Written Answers Nos. 629-641
630. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the details of the required number of eligible students needed on a school bus route for a larger bus to be placed on the route under the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1386/24]
View answer631. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if there is a requirement for eligible students to live within a certain distance of an already established school bus route for them to receive a place on the bus; her Department's policy for altering established bus routes to accommodate eligible students under the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1387/24]
View answer632. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if school bus usage is recorded; if a minimum attendance is required for a student to continue to be eligible for their school bus place under the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1388/24]
View answer633. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the details of the required number of eligible students needed for a new school bus route to be considered under the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1389/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 630, 631, 632 and 633 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 €382.02 million.
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.
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 responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of the Department. Safety of children travelling on the school transport services is of paramount importance to the Department and to Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.
Routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 3.2 kilometres to travel to a pick-up point. Children are generally expected to make their own way, or to be brought to convenient pick-up points along the main route.
There is an onus of responsibility on parents/guardians to arrange to bring their children to and from the pickup point of a school bus service, taking whatever safety precautions they consider sufficient to ensure their safety.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
At present, it is not possible for Bus Éireann to examine data on ticket usage as tickets are paper based. However, Bus Éireann undertook a pilot E-Ticketing project. Based on the information derived from this pilot project, it is intended to review the data and prioritise working towards E-Ticketing on all school transport scheme services . This will provide the Department and Bus Éireann with greater data on real time travel patterns.
Bus Éireann organises for vehicles to be full to capacity with tickets based on applications received and based on the seating capacity of the vehicle. For safety reasons, it is not possible to issue additional tickets over and above the seating capacity of the vehicle which could result in a potential overload situation arising and all pupils not being carried on the service.
It is recognised that all pupils issued with tickets will not travel every morning and every evening. In addition, certain after school activities may also result in pupils not travelling on certain days.
If a family decide that they no longer require their bus tickets for the current school year, they should return these tickets to their local Bus Éireann school transport office and their seats will be reallocated to other pupils wishing to avail of school transport.
634. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if her Department will consider some flexibility and work with families living in rural areas who are eligible for the school transport scheme to be able to avail of school bus services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1390/24]
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 €382.02 million.
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.
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 responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of the Department. Safety of children travelling on the school transport services is of paramount importance to the Department and to Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.
Routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 3.2 kilometres to travel to a pick-up point. Children are generally expected to make their own way, or to be brought to convenient pick-up points along the main route.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil referred to resides 12.0 km from home to their closest school and school of attendance and is eligible for school transport. However, she resides 10.0 km from home to the nearest pick-up point. There is no suitable service available in the area to accommodate this pupil and, therefore, she will be included on Bus Éireann’s list for the Remote Area Grant from the 2023/24 School year. The route that is highlighted by the Deputy is currently running at full capacity. Further information in relation to the Remote Area Grant is available at: gov.ie/schooltransport.
635. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education to provide a list of the different school ethos's recognised by her Department in relation to the school transport scheme for secondary schools and second-level schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1391/24]
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.
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.
With regard to ethos, the Department of Education classifies schools as being one of the following - of religious denomination, interdenominational or multi-denominational.
The post-primary school transport scheme supports the transport to and from school of children who live more than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post-primary education centre/school. It is subject to the following exceptions:
- children who choose to attend their nearest minority religious denominational school due to religious ethos may be eligible for school transport to that school, even if it is not their nearest school
- children who choose to attend their nearest all-Irish school/unit may be eligible for school transport to that school/unit, even if it is not their nearest school
- children who choose to attend their nearest all-English school/unit may be eligible for school transport to that school/unit, even if it is not their nearest school
636. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the reason the Youth Encounter Project operated by the Tipperary ETB has to be relocated from Ferryhouse where it has been located for years; if the needs of a school (details supplied) have been considered when considering the relocation; if she is aware of the concerns of the school in relation to the proposed relocation of the Youth Encounter Project; if this proposed relocation can be reconsidered given the concerns of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1420/24]
View answerThe school, currently located in Ferryhouse, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, is a recognised special school, managed by Tipperary Education and Training Board. It is not a Youth Encounter Project.
Cooperation hours are allocated to Tipperary ETB by my Department. My Department also funds a Youth Worker post in the school.
For a number of health and safety reasons, Tipperary Education and Training Board is seeking an alternative location for the special school. Tipperary ETB will give due consideration to any concerns raised in relation to any potential new location for the special school.
637. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education for an update on a new school project (details supplied); the timeframe for when this project will move to stage 2B; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1428/24]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers was approved a project under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme to provide the following - 8 general classrooms, 4 SET rooms, 1 music room, 1 textiles room, 1 art room, 1 project store, 1 multimedia room, 2 science labs /1 prep area, 1 library and 1 GP/dining room.
The project was devolved for delivery to the school authority. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the Stage 2a report submitted on behalf of the school's Design Team, is currently under review. Once this review is completed the outcome will be communicated to the school authority directly.
At this early design stage of the project, it is not possible to provide a detailed timeline for delivery. The Department will assist school authorities in any way possible to deliver this much needed project.
638. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when her Department expects the refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed; and the estimated cost for these works. [1464/24]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers is part of a campus project to build a 10 classroom primary school on campus with another school. The project Brief is for a 10 Classroom Special School, a 12 classroom Special School, a clinic, activity rooms, assembly hall/general purpose room, playgrounds and sensory gardens.
The project is at Architectural Planning Stage 4 – Construction and commenced on site in June 2023 with a completion timeframe of 18 months. However, due to unforeseen issues at commencement on site, the estimated completion is Quarter 2 of 2025.
639. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of spaces by ASD units in primary schools in Sligo, by school, in tabular form. [1465/24]
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.
In 2023, my department spent over €2.6 billion on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113m 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 2024, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs 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, Minister Foley and l announced the establishment of two special schools for this school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools and that a further four special schools for the 2024/25 school year will be established.
Along with the two new special schools, 389 new special classes – 253 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening this school year.
Of these 4 are in Sligo, 1 at primary and 3 at post-primary level. This brings to 29 the number of special classes in County Sligo, 14 at primary level and 15 at post-primary level. The majority of these classes are autism classes.
The attached document provides a breakdown of primary schools with autism classes within the Sligo school planning area for this school year. Planning for special classes and places in Sligo 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.
My department has communicated to all post-primary schools 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 2 to 4 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.
640. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of teachers on the substitute supply panel in Cavan at present; and the number in 2020, in tabular form. [1466/24]
View answerIn Co. Cavan, there are currently three Supply Panels, with eight teaching posts allocated to the scheme. In 2020, there were seven teaching posts allocated across the three Supply Panels,
641. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of ICT grants awarded to post primary schools in County Kerry. [1467/24]
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 issue the next tranche of ICT grant funding in the 2023 to 2024 school year. The specific timing for issue of the ICT grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department including the building programme to ensure the supply of school accommodation.
As part of the forthcoming Review of the National Development Plan, my Department’s aim is to provide better clarity and certainty for schools on the timelines for payment of minor works and ICT grant funding.
The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the Number of ICT grants for Secondary schools in County Kerry for when the ICT grant last issued, which was in December 2021, for the school year 2021/2021 is as follows, additionally I have included a breakdown of Digital Divide Grant under the NRRP which also issued to schools at the same time.
|
Year |
Number of grants |
Total amount received by Post Primary schools |
|
2021/22 |
26 |
€609,199.47 |
|
2021/22-NRRP funding |
26 |
€508,590 |
