Written Answers Nos. 590-602
590. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education when she can confirm that provision for a new school campus (details supplied) on a new greenfield site will be included in the school capital buildings programme, with a clear timeline for delivery. [1038/24]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question is not on the Department's Capital Building Programme.
The main focus of the department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics .
Under Project Ireland 2040 the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. There will be a rolling 5 year funding envelope which will be updated annually for the period 2026 to 2030 within the Government’s overall NDP funding envelope of €136 billion in exchequer capital (€165 billion total capital including non-Exchequer) that will facilitate building a modern and sustainable school infrastructure.
This significant investment is intended to allow us to move forward with certainty on modernising our school infrastructure with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. The strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands and will include a deep-energy retrofit programme in support of our 2030 and 2050 Climate Action Goals.
Following a request from the school for a new school my department made contact with the school to see if short to medium term solutions could be carried out under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA) 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.
I can confirm to the Deputy that funding was approved in 2021 for a building project under my Department’s ASA scheme that would provide for 2 mainstream classrooms and 2 special education tuition rooms for the school in question. This project is currently at stage 3 with our delivery team.
In addition further funding was approved under the ASA scheme in 2022 for modular accommodation to provide 1 mainstream classroom and 2 special education tuition rooms. In early 2023, the brief for the school was reviewed and increased to provide 1 Special Education classroom in addition to 1 mainstream classroom and 2 Special education tuition rooms.
Where there is a need for accelerated delivery of such accommodation my Department utilises Modern Methods of Construction, including my Department's Modular Accommodation Framework, to meet the accommodation need. My Department has additionally put Project Management provision in place to support schools in the expedited delivery. The modular project is currently at delivery stage.
Immediate issues affecting the operation of the school can be addressed under the department’s Emergency Works Scheme (EWS). The issue of road safety measures in the road network outside the area of vested school sites such as road signage, traffic calming measures, car parking and pedestrian facilities are the responsibility in the first instance of the relevant local authority. Local Authorities have the power to decide on road safety measures outside schools to ensure that measures are in place to protect the safety of local school children. My Department has no function in this matter
Since 2020, the Department of Education has invested in the region of €3.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 690 school building projects, and 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 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.
I can assure the Deputy that my department is working to ensure that there is appropriate school accommodation in place to meet the school place needs of all children.
591. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 91 of 30 November 2023, if her Department has published its new set of enrolment projections for primary and post-primary schools; if not, when she expects these projections to be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1040/24]
View answerThe new set of enrolments in primary and post-primary schools projections is planned to be published by end of January 2024. The publication date is not available yet. The new report (and others in the series) may be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/projections/.
592. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education to explain the rationale/process in awarding the recent round of STEM grant funding; the total funding allocated; if a lottery system was used, resulting in a significant number of applications not being examined; her views on whether this is an appropriate process, given the importance of funding to schools applying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1042/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) grant scheme was an action in the new STEM Education Implementation Plan published in 2023. The grant was to support schools in carrying out projects to stimulate an increased interest in STEM and included an application process as with other STEM initiatives in the past such as the STEM clusters project.
When the grant scheme was announced the Department indicated that it had funding of €1.5m available. There was a phenomenal demand from schools with around 3,000 applications received. Every application received by the deadline of 5pm on the 30th November was read and processed, leaving 2,727 schools with an ask amounting of over €25m.
Given the very high number of valid applications and the budget available for the scheme, a decision was made by the Department to run a lottery, where a random number generator was used to pick out schools based on their line on the spreadsheet. The application for each school was then assessed on a case by case basis with the applications read again by the evaluation team, to ensure they met the requirements as set out in the grant call. Any school deemed not to have met the requirements was removed. The procedure was then repeated until all the budget available was allocated.
As the initial funding available at the time of call for applications was €1.5m, the Department worked to secure as much additional funding as possible, bringing the total available to €4.7m. Unfortunately, on this occasion, this additional funding fell short of the ask of over €25m. The Department is front loading the grant scheme in 2023/2024 school year and it is hoped that a further round of funding can be run this year. This means that eligible schools that were not successful this time may receive funding in the future.
It should be noted that the Department also supports STEM through other areas such as teacher professional development and the development of resources, as well as through supporting initiatives such as SciFest, ESB Science Blast, the Discover programme with Science Foundation Ireland and BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.
I am aware of the time and effort that was put in by schools to the application process and the frustration felt by the schools however there was limited money available to my Department. The Department will be in contact with schools In relation to any future funding that becomes available.
593. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education when a person (details supplied) will be approved incremental credits in respect of relevant non-teaching experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1049/24]
View answerThe person named submitted an application for an award of incremental credit with respect to relevant non-teaching service. The application for an award of incremental credit was not successful. Following notification that the application was not successful, the person named appealed this decision.
This appeal is currently under examination by an independent Primary Incremental Credit Appeals Committee. The person named will be notified of the outcome of her appeal once the independent appeals committee has made a determination on her appeal. If the appeal is successful any monies due will be back dated and paid to the person named.
594. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of primary schools in Ireland that have an enrolment figure of 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 students or more, in tabular form. [1091/24]
View answerPlease find attached requested data. Please note data is for academic year 2022-2023, the last year we have final data for and is based on enrolments in mainstream primary schools as per mainstream school list which can be found at the link below;
www.gov.ie/en/collection/primary-schools/#20232024.
Mainstream School Size 2022-2023
|
School Enrolment Size |
Number of Schools |
|
0-100 |
1,259 |
|
101-200 |
759 |
|
201-300 |
519 |
|
301-400 |
246 |
|
401-500 |
186 |
|
501+ |
126 |
|
Total |
3,095 |
595. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education to provide a breakdown of the BER ratings of publicly funded primary and secondary schools in Ireland respectively; when the last audit of the energy efficiency of school buildings was taken; how much funding has been allocated in each year since 2016 for specific retrofitting of existing schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1114/24]
View answerThe information requested by the deputy is not currently to hand, it is being collated at the moment and will be conveyed to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
596. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education the reason temporary SNAs are not paid for Easter, Christmas or summer holidays, given that they are doing the same work as other SNAs; and whether she will rectify same. [1118/24]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and advise the following in relation to leave for SNAs on temporary contracts:
If an SNA is on a temporary contract and their contract ends before, for example the Christmas break, they receive statutory holiday pay (1.66 days for every month they work) and if they resume work directly after the break they will get paid retrospectively for that break. If a SNA returns to the same school after the summer break they will get paid for the summer break as set out in Department of Education Circular 0111/2007.
I would also like to advise the Deputy that the SNA Workforce Development Unit within Special Education Division in my Department are currently working on the development of the first Special Needs Assistant Workforce Development Plan. The plan, which will be developed over the next 2 years, will introduce policy developments which will bring clarity and direction to the SNA service. This will include a review of the SNA Contract of Employment in line with the commitment under the Building Momentum National Pay Agreement.
The plan will include consideration of how best school leaders and SNAs can work together to ensure that both are supported to provide the most effective service to children with significant care needs in our schools. The plan will be developed in consultation and collaboration with stakeholders including school leaders and the SNAs, giving all parties an opportunity to provide input and share views on the future development and direction of the SNA service.
597. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to explain in detail how the allocation of STEM funding for schools was conducted and decided; and if a school's application (details supplied) was considered. [1148/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) grant scheme was an action in the new STEM Education Implementation Plan published in 2023. The grant was to support schools in carrying out projects to stimulate an increased interest in STEM and included an application process as with other STEM initiatives in the past such as the STEM clusters project.
When the grant scheme was announced the Department indicated that it had funding of €1.5m available. There was a phenomenal demand from schools with around 3,000 applications received. Every application received by the deadline of 5pm on the 30th November was read and processed, leaving 2,727 schools, including Harold Boys National School, Dalkey, with an ask amounting of over €25m.
Given the very high number of valid applications and the budget available for the scheme, a decision was made by the Department to run a lottery, where a random number generator was used to pick out schools based on their line on the spreadsheet. The application for each school was then assessed on a case by case basis with the applications read again by the evaluation team, to ensure they met the requirements as set out in the grant call. Any school deemed not to have met the requirements was removed. The procedure was then repeated until all the budget available was allocated.
As the initial funding available at the time of call for applications was €1.5m, the Department worked to secure as much additional funding as possible, bringing the total available to €4.7m. Unfortunately, on this occasion, this additional funding fell short of the ask of over €25m. The Department is front loading the grant scheme in 2023/2024 school year and it is hoped that a further round of funding can be run this year. This means that eligible schools that were not successful this time may receive funding in the future.
It should be noted that the Department also supports STEM through other areas such as teacher professional development and the development of resources, as well as through supporting initiatives such as SciFest, ESB Science Blast, the Discover programme with Science Foundation Ireland and BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.
I am aware of the time and effort that was put in by schools to the application process and the frustration felt by the schools however there was limited money available to my Department. The Department will be in contact with schools In relation to any future funding that becomes available.
598. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when the ICT grant will be paid to primary schools for 2023/2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1149/24]
View answerThe 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 before the end of 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.
599. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the reason funding for the ICT grant was not paid to schools for the school year 2022/2023 despite it being listed as a grant that was due to schools. [1150/24]
View answerThe 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.
The 2022/23 ICT grant was not paid in that school year, due to the wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation. My Department intends to pay the next tranche of ICT grant funding before the end of the 2023/2024 school year. The specific timing for issue of the ICT grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding.
As part of the 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.
600. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will meet with a delegation of parents from Swords, in regard to the provision of a bus to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1158/24]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils traveling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Under the current terms of the scheme, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Any children 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.
At Post Primary level, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest education centre/school, subject to limited exceptions. The scheme has regard to ethos and language in that exceptions to eligibility for the scheme are considered in the case of minority religions and the Irish language.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality as determined by Bus Éireann, is required before consideration can be given to the establishment of a school transport service.
Bus Éireann have advised that generally pupils residing in the Swords area are not eligible for transport to the school mentioned by the Deputy as they reside to nearer schools and are attending their 3rd or 4th nearest school.
Meeting requests can be submitted formally through the Minister's Office, Department of Education, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1. minister@education.gov.ie.
601. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education how much funding was provided to schools in County Meath by her Department under the emergency works scheme and the additional accommodation scheme for the period of 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2023, in tabular form. [1163/24]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's query please see below details of funding provided to schools in County Meath by My Department under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS), and the Additional Accommodation Scheme (ASA) for the period of 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2023, in tabular form:
|
2022 |
2023 |
|
|
EWS |
€676,639.75 |
€664,007.48 |
|
ASA |
€25,489,875.03 |
€39,800,364.81 |
602. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if resurfacing and or remarking works on school playground or school car parks qualify under either the minor works scheme or summer works scheme. [1164/24]
View answerThe Department recognises the importance of the Minor Works Grant to primary schools. The funding provides good flexibility at local level to assist schools to manage and undertake works that support the operation of the school.
Schools have the autonomy to use this funding for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds. Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular needs. The works referenced would qualify under this scheme.
The Minor Works Grant for primary schools for the current school year 2023/2024 was paid in April 2023. This funding provides schools with a good lead in period to plan and undertake works that support the operation of schools during the 2023/24 school year.
The works that can be undertaken under minor works scheme include maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds, improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and physical education equipment, the purchase of floor coverings and window blinds, the purchase of IT related equipment, ventilation improvements, and enhancements to outdoor learning environments.
A total of €310 million in Minor Works Grants and Enhanced Minor Works Grants has been allocated to schools between 2018 and 2023.
