Written Answers Nos. 616-628
618. 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 and the school (details supplied) contacted about the outcome of this review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1329/24]
View answerThe 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.
619. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will consider developing new school playground guidelines and undertake an analysis of spaces and funds for schools to create different outdoor areas to address the different needs of children, based on the playground initiative introduced by a school (details supplied). [1332/24]
View answer620. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will consider funding playground initiatives similar to the one introduced by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1333/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 619 and 620 together.
I wish to confirm to the Deputy that the majority of schools have a general purpose room / Physical Education hall and practically all schools have outdoor play areas. In addition, many schools, use adjacent local facilities, including community halls, public parks, playing fields and swimming pools.
Investment and expenditure on sports facilities is an element of the overall expenditure and investment in the School Building Programme. The provision of outdoor play areas form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings or where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school. In addition, my Department provides funding toward the provision of furniture and equipment including PE equipment in both primary and post-primary schools.
In relation to post-primary schools, where my Department provides a sports hall as part of a building project, the equipment provided forms part of the overall furniture and equipment grant to that school.
In addition, my Department’s Design Guidelines for all new schools provides for outdoor multi use games areas (hard play areas) and the level of play space provided varies with the size of school. The play space also includes specific provision designed to meet the needs of children with special educational needs. For example, a new 24 classroom primary school with Special Education Needs classes is provided with 3 ball courts (1,755m² in total), 2 junior play areas (600m² in total), as well as Secure hard and soft play area (300m²) and a 100m² Sensory Garden. In respect of new post-primary schools, a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school will be provided with 6 ball courts (3,060m² in total) and a 200m² secure hard and soft special education play area. At post primary level, an area may be developed as a practice playing field where site conditions and resources permit.
Outside of school building projects, the multi-annual Summer Works Scheme 2020 onwards included a category for External environment projects, which included playgrounds. Primary schools can also use their Minor Works Grant to fund playground improvements.
The available outdoor area at existing schools varies significantly across the circa 4,000 schools, with each school sitting in its own local context: some in highly urban areas, some in rural locations. Some schools will have large sites, others will be constrained, and there are variances in the level of access to adjacent facilities. The needs and interests of each school's student cohort can also vary. In that context, each school is best placed to consider their own specific circumstances as part of any playground upgrade works.
621. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the proportion of DEIS schools primary and post-primary that had successful applications in the recent STEM grant round; if a quota for DEIS schools has been considered to ensure that they bridge the gap in STEM take-up between DEIS and non-DEIS schools; and when the next call under this grant can be made in order that the many quality applications which were not successful on this occasion do not lose heart. [1339/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that in total there were 530 schools that were awarded grants and of those 146 were DEIS schools and these were broken down as follows;
|
DEIS school |
Primary |
Post-primary |
|
Urban |
44 |
9 |
|
Rural |
78 |
15 |
The STEM grant scheme was for all primary, post-primary and special schools within the free education system. The selection of proposals was run by lottery with the applications assessed on a case by case basis where they were read again by the evaluation team, to ensure they met the requirements as set out in the grant call.
As the Deputy will be aware the Department of Education’s STEM Education Policy Statement 2017–2026 sets out the roadmap for STEM Education, with ambitious goals and actions that are required to achieve and improve the STEM education experience and outcomes for all learners, and to support learners to progress to STEM pathways in further or higher education and the world of work.
Under the Policy Statement my Department continues to provide support for STEM including
• STEM related curricular reform at both primary and post-primary level
• ongoing provision of STEM professional development by the Department of Education support services
• focus on increasing the uptake of STEM subjects and to enhance STEM learning for learners of all backgrounds, abilities and gender, with a particular focus on uptake by females
• development and publication of guidelines for STEM partnerships between schools and business/industry
• partnership with Science Foundation Ireland to support education and public engagement projects in STEM through the SFI Discover Programme. This includes The All-Ireland STEM Passport for Inclusion programme which is a joint initiative by Maynooth University, Microsoft Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and the Department of Education that addresses inequalities in access to STEM careers among secondary school students in socially disadvantaged communities
• development of the SFI ‘Curious Minds’ programme and
• ongoing support of informal STEM education projects such as Scifest, BTYSTE, Science Blast and iWish.
The STEM grant scheme was an action in the new STEM Education Implementation Plan published in 2023. All schools are implementing the curriculum which includes STEM. 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. As with previous grant schemes such as the STEM clusters, ESD grants and creative clusters, schools were invited to apply and were informed at the outset of the total funding available for this scheme.
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.
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. In relation to any future funding that becomes available, the Department will be in contact with schools.
622. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education to outline her Department’s responsibility for a building (details supplied) which was subject of a fire on 3 January 2024; the progress made to date; the status of plans to refurbish the building for other purposes; the estimated timeline to bring the property back into use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1341/24]
View answerThe property referred to by the Deputy is not in the ownership of the Minister for Education. Any enquiries in relation to the renovation or future plans for this property should be directed to the property owner in the first instance.
623. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost in 2024 to recruit three extra WTE Behaviour Practitioners for National Council for Special Education. [1352/24]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) employ Behaviour Practitioners to enable, support and promote the full inclusion, participation and wellbeing of all students in school and community activities by establishing and enhancing socially significant behaviours.
Their work is focused on assisting schools to:
• promote universal positive
• behaviour approaches,
• prevent and plan for behaviours that impact learning and prevent and
• plan and respond to behaviours of concern using The NCSE Behaviour Support Framework.
The 17 point salary scale for a WTE (whole time equivalent) behaviour practitioner ranges from €36,086 to €74,094.
Depending on their experience and qualifications, an applicant can start at any point on this scale. The midpoint of this scale is €56,683 and would be subject to ER PRSI of 11.05%.
Therefore, the estimated full-year pay cost of recruiting three additional WTE behaviour practitioners for the National Council for Special Education is approximately €188,838.
624. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the number of schools in County Wicklow that have initiated applications for solar panel funding under the free national roll-out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1368/24]
View answerThe first phase of the Schools PV Programme was launched on 23rd November 2023.
It will provide eligible schools with a 6 kilowatts peak of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels.
There has been a strong uptake from schools in Co Wicklow to date, with 69 schools out of 108 submitting expressions of interest in the first phase of the scheme since the scheme opened on 30 November 2023.
There has been a really positive response in terms of applications for solar panels from schools. It offers an opportunity for schools to reduce their carbon emissions and to reduce their energy costs.
Schools will have to submit evidence of obtaining three quotations by March 15 and the target date for installing the solar panels is May 30.
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 Department of Education has developed guidance documentation for the scheme was can be found on their website at gov.ie - Schools Photovoltaic Programme (www.gov.ie)
625. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 10 October 2023, if she will respond to the issues raised as regards an improved pension (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1377/24]
View answerThe Department concluded its investigation into the disclosure made a number of years ago, and corresponded with the discloser at that time to inform them of the outcome. The Department corresponded in writing with the discloser’s solicitor on 25 May 2021, and directly with the discloser on 29 September 2021 advising of the outcome of the investigation.
The correspondence also advised that the Department worked with the school to support the school to address weaknesses identified in inspection reports and highlighted in the disclosure.
In accordance with section 24 of the Education Act, 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act, 2012) the board of management of a school is the employer of teachers. Matters of an employment nature must be addressed to the Board of the school in the first instance.
The discloser has been advised on a number of occasions to seek their own legal advice in relation to matters concerning their former employment which impacts on their pension. It is not within the Departments remit to arbitrarily increase the value of individual pensions. The pension benefits of teachers, as with all pensionable public servants, are governed by legislation and/or circulars and are in accordance with public sector pension policy.
626. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the details of efforts that have been put in place by her Department to increase the number of bus drivers available in order that the issues experienced with the school transport scheme will not be repeated for the 2024-2025 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1380/24]
View answer629. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education what measures have been put in place to deal with the expected increase in applications and demand for the school transport scheme, in view of the announcement that the scheme will be free for those eligible for the 2024-2025 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1385/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 626 and 629 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling 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.
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.
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.
The school transport scheme is a demand led scheme based on the number of children who apply. My Department engages with Bus Éireann on an annual basis to plan for the provision of the resources required to operate the scheme.
As part of budget measures for 2024, Government announced an additional €50m for school transport which will allow continued investment for children to access to the School Transport scheme.
The increased investment on the scheme is due in the main to the cost of contractors to cater for the increase in pupil numbers projected in 2024. In addition the expected increase of children requiring transport on the scheme for children with special educational needs will result in a subsequent increase in the number of School Bus Escorts required and this is factored into the additional costs for 2024.
In addition to the funding for investment in the overall scheme, as part of the cost of living measures announced in budget 2024 to assist families with the costs of education, reduced fees will continue to apply on school transport.
627. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the details of training programmes, including the cost of such programmes, being made available for those wishing to become qualified school bus drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1382/24]
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 travelling 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.
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.
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.
The school transport scheme is a demand led scheme based on the number of children who apply. My Department engages with Bus Éireann on an annual basis to plan for the provision of the resources required to operate the scheme.
As over 90% of school bus services are contracted locally, the recruitment of school bus drivers would be a matter for each bus contractor, and each contractor is responsible for ensuring that all the required training has been provided to their drivers and that all the necessary licences and professional standards are in place. With regard to school bus drivers employed by Bus Éireann, all drivers must undergo at least one day of training each year to maintain their Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). Bus Éireann delivers this training to their staff through their team of Training Supervisors, who are trained as Advanced Driving Instructors.
628. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if the oversubscription of schools, in particular second-level schools, resulting in children attending a school which is not geographically the closest to their home will be taken into consideration by her Department when deciding a student's eligibility for the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1384/24]
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 travelling 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.
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, 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.
Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMS) at post-primary level are continued for the current school year. Under these measures, transport will be 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.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and will be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated. Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for the spare seats using an agreed selection process.
In cases where the Department is satisfied that the nearest/next nearest schools are full, eligibility for school transport will be determined based on the distance the pupil resides from the next nearest school having regard to ethos and language.
To establish that the nearest schools are full parents must provide evidence that an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the schools and a letter from the relevant School Authorities confirming that the schools were full. This documentation can be sent to the School Transport Section of the Department for consideration.
