Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:562. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills when she will publish a plan for the implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. [12838/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraLegislative Process
Ceisteanna (562)
Freagraí scríofa
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has published a Plan for the Implementation of the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act. This report, which was published in 2006, and which is available at www.ncse.ie, made recommendations which suggested that additional investment over a period of years of up to €235m per annum, across the education and health sectors, would be required to fully implement the EPSEN Act. My Department's opinion is that the level of investment required would be greater than that envisaged in the NCSE report. However, a total estimate of this amount has not been quantified. Further consideration of this issue would also have to take account of pricing adjustments in the period since the publication of the NCSE report.
In light of the very difficult economic situation and the significant costs involved in fully implementing the EPSEN Act, the previous Government deferred the full implementation of Act.
While awaiting the full implementation of the EPSEN Act, the NCSE has published a number of policy advice papers which make recommendations aimed at developing a better or more effective alternative to the current resource allocation model, and which aims to move the system towards ultimate implementation of the EPSEN Act. These reports include the NCSE policy advice on Support Students with Special Educational Needs in Schools (2013) and The Report of the Working Group on a Proposed New Model for Allocating Teaching Resources for pupils with Special Educational Needs (2014). It is intended to bring into effect many of the good ideas contained in the EPSEN Act, on a non-statutory basis initially, through policy developments across a range of areas, in conjunction with NCSE policy advice.
Departmental Reports
Ceisteanna (563)
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:563. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills when she will publish the review of the visiting teacher service. [12839/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that the review of the Visiting Teacher Service has now been concluded. This review was published on 10th February, 2015, and is available on my Department's website at:
www.education.ie/en/The-Education-System/Special-Education/
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (564)
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:564. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding allocated to the schools building programme for the five years of its duration. [12840/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In November 2011 the Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-16: Medium Term Exchequer Framework was published and this indicated the level of capital investment available to Government Departments over the five year period 2012 to 2016. The Department of Education and Skills was allocated €2,210 million or just over €2.2 billion for the period. The total assigned to the schools sector over the period amounts to €1,992 million with a further €75 million available for PPP projects which to date primarily involve the school sector. In addition, a further €50m was provided under the "Investing in Infrastructure and Jobs" package announced in June 2013 to facilitate the replacement or refurbishment of 28 schools.
School Accommodation Provision
Ceisteanna (565)
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:565. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to keep the inventory of school accommodation updated on a regular basis. [12841/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The inventory of school accommodation to which the Deputy refers is an online inventory which schools complete through the Department's Esinet portal. This Inventory provides indicative data and statistics on the existing school building stock throughout the country at both primary and post-primary levels. To date over 80% of schools have completed or are in the process of completing this inventory. From time to time it is the Department's intention to use a prompt facility built into the system to ask schools to access the Esinet portal and provide accommodation updates as necessary.
Special Educational Needs Service Provision
Ceisteanna (566)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:566. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding assistive technology for children with autism spectrum disorder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12867/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides funding to schools towards the cost of assistive technology for pupils in Primary, Post Primary and Special schools, for equipment and specialist software for educational purposes under the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013. In order to qualify for equipment under the Assistive Technology scheme, a child 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 in order to allow the child to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs. This Circular also sets out that equipment is sanctioned under this scheme to support the assessed needs of individual pupils, but does not provide for allocations to be made for particular groups or categories of pupils. My Department does not, provide for assistive technology for research purposes, such as that outlined in the Deputy's correspondence. My Department also provides for training in assistive technology for teachers working with pupils with special educational needs through the Special Education Support Services (SESS), which provides continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers working with students with special educational needs. Specific training is provided in the use of Apps to help achieve curricular targets. Finally, I wish to advise the Deputy that the NCSE recently published comprehensive policy advice on Supporting Students with Special Educational Needs in Schools, which is available on its website www.ncse.ie. This advice recommended that the NCSE should establish a working group, with Assistive Technology expertise, to develop a national policy on standards for professional recommendations and to determine the supports required in an educational context and the best ongoing utilisation of these resources. The NCSE has commissioned research on the use of assistive technology/equipment in supporting the education of children with special needs in schools. The outcome of this research will support the considerations of an Advisory Group which has been established, in relation to the Assistive Technology scheme.
Summer Works Scheme Applications
Ceisteanna (567)
Terence Flanagan
Ceist:567. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update regarding windows in respect of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12871/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy will be aware that spending of more than €70 million was approved for the 2014 Summer Works Scheme to allow over 770 schools undertake improvement works. This allowed for the funding of applications received under categories 1-6. Schools which had applied for works under categories 7-10 were advised that their applications would be retained for prioritisation if funding for further summer works projects could be secured for 2015. The school referred to by the Deputy applied for window replacement, a category 7 application. I am currently considering the feasibility of making further funding available to facilitate consideration of those applications. The application for window replacement at the school to which the Deputy refers will be considered in this regard.
Schools Building Projects Status
Ceisteanna (568)
Dinny McGinley
Ceist:568. Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is an application with her Department for a new school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and the position regarding same. [12881/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, a building project for the school referred to, is currently being progressed within my Department's architectural planning process. Planning Permission has been granted by Donegal County Council and the project has been authorised to advance directly to Stage 2a Developed Design. I understand that the Design Team are currently working on updating site surveys and investigations in accordance with planning conditions and in preparation for the Project Stage 2a Stakeholder Meeting. The school in question is one of a number of schools which it was not possible to include in the 5 Year construction programme. However the school project is being progressed to the final planning stages so that it will be well placed for further progression in anticipation of further funds being available to the Department
School Curriculum
Ceisteanna (569)
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:569. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for leaving certificate reform. [12912/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
At both primary and post primary I have prioritised literacy and numeracy as key skills for all students. Complementing the Literacy and Numeracy strategy has been the recent implementation of new specifications in maths at junior and senior cycle - known as Project Maths. The NCCA has provided me with new specifications for Leaving Certificate Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The NCCA has notified the Department that before the specifications are made available to all schools that it, working with the SEC and my Department, will trial, in particular the proposed new practical examination. Work is currently underway on revising Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science, Economics and Applied Mathematics. My Department is also currently planning to introduce 'Politics and Society' as a new optional Leaving Certificate subject. It is intended that this new subject will be trialled in a number of schools in the 2016/2017 school year. Work is ongoing in relation to changes to assessment arrangements for Leaving Certificate Art 2018 and for Leaving Certificate Home Economics for students commencing the 2 year Senior Cycle in 2015. In addition, the NCCA is finalising a new PE curriculum framework for Senior Cycle and work is ongoing on a review of Leaving Certificate Gaeilge.
School Staff
Ceisteanna (570)
Ciaran Lynch
Ceist:570. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the loss of legacy posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12914/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Budget 2012 provided for the phased withdrawal of approximately 428 posts allocated to some schools under disadvantage programmes prior to the introduction of DEIS in 2005. Due to conflicting reports of posts being lost in these schools, my Department produced a report on the impact of the withdrawal of these legacy posts from DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 Schools. Following the Government's decision of 21 February 2012 in the matter, a number of schools continued to retain disadvantaged legacy posts from previous disadvantage schemes on a year to year basis and only where warranted, based on the enrolment of the previous 30th September. The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary schools is published annually on the website of the Department of Education and Skills. 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 arrangements for the 2015/16 school year are set out in Circular 0005/2015 which is available on the Department website. I will arrange for the information in relation to the school referred to by the Deputy to be sent directly to him.
Special Educational Needs Service Provision
Ceisteanna (571)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:571. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if and when required special needs educational supports will be provided in the case of a child of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12923/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs and addtional care needs respectively. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. Details of the resource teaching and SNA allocations which have been made to each school for 2014/15 are available on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie. In addition, all schools have been allocated additional teaching resources to cater for children with high incidence special educational needs. It is a matter for schools to monitor and utilise their allocation of additional teaching support to best support the needs of identified pupils, in accordance with my Department's guidance. The teaching time afforded to each individual pupil is decided and managed by schools, taking into account each child's individual learning needs. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised. All schools have been asked to apply to the NCSE for resource teaching and SNA support for the 2015/16 school year by 18th March, 2015. The NCSE will consider all applications which have been made by schools, following which allocations will be made to qualifying schools. All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Schools who wish to appeal the level of SNA allocation which has been made to them may do so via the appeals process which is set out at www.ncse.ie Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
Departmental Communications
Ceisteanna (572)
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:572. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the consultation between her Department, the Office of Public Works and Dublin City Council on identifying a suitable location for a memorial for victims of abuse in residential institutions. [12937/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware following An Bord Pleanála's decision to refuse planning permission for the proposed Memorial which was to be integrated with the Garden of Remembrance, the Memorial Committee recommended that while any new competition should be open to conceptual and site specific proposals, a central Dublin location be identified on a cost neutral basis with appropriate zoning. My officials have consulted with Dublin City Council which has identified several potential sites for the proposed Memorial. My Department is currently considering these possible alternative locations and how best to progress the project.
Residential Institutions Redress Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (573)
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:573. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the 18 religious congregations contributing towards the cost of the redress scheme for victims of abuse in residential institutions; and the amount of money awarded to date. [12938/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement, the 18 participating religious congregations are contributing €128m in cash, counselling services and property. The cash contributions of €54.42m under the Indemnity Agreement have been received. These contributions include collective contributions from the congregations. Of the €54.42m cash, €12.7m was earmarked for former residents and their relatives in the form of grants to assist them access educational services. This money was expended via the now dissolved Education Finance Board while the remaining €41.72m and the associated interest, i.e. a sum of €42.259m, has been expended on the Redress Scheme. At the end of 2014, payments totalling some €1.2 billion had been made on Redress Board awards and associated costs. In response to the call for further substantial contributions towards the costs of redress made in the aftermath of the publication of the Ryan Report, the congregations made offers which they valued at €348.51m, including cash, property and other elements. Subsequent offers and the value of a particular property offer amounted to €4.1m, bringing the total contribution offers to €352.61m. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to use €110m, the cash contributions, to fund the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund.To date, some €81.6m, comprising post Ryan Report contributions from congregations, associated interest and cash from property disposals has been lodged to the special investment account opened by the National Treasury Management Agency pursuant to the Residential Institution Statutory Act, 2012. I understand that a further €9m is expected to be contributed by congregations between now and 2018 while another congregation is providing the proceeds of property disposals as they arise. I have been advised by the Christian Brothers that the Congregation is reviewing its assets and liabilities and will be contacting me on completion of this review regarding its outstanding contribution offer of €20m. Work is underway on the transfer of those properties offered by the congregations in the aftermath of the publication of the Ryan Report which were accepted in principle and work is continuing to finalise the arrangements in relation to the properties under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement.
Speech and Language Therapy Provision
Ceisteanna (574)
Finian McGrath
Ceist:574. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 130 of 11 March 2015 and subsequent correspondence (details supplied) concerning specific speech and language impairment support in the Dublin north-east area, her views on concerns regarding the range of speech and language support available to many families; her plans to address this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12940/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy will be aware from my previous reply that matters in relation to the provision of health-related services, including speech and language therapy supports, should be directed to the Health Service Executive as the body with responsibility for the provision of such services. My Department provides an extensive range of supports for pupils with Specific Speech and Language Disorder (SSLD). This includes provision for the establishment of special classes for pupils with SSLD in primary schools. The criteria for enrolment in a Special Class for pupils with SSLD is set out in my Department's Circular 0038/2007. Pupils who are not enrolled in a special class for SSLD and who meet the criteria for Specific Speech and Language Disorder, as outlined in my Department's Circular, may qualify for additional teaching support where he/she is enrolled in mainstream school. Pupils with mild speech and language difficulties may qualify for supplementary teaching support from within the school's general allocation of learning support/teaching support. It is a matter for individual schools to use their professional judgement to identify pupils who will receive this support and to use the resources available to the school to intervene at the appropriate level with such pupils. In all cases, regardless of where a pupil attends school, speech and language therapy services are provided for pupils with Specific Speech and Language Disorder (SSLD) by the HSE. My Department has no responsibility or mandate for the Speech and Language service, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Health through the Health Service Executive (HSE). I will refer the matter relating to the provision of speech and language therapy to my colleague, the Minister for Health, for direct reply.
Clár Tógála Scoileanna
Ceisteanna (575)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:575. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Róisín Shortall den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cad é an líon áiteanna a bheidh ar fáil sna Gaelcholáistí (sonraí tugtha) sa chéad bhliain don scoilbhliain 2016/2017; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [12944/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Is mian liom a chur in iúl don Teachta go mbeidh tuairim is 210 ionad scoile ar fáil do dhaltaí céad bliana sna scoileanna dá dtagraíonn an Teachta in 2016/2017. I gcás na scoile céadluaite ar an liosta sna sonraí a cuireadh ar fáil, tá tús curtha le pleanáil ailtireachta chun malairt fhoirgnimh a sholáthar a mbeidh cóiríocht ann do 600 dalta. Bhí 327 dalta ar an rolla sa scoil ar 30ú Meán Fómhair 2014. Tugadh foirgneamh nua scoile chun críche in 2012 i gcomhair na tríú scoile atá luaite ar chostas €2.5m beagnach. Tá acmhainn sa cheann seo do bheagnach 350 dalta. Mar is eol gan dabht don Teachta tá sé mar phríomhaidhm ag Clár Tógála Chúig Bliana mo Roinne freastal ar éilimh dhéimeagrafacha chun a chinntiú go mbeidh rochtain ag gach aon pháiste ar ionad fisiciúil scoile agus go mbeidh an córas scoile againn in ann fónamh ar líonta méadaitheacha daltaí. Ina theannta sin, breithníonn mo Roinnse ar bhonn leanúnach iarratais ó scoileanna aonair ar mhaoiniú chun freastal ar riachtanas láithreach cóiríochta de bharr rolluithe méadaithe, agus áit a bhfuiltear ag ceapadh múinteora breise. Déanann mo Roinn anailís go leanúnach ar threochtaí déimeagrafacha agus rolluithe i ngach aon cheantar chun a chinntiú go bhfreastalaítear go tráthúil ar aon riachtanais bhreise cóiríochta atá ann.
Rolluithe Scoile
Ceisteanna (576)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:576. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Róisín Shortall den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cad é an líon daltaí a bheidh ag fágáil na mbunscoileanna (sonraí tugtha) ag deireadh mhí an Mheithimh, 2016 chun dul ar aghaidh go dtí na meánscoileanna; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [12945/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Is ionann an rollú reatha comhcheangailte sa 5ú rang sna scoileanna dá dtagraíonn an Teachta ná tuairim is 444 dalta. Comhdhéanfaidh na daltaí seo an 6ú rang a bheidh ag fágáil na bunscoile i Mí an Mheithimh 2016. Is ceart a thabhairt faoi deara go mbaineann na sonraí seo leis an scoilbhliain 2014/15 agus go bhfuil siad fós sealadach. Is ceart a thabhairt faoi deara chomh maith go bhfuil na scoileanna dá dtagraíonn an Teachta scaipthe thar limistéar geografach an-fhairsing amach ó lár na cathrach chomh fada amach le Sord agus Mullach Íde agus go bhfuil 3 scoil ina measc atá lonnaithe i gContae na Mí. Dá réir sin, ní dhéanfaí na rolluithe sna scoileanna seo a ghrúpáil le chéile nuair a bheifí ag breithniú na riachtanas ag an iar-bhunleibhéal.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (577)
John McGuinness
Ceist:577. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine the case of a child (details supplied) in County Carlow; if the appropriate supports will be put in place at one of the local schools to accommodate the child; if she will examine the correspondence sent to her office outlining the case, with a view to dealing positively with the request, in view of the fact that the local special education needs organiser has refused to meet the child's parents; and if she will expedite a resolution to the issue. [12962/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that the enrolment of a child to a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools. The Deputy will be aware that a range of placement options for pupils with special educational needs, including autism, is provided, in order to ensure that all pupils can receive a school placement. Many pupils with special educational needs will be able to attend a local mainstream school, whereas for pupils who have needs which require more specialist interventions, special class and special school placements are provided for. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. Parents may contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs and to seek assistance in identifying placement options, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie. The NCSE have advised that SENOs are, at all times, available to parents to discuss their child's special educational needs. In primary schools, additional teaching supports for pupils with special education needs are provided through two channels. Under the terms of the General Allocation Model (GAM) of teaching supports, schools are resourced to cater for pupils whose educational psychological assessment places them in the high incidence, or less complex, disability category. All mainstream Primary schools have been allocated additional teaching resources under the GAM to cater for children with high incidence special educational needs. Separately, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) allocates additional resource teaching hours to schools for children who have been assessed within the low incidence, or more complex, category of special need, as defined by my Department's Circular Sp Ed 02/05. The NCSE operates within my Department's established criteria for the allocation of Special Education supports and the staffing resources available to my Department. As the Deputy has raised a particular issue in relation to the provision of support to an individual child by the NCSE, I have arranged for the matter raised in relation to the child referred to by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
School Funding
Ceisteanna (578)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:578. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding options available for schools who wish to build an astro park on their school grounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12963/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department's over-riding objective is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing numbers. This will continue to be the main focus for investment by my Department in the coming years therefore it is not possible to provide funding for the provision of astroturf pitches at schools. While my Department is not in a position to prioritise funding for astroturf pitches, it is open to schools to explore any funding options that may be available under the Sports Capital Programme administered by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
School Staff
Ceisteanna (579)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:579. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills in respect of a school and the delivering equality of opportunity in schools scheme band 1 (details supplied) in Dublin 9, if she will provide an update on the appeal lodged by this school against the decision of her Department to suppress a concessionary post; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the enrolment for September 2014 was above the designated quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12985/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Budget 2012 provided for the phased withdrawal of approximately 428 posts allocated to some schools under disadvantage programmes prior to the introduction of DEIS in 2005. Due to conflicting reports of posts being lost in these schools, my Department produced a report on the impact of the withdrawal of these legacy posts from DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 Schools. Following the Government's decision of 21 February 2012 in the matter, a number of schools continued to retain disadvantaged legacy posts from previous disadvantage schemes on a year to year basis and only where warranted, based on the enrolment of the previous 30th September. The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary schools is published annually on the website of the Department of Education and Skills. 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 arrangements for the 2015/16 school year are set out in Circular 0005/2015 which is available on the Department website. I will arrange for the information in relation to the school referred to by the Deputy to be sent directly to her.
School Accommodation Provision
Ceisteanna (580)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:580. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the new autism spectrum disorder unit will be opened at a school (details supplied) in September 2016; if she will provide an update on the status of this project, including when work on the new building will commence; if the work will be carried out during the school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12997/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has confirmed to the schools in question that funding is being made available, on a devolved basis, to provide ASD units at both schools. It is a central tenet of the devolved scheme that responsibility for the management and delivery of a project rests with the individual school authority. I am aware that it is the schools' intention to have the accommodation in place for September 2016 and my Department is working closely with the schools in this regard. In the meantime, the schools are undertaking conversion works to the sanitary facilities to accommodate the co-education arrangement from next September and funding is also being provided to the schools concerned for these works.