Tuesday, 9 Apr 2024

School Accommodation

Questions (500)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

500. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education her Department's plans to increase capacity at primary school level in the Dublin 22 area to meet demand in the coming years. [14712/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

I can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for my Department.

As the Deputy may be aware, while there can be enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note sometimes this 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.

In response to such previously identified demographic pressures, my Department is providing significant additional primary capacity in the D22 area, including a new 12 classroom school for Scoil Mochua, and new 16 classroom schools for both Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin and Gaelscoil na Camóige.

My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.

Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to keep the school place requirements in the Dublin 22 school planning areas, as with other areas across the country, under review.

School Transport

Questions (501)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

501. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she will approve a new school bus route (details supplied). [14723/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

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.

There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.

Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.

Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.

Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using a random selection process.

Routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis.

Families who wish to avail of school transport and have their eligibility status assessed should apply on-line in a timely manner to Bus Éireann on their website at www.buseireann.ie.

The closing date for school transport applications for the 2024/2025 School Year is on or before Friday, 26th April 2024 and the closing date for payment is on or before 7th June 2024.

In relation to the area in question by the Deputy, Bus Éireann have reported that generally pupils from this area would not be eligible for mainstream transport to the schools in question and currently there are no mainstream services serving these schools.

Departmental Data

Questions (502)

Joe Flaherty

Question:

502. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education the number of Church of Ireland patronage national schools, by county. [14725/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.

County	Number of Schools
Carlow	3
Cavan	10
Clare	1
Cork	19
Donegal	20
Dublin	32
Galway	2
Kerry	2
Kildare	6
Kilkenny	2
Laois	6
Leitrim	3
Limerick	3
Longford	3
Louth	2
Mayo	2
Meath	4
Monaghan	5
Offaly	3
Roscommon	3
Sligo	3
Tipperary	6
Waterford	3
Westmeath	4
Wexford	5
Wicklow	17
Total	169

Further to the Deputy's request, the additional table below identifies the Patron for each of these schools.

Roll No.	School Name	Address	Patron	Patron type	Religious ethos	County
11135K	St Mary's N S	Muinebeag, Co Carlow	Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert COI	Religious denomination	COI	Carlow
13607M	St Columba's N S	Tullow, Co Carlow	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Carlow
18615N	S N Ceatharlach	Green Road, Carlow	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Carlow
05627W	Bailieboro Model N S	Bailieboro, Co Cavan	Minister for Education	Government Minister	Church of Ireland	Cavan
11205F	Killeshandra N S (C.Of.I)	Killeshandra, Co Cavan	Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cavan
11409V	Ballyconell Central N S	Ballyconnell, Co Cavan	Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cavan
11517B	Cavan 1 N S	Cavan Co Cavan	Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cavan
12099O	Billis N S	New Inn, Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan	Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cavan
12312L	Darley N S	Cootehill, Co Cavan	Joint patronage between Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI and the Presbyterian Moderator	Joint - COI/Presbyterian	Inter- D	Cavan
13271F	Fairgreen N S	Belturbet, Co Cavan	Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cavan
19322D	Kilmore Central N S	Kilmore Central N S, Kilmore, Co Cavan	Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cavan
19527V	Cabra Central N S	Cabra, Kingscourt, Co Cavan	Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cavan
19921C	Drung No 2 N S	Drung, Co Cavan	Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cavan
18740Q	Shannon Airport No 2 N S	Shannon Airport, Co Clare	Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert COI	Religious denomination	COI	Clare
05636A	Dunmanway Model N S	Dunmanway, Co Cork	Minister for Education	Government Minister	Church of Ireland	Cork
10499U	Kilgariffe N S	Clonakilty, Co Cork	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
10523O	Fermoy Adair N S	Fermoy, Co Cork	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
10548H	St Brendan S N S	Bantry, Co Cork	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
10724B	South Abbey N S	Youghal, Co Cork	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
10771K	Cobh N S	Bellevue, Cobh, Co Cork	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
12012W	St Luke's N S, Douglas	Corkco Cork	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
12041G	St John The Baptist N S	Midleton, Co Cork	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
12169J	Templebrady N S	Crosshaven, Co Cork	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
13648D	St Luke's Mxd N S	Mahonys Ave, Cork	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
13976U	St Matthias N S	Church Road, Ballydehob, Co Cork	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
14433K	Abbeystrewry N S	Skibbereen, Co Cork	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
14726C	Kinsale N S	Kin Sale, Co Cork	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
17050J	S N Naomh Sheamuis	Durrus, Co Cork	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
18246I	S N Baile Muine	Ballineen, Co Cork	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
18279A	St Mary'S Church Of Ireland N S	Waterpark, Carrigaline, Co. Cork	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
18356P	S N Barra Naofa	Scoil Bharra, Sraid Gillabbey, Corcaigh	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
18388F	Scoil Naomh Micheal	Church Road, Blackrock, Cork	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
18431D	Sn Droichead Na Bandan	Bandon, Co Cork	Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross COI	Religious denomination	COI	Cork
01733B	Ardara Mixed N S	Ardara, Co Donegal	Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI	Religious denomination	COI	Donegal
05230S	Comhscoil Chonmha S N	Convoy, Lifford, Co Donegal	Joint patronage between Bishop of Derry & Raphoe (COI) and the Presbytery of Derry & Donegal	Joint - COI/Presbyterian	COI	Donegal
10062E	Creeslough N S	Creeslough, Co Donegal	Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI	Religious denomination	COI	Donegal
10595Q	Kilbarron N S	Kilbarron, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal	Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI	Religious denomination	COI	Donegal
13755E	Gartan N S	Gartan, Letterkenny, Co Donegal	Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI	Religious denomination	COI	Donegal
13872I	Robertson N S	Ballintra, Co Donegal	Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI	Religious denomination	COI	Donegal
14941G	Ray N S	Ray, Manorcunningham, Co Donegal	Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI	Religious denomination	COI	Donegal
15763N	Moville N S	Moville, Co Donegal	Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI	Religious denomination	COI	Donegal
16138S	Raphoe Central N S	Raphoe, Lifford, Co Donegal	Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI	Religious denomination	COI	Donegal
16458N	Inver N S	Inver, Co Donegal	Joint patronage between the Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI & the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland	Joint - COI/Presbyterian		Donegal
16854V	Buncrana N S	Buncrana, Co Donegal	Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI	Religious denomination	COI	Donegal
17831O	Glebe Ns	The Glebe, Dun Na Ngall, Co Dhun Na Ngall	Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI	Religious denomination	COI	Donegal
18086M	Dunfanaghy N S	Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal	Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI	Religious denomination	COI	Donegal
18250W	S N Baile Mor	Dunfanaghy Po, Letterkenny, Co Donegal	Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI	Religious denomination	COI	Donegal
18703K	S N Baile An Bhailsig	Baile An Bhailsigh, Welchtown, Ballybofey, Co Donegal	Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI	Religious denomination	COI	Donegal
18731P	Robertson N S	Ballybofey P O, Lifford, Co Donegal	Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI	Religious denomination	COI	Donegal
18874O	Killygordan N S	Killygordan, Co Donegal	Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI	Religious denomination	COI	Donegal
18939Q	S N Donaigh	Carndonagh, Co Donegal	Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI	Religious denomination	COI	Donegal
19089A	Killaghtee N S	Killaghtee, Dunkineely, Co Donegal	Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI	Religious denomination	COI	Donegal
19411C	S N Baile Raighin	Letterkenny, Co Donegal	Joint patronage between Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI and the Presbytery of Derry & Donegal	Joint - COI/Presbyterian	COI	Donegal
10494K	All Saints N S	Carysfort Ave, Blackrock, Co Dublin	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin
11583O	St Andrews N S	Malahide, Co Dublin	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin
11873A	Rathmichael N S	Rathmichael, Shankill, Co Dublin	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin
12014D	St Andrews N S	Lucan, Co Dublin	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin
12358M	Swords Borough N S	Swords Borough N S, Swords, Co Dublin	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin
14180H	Holmpatrick N S	Holmpatrick, Skerries, Co. Dublin	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin
14647G	Dalkey N S (2)	Dalkey, Co Dublin	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin
15315J	St Georges N S	St Georges N S, Hampton Street, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin
16629O	Kilternan Church Of Ireland N S	Kilternan, Co Dublin	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin
16794G	St Brigids N S	Merville Rd, Stillorgan, Blackrock. Co. Dublin	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin
18886V	Kill-O'-The-Grange N S	Dean Sgrange, Blackrock, Co Dublin	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin
19400U	Sn Glen Na Gcaorach	Wyvern, Killiney Rd, Killiney, Co Dublin	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin
19480V	ST PATRICKS	St Patricks Close, Dublin 8	Dean of St Patrick's Catheral	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin
19901T	Booterstown N S	Cross Ave, Blackrock, Co Dublin	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin
09642P	Burrows N S	Sutton, Dublin 13	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin
10653E	Chapelizod N S	Chapelizod, Dublin 20	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin
18205R	S N An Pharoiste	Finglas, Dublin 11	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin 11
14939T	Rathfarnham Parish N S	Washington Lane, Templeogue, Dublin 14,	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin 14
15284B	Taney N S	Sydenham Villas, Dundrum, Dublin 14	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin 14
18623M	Scoil Naisunta Chnuacha	Castleknock, Dublin 15	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin 15
11638N	Whitechurch Nat School	Whitechurch, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin 16
18642Q	S N Naomh Eoin	Tower Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin 22
14463T	St Columbas N S Mxd	North Strand, Dublin 3	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin 3
17730I	S N Na Lanai Glasa	Seafield Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin 3
18282M	Sn Paroiste Maitiu Nfa	Cranfield Place, Sandymount, Dublin 4	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin 4
18646B	Springdale N S	Springdale N S, Lough Derg Rd, Raheny, Dublin 5	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin 5
12755W	Kildare Place N S	96 Upper Rathmines Rd, Dublin 6	Board of Governors of the Church of Ireland College of Education	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin 6
14917J	Zion Parish Primary School	Bushy Park Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin 6
15618E	Sandford N S	Ranelagh, Dublin 6	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin 6
15625B	St Catherines West N S	Donore Avenue, South Circular Road, Dublin 8	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin 8
14980Q	Glasnevin N S	Botanic Avenue, Glasnevin, Dublin 9	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin 9
15895H	Drumcondra N S	Church Avenue, Drumcondra, Dublin 9	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Dublin 9
15900U	The Glebe N S	Aughrim, Ballinasloe, Co Galway	Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert COI	Religious denomination	COI	Galway
16750J	Parochial N S	Cearnog Ti Na Cuairte, Gaillimh	Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry COI	Religious denomination	COI	Galway
17161S	Kiltallagh N S	Kiltallagh, Castlemaine, Co Kerry	Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert COI	Religious denomination	COI	Kerry
18233W	St Johns Parochial School	Ashe Street, Tralee, Co Kerry	Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert COI	Religious denomination	COI	Kerry
06209J	Athy Model N S	Dublin Road, Athy, Co. Kildare	Minister for Education	Government Minister	Church of Ireland	Kildare
11893G	St David's N.S.	Piper Hill Educational Campus, Kilcullen Road, Naas, Co Kildare	Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI	Religious denomination	COI	Kildare
12182B	St John S N S	Monasterevan, Co Kildare	Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI	Religious denomination	COI	Kildare
13328I	St. Patricks N S	Morristown, Newbridge, Co Kildare	Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI	Religious denomination	COI	Kildare
13819E	Primrose Hill N S	Hazelhatch Rd, Celbridge, Co Kildare	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Kildare
13902O	Hewetson S N S	Clane, Naas, Co Kildare	Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI	Religious denomination	COI	Kildare
14476F	Wandesforde Mixed N S	Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Kilkenny
17218V	Kilkenny Mixed N S	Comer Road, Co Kilkenny	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Kilkenny
10544W	Cosby N S	Cosby, Stradbally, Co Laois	Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert COI	Religious denomination	COI	Laois
14260F	Abbeyleix Sth N S	Abbeyleix, Co Laois	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Laois
14838N	Maryboro N S	Maryboro, Portlaoise, Co Laois	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Laois
18166K	Cluain Eidhneach N S	Cluain Eidhneach, Mountrath, Co Laois	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Laois
18203N	S N Cuil An Tsudaire 2	Sandylane, Portarlington, Co Laois	Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI	Religious denomination	COI	Laois
19369G	St Pauls N S	St Pauls Rectory, Mountmellick, Co Laois	Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI	Religious denomination	COI	Laois
08390J	Masterson S N S	Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim	Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Leitrim
08673V	The Hunt NS	Castle Street, Mohill, Co. Leitrim	Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Leitrim
09353I	Newtowngore National School	Carrick On Shannon, Co Leitrim	Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Leitrim
08926B	St Nicholas Church of Ireland School	Adare, Co Limerick	Lady Dunraven	Private Individual	Church of Ireland	Limerick
10929T	Church Street National School	Rathkeale, Co Limerick	Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert COI	Religious denomination	COI	Limerick
12834S	St Michaels	11 Barrington St, Limerick	Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert COI	Religious denomination	COI	Limerick
10223C	Tashinny N S	Tashinny, Colehill, Co Longford	Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Longford
12683A	St Johns N S	Battery Rd, Longford	Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Longford
13313S	St Johns Mational School	Ballinalee Road, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford	Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Longford
11072M	S N Naomh Peadar	Bolton Street, Drogheda, Co Louth	Archbishop of Armagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Louth
18347O	S N San Nioclas	Nicholas St, Dundalk, Co Louth	Archbishop of Armagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Louth
08302J	Holy Trinity National School	Newport Road, Westport, Co Mayo	Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry COI	Religious denomination	COI	Mayo
12792F	St Michael'S N S	Church Road, Ardnaree, Ballina, Co. Mayo	Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry COI	Religious denomination	COI	Mayo
05062A	Kells Parochial N S	Kells, Co Meath	Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI	Religious denomination	COI	Meath
12788O	Flowerfield N S	Trim Rd, Navan, Co Meath	Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI	Religious denomination	COI	Meath
13775K	St Patrick's N S	Trim, Co Meath	Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI	Religious denomination	COI	Meath
20191V	St Pete'rs N S	St Peters N S, Coi, Maynooth Rd, Dunboyne, Meath	Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI	Religious denomination	COI	Meath
06028F	Rockcorry N S	Rockcorry, Monaghan	Bishop of Clogher COI	Religious denomination	COI	Monaghan
07751K	Monaghan Model School	Monaghan Co. Monaghan	Minister for Education	Government Minister	Church of Ireland	Monaghan
10282S	Drumacruttin N S	Drumacruttin, Co Monaghan	Bishop of Clogher COI	Religious denomination	COI	Monaghan
10751E	Clontibret N S	Clontibret, Monaghan	Bishop of Clogher COI	Religious denomination	COI	Monaghan
20246U	The Billis N S	Glaslough, Co Monaghan	Bishop of Clogher COI	Religious denomination	COI	Monaghan
07949I	S N Osmann	Birr, Co Offaly	Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert COI	Religious denomination	COI	Offaly
10353P	Charleville N S	Charleville, Tullamore, Co Offaly	Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI	Religious denomination	COI	Offaly
15638K	Edenderry 2 N S	Edenderry, Co Offaly	Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI	Religious denomination	COI	Offaly
11943S	Ballinlough N S	Ballinlough, Co Roscommon	Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Roscommon
13196R	Taunagh N S	Riverstown, Boyle, Co Roscommon	Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Roscommon
17329H	S N Paroisteach	Boyle, Co Roscommon	Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Roscommon
15496Q	Leaffoney N S	Kilglass, Co Sligo	Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry COI	Religious denomination	COI	Sligo
19416M	St Pauls N S Collooney	Colloney, Sligo	Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry COI	Religious denomination	COI	Sligo
19495L	Carbury Nat Sch	The Mall, Sligo	Joint patronage of Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI , the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland	Joint - COI/Presbyterian/Methodist	COI	Sligo
13867P	Roscrea N S No 2	St Cronan S N S, Roscrea, Co Tipperary	Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert COI	Religious denomination	COI	Tipperary
15778D	St Mary's N S	Nenagh, Co Tipperary	Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert COI	Religious denomination	COI	Tipperary
15795D	St Mary's N S	Templemore, Co Tipperary	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Tipperary
17332T	St Mary's Parochial School	Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Tipperary
19422H	Cloughjordan No 1 N S	Templemore Road, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary	Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert COI	Religious denomination	COI	Tipperary
19696V	Cashel Deanery	Cashel, Co Tipperary	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Tipperary
14164J	S N Lios Mor Mochuda	Lios Mor, Co Waterford	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Waterford
18681D	Christ Church N S	Lower Newtown, Waterford Co Waterford	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Waterford
19726E	Stradbally C. of Ire. N S	Stradbally, Co Waterford	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Waterford
10857U	Castlepollard Paroc.N S	Castlepollard, Co Westmeath	Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI	Religious denomination	COI	Westmeath
16092U	Athlone N S	Unit 5, Arcadia Centre, Arcadia, Athlone, Co. Westmeath	Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI	Religious denomination	COI	Westmeath
18591C	Naomh Tomas N S	Rathowen, Co Westmeath	Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI	Religious denomination	COI	Westmeath
18744B	S N Na Naomh Uile	Mullingar, Co Westmeath	Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI	Religious denomination	COI	Westmeath
15177A	Carrigduff Nat School	Carrigduff, Bunclody, Co Wexford	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wexford
17812K	St Mary's N S	St Mary's N S, Parnell Avenue, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wexford
18714P	St Edan S N S	Fern S, Co Wexford	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wexford
19419S	Gorey Central School	Gorey, Co Wexford	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wexford
18824W	St Iberius N S	Davitt Road, Wexford Co Wexford ,	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wexford
06176U	Blessington 1 N S	Blessington, Co Wicklow	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wicklow
09760V	Powerscourt N S	Powerscourt, Enniskerry Co Wicklow	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wicklow
11649S	Nun S Cross N S	Nun S Cross, Ashford, Co Wicklow	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wicklow
12413R	Donaghmore N S	Donaghmore, Donard, Co Wicklow	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wicklow
12529N	St Saviours N S	Rathdrum, Co Wicklow	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wicklow
12554M	St Patricks N S	Greystones, Co Wicklow	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wicklow
12688K	Kiltegan N S	Kiltegan, Co Wicklow	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wicklow
13597M	St Andrews N S	Bray, Co Wicklow	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wicklow
13679O	Delgany N S	Delgany, Co Wicklow	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wicklow
14045B	Carysfort Mxd N S	Carysfort, Arklow, Co Wicklow	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wicklow
14269A	Jonathan Swift N S	Dunlavin, Co Wicklow	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wicklow
14398L	The Glebe N S	Church Hill, Wicklow Town, Co Wicklow	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wicklow
14972R	All Saints N S	Carnew, Co Wicklow	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wicklow
15359G	Shillelagh No 1 N S	Shillelagh, Co Wicklow	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wicklow
18033O	Kilcommon N S	Kilcommon, Tinahely, Co Wicklow	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wicklow
19339U	Stratford Lodge N S	Baltinglass, Co Wicklow	Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wicklow
19734D	St Francis N S	Newcastle, Co Wicklow	Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COI	Religious denomination	COI	Wicklow

Departmental Data

Questions (503)

Joe Flaherty

Question:

503. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education the number of Church of Ireland patronage national schools that have been funded for SEN capital development, by county, in tabular form; and the timeframe for the data would be most beneficial such as the past five or ten years. [14726/24]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

The key drivers of capital investment in the school sector are as follows:

• demographic growth, particularly at post primary level

• increased demand for special educational needs provision

• alignment of school place provision with new housing development

• climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority 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.

The NCSE is responsible for planning and coordinating special education provision at both a local and a national level and advising my Department in this regard. In recent years, my Department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school-year.

Through this alignment and integration of NCSE and Departmental planning and forecasting processes at both national and local level, my Department works to ensure that specialist education places come on stream to meet emerging demand on a timely basis.

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. This planning is part of an integrated and coordinated approach to school accommodation needs across every area.

Since 2018, eight Church of Ireland National Schools had projects completed where the brief included the provision of special education needs (SEN) accommodation. There are two Church of Ireland National School projects currently on site where the brief includes the provision of SEN accommodation and a further four Church of Ireland National School projects are in architectural planning where the brief includes the provision of SEN accommodation. See table below.

County	No of SEN Accommodation projects complete or ongoing since 2018
Carlow	1
Clare	1
Donegal	1
Dublin	3
Kildare	1
Laois	1
Louth	1
Mayo	1
Meath	2
Wexford	1
Wicklow	1
Total	14

Special Educational Needs

Questions (504)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

504. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if children (details supplied) will be provided places in the local ASD unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14740/24]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

In 2023, €2.6 billion was spent 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 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 5 are in Cavan, 4 at primary level and 1 at post-primary level. This brings to 52 the number of special classes in County Cavan, 40 at primary level and 12 at post-primary level.

Planning for special classes and special school places in County Cavan and nationwide is currently underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. The locations of new classes for 2024/25 will be confirmed by the NCSE shortly.

The provision of health therapy supports for children with disabilities is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, and matters in relation to the provision of health-related services including Speech and Language therapy services, the assessment of needs process and the services of the Children's Disability Network Teams should be directed to that body or to the Department of Health.

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) remain 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.

As your query refers to an individual placement, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. As previously outlined, the majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes. It may be possible for children to be supported in a mainstream setting pending an assessment which may consider a special class placement.

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.

Educational Disadvantage

Questions (505)

Pauline Tully

Question:

505. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the reason a school (details supplied) was denied DEIS status given that all other primary schools in Cavan town have DEIS status; if this decision can be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14750/24]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department provides a wide range of supports to all schools, DEIS and non-DEIS, to support the inclusion of all students and address barriers to students achieving their potential.

Supplementing the universal supports available to all schools, the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) Programme is a key policy initiative of my Department to address concentrated educational disadvantage at school level in a targeted and equitable way across the primary and post-primary sector.

In March 2022, I announced the single largest expansion of the DEIS programme. This benefited 361 schools. The programme now includes in the region of 1,200 schools and supports approximately 260,000 students. 1 in 4 students and 30% of schools are now supported in the programme.

This expansion added an additional €32million to my Department’s expenditure on the DEIS programme from 2023, bringing the overall Department of Education allocation for the programme to over €180million.

Schools that were identified for inclusion in the programme were those with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage as identified through the refined DEIS identification model, which is an objective, statistics-based model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model was applied fairly and equally to all schools.The DEIS Identification process is based on the principle of concentrated disadvantage and the proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school. The DEIS identification model aimed to identify those schools with the highest levels of disadvantage or the highest proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school using the school’s enrolment data and national census data as represented by the Pobal HP Deprivation index which is publicly available.

It is possible for two neighbouring schools to have a different profile in terms of proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and the relative weighting of disadvantage apportioned in each. The designation of neighbouring schools to DEIS or non DEIS does not mean that there is no educational disadvantage present in one school but that the concentrated level of educational disadvantage of the two schools is different.

A detailed paper on the refined DEIS identification model is available on gov.ie. In accordance with Circular 0019/22 schools that were not satisfied with the outcome following the application of the DEIS identification model to their school enrolment data were provided with the opportunity to have that outcome reviewed. The DEIS appeals process was applied fairly across all appellants, the window for appeals has now closed and the results are final. My Department will continue to support schools to deliver high quality, inclusive teaching and learning to students and young learners.

The extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one component of work in my vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. While the DEIS programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, I also recognise that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. Since June 2020, and over the past four budgets, I have secured funding to provide measures to support children in this regard.

My Department recognises the need to target resources to those schools who need them most and the next phase of work will explore the allocation of resources to all schools to tackle educational disadvantage.

The DEIS Plan is based on the premise that in order to have the maximum possible impact on providing opportunities for students most at risk of educational disadvantage, then extra resources need to be targeted as closely as possible at those students with the greatest level of need. This will involve further development of the existing DEIS programme, to create a more dynamic resource allocation model where levels of resources more accurately follow the levels of need identified by objective data.

To support this work my Department has invited the OECD Strength Through Diversity: Education for Inclusive Societies Project to review the current policy approach for the allocation of resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage in Ireland. This review is ongoing and the OECD team estimate that the review will be complete in Q2 of 2024. This review will provide an independent expert opinion on the current resource allocation model for the DEIS programme and, drawing on international examples, inform a policy approach for an equitable distribution of supplementary resources to support students at risk of educational disadvantage attending all schools, both DEIS and non-DEIS.

In addition to this, following the National Census conducted in April 2022, an updated HP Deprivation index has now been generated by Pobal. My Department is engaging with Pobal regarding this development and this, along with other data, will be thoroughly reviewed to inform future resource allocation aimed at tackling educational disadvantage.

State Examinations

Questions (506)

Pauline Tully

Question:

506. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education what State exams supports exist for students who have experienced traumatic events in the run up to the exams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14751/24]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (507)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

507. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to respond to urgent concerns relating to a child’s enrolment in an ASD unit in Dundalk (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14753/24]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

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.

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.

Of these 18 are in Louth, 12 at primary level and 6 at post-primary level. This brings to 88 the number of special classes in County Louth, 67 at primary level and 21 at post-primary level.

Planning for special classes and special school places in County Louth and nationwide is currently underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. The locations of new classes for 2024/25 will be confirmed by the NCSE shortly.

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 wrote to all post-primary schools requesting that each school begin planning to provide for up to four special classes to meet the needs of children progressing from primary school. The department and the NCSE continue to have engagement with post-primary school management bodies in relation to the provision of special classes.

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.

As your query refers to an individual placement, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

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.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (508)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

508. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education why her Department has cut the funding for the Summer Programme for children with complex special educational needs from €60 per pupil in 2022 to €45 in 2023 and €30 in 2024; if she will restore this essential funding to the 2022 level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14757/24]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

The Department of Education recently announced details of the 2024 Summer Programme on 21 March 2024.

All schools have an opportunity to run a programme over the summer months for children with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, so that they can be supported, nurtured and encouraged to continue to engage in a fun and inclusive educational setting.

The main priority in 2024 continues to be that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.

All of the measures for the 2024 summer programme have been designed to maximise the number of schools and children taking part in the school-based programme.

There are a range of supports being provided to schools to facilitate them to run the programme which has seen the programme grow every year since 2019. In 2023, more than 50,000 children took part compared to 13,000 children in 2019. These supports include:

• In 2023, a pilot programme was developed specifically for special schools and a National Co-ordinator for Special Schools was appointed. This programme continues in 2024. The role of the National Co-ordinator has proved to be beneficial as it has resulted in an increase of more than 50% of special schools having participated.

• School Organiser Role – Since 2023, instead of preparation hours, there is a dedicated role of School Organiser in each school offering the summer programme. The School Organiser will receive additional remuneration for their role. This role is envisaged to be a key leadership role which offered development opportunities for staff in schools.

• Summer Programme Manager - In all schools (mainstream and special), the role that was previously called the Overseer is now called the Summer Programme Manager. The same person appointed as the School Organiser could also have been appointed to this role.

• Length of school day - For special schools, the length of the day was reduced from the full school day to 10am – 2pm. However, the same daily rate will have been paid to staff taking part. This was in recognition of the challenges associated with running the programme in a special school.

• Flexible grant funding - In order to reflect the unique circumstances that will arise in a special school during the summer months, additional grant funding of €2,000 will be provided for each week that a special school provides a school-based Summer Programme.

• Other enhanced measures are in place to encourage schools’ participation. These include a Centralised Application Process to reduce admin burden on schools and earlier payment of school staff.

A key barrier to the participation of schools previously has been the availability of staff, particularly those experienced staff already working in the schools. In 2023, to maximise the budget available for the summer programme, staff working on the school-based scheme, including teachers and SNAs, were paid at the higher personal rate of pay. Consequently, this has seen a much larger number of schools taking part, particularly in primary schools.

In addition, schools will be given the flexibility to engage staff that were not employed in their schools to support their summer programme. A staff portal will be available for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school-based programme. Student teachers and students in relevant disciplines such as therapy, social care and nursing and others, including early childcare workers and carers, will also be able to register their interest in working on this year’s Programme.

In 2023, the Inclusion Programme and Special Class elements from 2022 were combined to form one cohesive scheme for mainstream schools where the aim was to bring a more targeted approach for children with special educational needs. While the capitation rate in mainstream schools was raised to €45 in 2023, the €30 rate per week for 2024 is in line with the rate for the Inclusion Programme in previous years. It should be noted that this rate is cognisant of all costs associated with running a summer programme and is very favourably compared to the normal capitation during the school year, which is approximately €5 per week. To assist schools further this year, in the special class group or the combined group setting, schools also have the flexibility to consider how best to align the existing resource allocation to accommodate more children into these groups.

The capitation rate for special schools remains at €60 to reflect the unique circumstances of running a programme in those settings.

School Staff

Questions (509)

Marian Harkin

Question:

509. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education if a decision on an application for redeployment could be brought forward for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14769/24]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

The core function of the redeployment arrangements is to facilitate the redeployment of surplus permanent teachers to other schools where vacancies exist. Ensuring efficiency in the annual redeployment processes is significant in terms of managing the overall teacher numbers.

It is an objective of the scheme that it is completed no later than 31 May each year. Stakeholders will be notified when the 2024 redeployment process has been finalised.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (510)

John McGuinness

Question:

510. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if she will give approval for two ASD rooms in schools (details supplied). [14779/24]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

The schools to which the Deputy refers were approved projects under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme (19478L) to provide a Mainstream classroom in one school and two special education needs classes. These projects have been devolved to the school authority for delivery.

The schools have made a subsequent submission to the Department to amalgamate these two projects and this matter is currently under review. Once the review is complete, the outcome will be communicated directly to the school authority.

Educational Reform

Questions (511)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

511. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the reason the use of assistive technology for students is only tested for in third year for the purposes of State exams; the reason it is not granted to first years in need of the technology to learn and prepare on the three-year cycle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14784/24]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

Under my Department’s Assistive Technology Scheme, funding is provided to primary and post-primary schools (including special schools) towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment which are required for educational purposes.

The Assistive Technology Scheme is provided to supplement the overall approach to providing funding to schools for digital technology and equipment to support children for education purposes. All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who require essential specialist equipment to access the school curriculum.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to the Department where assistive technology/specialised equipment is required.

To qualify for equipment under the Assistive Technology Scheme, a student must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential to allow the student to access the curriculum.

SENOs will review the application, and the professional reports provided in support of same, to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to the Department as to whether the assistive technology is required or not; and based on this recommendation, the Department will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided.

In relation to State Examinations, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) facilitates access to the certificate examinations by candidates who would have difficulty in accessing the examination or communicating what they know to an examiner because of a physical disability, including visual and hearing impairments, a medical or other condition, including sensory and mental health conditions, or a learning difficulty. The access scheme is referred to as the scheme of Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations or RACE Scheme.

Within the RACE Scheme, the main assistive technology options available are the use of a word processor; use of a recording device; and the use of exam reading pens. To qualify for the use of assistive technology in the certificate examinations candidates must, in the first instance, be eligible for the accommodation as evidenced by the qualifying criteria.

The candidate must also be using the assistive technology for day-to-day schooling and in-house examinations. Schools do not have delegated authority to recommend any accommodations not listed among the range of available accommodations. Under the RACE scheme, the SEC will also consider applications for use of other forms of assistive technology (other than those named in the scheme) in the examinations as set out in the Instructions for Schools.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (512)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

512. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education the reason a school (details supplied) is not able to open an additional autism unit at the school in September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14810/24]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

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.

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.

Of these 18 are in Louth, 12 at primary level and 6 at post-primary level. This brings to 88 the number of special classes in County Louth, 67 at primary level and 21 at post-primary level.

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.

As your query refers to a specific school, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

I want to assure you also 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.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (513)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

513. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education to review correspondence (details supplied) and if she will provide an update on the matter. [14841/24]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

The school to which the Deputy refers was approved a project under my Department's Additional School Accommodation scheme for the provision of a special education needs base and a special education teaching room.

The responsibility for delivering the project has been devolved to the school authority and they appointed a design team to progress the project through the various architectural stages. A Stage 2b report (following planning approval) has been submitted by the school authority to my Department. This report is presently undergoing a thorough evaluation from both technical and financial standpoints.

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. My Department is committed to ensuring appropriate accommodation is available for all pupils in the school referred to by the Deputy and will in the wider context outlined, ensure that this project - as for all projects on our school building programme - is subject to the due diligence required under the public Infrastructure Guidelines. 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.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (514)

Niall Collins

Question:

514. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 508 of 20 March 2024, if she can advise in relation to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14845/24]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government.

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.

Budget 2024 has provided for a number of targeted measures to support special schools. These measures are effective for the 2024/25 school-year.

Firstly, the removal of the current 15 teacher threshold for the appointment of Administrative Deputy Principals in special schools which cater for children with special educational needs, so that all of these schools, rather than just a quarter of them, can benefit from having an Administrative Deputy Principal. These posts will be instrumental in assisting Principals with leadership and management functions and to support learning and parental and community engagement. This will make a real difference to staff and students in our special schools.

Secondly an additional allocation of 100 teaching posts will be provided to special schools. I am very conscious that our special schools provide an education for children and young people aged from 4 – 18 years of age and these posts will allow schools to deliver a greater range of the national curriculum subjects and to improve student progression and transition. Within individual allocations each special school is free to determine how to use this additional allocation. This could include hiring subject specific post-primary teachers.

In addition, special schools will also benefit from the increase in capitation grants for all schools. I was also happy to secure funding to continue to provide an enhanced summer programme for students with special educational needs, with a focus again on children in special schools.

My department is also working closely with the NCSE to further support special schools in relation to a range of issues relating to administration, curriculum and training.

These measures will ensure that my department can deliver an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (515)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

515. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the status of a new autism class at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14856/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

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.

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.

Of these 71 are in Dublin, 48 at primary level and 23 at post-primary level. This brings to 534 the number of special classes in County Dublin, 408 at primary level and 126 at post-primary level.

In Dublin 15, there are 7 new classes opening this school year, 4 at primary level and 3 at post-primary level. This brings the total number of special classes in Dublin 15 to 57 - 40 at primary level and 17 at post-primary level.

Planning for special classes and special school places in County Dublin and nationwide is currently underway ahead of the 2024/25 school year. The locations of new classes for 2024/25 will be confirmed by the NCSE shortly.

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.

As your query refers to a specific school, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.

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.

School Staff

Questions (516)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

516. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if the twelfth teacher will be retained at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14857/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.

The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board.

The appeal submitted by the school referred to by the Deputy has been deemed ineligible by the Appeals Board, as the grounds of the appeal did not meet the appeal criteria published in Circular 0011/2024. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

School Textbooks

Questions (517)

Robert Troy

Question:

517. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education when the schoolbook scheme moneys will be paid out to schools; the full criteria for the scheme and the specific allocation per pupil; and if additional resources will be made available to schools for the administration of the scheme. [14876/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

Although the question does not specify to which scheme it refers, it is assumed to be in relation to the primary schoolbooks scheme as full details of the new Junior Cycle Schoolbook Scheme have been published and payments have issued to schools in March 2024.

March 2023 saw the Department of Education establish Ireland’s first national Primary Schoolbook Scheme, which provides, at a minimum, free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks, in primary schools and special schools. More than 562,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 recognised primary schools, including over 130 special schools, in the Free Education Scheme, benefited from this measure from September 2023.

This scheme ensures that parents and guardians are not asked to buy or rent any schoolbooks, workbooks or copy books each year. Primary schools and special schools have autonomy to choose books that meet their curricular requirements. This continues to remain the choice of each school.

Detailed guidance on the implementation of the scheme for the current school year is published and was made available to primary schools in advance of the start of the 2023/24 school year. The guidance is currently being updated for the second year of the scheme and has been informed by engagements with all relevant stakeholders as part of an evaluation of the first year of the scheme.

Guidance for the 2024/25 school year will be published and issue to schools as early as possible to allow schools sufficient time to implement the second year of the scheme. As with the first year of the scheme funding will issue directly to schools and will be paid per the number of pupils enrolled in the school in September 2023. Details of the scheme, including the per pupil rate, will be provided in the published guidance.

In recognition of the continued work required by schools to implement the scheme, my Department will provide an Administrative Support Grant to schools which allows them to employ a person/s to assist with the administration of the scheme. Full details of the Administrative Support Grant will also be set out in the scheme guidance for the 2024/25 school year when published.

School Transport

Questions (518)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

518. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education if school transport can be extended for children (details supplied) in Creeslough, County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14877/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

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.

Families who wish to avail of school transport and have their eligibility status assessed should apply on-line in a timely manner to Bus Éireann on their website at www.buseireann.ie.

The closing date for school transport applications for the 2024/2025 School Year is on or before Friday, 26th April 2024 and the closing date for payment is on or before 7th June 2024.

Bus Éireann has advised that the 4 children to whom the Deputy refers are attending their closest school which is 2.5km from home to school, for this reason they are not currently eligible for school transport.

Bus Éireann has further advised that school transport tickets were issued to each of these pupils in August 2023 for the 2023/24 School year.

The tickets have not been utilised and 4 seats currently remain available on the service from the pick up point which is 1.8km from the family home.

As the Deputy may be aware, a review of the School Transport Scheme has been completed. This review was conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness, and sustainability and to ensure it services students and their families adequately. The School Transport 2030 report has now been published, which marks the largest review of the School Transport Scheme since it was established in 1967. The Government is committed to working to achieve the report’s recommendation of expanding access to the scheme so that an additional 100,000 pupils can be carried by 2030. Overall the recommended changes to the future operation of the Scheme concern expansion of the current eligibility criteria, addressing current operational challenges, charges and grants and over time, moving towards better integration with public transport to ensure optimum value for money to the Exchequer.

A phased implementation of the review’s recommendations will commence in September 2024. It is intended subject to resources to commence implementing the revised eligibility criteria in the 2025/2026 school year.

School Accommodation

Questions (519)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

519. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education further to the recent approval of an additional classroom for a school (details supplied) in County Kerry when the supplementary funding for the additional works will be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14878/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The school to which the Deputy refers was approved a project under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme for the provision of one mainstream classroom, one staff room and the conversion of an existing staff room into a special educational tuition room.

The responsibility for delivering the project has been devolved to the school authority and they have recently submitted the stage 2b architectural report (pre-tender report) for review by officials in my Department.

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. 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 project - as for all projects on our school building programme - is subject to the due diligence required under the public Infrastructure Guidelines. 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.