Written Answers Nos. 253-267
253. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the cost to the State so far of the school building (details supplied); to outline any security or ancillary costs separately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7443/24]
View answerThe project for the school in question is currently part of a dispute resolution mechanism under the contract.
My Department is liaising with the school authority in relation to the conciliation process regarding the matters that were in dispute with the former contractor. My Department is also working on the arrangements for the completion of this project as quickly as possible by a new contractor.
Given both the legal and procurement matters involved, it is not appropriate at this stage to provide the detailed cost information requested by the Deputy.
254. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the cost to date of the modular classrooms and other accommodation on the site of a school (details supplied) including the delay to the completion of the building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7444/24]
View answerThe provision of the temporary accommodation at the school referred to by the Deputy, was an integral part of the overall tender and the Contract awarded, and therefore is not available as a separate sum.
255. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the criteria for allocating SNA support to students in second level educational settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7445/24]
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 €113 million 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.
SNAs play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs into mainstream education, special classes and special schools ensuring that these students can access education to enable them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
The department's policy in relation to the SNA scheme is set out in Circular 0030/2014. This circular clarifies the purpose of the SNA scheme i.e. to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs.
SNAs are allocated to schools as a school based resource and not to individual children. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual principal/board of management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. This allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.
The NCSE have published the SNA allocations for the 2023/24 school year. For ease of reference these allocations are broken down by school type and are available on the NCSE's website at: www.ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations
Schools can apply to the NCSE for a review of its SNA allocation if it is insufficient to meet the needs of its students. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website: www.ncse.ie/application-for-sna-exceptional-review.
Local special educational needs officers (SENOs) are available to offer assistance and advice to schools in how their SNA allocation can be best utilised. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on the NCSE’s website.
The NCSE have published the SNA allocations for the 2023/24 school year and they are available at: ncse.ie/set-hours-and-sna-allocations. The department does not have a role in making individual school determinations and the school should liaise with the NCSE directly in the event that additional supports are required.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
256. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education if her Department has considered sanctioning the opening of a new reading school or new reading classes attached to mainstream schools in the Dublin mid-west area given the oversubscription for reading schools in Dublin for the 2024/2025 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7446/24]
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).
It is my department’s policy, in accordance with the principles of inclusive education, that students with additional learning needs are supported in mainstream classes along with their peers, with additional supports provided as necessary.
My department provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools, which have enrolled students with special educational needs in order to ensure that wherever a child is enrolled, they will have access to an appropriate education.
My department has invested considerably in ensuring that all recognised mainstream schools have been allocated additional special education teaching resources to support them in providing optimal learning experiences for children with special educational needs, including students with a specific learning disability such as dyslexia.
Provision for students is governed by the continuum of support and a range of guidance documents, resources and training opportunities is available to schools to inform their approaches in meeting the needs of students with special educational needs. The most significant of these resources are the 14,500 special education teachers who are employed in schools to provide additional support for children with special educational needs, including dyslexia.
The allocation of special education teachers allows schools to provide additional teaching support for all students who require such support and for schools to deploy resources based on each student’s individual learning need.
The NCSE, through its network of local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports as required. The NCSE is aware of emerging need from year to year and where additional provision is required to support schools to meet the needs of children with special educational needs, it is planned and established to meet that need.
In addition, there are specialist educational supports provided by the National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS) and the NCSE to help schools provide an appropriate education for students with special educational needs.
Funding is also made available to schools for the purchase of specialised equipment such as computers and/or software to assist children with special educational needs, including children with a specific learning disability such as dyslexia. This is provided where relevant professionals recommend the equipment as being essential for the provision of education. Schools can apply to the NCSE, through their local SENO for such support.
It is important to note that all classroom teachers at primary level and subject teachers at post-primary level have responsibility for the progress of their students. Where necessary, additional support is provided by special education teachers. The majority of students with significant literacy difficulties currently receive additional teaching support from a special education teacher in a mainstream class. This is provided on the basis of the individual student’s learning need, identified in schools, as opposed to being based on a requirement for a child to have a diagnosis, or an assessment, of a particular disability.
These supports are intended to provide students with the highest standard of education in mainstream classes, special classes and special schools.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
257. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of primary and second level aged students that avail of home tuition in lieu of being offered a school place on a county-by-county basis. [7452/24]
View answerThe Home Tuition Grant Scheme is available to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school.
Home tuition is provided as an interim measure only for children for whom a placement in a recognised school is not currently available, for a variety of reasons. It is a short term measure, and should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a school placement. Aspects of the scheme differ, depending on the reason for the application.
The Department of Education operates three categories of home tuition:
1. Home tuition for children with special educational needs and on medical grounds. Further detail is available on gov - Home Tuition (www.gov.ie).
2. Maternity-related absences gov - Home Tuition (www.gov.ie).
3. Reasons other than special educational needs and medical grounds
a. Strand 1 offers a temporary educational measure for a child who is temporarily without a school place, or without the offer of a school place and who is a actively seeking a place in a school recognised by the department. No School Place (NSP) Home Tuition Scheme provides interim provision for children without a school place, without the offer of a school place and for whom a place is being actively sought. Provision of tuition under this scheme is for a maximum of 9 hours per week for a period of 12 weeks or until the end of the school year or until the child in question receives an offer of a school place, whichever occurs first.
b. Strand 2 of this scheme is for children in care, who are without a school place due to emergency placement or placement disruption. The CIC Home Tuition Grant Scheme provides tuition for a maximum of 6 weeks for Children in Care for a maximum of 9 hours per week who are without a school place due to emergency placement or placement disruption. The maximum number of weeks of Home Tuition funding available under this scheme in any school year is 6 weeks. If, following 6 weeks the child is still without a school place, an application for the Department’s NSP Home Tuition Grant Scheme may then be made.
Home tuition is not an alternative to a school placement and is provided in very limited and specific circumstances. By its nature, it is intended to be a short term intervention. There are a variety of reasons why a child may be without a school place such as children moving school mid-year, family relocating, expulsion, children receiving a place further away than they can travel to and the Home Tuition Scheme as a short-term solution until a transport solution is put in place.
Currently 76 pupils (10 Primary and 66 Post Primary) are availing of Home Tuition Strand 1 and Strand 2.
• Primary – 2 Limerick, 3 Galway, 1 Meath, 1 Kildare, 3 Dublin
• Post Primary – 5 Cork, 1 Donegal, 17 Dublin, 9 Galway, 2 Kerry, 10 Kildare, 4 Limerick, 1 Mayo, 1 Meath, 1 Offaly, 5 Roscommon, 5 Tipperary, 1 Waterford, 2 Westmeath, 2 Wicklow.
The Educational Welfare Service is part of Tusla Education Support Service and operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention. The Educational Welfare Service can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school placement for their child. Solutions will continue to be advanced to ensure that home tuition, where required for reasons of not immediately having a school place, remains a short term intervention. Home tuition is not an alternative to a school placement. Application forms for the home tuition scheme for students who are temporarily without a school place, are without an offer of a school place and are actively seeking a school placement in a recognised school grant scheme are available from the local educational welfare officer (EWO) or the appointed social worker. The Educational Welfare Service can assist a family when applying for home tuition if the child/young person is without a school placement. Home tutors are engaged by the parents/guardian of the child who is to receive tuition and the tutor has no contractual relationship with the Department of Education.
258. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education if she will respond to matters raised in correspondence regarding a preschool (details supplied) in Dublin 11; when the preschool in question can expect a resolution to this funding issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7453/24]
View answer267. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of delays to payments (details supplied). [7524/24]
View answer325. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education her views on the concerns regarding the current funding crisis that is threatening a school for autistic children (details supplied). [8115/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 258, 267 and 325 together.
The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. The terms of this scheme are set out in circular 24/2023 which is available on the Government of Ireland website gov - Home Tuition Grant Scheme 2023/2024 Special Education Component (www.gov.ie) www.gov.ie/en/circular/67f37-home-tuition-grant-scheme-20232024-special-education-component/.
Payments to group providers of home tuition, such as the facility concerned, are made directly to the provider on a monthly basis in arrears in accordance with my Department’s policy in this regard. Claim forms are to be submitted to my Department at the end of the month in which tuition has been provided and every effort is made to process these claims as soon as possible after the claim form is received from the facility. However, delays may be experienced from time to time if forms are incomplete or not submitted promptly by the provider. I can assure the deputies that every effort is being made to keep any delays to a minimum. The claim submitted by the facility in question in respect of home tuition for December 2023 has been fully processed and paid. The claim for January 2024 was received on February 8th 2024. This will be processed within the standard timeframe for the processing of correctly completed claim forms which is four to five weeks from the date of receipt.
259. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education for an update on the IT funding for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7464/24]
View answerThe Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 was published last year and is underpinned by an investment of €200m to support its implementation, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The first tranche of €50m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in late 2021.
The previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 to 2020 saw overall investment of €210m issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment.
Funding of €50m secured as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan under the NextGenerationEU Recovery and Resilience Facility also issued to all recognised schools in the free education scheme to support learners at risk of educational disadvantage through the digital divide in late 2021.
My Department intends to pay the next tranche of ICT grant funding 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.
260. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education to indicate the availability, location and number of places in ASD units in primary schools in County Meath for the 2024-2025 academic year, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7465/24]
View answer262. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education the number of offers of funding that have been sent out for schools to install new ASD units in primary schools in County Meath for the 2024-2025 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7467/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 262 together.
Enabling 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 €113 million 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 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, two new special schools are being established for this current school year in Cork and Dublin, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
In December 2023, I was also very happy to announce with my colleague Minister Foley, the establishment of a further four new special schools for the 2024/25 school year in Enfield, South Kildare, Gorey and Limerick. This will bring to 11 the number of new special schools established in recent years.
Along with the two new special schools opening this school year, 390 new special classes – 254 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening this current school year.
Of these 23 are in Meath, 16 at primary and 7 at post-primary level. This brings to 132 the number of special classes in County Meath, 100 at primary level and 32 at post-primary level. The vast majority of these class are autism classes and have a teacher/pupil ratio of 1:6.
Planning for special classes and places in Meath and nationwide is currently underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. The NCSE expect to confirm the sanctioning of new special classes over the coming period.
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.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at: www.ncse.ie/special-classes.
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.
261. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education to indicate the availability, location and number of places in ASD units in primary schools in County Westmeath for the 2024-2025 academic year, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7466/24]
View answer263. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education the number of offers of funding that have been sent out for schools to install new ASD units in primary schools in County Westmeath for the 2024-2025 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7468/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 263 together.
Enabling 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 €113 million 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 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, two new special schools are being established for this current school year in Cork and Dublin, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.
In December 2023, I was also very happy to announce with my colleague Minister Foley, the establishment of a further four new special schools for the 2024/25 school year in Enfield, South Kildare, Gorey and Limerick. This will bring to 11 the number of new special schools established in recent years.
Along with the two new special schools opening this school year, 390 new special classes – 254 at primary and 136 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening this current school year.
Of these 6 are in Westmeath, 4 at primary and 2 at post-primary level. This brings to 59 the number of special classes in County Westmeath, 39 at primary level and 20 at post-primary level. The vast majority of these class are autism classes and have a teacher/pupil ratio of 1:6.
Planning for special classes and places in Westmeath and nationwide is currently underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. The NCSE expect to confirm the sanctioning of further special classes over the coming period.
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.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at: www.ncse.ie/special-classes.
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.
264. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education when an application for additional accommodation made by a school (details supplied) will be dealt with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7469/24]
View answerThe Additional School Accommodation scheme project in relation to the school in question is currently under consideration. The assessment process is at the final stage with a decision expected to issue to the school authority in the coming days.
265. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will address a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7481/24]
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.
The school referred to by the Deputy received funding under the Digital Strategy for schools in December 2021 totalling €4,794.80. The school also received an additional €5000 in Digital Divide Grant funding.
My Department intends to issue the next tranche of ICT grant funding in the current 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.
My Department provides specific English Language support to schools with pupils newly arrived into the country who have English as an additional language. Under this scheme, the school referred to by the Deputy has been allocated 20 part-time language support hours per week.
The Deputy may also wish to note that the school has received its first capitation grant instalment of €3,843 as well as an ancillary grant of €1,356.51 and a cost of living grant of € 2,940.00 for the 2023/2024 school year. Schools may use the capitation grant to assist with the purchase of teaching materials and resources.
266. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education when payments of the exceptional no service interim grant will be paid; when refunds to parents who paid for the school ticket but did not receive it will be paid; the process for issuing refunds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7495/24]
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.
Bus Éireann has advised that in recent weeks they issued tickets for school transport on bus services that had been secured for the 2023/24 school year. Unfortunately, a number of difficulties have arisen in having services in place for the start of the new school year in some localities with a small number of contracted services.
Bus Éireann continues to work intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible, and every effort is being made to ensure transport can be sourced and put in place as soon as possible.
For families who have been issued with a tickets on board one of these services affected, the Department is sanctioning an interim arrangement to assist with the cost of alternative arrangements until your service is in place.
The Exceptional No Service Interim Grant will be made available to families retrospectively. This payment will be paid as an exceptional measure and will be calculated from the date the service was due to commence up to the date that a service in provided for your child(ren). As the payment is based on the number of days a child attends school up until the time a service has commenced, it cannot be paid in advance.
This grant is linked to ticket holders for the number of days that your child attended school from 28th August 2023 until a school transport service commenced.
Grant payments are currently being processed following confirmation from Bus Éireann that a service has commenced.
