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Tuesday, 7 Jul 2020

Written Answers Nos. 425-444

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (425)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

425. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the discussions her officials have had with private third-level accommodation providers regarding a refund of fees due to the Covid-19 closure of colleges; the discussions her officials have had with the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure that such providers refusing refunds are not eligible for Covid-19 supports from the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14132/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department is working with representatives from the higher education sector to address the challenges faced by students in this difficult time. I understand based on the information available to me that students in university-owned accommodation will receive pro-rata refunds if they have vacated their accommodation. While I would wish to see this principle applied in the case of students who were residing in privately owned student accommodation, it is not within my remit to direct any accommodation provider to offer a refund.

Refund or cancellation policies in student accommodation should be set out in the license agreement signed at the beginning of the academic year. In the first instance students should engage with their accommodation provider to see if an arrangement can be reached in regard to a refund.

If this is not possible, under the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 students have access to the Dispute Resolution Services of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).

The eligibility criteria for businesses seeking to access to Covid-19 supports are a matter for the Department(s) administering those supports, and my Department has no role in deciding those criteria.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (426)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

426. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will be given permission to go to tender for three additional resource rooms with funding having previously been approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14135/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that funding was approved under the Additional Accommodation Scheme 2018 to enable the school in question to build three resource rooms and complete other conversion works.

To date my Department has not received any correspondence from the school in relation to this project.

School Accommodation

Ceisteanna (427)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

427. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made in respect of the provision of temporary accommodation for September 2020 for a school (details supplied). [14170/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm that in relation to the school to which the Deputy refers, a contract is due to be awarded this week (commencing 6 July, 2020) for the additional interim accommodation required for the school for the next academic year. However, a decision in relation to planning permission for this additional accommodation is still awaited. It should be noted that these delays are related due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

My Department is in contact with the Patron Body in relation to the matter.

Question No. 428 answered with Question No. 397.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (429)

Michael Collins

Ceist:

429. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a budget is in place for cleaning and PPE; if not, if it will be put in place for schools returning in September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14174/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On Friday 12th June my Department published the report to Government “Planning for reopening schools in line with the Roadmap for reopening society and business”

https://www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Announcements/framework-for-reopening-and-operating-schools.html

Detailed engagement with education partners and stakeholders is underway in relation to the development of public health guidance in a school setting. A core objective will be to ensure that schools and other education settings can re-open and operate in a safe manner that is consistent with public health advice.My Department will establish a drawdown framework for schools to enable the purchase by schools of supplies such as hand-sanitisers for use in the school and classroom. The procurement process for this framework is commencing immediately and it will also deal with any other potential PPE requirements. It is not envisaged that significant PPE will be required in school settings. All requirements for PPE in schools will be in line with public health advice.

Emergency Works Scheme

Ceisteanna (430)

Michael Collins

Ceist:

430. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if emergency works grant applications by schools (details supplied) will be expedited to ensure the safe reopening of the schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14175/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In regards to Dreeny National School I am pleased to inform the Deputy that they have been approved for Emergency Works funding to address the situation caused by river erosion.

My Department's Emergency Works Team has also received an application from the other school in question for a connection to the mains system. This is under consideration at present and a reply will issue directly to the school when a decision has been made.

School Staff

Ceisteanna (431)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

431. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the commitment will be reaffirmed not to reduce teacher numbers in schools (details supplied) for the lifetime of Tascfhórsa Uíbh Ráthaigh; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14183/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. 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 schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.

There is no change to the staffing of the schools concerned for the 2020/21 school year.

The unique challenges facing Gaeltacht schools and their importance in the maintenance of Irish as the main language of Gaeltacht communities is recognised. To support the delivery of high quality Irish-medium education in Gaeltacht schools, the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme was launched in 2017 as part of the overall implementation of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022. Under the terms of the Scheme, a package of additional targeted supports is being provided to these schools from September 2018 to support the delivery of high-quality Irish-medium education. These additional supports include:

- access to an annual grant of €1200 grant for the purchase of Irish-medium teaching resources

- additional Irish-language support teaching hours based on school enrolment

- additional continuing professional development for teachers, delivered by COGG

- additional Inspectorate support via advisory visits to support schools in meeting their targets in the implementation of Irish-language-based criteria.

Schools in the Scheme have also been permitted to form clusters to create temporary full-time posts by combining part-time Irish language support hours. From 2019 schools in the Scheme had the option to combine part-time Irish language support hours with special education teaching hours to create temporary full-time posts, provided that teachers selected had a high level of proficiency in the Irish language and an understanding of immersion education, so that they could fulfil the roles, as appropriate.

School Staff

Ceisteanna (432)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

432. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will be allowed flexibility to deal practically with an exceptional staffing requirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14184/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The redeployment of all surplus permanent/CID holding teachers is the mechanism used to fill teaching posts and is key to the ability of the Department to manage within its payroll budget. The redeployment panels are currently transacting and schools are filling teaching vacancies for the 2020/21 school year.

While the redeployment of surplus teachers to permanent teaching posts is the first mechanism used to fill teaching vacancies, it is the case that there is not always sufficient permanent vacancies available for all teachers on the redeployment panel. In such circumstances, the redeployment arrangements set out that surplus permanent/CID holding teachers may be assigned to a year long fixed-term position. Schools are instructed that they may not fill a teaching vacancy by any other means until the Department is satisfied that the vacancy is not required for the redeployment of a teacher on the Main Panel.

The school referred to by the Deputy has a fixed-term position available for the coming school year and has been advised by my Department that it is required for the redeployment of a surplus permanent teacher on the Main Panel.

School Staff

Ceisteanna (433)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

433. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will be permitted to retain its current number of teachers in the 2020/2021 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14205/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am very conscious of the staffing schedule and the need to prioritise teacher allocations in primary schools given their vital role in communities around the country. I am looking at how best to make further progress in reducing the primary teacher ratio in the context of the Programme for Government implementation.

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 schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location. The staffing schedule includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. The appeal received from the school referred to by the Deputy has been refused by the Primary Staffing Appeals Board on the basis that the grounds of the appeal do not warrant a departure from the staffing schedule. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board is independent of the Department and its decision is final.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (434)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

434. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for SNAs to transfer to classroom assistants; when this will occur; and the processes that will be involved. [14231/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The role of the SNA continues to be one to support the care needs of students and to assist classroom teachers, and special education teachers, to ensure that the student is able to access education, as set out in Section 5 of DES Circular 30/2014. There are no plans to change this role.

SNAs are recruited specifically to assist in the care needs of pupils with disabilities in an educational context. SNAs therefore do not have a teaching/pedagogical role and it would not be appropriate for pupils with special needs to be taught by unqualified personnel.

A new model for allocating Special Needs Assistants to primary and post primary schools for students in mainstream classes only was to be introduced in the 2020/21 school year as part of the phased roll out of the School Inclusion Model (SIM). In light of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis the Frontloaded Allocation Model for Special Needs Assistants has been deferred until the beginning of the 2021/22 school year. Part of the review of this model will be review SNA training needs and development outcomes.

Student Universal Support Ireland

Ceisteanna (435)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

435. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if SUSI grant criteria will be reviewed to allow funding for part-time courses in cases in which the applicant has a disability preventing them from taking a full-time course in accordance with section 8(3) of the Student Support Act 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14234/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the Student Grant Scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution.

Section 8(1) of the Student Support Act 2011, which defines an “approved course” for student grant purposes, requires attendance of an approved course at an approved institution on a full-time basis.

Any extension of the scope of the student Grant Scheme to provide for students pursuing part-time education courses, on a similar basis as currently exists for full-time students, must be considered having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands in the education sector.

However, students with disabilities are one of the target groups identified in the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education (NAP).

Various access supports are available to students with disabilities who are attending a part-time courses such as:

- The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) allocates funding to further and higher education colleges for the provision of services and supports to students with disabilities. The FSD was extended in 2018 to cover students studying on a part-time basis;

- Students are also able to apply for financial support through the Student Assistance Fund (SAF); and

- The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) has allocated a number of 1916 Bursaries to NAP target groups such as students with disabilities and students who wish to undertake their studies on a part-time basis.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (436)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

436. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14236/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Deputy will be aware that the project to which he refers has been devolved for delivery to the school under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme.

Department officials are aware of the urgency of this project and have made regular contact with the Principal on the matter. The school has procured a consultant who is leading the project through the construction stage.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (437)

Paul McAuliffe

Ceist:

437. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for additional school places in Dublin 9 to meet increased demand. [14237/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

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.

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.

A new 16 classroom primary school (Gracepark ETNS) was established to serve the Drumcondra Marino Dublin 1 area in 2016 and is currently located in Dublin 9. In addition major building projects are planned for Rosmini Community School and Scoil Chaitriona Glasnevin Dublin 9 – which will provide a total capacity of 800 places between them at post-primary level.

The requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular will have regard to the impact of the increased roll out of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040. My Department will also continue to monitor areas where the accommodation of existing schools may need to be expanded in order to meet the needs of the local population.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (438, 439)

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

438. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) will receive a refund of school transport fees. [14238/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John McGuinness

Ceist:

439. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if refunds will be issued to parents in cases in which the school transport system was not used since 12 March 2020; if a discount will be issued to parents affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14243/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills.

The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school

In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019..

The decision taken by the Government to close schools with effect from 13th March 2020 was taken in the interest of protecting our pupils, their families, teachers and those members of the wider community and is one of the many measures taken to support efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Given that the school transport services have not been available to children from 13th March, it was decided that at the end of the current school year a refund for that period of closure will be issued to parents. My Department has been engaging with Bus Éireann in developing a plan for facilitating these refunds and I can confirm that refunds will be issued directly to all entitled family account holders. The refunds process has commenced and refunds to those families who paid by cheque issued last week. With regard to families who paid by card, Bus Éireann has confirmed that they will be shortly emailing all families due to receive a refund to advise them of arrangements.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (440)

Seán Canney

Ceist:

440. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to allow children with severe physical disabilities to access the July provision programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14248/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department published details of Summer Provision 2020 – Reconnecting with Education including a programme for children with complex special educational needs.

The programme is a significant expansion on the July Provision programme of previous years with the eligibility criteria widened to include approximately 9,000 additional primary aged children with complex needs.

The programme aims to ensure, in so far as possible, that these children can reintegrate/transition into their planned education setting for the next school year with their peers.

In-school or home-based supports by teachers and SNAs will help to prevent regression among children with complex special educational needs.

The eligibility criteria includes the following categories of children:

1. Pupils with a diagnosis of Autism

2. Pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties

3. Any child in special school or a special class in a Primary School

4. Children transitioning into a special class or special school from early year’s settings

5. Pupils in primary school mainstream classes who present with the following disabilities:

- Children with Down syndrome

- Children who are Deaf or most severe hard of hearing

- Children who are blind or have a most severe visual impairment

- Children who have a moderate general learning disability

- Children with severe emotional behavioural difficulties

Following the decision from Cabinet this week the home based summer programme is also open to children with down syndrome who are attending post primary school.

A child must meet at least one of the eligibility criteria.

If a Parent is in doubt about their child’s eligibility, they should consult their child’s school or contact my Department. Contact details are available on my Departments website https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/summerprovision/summer-education-programme-2020.html

Summer Works Scheme

Ceisteanna (441)

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

441. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be allocated following an appeal under the summer works scheme for urgent playground resurfacing for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14251/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The issue referred to by the Deputy is under consideration by officials in my Department.

Question No. 442 answered with Question No. 408.

Qualifications Recognition

Ceisteanna (443)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

443. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will review the fact that the counselling doctorate offered by Trinity College Dublin, and fully recognised and accredited by an organisation (details supplied), does not provide payment to students unlike the doctorate in clinical psychology which is offered by the five main Irish universities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14258/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The requisite funding of these courses is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department has no role in this regard. The Department understands that the Deputy has submitted a similar question on the funding of these courses to the Department of Health and that Department has, in turn, asked the HSE to respond directly to him.

Question No. 444 answered with Question No. 380.
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