Written Answers Nos. 480-499
480. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a cost associated with allowing teachers to use their Croke Park Agreement hours to teach extra curricular hours; and if so, the estimated cost of same. [32699/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Croke Park Agreement hours are part of wider productivity measures introduced under the Public Service Agreements. In schools, the Croke Park Agreement hours are 33 additional hours a year at post primary (36 hours at primary) worked by teachers. A central purpose of the Croke Park Agreement hours is to provide for certain essential activities such as staff meetings, parent-teacher meetings, school planning, subject planning and mandated Continuous Professional Development to take place without reducing tuition time.
Before the Croke Park Agreement hours were introduced, these activities ate into tuition time. This meant that schools closed for full days or half days in order to carry them out, causing interruption to tuition and significant inconvenience for parents, as well as child care costs – particularly for primary parents.
481. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the correct procedure for the appointment of the designated liaison person and deputy designated liaison person as stipulated within the 2017 child protection procedures for primary and post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32707/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with section 3.5 of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2017, it is the responsibility of all boards of management to designate a senior full-time member of the registered teaching staff of the school as the designated liaison person (DLP) for the school.
It is expected that the DLP will normally be the principal.
It is also the responsibility of the board of management to designate another member of the full time registered teaching staff of the school (to be known as the deputy DLP) to assume the responsibilities of the DLP, in the absence of the DLP. It is expected that, where possible, the deputy DLP will normally be a deputy principal of the school.
The Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 are available on my Department's website www.education.ie.
482. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated average class to teacher ratio. [32709/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the 2017/2018 academic year the pupil teacher ratio at primary level, i.e. the ratio of total teaching staff to pupils, was 15.3:1
The average class size- i.e. the ratio of mainstream class teachers to mainstream class pupils- was 24.5:1.
Further information on numbers of teachers, classes and pupils can be found in the 2017/2018 Key Statistics report, available on the Department's website at the following link: https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Key-Statistics/.
483. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated percentage of children in classes of more than 25 pupils. [32710/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra484. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated percentage of children in classes of over 30 pupils. [32711/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take questions Nos. 483 and 484 together.
A breakdown of pupil numbers by class size is available in the attached table. The information given is for the 2017/2018 academic year.
Improvements to the staffing schedule at primary level in Budget 2016 and Budget 2018 brings the teacher allocation ratio to the most favourable ever seen at primary level. The average class size nationwide for the 2017/2018 academic year was 24.5, continuing a pattern of decreasing class sizes despite increasing enrolments.
In cases where schools have a class of 30 or more pupils this is generally accompanied by smaller than average classes elsewhere in the school.
Class Size
|
- |
0-24 |
25-29 |
30+ |
Total |
|
Pupils |
197,000 |
233,436 |
119,243 |
549,679 |
|
% of Pupils |
35.84% |
42.47% |
21.69% |
100% |
485. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average class size by county in tabular form. [32712/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is available in the attached table.
Class Size by County, 2017/2018
|
County |
Pupils |
Classes |
Average Class Size |
|
Carlow |
7,620 |
298 |
25.6 |
|
Cavan |
9,762 |
411 |
23.8 |
|
Clare |
13,553 |
587 |
23.1 |
|
Cork |
62,171 |
2,546 |
24.4 |
|
Donegal |
18,665 |
797 |
23.4 |
|
Dublin |
138,870 |
5,572 |
24.9 |
|
Galway |
29,940 |
1,278 |
23.4 |
|
Kerry |
15,941 |
661 |
24.1 |
|
Kildare |
29,154 |
1,135 |
25.7 |
|
Kilkenny |
11,074 |
444 |
24.9 |
|
Laois |
10,775 |
443 |
24.3 |
|
Leitrim |
3,717 |
157 |
23.7 |
|
Limerick |
22,671 |
922 |
24.6 |
|
Longford |
5,265 |
224 |
23.5 |
|
Louth |
16,979 |
665 |
25.5 |
|
Mayo |
14,324 |
641 |
22.3 |
|
Meath |
26,713 |
1,024 |
26.1 |
|
Monaghan |
7,711 |
314 |
24.6 |
|
Offaly |
9,738 |
405 |
24.0 |
|
Roscommon |
7,540 |
345 |
21.9 |
|
Sligo |
7,489 |
320 |
23.4 |
|
Tipperary |
18,440 |
778 |
23.7 |
|
Waterford |
14,266 |
572 |
24.9 |
|
Westmeath |
11,194 |
452 |
24.8 |
|
Wexford |
18,297 |
739 |
24.8 |
|
Wicklow |
17,810 |
700 |
25.4 |
|
TOTAL |
549,679 |
22,430 |
24.5 |
486. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average pupil to teacher ratio for the staffing schedule. [32713/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria used to allocate teachers to primary schools are published annually on the Department’s website. The published criteria are referred to as the Staffing Schedule.
The Staffing Schedule operates on the basis of enrolment bands and does so in a clear and transparent manner.
For the 2018/19 school year, the staffing schedule at Primary level will operate on a general average of 26 pupils to every 1 teacher (26:1). This is historically the lowest ever allocation ratio at primary level.
It is important to note that this ratio of 26:1 is an overall classroom teacher allocation ratio and is not a reference to individual class size or average class size.
The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers is decided by each school. Depending on the circumstances of the school (e.g. higher pupil numbers entering the school in certain years, available accommodation) there may be a variation in the size of the classes in the school. School authorities are requested to ensure that the number of pupils in any one class is kept as low as possible, taking into account all of the above factors. The Department also requests school authorities to use their autonomy under the staffing schedule to implement smaller class sizes for junior classes insofar as it is feasible to do so.
487. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the charge for children on primary school routes on the school transport scheme; and the maximum charge per family. [32714/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently over 116,000 children, including over 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually at a total cost of almost €190 million in 2017.
The annual charge for school transport services is €100 per annum for primary children and €350 for post primary children with a maximum family charge of €220 for primary children only or €650 overall.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who hold valid medical cards (GMS Scheme) are exempt from paying the annual charge.
The terms of the School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
488. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children availing of the concessionary transport scheme in the past school year. [32715/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently over 116,000 children, including over 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually at a total cost of almost €190 million in 2017.
During the course of the 2017/18 school year some 27,000 children availed of school transport on a concessionary basis.
The terms of the School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
489. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school project (details supplied); if pre-tender cost estimates have been finalised; if the project has proceeded to tender further to Parliamentary Question No. 92 of 17 May 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32825/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the project to which he refers has gone to tender. The return date for tenders is the 31st of August next. The intention is that the project will proceed to construction in the last quarter of 2018.
490. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the eligibility criteria for applicants for the higher education access route programme in cases in which neighbouring students with identical criteria, one of whom is eligible and the other not; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the poverty deprivation index assessment can on occasions demonstrate a false impression of an applicant's background; if a mechanism through which applicants can appeal such decisions and provide the necessary information will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32889/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraHEAR is a college and university admissions scheme offering places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantages backgrounds.
The HEAR scheme is operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) and regulated by individual higher education institutions. My Department plays no role in the assessment and award of places under the scheme.
The operational management of HEAR was transferred from the Shared Services Unit in the IUA to the CAO in November 2016. Any queries in relation to admission through the HEAR scheme should be directed to the CAO at http://www.cao.ie.
491. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a project (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32894/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is probably aware the delivery of the school building project in question has been devolved to the local authority.
The project commenced on site in January 2017 and was originally scheduled for completion for September 2018. However, a delay was occasioned due to a High Court challenge to planning permission for elements of the project. This was unforeseen given that the building was well under construction before the legal challenge was taken. While the legal challenge was unsuccessful, the construction of elements of the building could not go ahead until Court proceedings were finalised.
Due to this development, the project cannot be completed within the original timeline. However, a phased hand over will take place to allow the school commence partial operation in the new building for this coming September. The remainder of the building is expected to be completed and ready for occupation before the end of 2018.
492. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 142 of 28 June 2018, the schools that will have new ASD special classes in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32895/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NCSE, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), in consultation with the relevant education partners, is responsible for the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas where there is an identified need.
The NCSE is aware of emerging need from year to year, and where special class provision is required, it is planned and established to meet that need.
Since 2011, the NCSE has increased the number of such classes by over 130% from 548 in 2011 to 1,304 across the country now, of which 1,048 are Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) special classes. This network includes 130 ASD early intervention classes, 641 primary ASD classes and 277 post-primary ASD classes in mainstream schools.
The NCSE, in looking to open special classes, must take into account the present and future potential need for such classes, taking particular account of the educational needs of the children concerned. The NCSE will also take account of location and sustainability in looking to establish special classes in certain areas.
There are currently 4 special schools and 70 special classes in mainstream schools in Co. Kildare, including 48 ASD special classes at primary level and 14 ASD special classes at post primary level. The NCSE has informed my Department that to date they have sanctioned 5 new ASD classes- 4 Primary and 1 Post Primary - which are due to open in September 2018.
Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs, in county order and indicating where new classes are due to open in 2018/2019 school year, are available on the NCSE website at the following link: http://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/NCSE-List-of-Special-Classes-for-September-20181.pdf.
The NCSE is continuing to work with schools, parents, NEPS, health professionals and other staff who are involved in the provision of services for children with special educational needs in Co. Kildare, to ensure that each child has a school placement appropriate to their needs for the 2018/19 school year and beyond.
My Department continues to work with the NCSE to ensure that there is appropriate planning in place to ensure that all children who require special class placements can access such placements in schools within their communities.
As part of the process of planning for future provision, a number of measures have been included in the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016, which was passed by the Oireachtas on 10th July 2018, to provide certain powers to the NCSE to designate a school placement for a child in circumstances where a child is experiencing difficulties in securing enrolment.
The Bill also proposes powers for the Minister, in certain circumstances, to require a school to open a special class for children with special educational needs. This amendment will give the Minister the power to compel a school to open a special class or classes where the National Council for Special Education has identified a need for such provision within an area.
These measures will further enhance the ability of my Department and the NCSE to plan for special class provision and to address issues in provision that may arise from time in time at local levels.
Guidelines for Boards of Management and Principals of Primary and Post Primary schools contain information on setting up and organising special classes, including information on resources which may be provided to schools to establish special classes are available to download from www.ncse.ie.
493. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made on the ongoing review of the need for a new secondary school in south County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32896/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure.
In addition to the new schools announced, there will be a need for further school accommodation in other areas in the future. Based on the current analysis, this need can be addressed through either planned capacity increases in existing schools or additional accommodation or extensions to existing schools. Approximately 40% of extra school places are delivered by extending existing schools.
I have highlighted that the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular would have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
While the announcement did not include a new post-primary school in the South Kildare school planning areas, additional capacity in the region of 1,700 school places will be provided when projects at the following four schools in this area are completed:
- St. Conleth's Community College, Newbridge;
- Athy Community College, Athy;
- Cross and Passion Secondary School, Kilcullen; and
- St Paul's Secondary School, Monasterevin.
A building project for the Patrician College Newbridge is also included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme.
However, in line with the ongoing review of school planning areas generally, I can confirm that my Department is reviewing provision at post-primary level across the school planning areas in South Kildare and this review is currently ongoing.
494. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the schemes available for energy efficiency measures in schools including the installation of energy efficient light bulbs and heat pumps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32898/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is open to primary schools to use their minor works grants to install energy efficient light bulbs and/or heat pumps in their schools if they so wish. The capitation grant at both primary and post-primary level, which is for the general running costs of schools, may also be used for this purpose.
My Department is currently engaged with the SEAI on the delivery of a National Energy Efficiency Upgrade Pilot Programme to implement a range of energy efficiency measures in a small number of typical schools. The purpose of this pilot programme, which builds on a similar programme carried out in 2017, is to test a variety of approaches to develop a scalable model of energy efficiency retrofits in the school sector to be rolled out as funding becomes available.
495. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an increase in the level of capitation grants for schools will be considered in budget 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32899/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise the need to improve capitation funding for schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over recent years.
Restoring capitation funding as resources permit is one of the actions included in the Action Plan for Education and I remain committed to achieving this. However, I must be prudent in the context of ongoing budgetary pressures and prioritise where it is not possible to do everything that I would like to do in the education sector in any one year. In the last two budgets, I made provision for 6,000 extra teachers and 3,000 extra SNAs and over 3,000 new middle management posts. These resources were allocated to improve the learning experience right across the sector, with a particular focus on children with special needs.
The Deputy will be aware that Budget 2018 marked the second year of major reinvestment in the education sector, as we continue to implement the Action Plan for Education, which has the central aim to make the Irish Education and Training service the best in Europe within a decade. In 2018, the budget for the Department of Education increased by €554 million to over €10 billion. Through budget 2017 and Budget 2018, we are now investing €1 billion more in education.
Improvements have been made for the restoration of grant funding that is used by schools to fund the salaries of ancillary staff. The ancillary grant was increased by €6 in 2016, €5 in 2017 and €5 in 2018, in order to enable primary schools to implement the arbitration salary increase for grant funded school secretaries and caretakers and to also implement the restoration of salary for cleaners arising from the unwinding of FEMPI legislation.
The commitments in the Action Plan including to increase capitation funding, will be considered in the context of the budgetary process.
496. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in releasing interest in a building (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32913/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a charging lease in place on the property referred to by the Deputy which means that I have a vested interest in the property. I can confirm that my Department has received a request from the property owner to release my interest in the property.
My Department has considered the above request to use the property for community purposes and has no objection in principle to the request. The Chief State Solicitor's Office has been instructed in the matter and is in ongoing contact with the property owner's legal representatives with a view to completing the process as soon as possible.
497. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date on the site acquisition process that will identify the location of the new 1,000 pupil post-primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Citywest, Saggart, Rathcoole and Newcastle areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32914/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I recently announced the opening of 42 new schools over the next 4 years. This announcement followed nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the current and future need for primary and post-primary school places across the country. The school to which the Deputy refers was part of that announcement.
In line with the policy on the use of state assets (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circulars 11/15 and 17/16), my Department will be seeking to maximize the use of sites already in my ownership and of available properties in the ownership of other State bodies, where these are considered suitable. In addition as part of my Department's ongoing engagement with Local Authorities in respect of statutory planning processes and under the MoU on school site acquisitions, my Department are currently examining all potential suitable site options, including appropriately zoned sites, to serve the relevant area. Taking into account all of the above, a decision will then be made as part of the site acquisition process in relation to an appropriate site for the school to which the Deputy refers and will be confirmed as soon as possible.
498. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the actions he has taken to ensure that schools no longer have difficulties obtaining substitute teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32915/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the last two years over 5,000 additional new teachers have been hired. It is the case that many teachers who would have been available to carry out substitution work are now gaining permanent and long term contracts.
I am aware of reports that some schools are experiencing difficulties in finding substitute teachers. In order to ease the situation, in the last school year I suspended the limits that teachers on career break can work as substitutes. Schools were also reminded that, in considering career break applications, the needs of pupils should take precedence and they must take account of the availability of appropriate qualified replacement teachers.
As the Deputy is aware, I recently established the Teacher Supply Steering Group, which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department. The Group is considering the issues that impact on teacher supply, including: initial teacher education policy, provision, funding and support; data/research requirements; policies and arrangements for schools and teachers that impact on teacher mobility/supply; and promotion of the teaching profession. The Steering Group will oversee a programme of actions according to strict timelines and clear deliverables. In undertaking its task, the Group is cognisant of the requirement that all persons wishing to teach in recognised schools must meet the professional registration standards and criteria set by the Teaching Council, which is the professional regulatory body for the teaching profession.
At this point the Steering Group and, the working groups reporting to it, have met on a number of occasions. The Group met again on 29 June and I hope to be in a position to announce further measures in this area over coming months.
499. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the protected disclosures policy and procedures in place for employees of the higher education sector prior to enactment of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014; the Higher Education Authority's role in the oversight and implementation of such disclosures prior to 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32938/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs advised to the Deputy in PQ 31164/18 on 11th July 2018, reflecting their respective roles and responsibilities in relation to the governance and oversight of the higher education sector, my Department and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) have consistently sought to treat information received regarding possible wrongdoing very seriously, both prior to and subsequent to the enactment of the Protected Disclosures Act in July 2014.
In particular disclosures of what could potentially comprise relevant information under the Protected Disclosures Act made to my Department or the HEA have been dealt with in accordance with the legislative framework provided by the Act and procedures consistent with the guidance for public bodies issued by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under section 21 of the Act.
The Protected Disclosures Act itself has retrospective effect to the extent that redress can be sought by a worker in respect of penalisation for making a protected disclosure made before the legislation was commenced where the penalisation was subsequent to or ongoing from that date.
Prior to the enactment of the Protected Disclosures Act, the HEA wrote to all institutions under its aegis in May 2014 advising that the higher education sector should not wait until the legislation is enacted but should put in place a process where a person may give information on a confidential basis to a specified person who can act as an intermediary in the investigation of any allegations into misconduct or mis-governance in a higher education institution.
As far as the policy in place in the higher education sector prior to the Protected Disclosures Act for dealing with disclosures of potential wrongdoing is concerned, the codes of governance in place since 2012 in the higher education sector contained a provision that governing bodies should put in place procedures for confidential disclosure or good faith reporting whereby employees may, in confidence, raise concerns about possible irregularities in financial reporting or other matters and for ensuring meaningful follow-up of matters raised in this way. This approach was in turn based on the provisions of the 2009 code of practice for the governance of State bodies.
The oversight and implementation of any disclosures received by the HEA prior to Protected Disclosures Act coming into effect, would have depended on the specific circumstances of each individual case. I understand that concerns raised with the HEA would have been assessed to seek to determine the most appropriate course of action based on the information received. This could have potentially involved, for example, further contact with the individual raising the concern to obtain more information or the making of a request to the relevant higher education institution for a response to the issues raised in order for the HEA to consider the matter and next steps further.
