Written Answers Nos. 160-179
160. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the required infrastructure enhancements needed to enable growth at a school in Enniscorthy, County Wexford (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4916/24]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy has a building project which is included on the Department's Capital Programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP).
My Department has received a proposal from the patron regarding their long term accommodation needs. This proposal is currently being examined and my Department is in ongoing discussions with the patron in this regard.
161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in securing a local school place in Naas for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4918/24]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for the Department.
My Department is aware of pressures for school places for the 2024/25 school year in Naas.
A critical next step for my Department is to establish 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 Naas, have been requested to share data on applications for admissions. This data has been received by my officials and is currently being analysed with a view to establishing the actual requirement for places. Preliminary assessments indicate that duplications of applications, and applications from outside the local area, are very much contributing to enrolment pressures in Naas.
My Department is working to clarify the actual requirement for additional school places and to identify particular further capacity requirements for 2024 and forthcoming years. My Department will engage with schools and patrons to 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's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The Department does not seek to intervene in the selection criterion that is applied by schools.
Where a board of management make a decision to refuse admission, a parent/guardian can appeal that decision under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, and an independent appeals committee will be appointed to consider the appeal. The role of the Section 29 hearing committee is to examine the application for enrolment and consider if it was correctly processed by the school, in accordance with the school’s Enrolment Policy.
This Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a student, except in circumstances where an appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 has been allowed and the appeals committee directs that the school admit the child concerned.
As the Deputy may be aware, section 29 of the Education Act, 2008, as amended by Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018, provides for a paper based appeal to be considered by an independent appeals committee appointed by the Minister for Education, in circumstances where a parent has been refused enrolment due to oversubscription.
My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues across school planning areas through ongoing discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities. This close engagement will allow my Department to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
The Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO). Contact details are available at www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/.
162. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education her plans to expand the provision of school bus transport to a school in Glanmire, County Cork (details supplied); if she is aware of growing attendance at the school and interest in bus transport from surrounding areas, including Crawford Woods; how her Department intends to address this pressure on school bus transport to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4921/24]
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.
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.
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.
Bus Éireann has advised that following a review of applications for pupils residing in the area outlined by the Deputy, pupils residing in this area were deemed eligible for school transport to their school of attendance. All pupils who applied and paid on time have been facilitated on a service. There are currently 3 services into the school in question, two of which serve the Glanmire area.
163. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education when a school in County Carlow (details supplied) will receive the funding for two modular classrooms that it was granted in June 2023, but is still being processed. [4923/24]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme.
The purpose of the Additional Schools Accommodation (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.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department has broadened its delivery streams and is utilising Modern Methods of Construction, including Modular Accommodation, as well as traditional construction delivery methods. Modular accommodation has particular advantages in terms of overall timelines and also climate impact in that they generally use decarbonised heating sources.
In overall terms, it is important to have a range of delivery mechanisms for delivering school accommodation to support the current very strong and ambitious roll out of school building projects. This is particular relevant given the overall challenging construction sector market. A number of factors are considered by my Department in determining the most appropriate construction method to meet a school’s accommodation requirements, including the timing and duration of that accommodation need, and other school-specific factors.
My officials are continuing to assess the requirement for additional permanent accommodation for Newtown Dunleckney National School and in consideration to the educational requirements of the area more broadly. Engagement between the school authorities and my department are continuing in this regard.
164. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on progress with a much needed extension to a school, for which sanction was received in 2022 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4950/24]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy was granted approval under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme for 11 general classrooms, 3 SET rooms, 1 multimedia room, 1 textiles room, 1 science lab/prep area, and a 2 classroom SEN base. An additional SEN base was also subsequently approved.
The project is devolved for delivery to Mayo Sligo and Leitrim ETB (MSLETB).
My Department was informed that MSLETB and the school design team are in the process of acquiring an additional site in order to progress this project. Progress on the additional school accommodation scheme is dependent on this being finalised.
My Department will continue to engage with the ETB to progress this important project.
165. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education for an update on the status of the proposed new post-primary school at St. Farnan’s, Prosperous, promised since 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4959/24]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Kildare & Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB).
It is currently at Stage 2b of the process, which allows for detailed design/planning, obtaining the necessary statutory permissions and the preparation of tender documents. When this stage is finalised, the next stage is tendering for a contractor and then onwards to construction, in due course.
While at this early stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project, KWETB will be engaging directly with the school to keep it informed of progress.
166. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education for an update on a much needed extension to Scoil Mhuire, Clane; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4960/24]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy, was approved a project under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme for 5 general classrooms and 2 science labs and a shared prep area and ancillary. The brief was subsequently increased to include a 4-class SEN base.
In December 2023, the school were issued comments based on the Stage 1 report from my Department’s Professional and Technical Team along with approval to proceed to stage 2A.
My Department awaits a Stage 2A report to be submitted and once received, reviewed and approved; the project can progress to the next stage.
167. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education as per the Cycle Against Suicide campaign, if she will consider reviewing schools’ wellbeing curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4981/24]
View answerAs Minister, I am committed to inclusive education for all. My Department is fully committed to creating safe and supportive environments in schools that are welcoming and inclusive for every student.
The area of wellbeing and the promotion of positive mental health is a priority for my Department. This includes promoting emotional wellbeing, resilience and positive coping skills, which support children and young people to manage the complexities of modern life.
My Department’s approach to supporting wellbeing and mental health is set out in its Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice, which informs the ongoing work in the area of student wellbeing and mental health. The approach in the Wellbeing Policy is founded on research and best international practice in relation to how schools can best support the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.
Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is a mandatory part of the Primary and Junior Cycle curriculum, which provide vital opportunities for the development of children’s wellbeing in the physical, social, emotional and intellectual domains.
An updated Junior Cycle SPHE specification was published by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) in May 2023 and was rolled out for first years in all schools from last September.
The updated Junior Cycle specification provides clear direction on the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that all students should gain during the three years of Junior Cycle SPHE. It places a strong focus on the development of important life skills that young people need growing up in a fast changing and complex world. The SPHE specification is grounded in values of respect, equality, inclusivity, responsibility, dignity, compassion and empathy.
The updated Junior Cycle SPHE specification consists of four strands: ‘Understanding Myself and Others’, ‘Making Healthy Choices’, ‘Relationships and Sexuality’, and ‘Emotional Wellbeing’.
The learning outcomes of the ‘Emotional Wellbeing’ Strand include that students should be able to ‘discuss the fluid nature of emotional wellbeing and ways to nurture and protect it’, to ‘consider the impact of stress and draw upon a variety of techniques to help self-regulate emotions and cope with the day-to-day stresses of life’, and to ‘discuss ways to support themselves and others in challenging times and where/how/when to seek support, if needed’.
Work is ongoing to update the SPHE specification for Senior Cycle and a draft specification was published for consultation in July 2023, with the consultation running until 3rd November last.
The draft specification includes a strand called ‘Health and Wellbeing’. The learning outcomes of this strand include that students should be able to explore the factors that influence mental health and wellbeing, to recognise unhelpful thinking patterns and negative self-talk, to recognise the signs and symptoms of stress and anxiety in themselves and others and recognise when help should be sought, where to go and how to access help if needed.
In relation to primary schools, work to develop a draft updated specification for Wellbeing, including SPHE, at Primary level, is being undertaken currently by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, or NCCA. This work follows on from the publication of the Primary Curriculum Framework in March 2023, which set out proposals for the redevelopment of the primary curriculum. It is intended that public consultation on a draft specification will happen this year, with the intention of introducing in schools in 2025. There will be an opportunity for anyone with an interest in this area, including issues relating to healthy and unhealthy behaviours, to make their views known and give their input and I strongly encourage you to do so.
In March 2022, I announced an ambitious programme of work for a reimagined Senior Cycle of education where the student is at the centre of their Senior Cycle experience. These reforms include initiatives to spread the assessment load for students and do so in a way that enhances student wellbeing, to ensure that students and their wellbeing are at the forefront of everything we do.
For this reason I have decided that, Additional Assessment Components (AACs) will be introduced across all new and revised subjects to spread the assessment load more evenly. AACs will be worth a minimum of 40% of the overall available mark, and will be different to a terminal written examination. They will be externally assessed by the State Examinations Commission. These components will also allow for a greater range of students’ skills and competences to be assessed, and will enable the assessment load experienced by Senior Cycle students to be spread more evenly, with a reduced emphasis on the final examinations in June of Sixth Year.
Schools are encouraged to use a reflective, school self-evaluation approach to identify and prioritise the needs of its own school community in relation to the promotion of wellbeing and mental health, and to respond to meeting those needs. To support schools in this work the Department funded Teacher Education Support Service, Oide, provides training to schools to ensure that the promotion of wellbeing is at the core of the ethos of every school. The role of Oide’s Health and Wellbeing teams is to support leaders, teachers and schools in the development and promotion of students’ emotional, social, personal and physical health and wellbeing in the context of a positive health-promoting school environment.
In addition, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of my Department provides a comprehensive, school-based psychological service to all primary and post primary schools through the application of psychological theory and practice to support the wellbeing, academic, social and emotional development of all learners. NEPS have lead responsibility for Wellbeing Policy Implementation and NEPS teams offer training and guidance for teachers in the provision of universal and targeted evidence-informed approaches and early intervention to promote children’s wellbeing, social, emotional and academic development.
A dedicated wellbeing portal is also available, bringing together all the wellbeing supports and resources that have been developed by the Department and the Department’s support services, which is available under ‘Wellbeing for Education’ on gov.ie.
168. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education to provide a list of the schools in counties Cavan and Monaghan that applied for STEM grants in 2023 (details supplied). [4986/24]
View answerA list of the schools in Cavan and Monaghan that applied for STEM grants in 2023 is attached.
|
Kilnaleck N.S |
Barrack Rd, Kilnaleck |
Cavan |
|
The Model School |
Bailieborough |
Cavan |
|
St. Patrick’s N.S |
Corlough, Belturbet P.O, Co. Cavan H14RP30 |
Cavan |
|
Scoil Mhuire National School |
Swanlinbar, |
Cavan |
|
St. Clare’s Primary School |
Cockhill, Cavan Town, Co. Cavan H12DR74 |
Cavan |
|
Corliss N.S. |
Killeshandra |
Cavan |
|
Killeshandra N.S. |
Main St., Killeshandra |
Cavan |
|
Cavan No. 1 N.S. |
Farnham Street |
Cavan |
|
Farnham N.S. |
Drumells |
Cavan |
|
Billis N.S. |
New Inns, Ballyjamesduff |
Cavan |
|
Fairgreen N.S. |
Railway Rd., Belturbet |
Cavan |
|
St. Patrick's N.S. |
Castletara, Ballyhaise |
Cavan |
|
Muff Laragh 2 NS |
Kingscourt |
Cavan |
|
Corlea National School |
Corlea, Kingscourt |
Cavan |
|
St. Patrick’s N.S. |
Lisdrumskea, Shercock |
Cavan |
|
Killygarry N.S. |
Killygarry |
Cavan |
|
Killyconnan N.S. |
Stradone |
Cavan |
|
Killinkere National School |
Virginia, Co. Cavan A82T959 |
Cavan |
|
Convent of Mercy N.S. |
Belturbet, Cavan |
Cavan |
|
St. Mary's N.S. |
Bailieborough Rd., Virginia |
Cavan |
|
St. Mary's N.S. |
Drumalt, Arva |
Cavan |
|
St. Felim's N.S. |
Corstruce, Balinagh |
Cavan |
|
St. Brigid's N.S. |
Killoughter, Redhills |
Cavan |
|
St. Brigid’s N.S. |
Tunnyduff, Bailieborough |
Cavan |
|
St. Felim's N.S. |
Farnham St. |
Cavan |
|
St. Mogue’s N.S., Currin |
Currin, Ballyconnell |
Cavan |
|
Scoil Mhuire Lacken |
Lacken, Ballinagh |
Cavan |
|
S.N. Doire na Ceise |
Maudabawn, Cootehill |
Cavan |
|
Knocktemple National School |
Virginia |
Cavan |
|
Scoil Maodhóg |
East Knockbride, Bailieborough |
Cavan |
|
St. Mary’s N.S. |
Townparks, Ballyhaise |
Cavan |
|
St Anne’s National School |
Chapel Road, Tanderagee, Bailieborough |
Cavan |
|
St. Mary’s Boys’ N.S. |
Belturbet |
Cavan |
|
SN Padraig Naofa |
Lisboduff, Cootehill |
Cavan |
|
Greaghrahan National School |
Staghall, Belturbet |
Cavan |
|
Aughadreena N.S. |
Stradone |
Cavan |
|
Corlurgan N.S. |
Corlurgan, Cavan |
Cavan |
|
St. Felim's N.S. |
Leiter, Bailieborough |
Cavan |
|
St. Brigid’s N.S. |
Laragh Stradone |
Cavan |
|
Carrigabruise N.S. |
Lisduff, Virginia |
Cavan |
|
Drumkilly N.S. |
Drumkilly, Kilnaleck |
Cavan |
|
St. Brigid's N.S. |
Cootehill |
Cavan |
|
Kilmore Central N.S. |
Farragh |
Cavan |
|
Butlersbridge N.S. |
Butlersbridge, Co. Cavan |
Cavan |
|
Ballynarry N.S. |
Ballyheelan Kilnaleck Cavan A82TT93 |
Cavan |
|
Castlerahan Central N.S. |
Castlerahan, Ballyjamesduff |
Cavan |
|
Crosskeys N.S. |
Crosskeys |
Cavan |
|
Cabra Central National School |
Drumpeak, Kingscourt |
Cavan |
|
St. Patrick’s N.S. |
Bruskey, Ballinagh, Co. Cavan |
Cavan |
|
St. Mary's N.S., Crosserlough |
Crosserlough, Co. Cavan |
Cavan |
|
St. Kilian's N.S. |
Mullagh |
Cavan |
|
St. Aidan’s National School |
Kilsob, Bawnboy |
Cavan |
|
St.Clare’s N.S., |
Ballyjamesduff |
Cavan |
|
Gaelscoil Bhréifne |
Cock Hill, Tullymongan Lower |
Cavan |
|
St. Joseph’s N.S. |
Dublin Road, Kingscourt |
Cavan |
|
St. Michael’s National School |
Station Road, Cootehill |
Cavan |
|
St. Clare’s College |
Ballyjamesduff |
Cavan |
|
St. Patrick's College |
Cullies |
Cavan |
|
Loreto College Cavan |
Drumkeen Cavan |
Cavan |
|
Royal School Cavan |
College Street Cavan |
Cavan |
|
St. Bricin's College |
Belturbet |
Cavan |
|
St. Mogue’s College |
Bawnboy Belturbet |
Cavan |
|
Virginia College |
Lake Road, Virginia, Co. Cavan |
Cavan |
|
Coláiste Dún an Rí |
Kingscourt |
Cavan |
|
St. Aidan’s Comprehensive School |
Cootehill |
Cavan |
|
St. Louis Girls’ National School |
Park Rd |
Monaghan |
|
Deravoy N.S. |
Carrickroe, Emyvale |
Monaghan |
|
Rockcorry N.S. |
Cootehill Road, Cootehill Road, Rockcorry |
Monaghan |
|
All Saints’ N.S. Doohamlet |
Castleblayney |
Monaghan |
|
Scoil na gCailíní |
Laural Hill, Castleblayney |
Monaghan |
|
Lisdoonan N.S. |
Lisdoonan, Carrickmacross |
Monaghan |
|
Bunscoil Lughaidh Naofa |
Cloughvalley, Carrickmacross |
Monaghan |
|
Knockconan N.S. |
Ballyoisin, Emyvale |
Monaghan |
|
St. Michael's N.S. |
Corcaghan, Stranooden |
Monaghan |
|
Scoil na gCailiní |
Layrek Hill, Castleblayney |
Monaghan |
|
Convent Junior School |
Laurel Hill, Castleblayney |
Monaghan |
|
Latnamard N.S. |
Smithboro |
Monaghan |
|
S.N. Iorball Sionnaigh |
Scotstown |
Monaghan |
|
Scoil Bhláithín Íosa |
Ballynagearn, Magheraclone, Carrickmacross |
Monaghan |
|
St. Mary's Boys School |
Monaghan |
Monaghan |
|
St. Patrick’s N.S. |
Broomfield, Castleblayney |
Monaghan |
|
St. Comgall’s N.S. |
Connons, Clones |
Monaghan |
|
St. Brigid’s N.S. |
Aughnafarcon, Broomfield, Castleblayney |
Monaghan |
|
Corracrin N.S. |
Corr a Chrainn, Emyvale |
Monaghan |
|
Scoil Naomh Pádraig |
Oram, Castleblayney |
Monaghan |
|
Scoil Bhríde |
Silverstream Tyholland |
Monaghan |
|
St. Mary’s National School |
Glaslough, Co. Monaghan |
Monaghan |
|
St. Louis Infant School |
Park Rd. |
Monaghan |
|
St. Daigh's N.S. |
Inniskeen |
Monaghan |
|
Killeevan Central National School |
Guardhill, Newbliss, Co. Monaghan |
Monaghan |
|
Scoil Mhuire |
Latton, Castleblayney |
Monaghan |
|
St. Oliver Plunkett National School |
Loughmourne, Castleblayney |
Monaghan |
|
Drumcorrin N.S. |
Cortober, Drum |
Monaghan |
|
St. Dympna’s National School |
Tydavnet Monaghan |
Monaghan |
|
Scoil Bhríde |
Mullaghrafferty, Carrickmacross |
Monaghan |
|
Scoil Roís |
Carrickmacross |
Monaghan |
|
Ballybar Central School |
Ballybay |
Monaghan |
|
Gaelscoil Ultain |
Cnoc an Chonnaidh, Br Ard Mhaca, Muineachán, Co. |
Monaghan |
|
Gaelscoil Eois |
Bóthar Ros Liath, Cluain Eois |
Monaghan |
|
St. Joseph’s N.S. |
Knockatallon, Co. Monaghan |
Monaghan |
|
St. Tiarnach's P.S. |
Clones |
Monaghan |
|
Scoil Éanna |
Ballybay |
Monaghan |
|
Gaelscoil Lorgan |
Baile na Lorgan |
Monaghan |
|
PATRICAIN HIGH SCHOOL |
Carrickmacross |
Monaghan |
|
St. Louis Secondary School |
Carrickmacross |
Monaghan |
|
Our Lady's Secondary School |
Carrickmacross |
Monaghan |
|
St. Macartan’s College |
Monaghan Town |
Monaghan |
|
St. Louis Secondary School |
Glen Rd. |
Monaghan |
|
Inver College |
Carrickmacross |
Monaghan |
|
Castleblayney College |
Castsleblaney |
Monaghan |
|
Beech Hill College |
Monaghan Town |
Monaghan |
|
Coláiste Oiriall |
Monaghan Town |
Monaghan |
169. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education when an individual transport service request arrangement for a person (details supplied) will be made available to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4987/24]
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.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Bus Éireann are required to tender services in line with procurement guidelines and are responsible for the allocating and vetting of a contractor to operate this service.
In such circumstances where there is no existing suitable service available to meet a child's needs, and while Bus Éireann are in the process of sourcing a dedicated service, the Department will offer a Special Transport Grant (STG) towards the cost of private transport arrangements based on the number of days attended from the date of application until a suitable dedicated specialised service becomes available. School Transport Section of my Department has issued an STG sanction letter to the family referred in this regard.
Bus Éireann have advised that they are continuing to seek a transport service for the pupil mentioned by the Deputy and their local office will liaise directly with the family referred when a service is available.
170. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education if her Department has scoped the resources and supports provided to teachers and schools in supporting children in care; how her Department promotes policy alignment relating to educational needs of children in care such as those outlined in the National Standards for Foster Care (2003) and National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres (2003); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5014/24]
View answerIn line with the arrangements set out as part of the current Government formation, since January 2021, Tusla Education Support Services (TESS), including the administration of the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) scheme and the School Completion Programme (SCP) is under my remit.
TESS operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention. TESS has three strands namely the Statutory Educational Welfare Service (EWS) and the two school support services the Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL) and the School Completion Programme (SCP). The three TESS strands work together collaboratively with schools, parents and guardians and other relevant services to achieve the best educational outcomes for children and young people. All three strands share the same national outcomes:
improved attendance;
improved participation; and
` improved retention.
In September 2023, a specialist post of Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) for Children in Care was established in TESS. This post is funded by my Department and aims to support the ongoing education of children in care. The EWO for Children in Care works with Social Workers, Social Care Workers, local TESS staff, and schools to ensure that young people who move into their care placement are supported to access school places quickly in order to minimise gaps in their education. Where appropriate, the EWO for Children in Care will support applications for home tuition, under my Department's home tuition scheme, as an interim measure. If, for various reasons, children and young people in care are unable to attend school, the EWO for Children in Care will assist and support them to re-engage in education. TESS plan to develop the role further in line with the learning from 'Educational Attendance and Attainment of Children in Care, 2018 - 2023' published by the Central Statistics Office and the findings from any subsequent reports.
My Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all schools, including:
psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident;
a school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools; and::
Casework Service for individual children and young people where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment via a NEPS psychologist. NEPS may become involved with supporting individual children and young people where the school considers that the involvement of the psychologist is needed. Psychologists may provide consultation in relation to appropriate therapeutic interventions to be delivered in the school setting and engage in direct work with an individual student as appropriate. Individual casework service involves a high level of psychologist collaboration with teachers and parents, often also working directly with the child or young person. When deciding who to prioritise for involvement with NEPS, school principals consider those children and young people who present with the greatest level of need, in that particular school context.
171. 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. [5021/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the school referred to was approved for a project under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme. The project will provide 8 General Classrooms, 4 SET rooms, 1 Music room, 1 Textiles room, 1 Art Room, 1 Project store, 1 Multimedia room, 2 Science laboratory /1 Preparation area, 1 Library, and 1 General Purpose/Dining Room. The project is devolved for delivery to the school authority. The school has appointed a design team and submitted the stage 2a report to my Department. Professional and Technical officials are currently reviewing this report with a view to providing practical advice and guidance to the school authority's design team. Once the review is completed, this advice will be shared directly with the School Authority.
There is an overall pipeline of some 1300 projects across the school system. The current status of all projects is listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and this is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
My Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was achieved again in 2023 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.
Under Project Ireland 2040, we are investing over €5 billion during the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day.
My Department is very appreciative of the strong support provided by Government for our education budget. As part of the supplementary budget, €405m additional capital funding was provided in 2023. This helped to alleviate capital funding pressures that arose in 2023 which was reflective of the strong delivery by my Department of school building projects – particularly to support mainstream provision accommodating Ukrainian students and special education needs provision. My Department’s overall capital out-turn for 2023 was €1.264 billion.
We continue to have a strong pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme involving circa. 300 projects currently at construction, which include 34 new school buildings. We also have a large modular accommodation programme delivering urgently needed school places. The Department has always operated a tightly prioritised approach to the school building programme, focused over recent years on the delivery of additional capacity where required, and this will continue to be the case.
172. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on earlier proposals for the provision of new school buildings at a site in Dublin 9 (details supplied); the stage at which these developments are; the likely timescale for the development of each building; the proposals to build two new multidenominational second-level schools at the site; the proposals to move a school to a new building located on the site in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5040/24]
View answerThe school campus building project on the site referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme and will deliver two new 1,000 pupil post-primary schools and a new 8 classroom primary school and accommodation, including 14 classrooms, for children with special educational needs.
The project will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme which uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning, to Tender and Construction.
The Programme Manager was appointed in Q3 2023 and is in the process of preparing documentation for the tender process for the appointment of multi-disciplinary design team consultants.
The Department will keep the schools and their patron bodies informed of the progression of this campus project.
173. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education for details of grant aid for insulation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5042/24]
View answerAs you may be aware, the purpose of the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis and, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The SWS operates on a multi-annual basis for categories of works such as roof works, window replacement, mechanical and electrical works, external works etc. and was last opened for applications in 2019.
The Department is leading an ambitious sustainability agenda and has progressed a wide array of measures to improve the overall sustainability of our school buildings. It is a priority for Government to deliver on Ireland’s ambitious climate agenda and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This includes targets around the decarbonisation of Ireland’s public buildings.
As part of it’s planning for 2024 and beyond, Department officials are considering and planning for the next phases of the summer works programme and the opportunities this may create to support the sustainability agenda. In this regard, it is envisaged at this stage that, a Multi-Annual SWS with a focus on climate action and energy conservation will be the focus for the next summer works scheme to be opened for applications. The arrangements and timing of that SWS is still under consideration and schools will be updated in due course.
It should also be noted that the Energy in Education website portal and advice programme (Joint programme between SEAI and Dept. of Education) also provides schools with information on how to improve energy use practices and to reduce school operating costs while helping to protect the environment for future generations. The website can be accessed at the following link. www.energyineducation.ie.
174. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the status of a school transport route (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5046/24]
View answerChildren 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.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time have been accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation for the 2023/2024 school year.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMS) at post-primary level have continued for the current school year. Under these measures, 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.
In relation to the issues raised by the Deputy in this case, Bus Éireann has confirmed that a service has not yet commenced due to driver/contractor shortages.
Bus Éireann is continuing to prioritise sourcing vehicles and drivers, however, they have confirmed that a small number of routes remain without a service, this equates to less than 1% of pupils nationally (or less than 2% of vehicles) with services being provided for over 99.5% of pupils on a daily basis.
The Department has established an “Exceptional No Service Interim Grant” to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements families may have to put in place until their service begins. The Department has contacted families directly in regard to this payment.
In relation to the route in question, the local school transport team is actively working to re-instate this service and will continue to engage with families involved.
175. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if the reintroduction of the allowance for teachers in Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools formed part of the public sector pay negotiations and agreement; her views on its reintroduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5052/24]
View answerThe Department implemented the outcome of the public service-wide review of allowances and premium payments (September 2012) by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform which means that many allowances, including this one, were no longer payable to “new entrant” Teachers. Circular 0008/2013 outlines the effect of this review on teachers. In common with a number of job-role based allowances, sanction for payment to new beneficiaries of the Irish Allowance was withdrawn from 1st February 2012 under the terms of the Circular. Furthermore, if a teacher was eligible for receipt of the allowance prior to 1st February 2012 and subsequently left that job role on or after 1st February 2012 on a voluntary basis, their entitlement to the allowance ceases from the date of the move and they cannot re-gain entitlement.
Additional amendments to Teacher Terms and Conditions, including pay and allowances, can only be achieved through engagement and collective bargaining agreements between the Government and the public service unions. Any further amendments to alter the allowances paid to teachers, whether new entrant or not, give rise to significant cost issues and should, as mentioned, be part of engagement and collective agreements between Unions and Government. The restoration of allowances is currently a matter of discussion at the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC), to which the Department, teacher unions, school management bodies and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform are all party. As proceedings of the TCC are confidential, it would not be appropriate for the Minister to make any further comment while it remains under consideration.
176. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the case of a child and provide a solution for same (details supplied); if she will provide a date for the provision of a prefab at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5084/24]
View answerI wish to assure the Deputy, that the provision of appropriate accommodation for pupils with special education needs is an absolute priority. I also wish to acknowledge the invaluable work being done by school principals and wider school authorities in expanding the educational provision for pupils with special educational needs, including the required physical infrastructure. I would like to assure the Deputy that the supports for school principals and communities who are supporting children with special education needs is kept under constant review.
The Department is working actively with the NCSE and other key stakeholders including School Patrons and Management Bodies to provide additional special classes and special school places for the 2024/25 school year.
My Department has close engagement with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) which has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class or to construct additional accommodation. The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
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. In the first instance, this is focused on ensuring that the use of existing school accommodation capacity is fully optimised. Where additional capacity is required this can be provided by means of modular accommodation where accelerated delivery is required, or by means of traditional construction projects.
I can confirm that officials in my Department are liaising with the NCSE and the school in question regarding the opening of special classes and its accommodation requirements for September 2024.
177. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education for an update on the review of the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5091/24]
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, 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.
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.
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.
178. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education if a school in County Donegal (details supplied) will be placed on the school capital building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5092/24]
View answerThe Department is required to manage the overall school building programme so that we target and prioritise areas that are under greatest pressure for additional school places. This reflects the Department’s fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of a school place for every child.
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 in question 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.
As the Deputy will be aware, a devolved Minor Works Grant is also payable to schools. This grant provides good flexibility at local school level to make improvements to the physical infrastructure of school buildings and it is open to schools to prioritise the works they wish to undertake within the terms of the scheme. Immediate issues affecting the operation of the school can be addressed under the department’s Emergency Works Scheme (EWS).
Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.3 billion in our schools throughout the country, including the completion of over 750 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 34 new school buildings.
School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. We also have a large modular accommodation programme delivering urgently needed school places.
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.
179. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education her policy on the opening of new reading classes in primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5093/24]
View answerA request for additional information was requested from the Deputy. This will be forwarded directly once it is received.
