Written Answers Nos. 187-207
187. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants, SNAs, for the academic year 2018/2019 in each primary and secondary school in Lucan, County Dublin; the number being allocated to each school for the academic year 2019/2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25045/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI announced on 27 May that 792 additional SNA posts will be allocated to schools for the beginning of the 2019/20 school year, with up to 130 additional posts expected to be allocated by December 2019.
By the end of this year, there will be up to 15,950 SNAs working in our schools, an increase of over 51% since 2011.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school.
The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie, in order that students who have care needs can access SNA support as and when it is needed.
The NCSE publish the allocations for individual schools for each school year and this information is available on their website, www.ncse.ie.
188. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made regarding a school building project for a school (details supplied) following a revised stage 2b report being submitted in January 2019; the timeline for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25046/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning – Stage 2b (Detailed Design) which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents.
My Department is currently concluding the review of a revised Stage 2b submission and comments are expected to issue to the school and its design team shortly.
The design team is requested to incorporate those comments into the tender documents and carry out a final review of all its tender documentation to ensure that it is complete, correct and in compliance with my Department's requirements and with Building Control (Amendment) Regulations.
When the design team confirms the final review is complete, my Department will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of this project at that time.
189. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has received a revised stage 2b design application for a school building project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25047/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning – Stage 2b (Detailed Design) which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents.
Following the appointment of the replacement design team Quantity Surveyor, the design team is currently working on the Stage 2(b) report which on completion will be submitted to the Department for review.
In completing the Stage 2(b) report the Design Team is required to upgrade the current design to ensure that the new school building is a Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) in compliance with the 2017 amendment to Part L of the current Building Regulations.
Upon receipt and review of the Stage 2(b) report my Department will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of this project at that time.
190. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the acquisition of additional land from South Dublin County Council adjacent to a school (details supplied) will be complete; the timeframe for the future development of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25048/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe conveyancing process is underway in respect of the additional land to which the Deputy refers. At this point it would be premature to give a timeframe for the future development of the school. I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to expedite the process.
191. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made in providing a new school building for a school (details supplied); the timeline for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25049/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's School Building Programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan.
My Department recently met with the school authority to discuss the project and is currently finalising the accommodation brief following the meeting. My Department advised the representatives that further contact will be made with the school shortly.
192. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of an extension at a school (details supplied); the timeframe for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25051/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning – Stage 2b (Detailed Design) which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents.
The design team is currently working on the Stage 2(b) report which on completion will be submitted to the Department for review. In completing the Stage 2(b) report the Design Team is required to upgrade the current design to ensure that the new school building is a Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) in compliance with the 2017 amendment to Part L of the current Building Regulations.
Department officials met with members of the Design Team and representatives from the school in question on Wednesday, 12th June to provide an update on the progress of the building project. Upon receipt and review of the Stage 2(b) report my Department will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of this project at that time.
193. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the schools at primary and secondary level in Lucan, County Dublin that have autism spectrum disorder, ASD, units; the capacity in each unit; his plans to increase the number of these units in Lucan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25052/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra194. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the schools at primary and secondary level in Clondalkin, Dublin 22 that have autism spectrum disorder, ASD, units; the capacity of each unit; his plans to increase the number of these units in Clondalkin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25053/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.
I am aware of the need for increased specialist education provision in the Dublin area.
The NCSE has informed my Department that they intend to establish 167 new special classes nationally for 2019/20 school year of which approximately 156 will be new ASD special classes, which includes new ASD classes in the areas referred to by the Deputy.
Ensuring that every child has a suitable placement available to them from September is a key priority for this Government.
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.
From time to time, the NCSE identifies local areas where additional special class provision is required. In those circumstances, Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) work with the schools and families concerned to resolve the issues involved. This process is ongoing in the Dublin area and the NCSE are actively engaging with schools in relation to establishing ASD classes where there is an identified need for the 2019/2020 school year.
When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to reconfigure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation.
Similarly, where special schools wish to expand provision, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to accommodate additional placements.
There are 37 special schools and 237 special classes attached to mainstream schools in Co. Dublin.
The number of ASD special classes in Co. Dublin have increased from 66 in 2011/2012 to 197 in 2018/2019. Of these, 17 are ASD Early Intervention Classes, 139 are ASD Primary Classes and 41 are ASD Post Primary Classes. Each ASD Special class provides 6 placements.
Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs are available on www.ncse.ie.
The Government is spending nearly one euro in every five of the education budget on special education – about €1.9 billion in 2019. We have significantly increased the availability of special placements for children with special educational needs as well as bringing more and more children into mainstream education.
195. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount remaining in the fund allocated to Caranua for supporting survivors of institutional child abuse with their health, housing and other needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25153/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Section 29 of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 contributions from religious congregations towards Caranua are capped at €110 million plus any additional interest accrued or added to contributions. To date, a total of €105 million, comprising contributions of some €103.6 million plus added interest of €1.382 million, has been received by my Department and made available to Caranua. Accordingly, a further €6.4 million in cash contributions is required to achieve the capped amount of €110 million.
A substantial cash contribution remains outstanding from the Congregation of Christian Brothers. Completion of this contribution will ensure that the entirety of the €110 million provided for in the legislation will have been received. My officials are actively engaging with the Congregation in regard to this contribution.
Caranua publishes regular updates on its website (www.caranua.ie) regarding expenditure, applications, etc. The most recent update shows that to end April 2019, Caranua had expended some €85 million on supports and services and that it had open applications on hands from 1,882 former residents. Administration costs have also been incurred.
196. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if Caranua or another body directly notified or caused to be directly notified in writing, all known survivors of institutional child abuse in relation to their right to apply to Caranua for support with their health, housing and other needs prior to 1 August 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25154/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 24 of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 deals with the transfer of personal data from the Residential Institutions Redress Board on survivors. Under Section 24 (2) Caranua can use this information in order to determine whether a person is eligible to make an application to the Board and for no other purpose. Caranua would have acted illegally if it had contacted survivors on an individual basis.
Caranua advertised the August deadline through the placement of adverts in the following papers:
- Irish Sunday Mirror
- Irish Mail on Sunday
- Sunday Business Post
- Sunday Independent
- Sunday Times
- Sunday World
- Irish Sun
- Belfast Telegraph
- Irish News
- Irish Post (UK)
- Irish World (UK)
- Irish Voice (USA)
Caranua also distributed 10,000 posters to organisations that may work with people who may be eligible to apply for support funding for services from the Fund (local health offices, social welfare offices, GPs, post offices, libraries etc), asking them to share this information through their networks,
Where survivors were already in contact with Caranua, they did write to them to inform them of the date of the application deadline and to ask them to share this information with other survivors who may have not yet applied to Caranua.
197. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if Caranua has processed applications for funding from survivors that were received after 1 August 2018; if so, the number of applications processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25155/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCaranua is an independent statutory body established under the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 and I have no role in relation to its day to day operations. I have therefore requested my officials to contact Caranua requesting it to provide the information sought by the Deputy directly to him. I should point out also that Caranua publishes regular updates on its website, www.caranua.ie, including statistical information regarding applications received and processed and expenditure incurred.
198. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address an issue that has arisen at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25157/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has received an application from the Patron of the school, in question, for the provision of Capital funding for additional accommodation. The application is currently under consideration and once the assessment process has been completed a decision will be conveyed directly to the school authority.
In the meantime, I can also advise that the Patron has sought funding towards the provision of an interim accommodation solution. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department has recently approved funding to allow the Patron proceed with the interim accommodation solution identified.
199. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects reforms of school waiting lists to be implemented as set out in the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25208/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, which was signed into law by the President on the 18th July 2018, is an important piece of legislation which will introduce a more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school admissions policy operates for the almost 4,000 primary and post-primary schools in this country and a fair and balanced school admission process for all pupils.
In relation to waiting lists, the Act provides that, subject to the exception in section 62(11), a school will no longer be permitted to use a selection criteria based on the time or date on which an application for admission is received.
However, in relation to existing lists based on the date of receipt of application, these may be used by schools to offer places, in accordance with the provisions of section 62(11), for a 5 year period following commencement of that section.
A number of sections of the Act were commenced in 2018 and are now operational. My Department has begun the process of consultation with the Education Partners in relation to the preparation of regulations that are required alongside commencement of the remaining sections.
In that regard, I have outlined that it is my intention to commence the remaining provisions of the Act so that they will apply to applications for admission in respect of the 2021/22 school year.
200. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a request for a school extension by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25259/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Major Project at the school referred to by the Deputy is at Stage 1 of architectural planning which entails preliminary design of site and location suitability and initial sketch scheme.
A revised Stage 1 submission, including an up to date cost plan, was requested from the Design Team following an increase in the schedule of accommodation to cater for up to 1200 pupils. That submission has been received and a review has been completed with comments for action issued to the School and its Design Team.
A further review has yielded a proposal for an increase in accommodation to a 1300 pupil school, which has been accepted by the school. The Design Team has been instructed to provide an initial sketch scheme for a 1300 pupil school, and submit to the Department for review. Professional fees have been agreed with the Design Team members for this additional task.
Following the review my Department will then be in contact with the Board of Management of the school with regard to the progression of the project.
This project is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan.
201. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the crisis regarding a shortage of school places and autism spectrum disorder, ASD, units for children with autism who are being denied access to school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25260/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the need for increased specialist education provision in the Dublin area.
The NCSE has informed my Department that they intend to establish 167 new special classes nationally for 2019/20 school year of which approximately 156 will be new ASD special classes.
124 special schools also provide specialist education for those students with complex special educational needs.
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.
The NCSE has formally advised me that there is insufficient special school and special class capacity in Dublin 15.
This letter is the formal activation of section 37A of the Education Act 1998 (as inserted by section 8 of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018). This contains a procedure through which the capacity of schools in an area can be tested and through which ultimately a Ministerial direction can be made requiring a school to make additional special education provision available.
The NCSE and my Department are actively engaging with education service providers in order to encourage them to address the shortage of places.
Work is well advanced on the establishment of a new special school in the Dublin 15 area.
The NCSE will keep in regular contact with the Parents of the children concerned to advise them of progress and identify placements as they become available.
The new power to compel schools to make additional special education provision available has yet to be invoked.
While the NCSE and the Department continue to encourage stakeholders to open special classes, the process under the admissions legislation will continue and may lead to interaction with education providers entering a more formal process.
In short, ensuring that every child has a suitable placement available to them from September is a key priority for this Government.
202. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the reported termination of the employment of six special needs assistants, SNAs, at a school (details supplied); the reason for the decision; if the decision can be reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25270/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school.
The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie, in order that students who have care needs can access SNA support as and when it is needed.
In considering applications for SNA support for individual pupils, the NCSE take account of the pupils' needs and consider the resources available to the school to identify whether additionality is needed or whether the school might reasonably be expected to meet the needs of the pupils from its current level of resources.
SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource.
SNA allocations to all schools can change from year to year as children with care needs leave the school, as new children with care needs enrol in a school and as children develop more independent living skills and their care needs diminish over time.
The NCSE Appeals Process may be invoked by a parent or a school where it is considered that a child was not granted access to SNA support because the requirements outlined in Circular 0030/2014 were not complied with. Schools may also appeal a decision, where the school considers that the NCSE, in applying Department policy, has not allocated the appropriate level of SNA support to the school to meet the special educational and/or care needs of the children concerned.
Where a school has received its allocation of SNA support for 2019/20, but wishes new enrolments or assessments to be considered, which were not taken into account when the initial allocation was made, they may continue to make applications to the NCSE.
The closing date for receipt of appeals in regard to SNA allocations is Friday 27 September 2019.
As this question relates to particular school, I will refer the question to the NCSE for their direct reply. I do not have a role in making determinations in individual cases.
203. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider representation on boards of management of primary schools for county and city councillors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25287/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of the Education Act, 1998, the composition of a board of management must be agreed between patrons of schools, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations, recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers and the Minister.
The agreed composition and procedures for the appointment of Boards of Management of primary schools are set out in my Department's publication "Governance Manual for Primary Schools 2015-2019".
The composition of primary school boards of management was last changed in 1997 following a church/state agreement reached at that time. Any changes to the existing composition of boards would involve re-opening that agreement. Under Section 14 of the Education Act, 1998, the agreement of all the other parties referred to in that section would also be required.
You will appreciate, given that there are approximately 3,200 primary schools in the country, that any future changes to the arrangements would require very careful consideration, and that the content of Section 14 would make it difficult to achieve under the current legislative framework.
204. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to a full review of child protection procedures in relation to schools in view of the experience of a person (details supplied) to which his attention has been drawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25288/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary statutory responsibility for child protection lies with the Child and Family Agency (Tusla). The role of my Department is to provide guidance and support to schools in implementing national child protection policy and to refer any allegations the Department receives to the appropriate authorities for investigation.
In December 2017, my Department published the updated Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017. The purpose of the updated procedures is to give clear direction and guidance to school authorities and to school personnel in relation to meeting their new statutory obligations under the Children First Act, 2015 and in the continued implementation within the school setting of the best practice guidance set out in the updated Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017 published by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
The updated procedures apply to all recognised primary and post-primary schools and to all members of school personnel. Responsibility for ensuring that the child protection requirements are complied with rests with the school board, the principal and the staff of each school.
In relation to the correspondence supplied by the Deputy, I can confirm that the reference to a child protection concern in the correspondence in question was previously brought to the attention of my Department in March of this year. In accordance with my Department’s internal Procedures for responding to Child Protection Concerns brought to the attention of staff , my Department forwarded the matter to Tusla. My Department has no role in assessing or investigating allegations of harm against children, or any other child protection concerns. Its role is to refer any allegations it receives to the appropriate authorities and to do so without making judgment on same.
In the correspondence supplied, the parent in question also raises other concerns about the school including in relation to its handling of alleged bullying behaviour. Whereas my Department provides funding and policy direction for schools, my Department does not have the power to instruct schools to follow a particular course of action with regard to allegations or other complaints. In dealing with complaints, my Department's role is to provide advice to parents and students on the operation of schools' complaints procedures and to clarify for parents and pupils how grievances and complaints against schools can be progressed. In that regard, further information for parents in relation to making a complaint about a school and on the Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post -Primary Schools is available on my Departments website at the following link:
https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Information/Complaints-Bullying-Child-Protection-Discrimination/Complaints-about-schools.html
In relation to securing a school place for the children concerned, the Educational Welfare Service (EWS) of Tusla is the statutory body who can assist parents in securing a school place. The EWS can be contacted at 01-7718815 / 01 7718500.
205. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a new secondary school will be provided in Dunshaughlin, County Meath, in view of recent planning decisions. [25297/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools;
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools;
- Provision of a new school or schools.
In addition to the new schools announced, there will be a need for further school accommodation in other areas in the future. Approximately 40% of extra school places are delivered by extending existing schools.
As the Deputy will be aware, in April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). The announcement followed nationwide, demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country.
Dunshaughlin post-primary school planning area is catered for by Dunshaughlin Community College. The school operates under the patronage of Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) and has a current enrolment in the region of 1,000 pupils. The school is experiencing demand for additional school places and the LMETB is open to assisting in meeting this demand. The ETB has submitted an application for additional accommodation which my Department is currently considering. The outcome will assist my Department in determining the future need in the area. In the meantime, my Department has approved the provision of additional temporary accommodation - 8 general classrooms and 1 science lab - to LMETB to meet the school’s immediate needs.
While the announcement did not include a new post-primary school for the Dunshaughlin school planning area, the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and will have regard for the increased roll-out of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
206. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for further provision of second-level places in Ashbourne, County Meath. [25298/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
In 2014, a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school, De Lacy College, was established under the patronage of Louth and Meath ETB to serve the Ashbourne school planning area. The school has a current enrolment of some 400 pupils in the 2018/19 school year.
As the Deputy will be aware, in April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). The announcement followed nationwide, demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools;
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools;
- Provision of a new school or schools.
In addition to the new schools announced, there will be a need for further school accommodation in other areas in the future. Approximately 40% of extra school places are delivered by extending existing schools.
While the announcement did not include a new post-primary school for the Ashbourne school planning area, the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and will have regard for the increased roll-out of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
207. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the works that can be applied for under the summer works scheme by a school (details supplied); the deadline for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25305/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I announced the 'Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2020 onwards' earlier this year. Information relating to the scheme, including categories of works, deadlines, criteria for eligibility etc, are set out in Circular 0027/2019 which is available on my Departments website www.education.ie. The closing date for applications is the 30th June 2019.
