Paul Kehoe
Question:403. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education for a full update on the school site at Hollywoodrath, including the appointment of contractors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11877/24]
View answerSchools Building Projects
Questions (403)
Written answers
The Deputy will be aware that Dublin 15 is an area of significant population growth and as part of forward planning the Department of Education has been assessing school accommodation in the area.
In this regard, the Department is planning a school building for the area that will be designed to be adaptable to cater for primary or post-primary school requirements as the needs arise.
Planning permission was recently granted for a 24 classroom primary school which will be used in the first instance as decant accommodation for 2 primary schools in the area while they are being remediated/retrofitted.
Actavo were appointed off the Governments Modular Accommodation framework in June 2023. They are the main contractor on the Hollywoodrath site and commenced work on February 2024.
This project is scheduled for completion in January 2025. Following completion of the construction works at the 2 schools, the building will be available to accommodate either a Primary or Post Primary School as demographics in the area dictate.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (404)
Seán Sherlock
Question:404. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education when permanent works for a school (details supplied) in County Kildare will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11886/24]
View answerWritten answers
The school to which the Deputy refers was granted initial approval for the reconfiguration of accommodation for the provision of two special education needs classrooms under my Department's SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme.
This programme which draws on the Department's procurement frameworks supports accelerated delivery of the accommodation and maximises assistance to the school for the delivery of the required accommodation. A Project Management company is appointed under the Department’s framework, to design and tender the project. This consultant will lead the project through the various architectural stages of design, statutory approvals and construction.
The school have raised some queries with my Department regarding accommodation being provided under the reconfiguration project and officials are considering the correspondence received.
I can assure the Deputy that my officials will liaise directly with the school authority regarding the issues raised.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (405)
Seán Sherlock
Question:405. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the number of SENO vacancies nationwide; the number per county; the average waiting time for the appointment of a new SENO, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11887/24]
View answerWritten answers
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of Special Needs Organisers (SENOs), for fulfilling the functions of the Council in relation to the identification, delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with disabilities. The Council employs SENOs to provide a nationwide system of local services. Locally based SENOs consult widely with parents/guardians, teachers, health care professionals, school authorities, HSE and other relevant government agencies.
It is a priority that the NCSE is properly resourced to have a visible and effective presence in our schools and to guide and support our parents and children on their educational journey. In Budget 2023, the government provided an additional €13 million for the expansion of services within the NCSE. This will mean an increase of up to 161 additional staff in the organisation, a workforce increase of 50%.
The allocation of SENOs is based on regional assignments rather than county-specific placements. In accordance with the strategic reorganisation and growth initiative undertaken by the NCSE, all SENO’s will be allocated on a county basis. This ongoing reconfiguration process is currently underway, and upon full implementation, there will be a designated and appropriate number of SENOs assigned to cater to the specific needs of each county.
The number of SENO’s allocated by region is included below.
|
Region |
Number of SENOs (15th March 2024) |
|
North Team 1 |
6 |
|
North Team 2 |
8 |
|
West Team 1 |
9 |
|
West Team 2 |
11 |
|
South West Team 1 |
7 |
|
South West Team 2 |
9 |
|
South East Team 1 |
7 |
|
South East Team 2 |
6 |
|
Dublin Team 1 |
8 |
|
Dublin Team 2 |
9 |
Following a recent SNO recruitment campaign, the first intake of new SENO grades has already commenced and 12 additional SENOs joined in February. There will also be a further 20 SENO posts added by end March and an additional 20 posts added by the end of May. The recruitment process allows for training, induction, back-filling and the equitable distribution of cases on a county basis to new SENOs, without disrupting existing service to schools & children. In respect of the average waiting time of assignment, while the lead time for commencement of employment is unique to each new staff member having regard to their current employment and personal circumstances, candidates can start between 4 and 12 weeks of being notified of an offer of employment by the NCSE.
When complete, this expansion of services will see the number of SENO grades increase to 120, who will be organised into 21 teams, reporting to two national coordinators. This will change the current team structure of SENOs from a regional to a county basis.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (406)
Claire Kerrane
Question:406. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education the status of the schools summer works scheme; if the scheme will open for summer 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11897/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy 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.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (407)
Claire Kerrane
Question:407. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education when an application (details supplied) made under the school summer works scheme will be considered and a decision made on it and communicated to the school. [11898/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, the school in question submitted a Summer Works Scheme(SWS) application in 2019, when the current scheme opened for applications.
The category that this project relates to has not yet been approved, but the project remains a live project under the SWS. I expect to provide clarity on these projects when I announce the next tranche of summer works projects, the timing of which is still under consideration at present.
School Accommodation
Questions (408)
Ged Nash
Question:408. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education her Department's position on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11900/24]
View answerWritten answers
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs.
The Department engages 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.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no current record of receiving an application for additional accommodation from the school in question regarding provision of an ASD Unit.
The purpose of my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocation Section, or the requirement for a new class for pupils with special education needs has been identified by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes. The capacity at other schools in the area is also considered as part of the assessment of any accommodation needs.
The Department is working closely with the NCSE in relation to forward planning for increased special education provision in the form of additional special classes and special school places. The Department continues to engage with NCSE in relation to special classes that have been sanctioned for September 2024 to confirm critical classes where accommodation is required while also considering the more strategic and longer-term requirements.
Departmental Regulations
Questions (409)
Thomas Pringle
Question:409. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education whether the Covid Amendment Regulation 2023 will be extended in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11902/24]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of Teachers in the State.
The Teaching Council is the professional standards body for the teaching profession, which promotes and regulates professional standards in teaching. The Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015. There are five routes of registration with the Teaching Council which are namely Route 1: Primary, Route 2: Post-primary, Route 3: Further Education, Route 4: Other and Route 5: Student Teacher. The registration requirements for each route is set out in the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016.
The Teaching Council has a statutory remit and there is a provision in the legislation which allows them to make regulations for the purposes of registration.
Statutory Instrument No. 12 of 2023, the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment) Regulation, which was in place has now expired and therefore the facility is no longer open. In the context of the Council's legislative remit, this provision was put in place via a Statutory Instrument (SI), and as such, the SI defines the period during which the measure is operated.
A further Statutory Instrument would be required to establish the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment) Regulation for a longer period, which under the Teaching Council Act is a matter for the Council.
Since the 1st of February 2024, applicants for registration who qualified out of state will be required to apply for registration under the standard application process for out of state qualified teachers. They will be required to provide evidence of being a fully qualified teacher, including evidence of having completed induction in the country of qualification.
Through engagement with the Council on this matter, I can advise that the Council is considering any further amendment to provide for this facility (that is, completion of induction in Ireland for overseas qualified teachers) in the context of its legislative framework, including relevant EU legislation.
Departmental Correspondence
Questions (410)
Thomas Pringle
Question:410. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education when the board of management of a school (details supplied) in Donegal can expect a response to its letter of 21 February 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11904/24]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy that the department is in receipt of a letter dated the 21st February 2024 from the Board of Management of the school in question in relation to the acquisition of a greenfield site by the school.
The 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 capital funding over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics and children with special education needs. The overall position with regard to potential modernisation and replacement of existing school infrastructure will be kept under review as capital funding allocations for future years are clarified.
The school in question has been approved a building project under my Department’s ASA scheme that would provide for 2 mainstream classrooms and 2 special education tuition rooms. 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.
As you 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. In addition immediate issues affecting the operation of the school can be addressed under the department’s Emergency Works Scheme (EWS).
The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will be engaging with Departments on NDP allocations for the period 2026 to 2028 over the coming months, with allocation decisions expected during the first half of 2024. In this context I can assure the Deputy that the contents of the Board of Management's letter has been noted.
Departmental Correspondence
Questions (411)
Thomas Pringle
Question:411. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education when a substantive reply will issue to email correspondence (details supplied) from this Deputy with his Office of 16 January 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11907/24]
View answerWritten answers
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 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, two new special schools have been 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 Meath, Kildare, Wexford 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.
In Donegal, 18 new special classes have been sanctioned for this current school year, 11 at primary level and 7 post-primary level, bringing the total number of classes in Co. Donegal to 115 - 68 at primary level and 47 at post-primary level.
In relation to the school referred to in a previous written representation from the Deputy, I can provide the following update.
The NCSE actively encourages expressions of interest from schools to open special classes, and every school which does so is to be commend for their efforts.
When assessing the needs in the local area, the NCSE identify schools in the neighbouring vicinity with existing special class vacancies and available accommodation options and assess their capability with consideration to demographical and statistical data.
Therefore, it may not be possible for the NCSE to sanction a new special class in every school that expresses an interest.
The NCSE acknowledge that circumstances may change, and they are committed to ensuring that both the parents and the school receive the necessary advice and support.
Parents will be duly notified as new special class placements become available and are sanctioned for the 2024/25 school year within the area.
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. The local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available 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.
I want to assure you that 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.
Education Policy
Questions (412)
Peter Burke
Question:412. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide details of the process whereby a parent can appeal a decision taken by a primary school and its board of management in relation to the welfare of a student; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11923/24]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Education Act 1998, legally, all schools are managed by the school Board of Management and as my Department has no role in the employment of staff in schools or the day to day management of schools, a complaint about a child’s school and its staff should be made to the school itself.
Accordingly, while my Department provides funding and policy direction for schools, my Department does not have the power to instruct schools to follow a particular course of direction with regard to individual complaint cases or to investigate individual complaints except where the complaint involves a refused enrolment, expulsion or suspension, in accordance with section 29 of the Education Act, 1998. In dealing with parental complaints, my Department's role is to clarify for parents how their grievances and complaints regarding schools can be progressed.
Where a parent has a concern about a child at school they can discuss the matter informally with the class teacher and/or the principal. If the matter cannot be resolved informally, the school should have a formal complaints procedure that can be followed. This procedure should set out what a parent may have to do and how long it should take to deal with a complaint. The role and responsibilities of the principal and board of management should also be set out. The complaint procedures currently operated by most schools are the standard procedures that have been agreed between the teacher unions and school management bodies and a copy should be provided by schools to a parent on request.
Where a parent is of the view that a school's board of management has failed to investigate or adequately investigate their complaint, they should bring the matter to the attention of the patron. In the event that, after raising its concerns with the school patron, a parent still considers that the matter has not been resolved, it is open to the parent to raise the matter with the Ombudsman for Children.
The Office of the Ombudsman for Children may also independently investigate complaints relating to the administrative actions of a school recognised by the Department of Education provided the parent has fully followed the school's complaints procedures. The key criterion for any intervention by the Ombudsman for Children is that the administrative actions of a school has, or may have, adversely affected the child.
Further information is available on the gov.ie website: www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/complaints-about-schools/.
Teaching Qualifications
Questions (413)
Claire Kerrane
Question:413. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will advise on a specific case (details supplied) regarding a student who is due to graduate and wishes to return to Ireland to complete their induction rather than in the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11925/24]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of Teachers in the State.
The Teaching Council is the professional standards body for the teaching profession, which promotes and regulates professional standards in teaching. The Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015. There are five routes of registration with the Teaching Council which are namely Route 1: Primary, Route 2: Post-primary, Route 3: Further Education, Route 4: Other and Route 5: Student Teacher. The registration requirements for each route is set out in the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016.
I refer to the Teaching Council (Registration)(Amendment) Regulations, 2023. This amendment was introduced as a temporary measure until 1 February 2024 and has now closed to applications. It enabled teachers who had not completed induction in the country in which they qualified, but who met particular criteria, to obtain registration here. This in turn gave them an opportunity to complete induction here. Normally this is not permitted and teachers have to complete induction in the country in which they obtained their qualification.
As the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 has now closed, applications for registration under Route 2 (Post Primary) should be made via the standard pathway for registration for teachers who are awarded their teaching qualification outside of the Republic of Ireland. To be eligible for registration under the standard pathway, applicants must be fully qualified, i.e., have been awarded a teaching qualification, have a licence to teach (QTS in England) and have completed a period of induction in the country where they qualified.
All applications from teachers who qualified abroad are processed in line with EU Directive 2005/36/EC and the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016.
The Council is considering any further amendment in the context of its legislative framework, including relevant EU legislation. Any updates in this regard will be published on the Teaching Council website www.teachingcouncil.ie.
School Accommodation
Questions (414)
Alan Dillon
Question:414. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on progress under the additional accommodation scheme for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11938/24]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question received approval under the Additional School Accommodation for the provision of 4 x Mainstream classrooms 1x Construction studies/ Woodwork room with Prep area. This project was devolved to the school authority and is currently at Stage 2b with the delivery section.
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department has recently received an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school.
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 main focus of my Department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics.
The consideration of the accommodation requirements for the school in question forms part of the Planning and Building Unit’s overall assessment of its work programme and priorities in the context of available capital funding.
The provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department. My officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs in the school in question and the wider area for 2024/25 and future years.
The application is currently being assessed by my officials and a decision will issue to the school authorities directly upon completion of the assessment process.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (415)
Alan Dillon
Question:415. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the status of the building works programme for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11939/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that approval under the Additional School Accommodation scheme issued to the school in question for the provision of modular accommodation to provide for 7 mainstream classrooms, five special education teaching rooms, an art room, toilets, a science room and preparation area, together with reconfiguration of existing accommodation for two special education needs classes (SEN).
Kerrigan Sheanan Newman Construction Consultants (KSN) have been appointed, from the Department’s Framework, to design and tender the project. This consultant is leading the project through the various stages of planning process and construction. The Department is working closely with the Project Management team and the modular accommodation suppliers to ensure additional capacity for the schools sector is delivered as quickly as possible.
I can confirm that the modular project, for the school in question, is currently on site and progressing well with an expected substantial completion date targeted for May 2024. Phase 2 of the reconfiguration element of the project is currently at design stage.
The project is devolved for delivery to Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Education and Training Board (MSLETB).
School Transport
Questions (416)
Frankie Feighan
Question:416. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education if her Department and Bus Éireann will consider establishing a special communications unit to deal with specific queries around school transport (details supplied) that liaises with the local inspectors and management to provide clear and expedient replies to parents and school management. [11948/24]
View answerWritten answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Bus Éireann has again this year put in place a dedicated customer care call centre to assist families specifically with School Transport queries during the busy summer period. The call centre details are published on Bus Éireann's website.
Families can also contact Bus Éireann by submitting a query via the following link www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=290#contact. On receipt of this form, a member of Bus Éireann staff will look into the query and revert directly
In relation to queries from TDs and Senators, Bus Éireann has provided a dedicated email address for use exclusively by Oireachtas Members in order to assist with queries they may have, which is reps@buseireann.ie
My Department also has a dedicated email address for use exclusively by Oireachtas Members in order to assist with queries, which is oireachtasqueries@education.gov.ie
If families have queries relating to transport for children with special educational needs please contact School Transport Section, Department of Education at: Email: school_transport@education.gov.ie.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (417)
Sean Fleming
Question:417. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a response to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11950/24]
View answerWritten answers
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question
I would like to take this opportunity to address the concerns that you have raised on this matter and to assure you that there have been no cuts to the number of mainstream SET posts across the education system. There are now more SET posts than ever before. The mainstream class teacher has primary responsibility for the progress and care of all children in their classrooms, including children with additional needs, in addition to this there are 14,600 SET posts to support children with additional needs across our schools.
Furthermore I would like to clarify that the SET model is an allocation model to provide schools with additional teaching hours to support the needs of their students. When the 2017 model was introduced it replaced a diagnosis led model with one based on need. This has not changed for 2024 and the allocation to schools is to support all of the children in school who require additional support.
The guidance to schools on the proper deployment and usage of special education teaching hours remains unchanged, schools must deploy their SET resources in line with the Continuum of Support. The guiding principle of the continuum is that the student with the greatest level of need should receive the greatest level of support.
There has been some commentary that student with complex needs, are not catered for in this model and that schools do not have the resources to support children with complex needs. This is not the case
The review of the model identified concerns in relation to the completeness and accuracy of the data being provided by the HSE to the Department of Education, which meant that schools for whom no data was returned, even where there was significant need, might lose out. This data would also not encompass the significant numbers of children on HSE waiting lists, many of whom are in school.
The model is now utilising data provided to the Department of Education by individual schools so as to ensure resources are in the right place at the right time to meet the needs of children with complex needs in mainstream schools.
Complex need is now measured in two ways. Firstly, students who are performing at the lower levels in standardised tests, which indicate the greatest level of need for additional teaching support and secondly, the pupils with more complex needs and who have been exempted are given the highest weight. Once again, it is very important to clarify that the inputs to the model do not prescribe which children should receive support through the additional teaching resources, schools must adhere to the guidance on the use of SET hours and support all children with additional teaching needs. This was the position in 2017 and remains the position now.
The allocation model for 2024/25 distributes the total available number of special education teaching hours in line with each school’s profile of need. It seeks to distribute teaching resources in the fairest possible manner, taking into account quality, robust evidence in respect of individual schools.
Existing complex needs hours in each school have not been removed from the model. To ensure that schools are not negatively impacted all existing hours assigned for complex needs are being maintained for each school.
Of course every school is different, and schools can experience unique circumstances that may be difficult to reflect in any standardised method in respect of 4,000 schools. For this reason the review process for special education teaching hours has been streamlined and schools who feel that they have received an inappropriate allocation can make an application to the NCSE.
By increasing the allocation provided for enrolments and updating that allocation every year, the model is more responsive to schools who have greater numbers of students enrolled. The amendment to the model will ensure that the resources are available to mainstream schools to ensure that they can provide an inclusive education for all children with special educational needs.
I want to assure you that if a child is in a mainstream class or entering junior infants, the special education teaching hours to support teaching needs are available to schools- so that they can ensure that the child with the greatest level of need is provided with the greatest level of support as was always the case.
Teacher Training
Questions (418)
Sorca Clarke
Question:418. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the total number of places in each master's degree in primary teaching per public university in Ireland. [11956/24]
View answerWritten answers
There are two standard routes recognised by the Teaching Council to become a primary teacher:
• A four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.) programme.
• A two-year post-graduate Professional Master of Education (PME) programme.
The undergraduate/B. Ed. model offers students who are beginning their tertiary education, and wish to pursue a career in teaching, an opportunity to acquire a teaching qualification. In the postgraduate/PME model, a teacher first obtains a qualification in one or more subjects (through an undergraduate degree), and then studies for a further period to gain the professional qualification in teaching.
There are four State-funded Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) providing primary initial teacher education (ITE). Each of these offers both a full time primary ITE undergraduate/B.Ed. and postgraduate/PME programme:
• DCU Institute of Education.
• Marino Institute of Education.
• Maynooth University (Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education)
• Mary Immaculate College
There is one private provider, Hibernia College, which provides postgraduate (PME) programmes only (primary and post-primary).
The number of students admitted to primary concurrent and consecutive programmes in State-funded HEIs is determined my Department, having regard to teacher supply and demand issues, and available resources.
Following engagement with the 4 State-funded HEIs providing primary initial teacher education, I also approved 610 additional places, with 320 of these approved for 2023, and the remaining 290 in 2024.
The new places are as follows:
• 90 additional places on the Bachelor of Education programme in 2023 and 2024, making a total of 1,090 each year.
• 30 additional places on the Bachelor of Education through the Medium of Irish in 2023, making a total of 60 in 2023.
• 200 additional places on the Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) programme in 2023 and 2024, making a total of 400 each year.
The number of approved places for the Professional Master of Education (PME) programme across the four State-funded HEIs for entry in this current academic year is as follows:
|
Approved places on Professional Master of Education (PME) programme State-funded HEIs |
2023/2024 |
|
Dublin City University |
120 |
|
Mary Immaculate College, Limerick |
120 |
|
Marino Institute of Education |
100 |
|
Maynooth University |
60 |
In terms of overall enrolments on the ITE programmes, 2022/23 is the most recent year for which confirmed data is available. In that year there were some 4,700 students enrolled in primary across the State-funded sector.
Teacher Training
Questions (419)
Sorca Clarke
Question:419. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the total number of places in each master's degree in post primary teaching per public university in Ireland. [11957/24]
View answerWritten answers
There are 11 State-funded higher education institutions (HEIs) providing post-primary initial teacher education (ITE) in Ireland.
These are:
• DCU Institute of Education
• Maynooth University
• Mary Immaculate College
• University College Dublin
• University of Galway
• University College Cork
• University of Limerick
• Trinity College Dublin
• Technological University of the Shannon
• Atlantic Technological University - which now includes Galway Mayo Institute of Technology and St Angela’s College, Sligo
• The National College of Art and Design
These institutions provide a range of concurrent and consecutive programmes.
At post-primary level, higher education institutions determine the level of places on their programmes in accordance with their own available resources and arrangements and so my Department does not hold data on the number of approved places for post-primary, in the way that it would for primary.
While no caps or targets on numbers are usually set for programmes, providers have been encouraged in recent years to develop programmes in a way that is mindful of system need. This has included the development of additional four-year concurrent programmes for subjects such as Irish and modern foreign languages.
In terms of overall enrolments on ITE programmes, 2022/23 is the most recent year for which confirmed data is available. In that year there were some 6,000 students enrolled on post-primary programmes across the State-funded sector, with some 1,800 of these enrolled on postgraduate programmes.
Teaching Qualifications
Questions (420)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:420. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11960/24]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of Teachers in the State.
The Teaching Council is the professional standards body for the teaching profession, which promotes and regulates professional standards in teaching. The Council registers teachers under the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015. There are five routes of registration with the Teaching Council which are namely Route 1: Primary, Route 2: Post-primary, Route 3: Further Education, Route 4: Other and Route 5: Student Teacher. The registration requirements for each route is set out in the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016.
The Teaching Council has a statutory remit and there is a provision in the legislation which allows them to make regulations for the purposes of registration.
Statutory Instrument No. 12 of 2023, the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment) Regulation, which was in place has now expired and therefore the facility is no longer open. In the context of the Council's legislative remit, this provision was put in place via a Statutory Instrument (SI), and as such, the SI defines the period during which the measure is operated.
A further Statutory Instrument would be required to establish the Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment) Regulation for a longer period, which under the Teaching Council Act is a matter for the Council.
Since the 1st of February 2024, applicants for registration who qualified out of state will be required to apply for registration under the standard application process for out of state qualified teachers. They will be required to provide evidence of being a fully qualified teacher, including evidence of having completed induction in the country of qualification.
Through engagement with the Council on this matter, I can advise that the Council is considering any further amendment to provide for this facility (that is, completion of induction in Ireland for overseas qualified teachers) in the context of its legislative framework, including relevant EU legislation.
Teacher Training
Questions (421)
Sorca Clarke
Question:421. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the total number of places offered and the total number of persons enrolled in primary and post-primary masters in a college (details supplied) in the past five years. [11966/24]
View answerWritten answers
Hibernia College is a privately owned institution which is accredited by the Teaching Council to provide primary and post-primary consecutive (postgraduate/Professional Master of education) initial teacher education programmes.
I have been provided with the following figures regarding enrolment in Hibernia College for primary and post-primary PME programmes from 2019 to 2023 inclusive.
|
Enrolment |
Primary |
Post Primary |
|
Spring 2019 |
249 |
62 |
|
Autumn 2019 |
462 |
126 |
|
Spring 2020 |
225 |
57 |
|
Autumn 2020 |
525 |
198 |
|
Spring 2021 |
402 |
113 |
|
Autumn 2021 |
449 |
264 |
|
Spring 2022 |
166 |
79 |
|
Autumn 2022 |
434 |
190 |
|
Autumn 2023 |
430 |
229 |
|
Spring 2023 |
173 |
82 |
School Facilities
Questions (422)
Joe Flaherty
Question:422. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education the status of plans for a new classroom and wheelchair accessible WC at a school (details supplied). [11977/24]
View answerWritten answers
The project to which the Deputy refers was approved a project under the Additional School Accommodation scheme for the provision of one Mainstream Classroom.
The school authority were notified of this approval and agreed to adhere to the mandatory procedures and requirements for each stage of the architectural process in order to ensure the project meets my Department’s published standards in design, planning and funding. Unfortunately, these requirements were not adhered to in this instance.
My Department is engaging with the school authority and patron in order to resolve this critical issue as part of its assessment of the project and will advise the school authority shortly on the outcome of this review.