Sorca Clarke
Question:514. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will develop child-safe guidelines for oversea trips, including guidance to not visit or volunteer in orphanages. [46517/24]
View answerEducation Policy
Questions (514)
Written answers
Under the provisions of the Education Act, 1998 the board of management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school and the principal is responsible for the day-to-day management of a school. The Board has overall responsibility for school policies including the school’s policy in relation to school trips or outings.
The objective of an educational tour should be that it should provide a significant benefit in the educational, intellectual, cultural and social development of the maximum number of pupils in the particular grade(s) taking part in the tour and which benefit cannot be provided by in-school activities alone. Where a board of management is satisfied that a school tour meets the criteria, such a tour may be undertaken without seeking prior approval from the Department.
Under the Children First Act 2015, all schools in Ireland must have a Child Safeguarding Statement. This document outlines the school's commitment to safeguarding children from harm and details the procedures in place to protect them. As part of the Child Safeguarding Statement, schools must carry out a risk assessment to identify potential risks of harm to children. This assessment focuses on identifying areas where children might be vulnerable to abuse or neglect within the school setting, including outdoor and off-site activities such as school trips.
It is the responsibility of each school authority to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place while children are participating in school trips or outings.
Léargas manages international and national exchange programmes in education, youth and community work, and vocational education and training, including the Erasmus+ programme for schools.
Léargas has produced a guidance resource, European Mobility Projects Safeguarding Guidance - (European Mobility Projects Safeguarding Guidance - Léargas). This provides guidance for risk management and safeguarding in European Mobility Projects under Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). It is intended for anyone who coordinates European mobility projects in the Schools, Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Youth fields, and those working in the ESC, to ensure that safeguarding considerations are at the centre of the project management process. This resource supplements the internal policies and practices of participating organisations. It is not intended to serve as definitive practice but rather to aid organisational thinking on safeguarding.
School Staff
Questions (515)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:515. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the reason school secretaries do not have an entitlement to a Public Service pension; if extending such an entitlement to this cohort is being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46526/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is providing a payroll service for school secretaries with effect from 1st September 2023. The provision of a payroll service is part of a package agreed with Fórsa, the trade union representing school secretaries, following a series of engagements at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and also includes revised terms and conditions for secretaries. The Agreement however, outlined within Circular 0036/2020 which has provided for revised salary and annual leave entitlements, did not grant school secretaries with public servant status.
Each school remains the employer of school secretaries and it is their obligation to provide access to a PRSA scheme for employees. For secretaries who are paid through the Department-administered payroll, a facility is now being offered to join a PRSA scheme administered by Cornmarket with contributions being deducted at source. Should secretaries wish to avail of this option, they can contact Cornmarket directly – the participation of individuals in any scheme is a matter between the individual and the service provider.
In the normal course, there are ongoing discussions with the public service unions on matters relating to pay agreements as well as general terms and conditions of employment. Any changes to the terms and conditions agreed under 0036/2022 can occur only under those processes and any such proposals would need to be considered in detail by the Department, the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and the relevant unions.
School Accommodation
Questions (516)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:516. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education to provide extra accommodation for a school (details supplied) where an application went in 12 months ago for further accommodation. [46529/24]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question.
The purpose of the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 950 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 350 other projects, which includes 37 new school buildings. These 350 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.5bn.
Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in this latest phase, investments by the Department of Education are adding over 550,000 square metres of new and modernised capacity to our school estate. This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure. The impact of this will be felt in communities right around the country.
- I am pleased to confirm that officials in my Department have corresponded with the school authority regarding their application and a brief for additional accommodation was agreed with the school in December 2024. The project was subsequently handed over to the department's delivery team who will liaise with the school authority in relation to the project being devolved to the school for delivery.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (517)
Duncan Smith
Question:517. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on an application for a school (details supplied) to open a fifth class for students with autism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46530/24]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is not in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
I can confirm that my Department did approve capital funding in 2021 for the addition of 1 x Special education classroom. This project would bring the total special classes in the school in question to 4 special classes.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has a statutory function to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs, in consultation with the relevant education partners and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This includes the establishment of special class and special school placements in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.
When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school (primary or post-primary), school authorities can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure an existing space within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. ASA application forms are available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie.
School Facilities
Questions (518)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:518. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if urgent attention will be given to an issue in relation to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46540/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications have developed a jointly funded school sector decarbonisation pathfinder programme. It is administered by the Planning and Building Unit in my Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in partnership with devolved delivery support from Limerick and Clare Education Training Board, and Longford and Westmeath Education Training Board.
This Pathfinder programme is paving the way for, and informing, a much larger national decarbonisation school sector programme.
The Energy Pathfinder programme in the school the Deputy refers to includes the following packages of work: replacement of windows, roof lights and doors with new energy efficient versions, additional wall insulation, new ceilings and building airtightness works. The heating upgrade comprises new radiators, piping and control valves with new air source heat pump supported by LPG condensing boiler – all controlled by new building control system. New heat pump domestic hot water is also being installed. Works in building also includes new LED lighting with new controls, mechanical heat recovery ventilation, 6 kWp solar panel PV system and EV charging facility.
Also included in project is creation of three SEN classrooms converted from original classrooms. This new configuration includes quiet spaces and accessible toilets to give substantial improvement to school layout and facilities.
A significant portion of the above works are complete on site and work remaining includes works to external doors that are programmed for February mid-term break. Stakeholders continue to liaise with the school and contractor as part of the project delivery.
Emergency funding has been awarded to the school to address electrical emergency work that are outside the scope of the energy retrofit and instruction has been issued to the contractor. They are working with their design team, the programme manager and the school on final programming and are aiming to initiate these works around the February midterm break.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (519, 523)
Mark Ward
Question:519. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education to clarify details of the new special school to be located in Lucan (details supplied); the site that will be considered for this school; the expected cost of the refurbishment; when works will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46541/24]
View answerMark Ward
Question:523. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the plan for the site of a school (details supplied); if this will be the new site for the proposed special school; what refurbishment works will be required; when works will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46545/24]
View answerWritten answers
In the 18th October last, the Department announced plans to establish five new special schools for the 2025/26 school year to cater for the increasing number of students with special educational needs. The five new special schools will be established in counties Cork, Dublin (2), Monaghan and Tipperary. This followed analysis by the National Council for Special Education and the Department of Education which identified that the level of need in these particular areas could not be catered for by expanding places in existing special schools. It is envisaged that existing buildings will be repurposed to facilitate the opening of these new special schools.
One of the new special schools will be established in Lucan and will be located in the building currently occupied by the school referred to by the Deputy. This school will relocate to a new school building currently under construction. The vacated building will be repurposed for the new special school. The nature of the works to be undertaken to the building to cater for the new special school will be determined in due course and the Department will continue to work closely with the relevant stakeholders during this process.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (520, 521, 576)
Mark Ward
Question:520. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the number of school places in the new special school announced for Lucan (details supplied); the class years that will be available; when applications will open for students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46542/24]
View answerMark Ward
Question:521. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the number of teachers to be hired for the new special school announced for Lucan (details supplied); when these positions will be advertised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46543/24]
View answerEoin Ó Broin
Question:576. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education to provide information regarding the new special school due to open in the Lucan area of Dublin mid-west for the 2025-2026 school year; the location of the school; if any works are required on the building to bring it up to standard; and the number of places that will be available for students at the school. [1056/25]
View answerWritten answers
My department works closely with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. Building on successive budgets, Budget 2025 secured funding for up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools, and an additional 300 special school places for the 2025/26 school year. This will deliver 2,700 new places for children.
Part of the forward planning process as to where new classes, schools or expansion is required looks at how far students are travelling to access an education appropriate to their needs. This is an important factor which has been incorporated into the decision-making process. Consideration is also given to the information the NCSE hold at local level on the number of children seeking a special school place in a region.
Almost 1,700 new special classes have been opened over the last 5 years and 11 new special schools have been established in recent years. For this school year alone, over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned with classes provided in every county. Four new special schools also opened in counties Meath, Kildare, Wexford and Limerick.
As you are aware five new special schools will be established for the next school year, two in County Dublin and one each in counties Cork, Monaghan and Tipperary. This will bring to 129 the number of NCSE supported special schools in the county.
The new special school in Lucan will operate under the patronage of Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB). Dedicated working groups have been established by my department to work through the details in relation to the establishment of the new special schools, including the new special school in Lucan.
It is envisaged that existing buildings will be repurposed, in the first instance, to facilitate the opening of the new special schools for the 2025/26 school year. This will allow the schools to open as quickly as possible.
The exact initial capacity of each special school, including the new school in Lucan will be considered further and confirmed shortly. Special schools generally operate on the basis of 1 teacher and at least 2 SNAs per class grouping of 6 children. Further supports can be provided if required to meet the needs of the children enrolling in the school.
Parents and families looking to apply for admission to the new special school will be supported and guided by the NCSE at a local level and kept updated on developments.
Question No. 521 answered with Question No. 520.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (522)
Mark Ward
Question:522. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the future of a school (details supplied); the consultation her Department carried out with the school and parents; where students will be relocated to; the capacity of the new school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46544/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is working closely with Educate Together and Lucan East ETNS in relation to the school’s relocation to the nearby new school building located at Thomas Omer Way, Kishoge, Lucan.
The location of five new special schools to be established for the 2025/26 school year was announced by the Minister in December. The location of one of these special schools is in the Lucan area. This will be a very important local facility for families and children in the Lucan area who require a school place in a special school.
The decision to repurpose the Lucan East ETNS school to facilitate the establishment of the new special school to provide much needed special school provision in the Lucan area was confirmed by the Minister on 10th December and the school authority was formally notified of the Minister’s decision on that date.
Lucan East ETNS will move from their current location to the new school building that is nearing completion in Kishoge over Easter 2025, with students returning to the new school building following the Easter midterm break.
The school in Kishoge is a new state of the art 16 classroom primary school with 2 Special Education Needs (SEN) classrooms, external hard and soft play areas, new SEN soft play equipment, a secure junior play area, two ballcourts, and 118 bicycle rack units that meets all the Department’s modern technical guidance documents and decarbonisation requirements. The site also better facilitates expansion opportunities into the future.
Question No. 523 answered with Question No. 519.
School Staff
Questions (524)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:524. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education to outline the changes made to school secretaries' pay in the last Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46551/24]
View answerWritten answers
Since September 2023, the department is providing a payroll service for previously grant funded Secretaries. This provision is part of a package agreed with Fórsa, the trade union representing school secretaries, following a series of engagements at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and also includes revised terms and conditions for secretaries. The Agreement however did not grant school secretaries with public servant status and therefore there is no pension scheme in place for school secretaries employed under the new terms and conditions of employment as outlined in Circular 0036/2020.
Each school remains the employer of school secretaries and it is their obligation to provide access to a PRSA scheme for employees. For secretaries who are paid through the department-administered payroll, a facility is now being offered to join a PRSA scheme administered by Cornmarket with contributions being deducted at source. Should secretaries wish to avail of this option, they can contact Cornmarket directly – the participation of individuals in any scheme is a matter between the individual and the service provider.
The department moved School Secretaries’ pay rates to a scale which is aligned with the Clerical Officer Grade III pay scale within education and training boards on a pro rata basis. Pay rates were pro rata according to a secretary’s current working pattern. Secretaries have been included in the national pay agreement and as such will receive pay increases in line with public servants. My department also offered to improve the conditions for School Secretaries with regard to sick leave, annual leave, and maternity provisions.
Part of the work to on-board school secretaries to my department’s payroll, involved the development of a formal model for the allocation of secretary posts other than Department-sanctioned secretaries in Community and Comprehensive schools and those employed under the 1978/1979 scheme. Schools seeking additional secretarial resources or who wish to employ a secretary for the first time are considered on a case-by-case basis.
The department engages with Fórsa and additional terms and conditions have been sought for this cohort of staff. However, any such claims, especially those with additional cost implications, must be carefully considered by the Department, in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and in line with the existing industrial relations processes.
School Staff
Questions (525)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:525. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the position regarding incremental credit for teachers who have gained experience working in private schools outside of the European Union; how this cohort can access incremental credit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46563/24]
View answerWritten answers
The criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in the Department of Education’s Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, and 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC).
These circulars provide for the award of incremental credit in respect of overseas teaching service, both within and outside the EU. Where a school satisfies the criteria set out in the circulars to have service at that school recognised for incremental credit, an award of incremental credit can be made.
Criteria such as whether the school is subject to state funding, which can be of particular relevance when examining claims relating to private teaching schools, and the length of time the school has been in existence, must be satisfied in order for service at that school to be recognised for incremental credit.
Where schools do not satisfy the required criteria, then service at that school cannot be considered towards incremental credit. Teachers must be on the Department of Education’s teacher payroll or teaching in an Education and Training Board school before an application can be processed.
The criteria for the award of incremental credit for teachers are subject to review by way of an incremental credit committee, which is a sub-committee of the Teachers Conciliation Council, and which meets on an ongoing basis.
Through the Teachers Conciliation Council, the teacher unions have lodged a claim concerning the recognition of private post primary teaching service outside the EU towards the award of incremental credit.
The department examined this request as part of the 2025 budgetary process. However, it was not possible to secure funding to progress this request through the 2025 budgetary process.
The department is continuing to examine ways in which the matter may be progressed in the future.
School Staff
Questions (526)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:526. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education if teachers with experience in private schools outside the European Union are eligible to apply for assistant principal roles. [46564/24]
View answerWritten answers
The eligibility criteria for appointment to an Assistant Principal post is set out in Chapter 3 of Circular 0044/2019 for the primary sector and Circular 0003/2018 for the post primary sector.
4.1 of Chapter 3 of Circular 0044/2019 advises that "All appropriately qualified permanent and fixed term teachers serving in a recognised primary school are eligible to apply for Assistant Principal posts."
Circular 0003/2018 advises "To be eligible to apply for leadership posts in post-primary schools, applicants must be:
Assistant Principal I and Programme Co-ordinator (AP I level) :
• fully registered under Route 2 for voluntary schools and C&C schools, Route 2 or 3 in the ETB sector and
• have a minimum of 3 years teaching service recognised by DES/ ETB for incremental credit purposes
Assistant Principal II and Programme Co-ordinator (AP II level):
• fully registered under Route 2 for voluntary schools and C&C schools, route 2 or 3 in the ETB sector and
• have a minimum of 1 years teaching service recognised by DES/ ETB for incremental credit purposes"
Special Educational Needs
Questions (527)
Emer Currie
Question:527. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education for an update on timings for the new special class in a school (details supplied) as children and staff are currently using an inappropriate space in the school building.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46623/24]
View answerWritten answers
The school to which the deputy refers was granted approval for reconfiguration works to existing accommodation to provide a Special Education Needs classroom and the refurbishment of current Special Education ancillary accommodation under the Department's?SEN Reconfiguration?programme. This programme?involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects. The use of the Department’s Term?Maintenance?Framework also assists in ensuring lead in periods for procurement of?contractors?are minimised to the greatest extent possible.
This project reached substantial completion in November 2024 which allows the School Authority to occupy the necessary accommodation. The School Authority?has also received?90% of approved funding to date with a Final Account expected shortly for consideration.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (528)
Marie Sherlock
Question:528. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delays to the construction of a school extension (details supplied) for new SEN classrooms; the reason for the four month delay in her Department signing off on revision of architect’s fees; the reason verbal confirmation provided to the school was not provided in writing; if the approval process will be expedited to allow the construction project to recommence as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46626/24]
View answerWritten answers
The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my Departments pipeline of school building projects under the Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for 2 classroom SEN base. The project was devolved for delivery to the school authority.
I can confirm that my Department has received a request for review of additional fees. As this project is on a very complex site, clarification on some elements of this fee request has been requested from the design team to ensure the request is in keeping with my Department’s Infrastructure Guidelines.
While my Department have been in contact recently with the school authority to advise on the progression of this review it is our standard practice to document all important matters in writing to ensure clarity and accountability.
When my Department receives the clarification requested on the design teams fees the matter will be reviewed by Department officials and the result of this review will be communicated to them in writing.
School Accommodation
Questions (529)
Michael Cahill
Question:529. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education to address the overcrowding and expedite the accommodation works in respect of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46637/24]
View answerWritten answers
The school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the departments pipeline of school buildings for a project to provide 4 SET/Pastoral Rooms, 1 Multi-Media room, 1 Music Room, 1 Textiles Room, 1 Art Room, Project store, 3 SEN Class Base, and reconfiguration works to existing Multimedia Room to revert to 1 Mainstream Classroom. The project has been devolved for delivery to the Kerry Education and Training Board (ETB).
A Stage 1 addendum preliminary design report has been submitted and is currently under careful review from a technical and cost perspective as we are committed to a thorough evaluation to ensure compliance with costs, procedural standards, and the project scope. Due to this detailed evaluation it is not possible to estimate the duration of this review however the Department will endeavour to review as early as possible.
Once this review has been completed the Department will contact Kerry ETB with the outcome.
At this early stage, it is not possible to predict when this school building project will go to construction, nor when it will be completed, as progress depends upon many contingent factors including obtaining the statutory planning approvals.
My department will continue to engage with the school authority to provide practical advice and assistance for the progression of this much needed project.
School Funding
Questions (530)
David Cullinane
Question:530. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education the timeline for 2025 for seeking funding through the summer works programme for school maintenance; and the relevant dates for application and decision. [46663/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, the purpose of the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis and, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The SWS operates on a multi-annual basis for a number of categories and was last opened for applications in 2019.
My Department is leading an ambitious sustainability agenda and has progressed a wide array of measures to improve the overall sustainability of our school buildings. It is a priority for Government to deliver on Ireland’s ambitious climate agenda and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This includes targets around the decarbonisation of Ireland’s public buildings.
As part of it’s planning for 2025 and beyond, Department officials are considering and planning for the next phases of the summer works programme and the opportunities this may create to support the sustainability agenda. In this regard, it is envisaged at this stage that, a Multi-Annual SWS with a focus on climate action and energy conservation will be the focus for the next summer works scheme to be opened for applications. The arrangements and timing of that SWS is still under consideration and schools will be updated in due course.
National Educational Psychological Service
Questions (531)
David Cullinane
Question:531. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education the reason NEPS psychology services are unable to diagnose autism. [46667/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides psychological support to all primary, post-primary, and special schools.
NEPS provides access for all schools to:
• Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident.
• A casework service for individual students where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
• A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools.
• Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
In common with other psychological services and best international practice, NEPS operates on a consultative model of service. NEPS psychologists work with schools using a problem-solving model to help schools identify need and implement interventions to support those needs. As part of this model, NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum-based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and intervention support for children and young people with well-being, learning and/or social-emotional needs. This model means that children and young people do not need to have a psychological assessment or a diagnosis of a disability in order to access additional support in school.
NEPS is a school-based psychological service focusing on the needs of children and young people in schools. In relation to the diagnosis of autism, and in light of the complexity of an autism diagnostic assessment, best practice indicates that the range of expertise and perspectives provided within experienced multidisciplinary teams can best support consideration of differential diagnosis, alternative explanations or co-occurring conditions. It is NEPS policy, therefore, to refer children to multidisciplinary teams for autism diagnosis.
NEPS psychologists can help schools support the educational needs of children and young people in school who may have a diagnosis of autism or are awaiting a multidisciplinary assessment for autism in the context of the Continuum of Support. The Continuum of Support is the framework used by schools to identify and respond to needs. This framework recognises that special educational needs occur along a continuum, ranging from mild to severe, and from transient to long term, and that children and young people require different levels of support depending on their identified educational needs, rather than based on diagnosis of disability.
The Department has developed the ‘Autism Good Practice Guidance – Supporting Children and Young People’ as a resource for schools. It is available online at gov.ie - Autism Good Practice Guidance for Schools – Supporting Children and Young People. This comprehensive guidance has been developed following extensive research and collaboration with educational practitioners as to how best to meet the needs of children and young people with autism.
The Autism Good Practice Guidance is designed to help support the inclusion, well-being, learning and participation of children and young people with autism in education. It aims to assist school staff to understand the varied nature of students’ strengths and needs, as well as to identify whole-school and individualised approaches to supports for students. It can be used by staff supporting autistic students across a range of educational environments including mainstream, special class, and special school settings.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (532)
Emer Currie
Question:532. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education the reason a sensory chair for a student to assist in their learning, recommended by the assigned HSE occupational therapist for a school (details supplied) has been refused funding by her Department when other chairs are approved; and when children with additional needs and therapeutic supports should be prioritised. [46669/24]
View answerWritten answers
Schools are supported through funding from the furniture & equipment scheme (F&E) to have sufficient appropriate furniture and equipment to meet the needs of the vast majority of children. However, as the furniture and equipment needs of some children are highly sensitive and individualised, these applications for funding are dealt with on a case-by-case basis. For this small cohort of children, part of the application process requires the submission of an Occupational Therapist’s (OT) report which details the individual requirements of a child, and the associated furniture and equipment needs. It is not always possible to fund individual sensory and therapeutic items, as some of the items recommended by an OT are outside the current remit of the scheme. It should be noted that the items referred to by the Deputy are all items that fall within the remit of the F&E scheme and would normally be provided by my Department when recommended by an OT.
School Staff
Questions (533)
Emer Currie
Question:533. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education to extend the period of time an SNA can apply for leave following an incident in school as provided for under Circular 0062/2017 which currently stands at one week and is not enough time if a staff member is out of work and needs assistance with the process. [46670/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Leave of Absence following Assault Scheme for SNAs is contained in the Department’s Circular Letter 0062/2017. It provides for special leave with pay (subject to specified limits) to a special needs assistant who is unable to perform their duties due to a physical injury following an assault that happened in the course of their duties and during approved school activities.
Paragraph 4 of 0062/2017 outlines the application procedures in place:
“4.1 In order for an absence to be recorded as Leave of Absence following Assault, the Application Form (attached at Appendix A) must be completed by the SNA concerned and the employer (or, in the case of ETB schools, the Principal) and forwarded by the employer to the Department/ETB within a week of the incident occurring. Where in exceptional cases an SNA is unable to complete their part of the application within a week of the incident due to physical incapacity, this period may be extended by the employer – applications must be forwarded to the Department/ETB within a reasonable period in this event”.
The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) determines the terms and conditions of Leave Schemes for Public Servants, which includes SNAs. In this regard, the guidelines outlined in the Assault Leave Circular for SNAs was agreed with Education Partners in conjunction with DPENDR.
The SNA Industrial Relations Forum provides a forum for claims and proposals relating to the salary and other terms and conditions of service for SNAs which is made up of Fórsa representatives, along with School Management Bodies representatives and the Department of Education. It is open to the Education Partners to raise any issues with the current agreed terms and conditions of the Schemes at any future negotiations.