Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (304)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

304. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce additional ASD facilities at preschool level in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5235/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Supports for childcare, including pre-school education, are provided by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA).

The principal vehicle for the delivery of pre-school education is the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme which provides early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age.

I would like to advise the Deputy that queries in relation to the operation of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme should be addressed to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

My Department does not provide funding to pre-school services other than to early intervention special classes in recognised primary schools.

ASD early intervention special classes are intended to provide early support for children with ASD before they start school. Following early intervention, children will attend a mainstream class unless there is professional guidance that they require a special class or a placement in a special school.

ASD early intervention special classes are available for children under 6 years of age and who will not reach the age of 6 during the school year who have an ASD diagnosis and a recommendation for an early intervention placement.

Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased almost threefold, from 548 to 1,618 for the 2019/2020 school year. There are currently 133 ASD early intervention special classes nationally. 167 new special classes were established nationally for 2019/20 school year, of which 6 were ASD early intervention special classes.

There are currently 30 special classes in Co Laois, including 4 ASD early intervention special classes.

A list of special classes, including ASD early intervention special classes for September 2019 is available on the NCSE website at:

https://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/NCSE-List-of-Special-Classes-for-September-2019.pdf

Budget 2020 provided for an additional 265 special class teaching posts in 2020, which will allow for the opening of additional special classes, including ASD erly Intervention special classes, where required.

The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide; has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents; and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing specialised placements.

It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school. My Department works closely with the NCSE in this regard. In considering these applications, however, the NSCE, in conjunction with the school buildings unit of my Department, will be required to take into account the capacity of a school to establish such a class, including the provision of sufficient accommodation space within the school.

The NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and special school places nationally to meet identified need for next year. This process is ongoing.

The NCSE's Local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise both schools and the parents of children with special educational needs in relation to school placements for children with disabilities, including ASD early intervention special class placements.

Disabilities Data

Ceisteanna (305, 306)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

305. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children with a disability awaiting a school place in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5236/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

306. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children with a disability awaiting a school place in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5237/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 306 together.

My Department's policy is to ensure that all children with special educational needs can be provided with an education appropriate to their needs.

Where possible, provision is made for the inclusive education of children with special educational needs.

Department policy is that children with special educational needs should be included where possible and appropriate in mainstream placements with additional supports provided.

In circumstances where children with special educational need require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are provided for.

Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased almost threefold, from 548 to 1,618 for the 2019/2020 school year.

167 new special classes were established nationally for 2019/20 school year. There are currently 68 special classes in Co Offaly, of which 17 are post primary and 51 are primary.

There are currently 30 special classes in Co Laois, of which 4 are post primary and 26 are primary.

A list of special classes for September 2019 is available on the NCSE website at:

https://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/NCSE-List-of-Special-Classes-for-September-2019.pdf

There are two special schools in Co Laois and one in Co Offaly, catering for approximately 160 students with the most complex needs.

Budget 2020 provided for an additional 265 special class teachers and 35 special school teaching posts in 2020, which will allow for the opening of additional special classes and additional enrolment in special schools where required.

The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide; has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents; and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.

It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school. My Department works closely with the NCSE in this regard.

The NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and special school places nationally to meet identified need for next year. This process is ongoing.

Normally, special class and special school places are established with the full cooperation of the schools in areas where they are required. However there are some parts of the country where the NCSE has faced challenges in getting schools and their patrons to voluntarily agree to provide special class or school places.

I know that this can cause much anguish for parents and families involved.

Last year, the NCSE indicated that parents in Dublin 15, South Dublin, Kildare and Cork were experiencing difficulty securing school places for their children.

As Minister I have a power under Section 37A of the Education Act 1998 to direct a school to provide additional provision where all reasonable efforts have failed.

The legislation has been used twice in Dublin to address shortages of special class and school places.

The legislation contains a procedure through which the NCSE can test the capacity of schools in an area to provide more special education places and through which ultimately a Ministerial direction can be made requiring a school to make additional special education places available. The Act prescribes a set of steps to follow which includes extensive consultation with schools and their patron bodies.

The initial step in the process is for the NCSE to inform the Minister that there is a shortage of places in a particular area.

The NCSE will only activate the legislation after it has taken all reasonable efforts to get schools and their Patrons to voluntarily agree to provide additional special class or school places.

I would prefer to see schools volunteer to provide more places rather than places being secured on the back of an order or a direction from me. It is the right thing for the children in a community.

The NCSE's Local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise both schools and the parents of children with special educational needs in relation to school placements for children with disabilities.

My Department is not aware of a shortage of special education places in Co Laois or Co Offaly.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (307)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

307. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for renovation and building works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5238/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I would like to inform the Deputy that the school in question has been approved Emergency Works funding for roof repairs. As this is a devolved project it is a matter for the school authority to progress the works.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (308)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

308. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reduce the existing level of supports for children with an autism diagnosis at primary and secondary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5239/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department currently spends approximately €1.9 Billion or €1 in every five of its total current educational and training budget annually on making additional provision for children with special educational needs, including those with Autism.

This represents an increase of over 50% in total expenditure since 2011, at which point €1.247 Billion per annum was provided.

The investment also reflects the growing participation of children with Special Educational Needs in the education system and the capacity of the education system to better support their full participation and progression.

There are no plans to reduce support for children with special educational needs.

Capitation Grants

Ceisteanna (309)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

309. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a tiered capitation grant can be provided to primary schools in view of the fact that the smaller schools under the current regime receive only a certain amount and in further view of the fact that there is a basic amount of work required for the upkeep of any school and school grounds; if there can be an increased payment made for smaller schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5284/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department provides capitation funding for all recognised primary schools which is dealt with on a per capita basis. The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep in schools and the ancillary services grant to cater for the cost of employing services staff.

Schools are permitted to regard the capitation and ancillary grants as a combined grant.

The standard capitation grant rate is €179 per pupil and the standard ancillary grant rate is €171 per pupil. In the case of small schools each of these grants is based on an enrolment of 60 pupils bringing the total value of these grants to €21,000.

This government has increased the capitation grant in each of the last two budgets.

I understand the need for improved capitation funding and I am pleased to have been able to provide for a further 2.5% increase in standard capitation funding for primary and post-primary schools that will apply from the start of the 2020/21 school year. This builds on last year’s 5% increase in capitation announced in budget 2019.

The combined increases given in 2019 and 2020 mean that circa 40% restoration will be achieved.

All schools have received the benefit of the capitation increases awarded to date. It is my intention to seek funding for further capitation increases in future budgets.

My department has also made the services of the Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU) available to support small schools in the area of financial governance and management. The FSSU provide templates specifically tailored for the needs of these schools and also provide assistance through online supports and school visits.

Question No. 310 answered with Question No. 254.

Protected Disclosures

Ceisteanna (311)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

311. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of protected disclosures his Department has received since the legislation was introduced; the number of protected disclosures examined to conclusion by year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5303/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

There have been a total of 23 Protected Disclosures made from 2014 to date. This figure relates to Protected Disclosures made under Section 8 of the Act from workers in the Education sector.

The attached table gives a breakdown by year of the number of Protected Disclosures made under Section 8 of the Act, the number which have been concluded and the number which are ongoing.

Protected Disclosures made from 2014 to date.

- 23 protected disclosures were made to the Department from 2014 to date.

- 15 disclosures are concluded.

- 8 disclosures are ongoing.

Protected Disclosures received in the Department of Education and Skills 2015 to date

Year	Received	Concluded	Ongoing
2020	1	0	1
2019	5	1	4
2018	4	4	0
2017	9	8	1
2016	1	1	0
2015	3	1	2
2014	0	0	0
Total	23	15	8

All disclosures received by the Department were made under Section 8 of the Act i.e. Disclosure to the Minister from workers employed in an education sector body.

School Curriculum

Ceisteanna (312)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

312. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which he plans to proceed with the review of relationships and sex education in schools undertaken by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5322/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) published a Report on the Review of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in primary and post-primary schools in December 2019. The review involved extensive consultation between June 2018 and October 2019. Key recommendations from the review included the following:

- in the short term the NCCA would begin work on interim guidance to support the teaching of SPHE/RSE in schools;

- work on a single online access point for RSE resources to commence in 2020. The NCCA will also develop a set of overarching guidelines to inform the development of future SPHE/RSE resources;

- the NCCA would examine opportunities for SPHE/RSE within the Junior Cycle Wellbeing area of learning, beginning in 2020;

- the NCCA would also begin work in 2020 on redeveloping the overall SPHE/RSE curriculum in schools. This extensive piece of work will involve wide public consultation with all stakeholders over the next couple of years;

- Other recommendations in the report in relation to Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) regarding SPHE and RSE would be reviewed by my Department, with a view to putting enhanced supports in place.

My Department and the NCCA are putting in place plans to progress recommendations such as the interim guidance to support the teaching of SPHE/RSE. Two development groups, for primary and post-primary, have been established by the NCCA to oversee the work on the interim guidance. These groups have yet to meet due to the COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings.

The NCCA are also collaborating with my Department on the development of an online portal to support Wellbeing (including SPHE/RSE) in schools. A review of the experience of Wellbeing in Junior Cycle is also underway. Other aspects of the NCCA review are also being considered by my Department.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (313)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

313. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a practice in place by which a special needs asssistant is not granted after 4th class in primary school as they are generally timed for a three year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5326/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

It is understood that the Deputy is referring to a provision in Circular 0030/2014 regarding the allocation of SNA support and the associatic periodic review of student care needs. This provision has been superceded by new arragements for the allocation of SNAs to schools.

In this regard, schools have been notified of the arrangements for the allocation of SNA support in respect of students in mainstream classes for 2020/21. The arrangements include the following provisions:

- 2019/20 mainstream class SNA allocations will be frozen, from the date of issue of Circular 0030/2020, and will automatically rollover into the 2020/21 school year. This means that no school will receive an allocation less than that which they have on the date of issue of this Circular and existing SNAs currently in standard SNA posts can continue in these posts for the next school year in the normal way.

- Schools may apply to the NCSE for additionality where they can demonstrate that the current allocation does not meet additional care needs within the mainstream classes in the school. Applications for additionality arising from significant new or emerging additional care needs, which cannot be catered within existing allocations, will be dealt with by way of an exceptional review process.

- A diagnosis of a disability, or a psychological or other professional report, will not be necessary for this process.

- The role of the SNA to support the care needs of students in mainstream classes, as set out in Circular 0030/2014, remains unchanged.

It is expected that schools will review and reprioritise the deployment of SNAs within mainstream settings and allocate resources to ensure those with the greatest level of need receive the greatest level of support. Providing access to SNA support continues to be based on primary care needs as outlined in DES Circular 0030/2014.

Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie.

The NCSE will endeavour to respond to all applications for exceptional review received prior to 22nd May 2020 by 30th June 2020 and in that regard, it will prioritise applications from schools with no current SNA allocation and developing schools. Applications for an Exceptional Review received after 22 May 2020 will continue to be processed once all other applications have been completed.

The exceptional review process for mainstream allocations will be available to schools throughout the 2020/21 school year.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (314)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

314. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a replacement school building for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5442/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

In 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. I can confirm that my Department has received an FLE application for major capital works, from the school referred to by the Deputy, this application can only be considered in this context.

Under project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands.

The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects being delivered under project Ireland 2040 may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website. I

The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme can be found on my Department's website www.education.ie and this information is also updated regularly. The school in question may wish to apply under the 'Additional School Accommodation' Scheme if staffing increases at the school in the future.

Education and Training Boards

Ceisteanna (315)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

315. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding an outstanding payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5453/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (John Halligan)

As you will be aware, Kerry ETB made a decision to deliver the Youthreach programme directly from 1 January 2019 and this transition has now taken place. While the Department had a role in relation to issues such as ETB staffing and pension implications and potential lease arrangements, it is entirely a matter for Kerry ETB to determine if there is any cost liability to KDYS arising out of the process.

I understand Kerry ETB has offered to refer certain cost matters to mediation or binding arbitration as per their service level agreement and it is open to KDYS to take up this offer.

Technological Universities

Ceisteanna (316)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

316. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the application by the Munster technological university consortium on behalf of Cork IT and Tralee IT to become a technological university; if the implementation of the recommendations of the international advisory panel as endorsed by the HEA and him have been affected by the Covid-19 crisis; the revised timeline to allow each of the recommendations to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5457/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

In accordance with section 34(4) of the Technological Universities Act 2018 on 30 September 2019 the Minister for Education and Skills wrote to the applicant institutes Cork IT and IT Tralee confirming his proposed decision to postpone the granting of the institutes’ application seeking the making of an order under section 36 of the Act for the establishment of a technological university. In his letter the Minister requested the institutes to provide additional data and information demonstrating their joint compliance with a number of specified conditions no later than the end of Quarter 1 2020. The Minister’s proposed decision was based on the views of the Higher Education Authority and an advisory panel of international experts appointed by the Minister to assess the application in accordance with section 31(3) of the Act.

The applicant institutes submitted their joint response to the Minister on 30 March 2020. As required by section 35(3)(b) of the Act the Minister is considering the information furnished by the applicant institutes and consulting with the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland and with the Higher Education Authority. While not a legal requirement under the Act, I understand that the Higher Education Authority has sought views from the previous advisory panel of international experts to help inform their advices to the Minister.

The legal decision-making process is currently ongoing in compliance with the statutory requirements and timelines provided for in the Technological Universities Act 2018. The process remains unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic with the work involved being progressed through written procedures and via remote access interactions, as appropriate.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (317)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

317. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects a school building to be put in place for a school (details supplied) in County Cork; the process and timeline in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5470/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise that my Department is committed to the provision of a new building for the school to which the Deputy refers.

A new site is required to faciliate this and my Department is exploring a potential option in this regard. It is therefore not possible, at this point, to indicate a timeline for the construction of a new school building.

The school authorities will be kept updated on developments in this regard.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (318)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

318. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a suitable school place will be secured for a child (details supplied) in County Cork with additional needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5481/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Ensuring that every child has a suitable school placement is a key objective of my Department. Significant resources are allocated each year to ensure that appropriate supports are available for children with special educational needs.

Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased almost threefold, from 548 to 1,618 for the 2019/2020 school year; with 1,353 of these catering for children with autism.

There are 195 special classes and 13 special schools in the Cork area providing specialist support to children with more complex special educational needs.

A list of special classes for September 2019 is available on the NCSE website.

Budget 2020 provided for an additional 265 special class teachers in 2020, which will allow for the opening of additional classes where required.

The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide; has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents; and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.

It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of a specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school. My Department works closely with the NCSE in this regard.

The NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and school places nationally, including Cork, to meet identified need for next year. This process is ongoing.

Normally, special class and school places are established with the full cooperation of the schools in areas where they are required. However there are some parts of the country where the NCSE has faced challenges in getting schools and their patrons to voluntarily agree to provide special class or school places. I know that this can cause much anguish for parents and families involved.

As Minister I have power under Section 37A of the Education Act 1998 to direct a school to provide additional provision where all reasonable efforts have failed. This legislation has been used to good effect in the recent past.

The NCSE has recently advised that there is a shortage of a small number of special class places in certain areas in Co Cork, largely due to geographic reasons rather than a shortage in the county as a whole. The NCSE is seeking to accommodate these students in schools in the surrounding areas.

The NCSE's Local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) are available to assist and advise both schools and the parents of children with special educational needs in relation to special class provision.

As the Deputy's question relates to a special class placement for an individual pupil, this has been referred to the NCSE for direct reply.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (319)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

319. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an appropriate secondary school place will be secured for a child (details supplied) in County Cork with additional needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5482/20]