Written Answers Nos. 483-502
483. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the status of the development project for a school (details supplied); the expected date for the completion of this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12583/24]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects.
It is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural design process. A planning application was lodged with Carlow County Council and planning permission was granted in Quarter 3 2023. The pre-qualification process is currently underway and once complete, and following Departmental approval, the NDFA will continue the tender process for appointing a contractor in due course.
While at this stage it is not possible to provide an accurate timeline for completion of this project, the NDFA will be engaging directly with the school authorities to keep them informed of progress.
484. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if she can ensure a place is made available for a child in a school (details supplied).; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12594/24]
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.
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.
Of these 76 are in Cork, 52 at primary level and 24 at post-primary level. This brings to 496 the number of special classes in County Cork, 351 at primary level and 145 at post-primary level.
In relation to the student referred to by the Deputy, the NCSE has advised my department that the NCSE continues to work closely with the family regarding special education placements options.
Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available on the NCSE's website at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.
485. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the amount of capital works funding her Department has provided to a school (details supplied) in 2023 and to-date in 2024; and the capital works projects that were carried out with this funding during this period. [12595/24]
View answerSince 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings.
These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
There are also 90 projects currently at the tender stage including a further 28 new school buildings. All of these new school buildings are flagship projects in their area and transform the education infrastructure for those school communities.
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.
Since 2018 the school referred to by the Deputy has received over €93,000 in capital funding comprising of Minor Works funding and Furniture & Equipment funding. The funding provided from 2023 to date is detailed below.
|
Roll Number |
School Name |
Funding type |
Year |
Funding amount |
|
19316I |
St. Paul’s Special School, Beaumont, Dublin 9 |
Minor Works Grant |
2023 |
€9,496 |
The current status of all projects and completions from 2010 to date is listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
486. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when she expects construction works at a school (details supplied) to be completed; and the estimated cost for these works. [12596/24]
View answerThe major project referred to by the Deputy is currently completing Stage 4 of Architectural Planning – Construction Stage.
The Design Team currently anticipate to complete construction by Easter in early Quarter 2 2024 subject to no issues arising. It is anticipated that the school could decant into their new building upon receipt of BCAR Certification.
As this project is currently at construction stage the estimated cost is expected to be in excess of €6 million.
487. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when she expects construction works at a school (details supplied) to commence; and the estimated costs for these works. [12597/24]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB).
The Tender Report has been received by my Department and is currently under review from both a technical and cost perspective. The review is nearing completion and my Department will revert to CMETB directly on the outcome and the next steps to progress this project.
CMETB will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
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.
488. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide details of each school in the Donaghmede, Howth D13 school planning area, primary and post primary; the capacity of each school; and the current enrolment figures for each school, in tabular form. [12598/24]
View answerPlease find attached requested data regarding enrolments and school details.
Please note data provided is for academic year 2022/23 as this is the latest year we have final enrolment data available. We expect to publish final data for 2023/24 in June 2024.
As the Deputy may be aware, in order to plan for school place needs, the Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications
• School of choice
• Single sex schools
• External draw
Notwithstanding the above, in some areas demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places.
Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity and identifies any requirement for additional provision.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
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.
The availability of places is a matter for each individual school in the context of their Admissions legislation. Enrolment data for previous schools years is available on the Department website. Provisional enrolment data for the 2023/24 school year is available of the Departments website at www.gov.ie.
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.
489. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide a list of schools in County Clare that applied for STEM Grants in 2023. [12599/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the number of applications received from the County Clare was 102, with the details of the schools as follows:
|
Roll No. |
School Name |
Address |
County |
Primary/Post |
|
02439G |
Scoil Mhuire |
Feakle |
Clare |
Primary |
|
04548V |
Scoil Seanáin Naofa |
Clonlara, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
04919H |
St John's N.S |
Brickhill west, Cratloe |
Clare |
Primary |
|
07315N |
Holv Familv Senior School |
Station Road, Ennis. |
Clare |
Primary |
|
09390O |
Rockmount N.S. |
Miltown Malbay |
Clare |
Primary |
|
09425H |
Rineen N.S. |
Rineen, Miltown Malbay, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
10763L |
Boston National School |
Boston, Tubber |
Clare |
Primary |
|
10886E |
Tubber NS |
Tubber |
Clare |
Primary |
|
11765U |
Doonbeg NS |
Killard Rd, Doonbeg |
Clare |
Primary |
|
11990E |
Bodyke NS |
Bodyke |
Clare |
Primary |
|
12848G |
Doonaha National School |
Doonaha, Kilkee |
Clare |
Primary |
|
13379C |
Fanore NS |
Fanore, Ballyvaughan, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
13418J |
Ballyea Mixed NS |
Ennis |
Clare |
Primary |
|
13625O |
Kilnamona N.S. |
Ennis |
Clare |
Primary |
|
13730L |
Clohanes NS |
Clohanes, Mullagh Ennis |
Clare |
Primary |
|
13738E |
Burrane N.S. |
Burrane Upper, Killimer, Kilrush. |
Clare |
Primary |
|
13804O |
Cranny National School |
Cranny, Kilrush, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
13826B |
Kilmihil NS |
Kilrush |
Clare |
Primary |
|
13876Q |
Moveen N.S. |
Kilkee |
Clare |
Primary |
|
13942D |
Kilmurry NS |
Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge |
Clare |
Primary |
|
14468G |
Kilmaley National School |
Kilmaley, Ennis |
Clare |
Primary |
|
14622N |
St. Flannan's NS |
Inagh |
Clare |
Primary |
|
14830U |
Barefield National School |
Barfield |
Clare |
Primary |
|
15042A |
Ennis NS |
Kilrush Rd, Ennis |
Clare |
Primary |
|
15221A |
Annagh NS |
Miltown Malbay |
Clare |
Primary |
|
15279I |
Clooney National School |
Carrahan, Tulla |
Clare |
Primary |
|
15301V |
Kildysart NS |
Ennis Rd, Kildysart |
Clare |
Primary |
|
15370R |
Killaloe Boys National School. |
Convent Hill, Killaloe, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
15981A |
Lakyle National School |
Whitegate |
Clare |
Primary |
|
16186G |
Inch National School |
Inch, Ennis, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
16677C |
CBS Primary |
New Rd. Ennis. |
Clare |
Primary |
|
16908S |
St. Finnachta’s NS |
Sixmilebridge |
Clare |
Primary |
|
16930L |
Shragh National School |
Shragh, Kilrush, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
16946D |
Parteen NS |
Kilquane, Parteen |
Clare |
Primary |
|
17020A |
Quilty National School |
Quilty |
Clare |
Primary |
|
17246D |
Cloonanaha NS |
Cloonanaha, Inagh, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
17517I |
Doolin NS |
Teergonean, Doolin |
Clare |
Primary |
|
17563P |
Ogonnelloe NS |
Scariff |
Clare |
Primary |
|
17583V |
Knockanean NS |
Ennis |
Clare |
Primary |
|
17816S |
Cooraclare National School |
Cill Rois |
Clare |
Primary |
|
17847G |
St Augustines NS |
Kilshanny |
Clare |
Primary |
|
17957N |
Holy Family Junior School |
Station Road, Ennis |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18032M |
Clonmoney National School |
Clonmoney North, Newmarket-on-Fergus, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18109V |
Inis Cealtra NS |
Mountshannon |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18190H |
Carron National Schooll |
Carron , Ennis, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18207V |
Ballina Primary School |
Ballina, Killaloe, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18225A |
Scoil Mhuire Miliuc |
Meelick |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18227E |
Scoil Mhuire Cora Finna |
Corofin |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18327I |
Knockerra NS |
Knockerra, Kilrush |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18339P |
Scoil Iosef Naofa |
Mágh, An Leacht, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18359V |
Kilbaha N.S |
Kilbaha, Kilrush |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18410S |
Liscannor NS |
Liscannor, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18467B |
Bridgetown NS |
Bridgetown |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18526O |
Ballycar NS |
Ballycar, Newmarket on Fergus |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18540I |
Clondrinagh NS |
Ennis |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18541K |
Caherea National School |
Caherea, Lissycasey, Ennis |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18555V |
Lissycasey N.S |
Lissycasey |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18565B |
Moyasta NS |
Kilrush |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18639E |
Ballynacally N.S. |
Ballynacally, Ennis, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18696Q |
Doora NS |
Doora, Ennis |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18720K |
St. Joseph’s National School |
Mullagh Road, Miltown Malbay |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18753C |
Scoil Mhuire |
School Rd, Lahinch |
Clare |
Primary |
|
18950E |
Dromindoora NS |
Dromindoora, Caher |
Clare |
Primary |
|
19043W |
New Quay National School |
New Quay, The Burrin, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
19233E |
St. Clare’s School |
Gort Road, Ennis |
Clare |
Primary |
|
19274S |
St Conaire's NS |
Tullyarrage Rd Shannon |
Clare |
Primary |
|
19366A |
Scariff Central NS |
Fossabeg, Scariff |
Clare |
Primary |
|
19386G |
Labasheeda NS |
Labasheeda, Kilrush |
Clare |
Primary |
|
19414I |
St. Anne’s School |
St. Senan’s Road Ennis |
Clare |
Primary |
|
19442N |
Scoil Mhuire Ruan |
Dromore, Ruan, Ennis |
Clare |
Primary |
|
19551S |
INCHICRONAN CENTRAL NS |
CRUSHEEN, CO. CLARE |
Clare |
Primary |
|
19552U |
St Tolas N.S |
Tullyglass, Shannon |
Clare |
Primary |
|
19559L |
Scoil Chríost Ri |
Cloughleigh Ennis |
Clare |
Primary |
|
19698C |
St. Aidan’s National School |
Smithstown, Shannon, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
19700J |
St Enda’s NS |
Lisdoonvarna, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
19838P |
Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg |
Inis Co An Chlair |
Clare |
Primary |
|
19849U |
Gaelscoil Donncha Rua |
Bóthar Linne, Sionna, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
20041C |
St Sena's PS |
Kilrush |
Clare |
Primary |
|
20075T |
St Mochulla's NS |
Tulla |
Clare |
Primary |
|
20078C |
Scoil Réalt na Mara |
Chapel Street, Kilkee, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
20086B |
Ennis Educate together NS |
Ennis |
Clare |
Primary |
|
20127M |
Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire |
Ennis Road, Newmarket on Fergus, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
20312H |
Raheen Wood Community N.S |
Raheen Rd, Tuamgraney |
Clare |
Primary |
|
20313J |
Mol an Óige Community N.S |
Ennistymon, |
Clare |
Primary |
|
20404M |
Coore NS |
Ennis |
Clare |
Primary |
|
20424V |
Scoil Mhichíl |
Kilmihil |
Clare |
Primary |
|
20447H |
Kilmurry McMahon N.S. |
Kilursh |
Clare |
Primary |
|
20452A |
Broadford & Kilbane NS |
Broadford |
Clare |
Primary |
|
20570G |
St. Joseph’s NS Cree |
Cree, Kilrush, Co. Clare |
Clare |
Primary |
|
61920N |
St Flannan’s College. |
Ennis |
Clare |
Post Primary |
|
61930Q |
Colaiste Muire |
Ennis |
Clare |
Post Primary |
|
62000W |
Mary Immaclate Sec School |
Lisdoonvarna, |
Clare |
Post Primary |
|
62010C |
St Josephs |
Spanish point |
Clare |
Post Primary |
|
62020F |
St Joseph's Secondary School |
Tulla |
Clare |
Post Primary |
|
70830N |
Ennis Community College |
Harmony Row, Ennis, |
Clare |
Post Primary |
|
70880F |
St Joseph's Community College |
Kilkee |
Clare |
Post Primary |
|
70900I |
Scariff Community College |
Scariff |
Clare |
Post Primary |
|
76075K |
St John Bosco Kildysart |
Kildysart |
Clare |
Post Primary |
|
81007U |
St. Patrick’s Comprehensive School |
Tullyglas, Shannon |
Clare |
Post Primary |
|
91447I |
St.Caimin’s Community School |
Tullyvarraga, Shannon |
Clare |
Post Primary |
|
91448K |
Kilrush Community School |
Kilrush |
Clare |
Post Primary |
|
91518F |
Ennistymon Community School |
Ennistymon |
Clare |
Post Primary |
As the initial funding available at the time of call for applications was €1.5m, the Department worked to secure as much additional funding as possible, bringing the total available to €4.7m. Unfortunately, on this occasion, this additional funding fell short of the ask of over €25m. The Department is front loading the grant scheme in 2023/2024 school year and it is hoped that a further round of funding can be run this year. This means that eligible schools that were not successful this time may receive funding in the future.
It should be noted that the Department also supports STEM through other areas such as teacher professional development and the development of resources, as well as through supporting initiatives such as SciFest, ESB Science Blast, the Discover programme with Science Foundation Ireland and BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.
We acknowledge the time and work that was put in by schools into the applications, however there was a limited budget allocated to this grant scheme. In relation to any future funding that becomes available, the schools will be contacted by the Department.
490. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that the failure to pay IT grants to primary schools in 2023 has caused serious pressure on some school budgets; if the matter will be rectified in 2024; if IT grants will be made available to all schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12609/24]
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.
491. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education to detail what future planning is undertaken to ensure that the necessary number of places required in both mainstream of special schools by children with additional educational needs are delivered prior to the start of the school year in both primary and secondary school. [12613/24]
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.
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.
The information held on the department's Geographical Information System (GIS), particularly in relation to student demographics, is a key component when forecasting the need for additional special class and special school places. My department and the NCSE have also undertaken analysis of the trends in special class and special school provision over recent years by county and local school planning area. In total there are 314 local school planning areas.
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.
As a result of this forward planning, two new special schools have been established for this 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. The vast majority of these class are autism classes and have a teacher/pupil ratio of 1:6.
My department and the NCSE have begun preparatory work in relation to planning for the provision of further new special class and special school places for the 2024/25 school year and beyond. It is envisioned that the allocations of special classes for the 2024/25 school year will be announced in quarter two.
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.
492. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education for an update on the provision of a new 1,000 pupil school at Magee Barracks in the Curragh; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12619/24]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme.The ADAPT Programme 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 brief for this project is to provide a new permanent school for the Curragh Community College, and this project is designed to be delivered in 2 phases; Phase 1 will deliver accommodation for 425 students and Phase 2 will deliver the remaining accommodation to provide for a Long Term Projected Enrolment of 1000 students, at the former Magee Barracks site in Kildare. The project is currently at Stage 2(b) of Architectural Planning – Detailed Design, where all statutory approvals are secured, and the suite of tender documents are prepared.The Design Team lodged their application for planning permission in October 2023. The Design Team have since received a Request for Further Information (RFI) from the Local Authority in respect of the planning application. The Design Team have reviewed the RFI and will prepare their response.Until all statutory applications have been secured, it will not be possible to provide an estimated on site date.
493. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the estimated completion date for a school building projects at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12620/24]
View answerThe major building project for the Curragh Community School will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme. The ADAPT Programme 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 brief for this project is to provide a new permanent school for the Curragh Community College, and this project is designed to be delivered in 2 phases; Phase 1 will deliver accommodation for 425 students and Phase 2 will deliver the remaining accommodation to provide for a Long Term Projected Enrolment of 1000 students, at the former Magee Barracks site in Kildare. The project is currently at Stage 2(b) of Architectural Planning – Detailed Design, where all statutory approvals are secured, and the suite of tender documents are prepared. The Design Team lodged their application for planning permission in October 2023. The Design Team have since received a Request for Further Information (RFI) from the Local Authority in respect of the planning application. The Design Team have reviewed the RFI and will prepare their response. Until all statutory applications have been secured, it will not be possible to provide an estimated on site date.
The large scale project for Patrician Post Primary school has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects. The project is currently at Stage 2b (planning and detailed design) of the architectural process. A planning application was lodged with Wicklow County Council and planning permission was granted in Quarter 1 2023. When Stage 2b has been finalised and approved, the next stage is tendering for a contractor and then onwards to construction in due course. The NDFA as the devolved delivery body, will continue to engage directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
Finally, Newbridge Holy Family School was approved a project under my Departments Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme for the provision of 8 General Classrooms, 3 Science laboratories, 2 preparation areas, a Music room, a Textiles room, a Graphics room, a Home Economics room, and a 4 SEN Class Base and ancillary Accommodation. The project has been devolved for delivery to the School Authority. The next step will be for the school to procure a consultant. This consultant will lead the project through the various stages of architectural planning and onwards through the statutory planning process and construction. As the project is at an early stage, it is not possible to provide a current timeframe for the completion of the project.
494. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the individual total capital expenditure on new primary and post primary school accommodation projects in County Meath from 2019 to 2023, in tabular form. [12632/24]
View answerSince 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings.
These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
There are also approx. 90 projects currently at the tender stage including a further 28 new school buildings.? All these new school buildings are flagship projects in their area and transform the education infrastructure for those school communities.
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.
Since 2019, in Meath?alone, we have invested over €270m in our schools and completed over 60 school building projects. This involved investment of over €120m on Post Primary Schools, €130m on Primary schools and over €9m on Special schools.
There are 13 projects ongoing under the Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Schemes in County Meath.
In addition, where accelerated delivery of accommodation is required, the Department utilises its Modular Accommodation Framework to provide critical mainstream school places and places for students with special educational needs. There are currently 7 modular accommodation projects underway in County Meath.
The current status of all projects, including those in Meath, is listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie . This is updated on a regular basis to reflect the progress of projects through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction
495. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the progress of an ASD unit for a school (details supplied); and if the classroom will be operational for the 2024-2025 academic year. [12654/24]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers was approved a project under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme to provide a 2 classroom SEN base, 5 general classrooms, 1 science lab/prep area, 1 art room and art store. The project has been devolved to the school authority for delivery and it has appointed a design team. My Department has received the Stage 1 architectural report and this is currently under review by my Department's Professional and Technical staff. Once the review is complete, the outcome will be communicated to the school authority in due course.
496. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) concerning the allocation of home tuition hours; the status of this case; the timeframe for when a decision will be issued on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12658/24]
View answerThe Department of Education's Home Tuition Grant Scheme provides funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. By its nature, it is intended to be a short term intervention.
The scheme is governed by annual circulars which set out the details, purpose and eligibility criteria. Circular 0024/2023 provides information in relation to the 2023/24 Home Tuition Grant Scheme – Special Education component - and can be accessed by clicking on the following link: www.gov.ie/en/circular/67f37-home-tuition-grant-scheme-20232024-special-education-component/.
The purpose of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for:
a. Early educational intervention for children with autism who meet the scheme’s eligibility criteria
b. Students with special educational needs seeking an educational placement in a recognised school
c. Students, enrolled in schools, with a significant medical condition, or school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety, which has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, major disruption to their attendance at school
In exceptional cases the Department will consider home tuition applications on behalf of students with diagnoses of school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety which has caused, and is likely to continue to cause, major disruption to their attendance at school. This exception will only apply where a continued absence from school is required to facilitate appropriate medical or therapeutic intervention with a view to the reintegration of the student in their school.
In relation to applications in respect of students with diagnoses of a significant medical condition, the principle that home tuition cannot be provided as an alternative to school applies.
Eligibility is assessed having regard to, although not limited to, the following criteria
• Confirmation the student is currently enrolled in school.
• The student’s attendance levels during the previous school year.
• A relevant medical / professional report which should:
i. Clearly confirm a diagnosis of school phobia and/or associated depression/anxiety.
ii. Provide details of medical or therapeutic intervention plans in place with a view to reintegrate the student back into his/her school.
• Details of engagement with the relevant support agencies (e.g. School, National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), Education Welfare Officer (EWO), Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), TUSLA (Child and Family Agency), HSE, NCSE).
For students enrolled in schools with a significant medical condition grant aid based on a range of between 2 and 10 hours tuition may be approved with the allocation reflecting the level of attendance in the previous school year (i.e. the 2022/23 school year), and whether the attendance was at primary or post-primary level. As a general guide, up to 5 hours may be granted to children at primary level while students at post-primary level may be granted between 2 and 7 hours, and students sitting their leaving certificate examinations may be granted between 2 and 10 hours.
Based on the information provided the child referred to by the Deputy was granted 5 hours Home Tuition per week based on attendance in the previous school year.
This decision was appealed on the 7th of March 2024, and 10 hours Home Tuition was granted as an exceptional measure. The parent was informed of this decision on the 12th of March 2024.
497. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education when it will be possible for a school (details supplied) to make a decision to go ahead with a tender for a school extension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12662/24]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that the school referred to has been approved for a project under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme. The project is to provide the following accommodation at the school: 2x Mainstream Classrooms, 2 Classroom SEN base and Early Intervention Unit. This project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority and is currently awaiting approval to construction.
My Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects involving circa. 300 projects currently at construction including 34 new school buildings and over 800 projects completed since 2020 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues. We continue to have a strong pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. My Department has 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. 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.
Last year, my Department received supplementary funding to help alleviate funding pressures which was reflective of my Department’s strong delivery of school building projects particularly to support mainstream provision accommodating Ukrainian students and special education needs provision. My Department 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. It is a challenging construction environment across all sectors (Education, Housing, Transport etc.) and my Department is also required to manage the timing, scope and cost of individual projects to remain within budgetary parameters for the overall programme – this involves constant review throughout the project lifecycle.
My Department is committed to ensuring appropriate accommodation is available for the pupils in the school referred to by the Deputy and will in the wider context outlined, ensure that this school's project - as for all projects on our school building programme - is subject to the due diligence required under the public Infrastructure Guidelines. The Department will be in direct contact with the school once this review is completed.
498. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education if an emergency works application can be made retrospectively in the case of necessary works to ensure the functioning of the fire alarm system; if she is aware of an application of a school (details supplied) in Mayo that was refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12666/24]
View answerThe main purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme is to provide for unforeseen emergencies that impact on school buildings. An emergency is a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action and, in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening. The scheme does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
The school to which the deputy refers applied for retrospective funding for a fire alarm control panel. My Department does not provide retrospective funding for any projects in line with Circular PBU 5/04, which outlines the position in relation to retrospective funding, and is attached for your information.
Circular PBU 5/04
To: Primary and Post Primary School Authorities
Schools seeking funding retrospectively for capital works
The Planning and Building Unit has received a number of applications from school authorities seeking retrospective funding in respect of capital works carried out without the prior approval of the Department of Education and Science.
School authorities should be aware that they are responsible for funding any works that they, or a member of their staff, authorise. School authorities should therefore ensure that they are certain of their ability to fund any works before such works are authorised.
It is inappropriate for school authorities to commit to projects and to apply retrospectively for funding. It is therefore Department policy not to provide funding for:
a) projects undertaken by schools without prior approval from the Department;
b) extras on authorised projects where schools have extended the scope of works without prior approval;
c) variations on authorised projects with the exception of those variations detailed below; or
d) variations and extras on any project carried out without the Department’s approval.
Costs incurred in advancing a project beyond the authorised stage are a matter for the school management authority.
Additional works extending the scope of the project
The Department has noted that some schools request additional works to be carried out while contractors are on site even though these works do not form part of the agreed tender. Examples include additional lighting or electrical installations; extended renovation briefs up to, and including, higher quality finishes than those specified in the tender documentation.
It is important for the school management authority to realise that the Department will not reimburse schools in respect of such unapproved works.
Variations
Variations are unexpected changes to the nature or scope of the project due to unforeseen circumstances. A variation is initiated by the design team and is essential for the successful completion of the project. An example of a variation would be where isolated soft spots are encountered in the foundation trench excavations and the depth of foundations needs to be adjusted.
2
Procedures for funding such variations are clearly set out in the Design Team Procedures.
I. As pre-planning is the basis for the Design Team Procedures, only variations attributed to wholly unforeseen circumstances will be permitted. The Design Team does not have the discretion to expend any or all of the Contingency sum for non-essential works or works which could have been foreseen.
II. Individual extras not exceeding €1,524 (Primary Schools) and €2,500 (Post Primary Schools) in value (excluding VAT) may be authorised by the Architect without reference to the Building Unit, provided the works were essential and wholly unforeseen and provided the Contingency Sum is not exceeded.
III. Individual extras exceeding €1,524 (primary) or €2,500 (post Primary) in value are only allowable if they could not have been foreseen in the course of planning, arise from exceptional circumstances and are agreed in advance by the Department.
Where a Bill of Reductions has been agreed at tender stage to bring the project within acceptable costs, the reductions agreed must not be re-introduced as variations.
499. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education what progress has been made in addressing the contract of employment of school caretakers; her plans to include them under her Department; her timeframe for negotiations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12681/24]
View answerCaretakers are valued and vital members of the school system. The majority of primary and post-primary schools receive assistance to provide for caretaker services under grant schemes. Where a school employs a caretaker under these grant schemes to support those functions, those staff members are employees of the individual schools and as such the responsibility for the terms and conditions of employment such as contracts as well as rates of pay currently rests with the school.
The February 2022 agreement for revised salary and annual leave entitlements for grant funded school secretaries is now fully operational, and the lessons learned from that process are forming a key element in negotiating and implementing a similar package for grant funded school caretakers.
At present work is ongoing in my Department to develop a comprehensive survey which will enable my officials to confirm their understanding of the current working patterns as well as the terms and conditions of work for school caretakers. In parallel with this, officials from the Department and Fórsa are currently in communication on this important issue and have begun initial discussions with the union with an aim of progressing this matter as soon as reasonably possible.
500. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will publish a list of the NGOs funded by her Department; and the level the funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12716/24]
View answerRecipients of grant funding and other payments from my Department are not in the main indexed by whether the recipients have Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) status. It is not, therefore, possible to provide a full list of payments to NGOs over the past three years in the time available.
I will revert directly to the Deputy with a response when this information is available.
501. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education the number of engagements, including online meetings, webinars, briefings and in-person meetings that she or officials from her Department, and bodies under the aegis of her Department, have had with an organisation (details supplied) including its representatives from 1 January 2019 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12736/24]
View answerSince 1 January 2019 to date, neither I or officials from my Department, have had any engagements, including online meetings, webinars, briefings or in-person meetings with the National Women's Council of Ireland.
Information in this regard in respect of bodies under the aegis of my Department is not held centrally. Contact details for my Department's aegis bodies are published on the Department’s website at gov - Bodies under the aegis of the Department of Education (www.gov.ie) www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/341d4e-bodies-under-the-aegis-of-the-department-of-education/#an-chomhairle-um-oideachais-gaeltachta-agus-gaelscolaiochta-cogg should you wish to contact them directly for this information.
502. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if she intends to review the apparent anomaly that sees first and second-year teaching students carry out unpaid work within schools during breaks in their studies, while their third-year colleagues are paid by her Department for similar work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12760/24]
View answerThe 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.
Route 5 provides for student teachers who have successfully completed the first two years of an accredited undergraduate primary or post-primary programme of initial teacher education, to apply to register with the Teaching Council as a student teacher.
This is only for substitute work and students must fully complete and participate in a programme of initial teacher education, at which point they can apply for registration under Routes 1 or 2.
