,300 school building projects within the current pipeline across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction. The progression and completion of these projects is and will make further inroads on the replacement of rented sites and buildings with knock-on savings on the rental budget. The current status of projects being delivered is listed in tabular format, on a county by county basis, on the Department’s website at www.gov.ie and is updated regularly.
Many schools based in rented buildings and on rented sites are already part of the pipeline of projects under the school building programme and their longer-term accommodation will be addressed as part of these projects. Maximising the opportunities to achieve value for money involves matching, as best as possible, the accommodation requirement with the appropriate accommodation solution. This is relevant for all accommodation projects progressed by the Department.
The changing landscape in relation to enrolments including that of arriving Ukrainian children means that accommodation requirements can vary locally and regionally and between short, medium and long-term and this is a relevant factor considered by the Department in determining the type of accommodation solution to be put in place.
Attached is list of rental contracts approved for schools in Wicklow and Kildare in the years 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. All applications for temporary rented school accommodation received by the Department in the years outlined were approved with none refused.
|
County |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Wicklow |
4 |
6 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
6 |
2 |
0 |
289. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the remedy she has for second level schools that can offer only a limited subject choice due to a shortage in the teacher numbers and lack of appropriate learning environments. [56131/23]
View answerEnsuring 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.
The vast majority of sanctioned teacher positions are filled. The rate of resignation and retirement is very low by any standard and is consistent with previous years.
The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for individual school authorities. In that regard, there are more than 3,700 individual employers (boards of management of primary schools and post-primary schools, as well as ETBs).
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 . Those newly qualified teachers who graduate with a PME will, subject to some 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.
These new measures are in addition to a range of targeted measures that I have introduced in recent times, including:
• Post-primary teachers can provide up to 35 additional hours of substitute cover per term in the subject they are qualified to teach.
• Ensuring initial teacher education providers created existing flexibilities that enable student teachers to support schools, either while on placement, or in a substitute capacity. In 2023, more than 2,700 student teachers registered with the Teaching Council and provided valuable support to schools as substitute teachers. This number is expected to be exceeded in the current school year.
• Encouraging retired teachers to provide substitute cover. A communications campaign ran in early 2023 resulting in an increase in the number of teaching days provided by retired teachers of 49%, an increase of over 17,000 days between the 2021/22 school year, and the 2022/23 school year.
• Restrictions on job-sharing teachers and those on a career break from working as substitutes have been reduced.
Teaching is an attractive career choice:
• CAO first preference choices for post-primary teaching increased this year by 14%, in addition to a 9% increase in 2022.
• Starting pay for post-primary teachers is over €42,000 since October under the extension to Building Momentum.
• Almost 3,800 newly qualified teachers have registered with the Teaching Council in 2023, with over 121,000 now on the Teaching Council register.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
If a school has a deficit of classroom or specialist teaching accommodation it is open to the school authority to make an application for additional accommodation through the 'Additional School Accommodation scheme (ASA)' which is available at www.education.ie to facilitate subject need.
My Department continues to engage closely with education stakeholders to develop further, innovative measures to address teacher supply issues.
290. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education can schools be allowed flexibility with regard to height levels for fences for play areas that are installed, taking into account local circumstances and conditions including proximity to roads; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56146/23]
View answerMy Department has provided reference to guidelines for school fencing in its School Design Guidelines which are available on the Department's website.
I am including an extract from the guidance documents below in response to the Deputy's query. As can be seen, there is provision for flexibility in the design of the boundary fencing, relative to the specific circumstances of the school.
School Design Guide SDG 02-03, Post Primary School Design Guide
“Hard-play areas may also be designed to cater for occasional use as overflow car parking and should be located adjacent to the external vehicular circulation. A 2.5 m high paladin type plastic coated chain link fence around the courts for ball arrest, with lockable access gates should be provided.”
“The provision of other boundary fencing and walls does not form part of the External Works Allowance. Where for security reasons, boundary protection is required, the cost should be minimised, subject to the suitability of the boundary treatment for the location. If such boundary protection is still required, the nature, cost and scope of the works should be indicated at the earliest stage and a submission made to the Department justifying the additional cost of such works.”
Technical Guidance Document, TGD – 022, Primary School Design Guidelines
“A ball-court area is 585 m² (19.50 x 30.00) approximately. It includes a 1m run-off space around the playing area and shall be properly graded, drained and appropriately lined. Poles with hoops and backboards for basketball shall be supplied and fitted (as part of the contract). The courts shall be marked for basketball and a 2.4m high powder coated weld mesh fence around the courts, with lockable access gates should be provided.”
“The provision of other boundary fencing and walls do not form part of the External Works Allowance. Where for security reasons, boundary protection is required, the cost should be minimised, subject to the suitability of the boundary treatment for the location. If such boundary protection is still required, the nature, cost and scope of the works should be indicated at the earliest stage and a submission made to the Department justifying the additional cost of such works.”
291. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education the expected timeline for the completion of the review of the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56157/23]
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. Undoubtedly, the School Transport Scheme is of huge importance to families, the review has been conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness, and sustainability and to ensure it services students and their families adequately. Considering how to best maximise the benefits now and into the future has been a significant factor in the ongoing review of the Scheme which commenced in February 2021. Following phase 1 of the review, Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMS) were introduced at post-primary level and 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. The school transport scheme has been in operation for over 55 years, since its establishment in 1967, and this review is one of the most extensive investigations that has been carried out into the Scheme since then. There has been an extensive stakeholder engagement process, including consultation with parents, students, providers, and other key stakeholders, as part of this engagement we consulted with families who use the scheme, who would like to use the scheme and also with young people with special educational needs and mainstream students. The results from the stakeholder engagement with parents and children illustrated the importance of school transport to families with most indicating it is a safe and reliable service which helps families to live and work in rural Ireland. Another important finding of the stakeholder engagement process was that the Special Educational Needs Transport Scheme supports many children in attending specialist school placements which they may otherwise may not be able to attend. An analysis of school transport schemes in other jurisdictions was also conducted as part of this stakeholder engagement and review process including the EU, the UK, the United States and Australia. This research and analysis outlined the evidence in terms of the need for a school transport service in an Irish context compared to some comparative countries as well as an analysis of the costs to users of school transport services in some other jurisdictions. 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 is 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.
292. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education the total value of procurement overseen by her Department as a central purchasing body; the percentage of compliant and non-compliant procurement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56169/23]
View answerThe requested information is being compiled by the Department and will be released as soon as possible.
293. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the steps being taken to ensure adequate school places in Prosperous, Naas, Clane, Straffan, Maynooth and Kilcock, County Kildare at both primary and second level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56247/23]
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 Prosperous, Naas, Clane, Straffan, Maynooth and Kilcock, County Kildare, 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 have been requested to share data on applications for admissions. Prosperous, Naas, Clane, Straffan, Maynooth and Kilcock. 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, Naas, Clane, Straffan, Maynooth and Kilcock.
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 Prosperous, Naas, Clane, Straffan, Maynooth and Kilcock, County Kildare for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.
294. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which special needs school places at primary and second level are available throughout Kildare north; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56251/23]
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 an additional €113m has been provided which will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
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.
Over the last number of years, my department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.
These initiatives are bearing fruit with almost 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over the last four years.
My department engage intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
As a result of this forward planning, earlier this year, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two special schools for the 2023/24 school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools. Just last week a further four new special schools were announced for the 2024/25 school year which will bring the number of special schools nationwide to 134.
Along with the two new special schools, 386 new special classes – 252 at primary and 134 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year.
Of these 11 are in Kildare, 7 at primary and 4 at post-primary level. This brings to 115 the number of special classes in County Kildare, 85 at primary level and 30 at post-primary level.
The attached document provides a breakdown of primary and post-primary schools with special classes within the Kildare school planning area for the 2023/24 school year. Planning for special classes and places in Kildare and nationwide is currently underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year.
As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes.
In October of last year, my department wrote to all post-primary schools to advise them of the need to begin planning to provide additional special classes. It is envisaged that all post-primary schools will be required to provide special classes over the next 3 to 5 years, with an approximate average of 4 special classes in each school.
Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE's website at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
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.
Primary School Special Classes 2023/24 Kildare
|
School Name |
Address |
Class Type |
|
St David's NS |
Killashee |
Autism |
|
Straffan N S |
Straffan |
Autism |
|
Holy Child NS |
Naas |
Autism |
|
St Patricks BNS |
Clane |
Autism |
|
Scoil Naisiunta Bhride |
Clane |
Autism |
|
Scoil Bhride |
Sallins Road |
Autism |
|
Scoil Bhride |
Sallins Road |
Autism |
|
Scoil Bhride |
Sallins Road |
Autism |
|
St Catherine of Sienna NS |
The Curragh |
Autism |
|
Presentation Girls Primary School |
Maynooth |
Autism Early Intervention |
|
Clochar Coca Naofa N S |
Kilcock |
Autism |
|
Rathangan B N S |
Rathangan |
Autism |
|
St Josephs NS |
Kilcock |
Autism |
|
St Josephs NS |
Kilcock |
Autism |
|
Maynooth B N S |
Maynooth |
Autism |
|
Maynooth B N S |
Maynooth |
Autism |
|
Scoil Bhride N S |
Rathangan |
Autism |
|
S N Clocha Rince |
Moyvalley |
Autism |
|
S N Clocha Rince |
Moyvalley |
Autism |
|
S N Coill Dubh |
Naas |
Autism |
|
S N Coill Dubh |
Naas |
Autism |
|
S N Naomh Connlaedh Mxd |
Carbury |
Autism Early Intervention |
|
S N Naomh Connlaedh Mxd |
Carbury |
Autism |
|
Scoil an Linbh Iosa |
Prosperous |
Autism |
|
Scoil an Linbh Iosa |
Prosperous |
Autism |
|
Scoil an Linbh Iosa |
Prosperous |
Autism |
|
S N An Baile Nua |
Enfield |
Autism |
|
S N An Baile Nua |
Enfield |
Autism |
|
Scoil Bhride |
Leixlip |
Autism |
|
Scoil Mhuire |
Leixlip |
Autism |
|
Scoil Mhuire |
Leixlip |
Autism |
|
San Carlo Junior Ns |
Leixlip |
Autism |
|
San Carlo Senior N S |
Leixlip |
Autism |
|
North Kildare Educate Together Sch |
Celbridge |
Autism |
|
North Kildare Educate Together Sch |
Celbridge |
Autism |
|
Maynooth Educate Together NS |
Celbridge Rd |
Autism |
|
Maynooth Educate Together NS |
Celbridge Rd |
Autism |
|
Gaelscoil Ruairí |
Maigh Nuad |
Autism |
|
St. Patrick's N.S. C of I |
Moorfield |
Autism |
|
Scoil Bhríde |
Kill |
Autism |
|
Scoil Bhríde |
Kill |
Autism |
|
S N Aine Naofa |
Straffan |
Autism |
|
St Conleths And Marys N S |
Newbridge |
Autism |
|
St Conleths And Marys N S |
Newbridge |
Autism |
|
St Conleth's Infant School |
Newbridge |
Autism |
Post-primary School Special Classes 2023/24 Kildare
|
School Name |
Address |
Class Type |
|
Pipers Hill College |
Naas |
Autism |
|
Naas Community College |
Naas |
Autism |
|
Naas Community College |
Naas |
Autism |
|
Scoil Mhuire Community School |
Naas |
Autism |
|
Scoil Dara |
Kilcock |
Autism |
|
Confey Community College |
Leixlip |
Autism |
|
Maynooth Post Primary School |
Mariavilla |
Autism |
|
Maynooth Post Primary School |
Mariavilla |
Autism |
|
St. Farnan's Post Primary School |
Naas |
Moderate General Learning Disability |
|
St. Farnan's Post Primary School |
Naas |
Autism |
|
St. Farnan's Post Primary School |
Naas |
Autism |
|
Maynooth Community College |
Mariavilla |
Autism |
|
Maynooth Community College |
Mariavilla |
Autism |
|
Maynooth Community College |
Mariavilla |
Moderate General Learning Disability |
|
Salesian College |
Celbridge |
Autism |
|
Salesian College |
Celbridge |
Autism |
|
St. Conleth's Community College |
Newbridge |
Autism |
|
St. Conleth's Community College |
Newbridge |
Autism |
|
Colaiste Chiarain Community Sch |
Leixlip |
Autism |
|
Cross And Passion College |
Kilcullen |
Autism |
|
Cross And Passion College |
Kilcullen |
Autism |
|
St. Paul's Secondary School |
Monasterevin |
Autism |
|
Ardscoil na Trionoide |
Athy |
Autism |
|
Ardscoil na Trionoide |
Athy |
Autism |
|
Athy College |
Athy |
Autism |
|
Athy College |
Athy |
Autism |
|
Colaiste Lorcáin |
Castledermot |
Autism |
|
Colaiste Lorcáin |
Castledermot |
Autism |
|
Kildare Town Community School |
Kildare Town |
Autism |
|
Kildare Town Community School |
Kildare Town |
Autism |
295. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide the number of public servants servicing on State boards since 2006 in an independent capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55910/23]
View answerMy Department handles data, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation, in relation to shortlisted candidates applying for positions on State Boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department, during the appointment process. I am advised, however, that my Department does not have access to records in respect of persons appointed to serve on the State Boards of those bodies, after they have been appointed.
Details of the current membership of State Boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department are published on www.stateboards.ie.
296. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the figures for the receipts collected for the licence fee in each of the years 2022 to date in 2023, broken down between licence fee receipts from households and licence fee receipts paid by the Department of Social Protection under the household benefits package, in tabular form [55890/23]
View answerPart 9 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 sets out the statutory basis for the current TV licence system. An Post acts as the TV Licence issuing Agent and is responsible for direct sales to the public. The Department of Social Protection also provides ‘free’ licences to those in receipt of the Household Benefits Package.
The Table below sets out the total TV Licence receipts from Household Sales from January to December 2022 and from January to 10th December this year. It is not possible to accurately estimate the total Household Sales to year end at this stage. The receipts from the Department of Social Protection in respect of licences awarded under the Household Benefits Package set out in the table are for the full year.
|
- |
2022 January-December |
2023 January to date |
|
TV Licence Household Sales Receipts |
€151,667,840 |
€124,793,440 * |
|
TV Licence DSP Household Benefits Package Receipts |
€69,788,616 |
€69,788,616 |
* The most recent figures available are up to and including 10th December.
As I have stated previously, public service content and public service broadcasting is a vital pillar of our society and indeed our democracy, and as such it needs to be supported. The TV licence supports not only RTÉ, but content provided across almost all broadcasters in the State, and therefore it remains important that we all play out part in supporting public service content by continuing to purchase or renew our TV licences.
