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Tuesday, 21 Jul 2020

Written Answers Nos. 390-409

School Uniforms

Ceisteanna (390)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

390. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if schools can ignore the guidelines of her Department which state that all elements of school uniform should be purchasable from various stores and only iron or sew on crests should be used; the recourse parents have if this is ignored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16777/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department published Circular 32/2017 in 2017, which introduced measures to be adopted by schools to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs. This includes principles of cost-effective practices to be adopted, including generic rather than branded items, use of sew-on or iron-on crests, and all elements of a uniform being available from various stores.

The Circular also advises that schools should consult with parents on their views and suggestions on cost reduction initiatives.

Ultimately any decision on school uniforms is a matter for the board of management of each school in consultation with parents.

The Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019, which was published on 10th September 2019, will require each school to implement a Student and Parent Charter in accordance with national guidelines to be published by the Minister after consultation with the education partners, including the recognised national associations of parents. The charter legislation will include requirements for consultation and engagement with parents and students on matters relating to school life including school uniforms.

Specific commitment to progress this Bill has been given in the recently published Programme for Government.

Departmental Contracts

Ceisteanna (391)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

391. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the value of contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) and its subsidiaries by her Department and each body and local authority under her remit from 1 January 2016 to 14 July 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16838/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department had a contractual arrangement for the lease of a property and associated costs with the named company during the period 1st January, 2016 to 14th July, 2020. The value of the contract for the period noted is inclusive of VAT as follows:

Year

Value of Contract

2016

€0

2017

€7,092

2018

€9,760

2019

€0

To July 2020

€0

With regard to bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information sought is not collated centrally and is a matter for each agency.

Departmental Contracts

Ceisteanna (392)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

392. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the value of contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) and its subsidiaries by her Department and each body and local authority under her remit from 1 January 2016 to 14 July 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16843/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department was recently established and has not undertaken a contractual arrangement with the named company.

With regard to bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information sought is not collated centrally and is a matter for each agency.

School Closures

Ceisteanna (393)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

393. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to ensure that each school is open fully at the end of August 2020. [16856/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The interim public health advice received by my Department sets out the key public health requirements that will be required for a safe full reopening of schools in late August/September and the measures that will be required to achieve this.

This public health advice will underpin ongoing engagements with education partners and stakeholders in terms of planning and providing guidance for schools in relation to logistical, curricular and wellbeing arrangements. The advice also contains important measures required for infection prevention and control to ensure a full return to school is safe for children and staff.

At present my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the requirements to provide funding to schools for measures such as enhanced cleaning regimes and PPE. My Department has also arranged for a drawdown framework to be established to enable schools purchase hand-sanitisers and PPE for use in the school and classroom. The procurement process for this framework has already commenced and it is intended these materials will be available in early August.

My Department’s ongoing work with education partners and other key stakeholders on guidance for reopening schools is aimed at reducing the burden on schools at a local level by providing central guidance and supports to the greatest extent possible by the end of July in order to allow time for schools to implement the necessary arrangements locally.

Autism Support Services

Ceisteanna (394)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

394. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to ensure that ASD classrooms are provided in the Dublin 2, 4 and 6 areas. [16857/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

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

The National Council for Special Education 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.

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

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.

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.

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 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 legislation was used for the first time in 2019, in respect of the Dublin 15 area. Significant progress has been made in that area on foot of action taken under Section 37. A new Special School was established and six schools have agreed to open special classes thereby meeting the need for additional places in the area. The experience of Dublin 15 shows that real and practical challenges can be addressed by working together to provide additional special class and special school places.

The legislation was activated for a second time on 29 October 2019 following a report by the NCSE which identified children in South Dublin needing special education school places. Since then, the NCSE in consultation with the relevant education stakeholders, has been testing the capacity amongst schools in the South Dublin area.

On 21 April 2020 my Department received a report from the NCSE, pursuant to Section 37A(2) of the Education Act 1998 (as inserted by section 8 of the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018) in respect of South Dublin, as the NCSE Council remains of the opinion that there is an insufficient number of special class and special school places within the South Dublin area for September 2020.

The report identifies the schools who it is considered have potential to provide additional places. These schools were identified following an extensive engagement with schools and their patron bodies and parents in the area.

Having considered the report, the Minister accepted the opinion of the NCSE and statutory notices were served on 39 schools in the area on 26 June last. All schools have been afforded the opportunity to make representations in respect of the notices served. Both the notices served together with the representations received to date from the school authorities and their Patrons have been published on my Department’s website.

I understand that some progress has already been made and the NCSE is working with a number of schools to establish classes for this coming school year.

My Department, in conjunction with the NCSE, will continue to work through the next steps in this process.

State Examinations

Ceisteanna (395)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

395. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter regarding a student (details supplied) who has been denied a dyslexia dispensation for the leaving certificate despite an independent assessment that verified that they were quite dyslexic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16897/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to him.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (396, 397)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

396. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount paid in fees to legal professionals for the purpose of defending a case (details supplied) and other cases of day school sex abuse litigation in each of the years 2011 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16903/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

397. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount paid in fees to legal professionals for the purposes of defending a case (details supplied) and other cases of day school sex abuse litigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16904/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The State Claims Agency are mandated to manage these cases on behalf of the State. The information sought is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

School Funding

Ceisteanna (398)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

398. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funds available to schools for emergency works such as the removal of trees that present health and safety concerns and that may prevent a school from reopening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16931/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

If the school authority considers the works referred to by the Deputy to be a priority, it may use the minor works/capitation grant which all primary/post primary schools receive to carry out the works in full, or on a phased basis as the grant permits.

Having said the above, it is open to the school to apply for funding for same under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme. It may do so if it believes that the issue in question meets the terms and conditions of that scheme, in particular that if the issue is not corrected it would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.

Information on applications for funding under this scheme, including its terms and conditions, may be found on the Department's website at the following web address: https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/Building-Works/Emergency-Works/. Officials in my Department will consider applications on their own merit should such an application be made.

School Uniforms

Ceisteanna (399)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

399. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position on school uniforms in view of the fact that parents are in the process of purchasing uniforms and in further view of reports that schools will have no uniforms for infection control reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16959/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The interim public health advice received by my Department sets out the key public health requirements that will be required for a safe full reopening of schools in late August/September and the measures that will be required to achieve this.

This public health advice will underpin ongoing engagements with education partners and stakeholders in terms of planning and providing guidance for schools in relation to logistical, curricular and wellbeing arrangements. The advice also contains important measures required for infection prevention and control and does not include specific advice on the wearing of uniforms. Individual school authorities are responsible for the drawing up of a school policy in relation to the wearing of school uniforms.

The Department recommends that the formulation of such a school policy should allow for prior consultation with teachers, parents and pupils where appropriate and enable any concerns to be raised and considered.

School Curriculum

Ceisteanna (400)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

400. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) or an organisation to which they are linked has been party to or had influence on the development of sex education programmes in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17006/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In April 2018, the then Minister for Education and Skills Mr. Richard Bruton asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to undertake a major review of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools across all stages of education to ensure that it is fit for purpose and meets the needs of young people today in modern Ireland.

The Report on the Review of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in primary and post-primary schools was published by the NCCA on 11th of December, 2019.

The published report is based on commissioned research and two rounds of extensive consultation, including public consultation.

Neither the individual nor the organisation mentioned by the Deputy has had any contact with, or influence on the NCCA in relation to its review of RSE or sex education programmes.

A list of written submissions regarding the review received by the NCCA, along with the published NCCA report, can be found on the NCCA website.

State Examinations

Ceisteanna (401)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

401. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the expected date for the results of the leaving certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17014/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A system of Calculated Grades was put in place by my predecessor due to the inability to run the normal Leaving Certificate examinations. The purpose of this process is to allow as many students as possible to progress to employment, further education and training, or higher education in a way that is fair and equitable to all Leaving Certificate students.

The results of the Calculated Grades will issue on Monday 7 September which, given the need for robust quality assurance procedures, is as close to the traditional date of release of Leaving Certificate results as is achievable. This date is early enough to allow students to receive Round 1 UCAS offers. Round 1 CAO offers will issue on 11th September. The means by which the results will be communicated to the students will be discussed with education stakeholders over the coming weeks and will be advised to students in advance.

State Examinations

Ceisteanna (402)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

402. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which communication of 2020 leaving certificate results will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17015/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A system of Calculated Grades was put in place by my predecessor due to the inability to run the normal Leaving Certificate examinations. The purpose of this process is to allow as many students as possible to progress to employment, further education and training, or higher education in a way that is fair and equitable to all Leaving Certificate students.

The results of the Calculated Grades will issue on Monday 7 September which, given the need for robust quality assurance procedures, is as close to the traditional date of release of Leaving Certificate results as is achievable. The means by which the results will be communicated to the students will be discussed with education stakeholders over the coming weeks and will be advised to students in advance.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (403)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

403. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new primary schools due to open in 2020; and the location of these new schools in tabular form. [17016/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, since April 2018 the Government announced plans for the establishment of 45 new schools over the 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. There are seven new primary schools due to be established in 2020 which are set out in the table below.

County

School Name

School Planning Area to be served

Cork

Owenabue ETNS

Carrigaline

Dublin

Gaelscoil na Mara

Donabate

Dublin

Gaelscoil Lir

Newcastle_Rathcoole/Saggart-Citywest

Dublin

Rathcoole ETNS

Newcastle_Rathcoole/Rathcoole

Dublin

Cherrywood ETNS

Sallynoggin_Killiney_DLR/Cherrywood

Dublin

Broadmeadow CNS

Swords/North

Meath

Dunshaughlin CNS

Dunshaughlin

School Costs

Ceisteanna (404)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

404. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to technology companies financially benefiting from schools purchasing devices in preparation for blended learning in which schools are requesting parents to pay for devices up front, including parents in receipt of social welfare; the suggested recourse for these parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17017/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is a matter for the Board of Management of each school. Where the introduction of digital devices is planned, consultation with members of the school community including parents is advised. The cost and other implications must be fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a decision is made. It is important for schools, in conjunction with parents, to retain local autonomy for decisions on the use of digital technology, including tablet devices, laptops, and learning platforms, and how best to manage their integration into classroom practice reflective of their own context and requirements. In making this decision each school should refer to and reflect on the available information.

All purchasing undertaken by schools of exchequer provided funding must be in compliance with Public Procurement Procedures. Existing ICT purchasing Frameworks are in place operated by the Office of Government procurement for Desktop PCs/Notebooks/etc, with appropriately defined technical specifications. These Frameworks should be engaged with and taken advantage of as they simplify the process of purchasing ICT equipment for schools.

The Professional Development Service for Teachers Technology in Education (PDST-TIE) offers advice to schools and have developed an advice sheets on digital technology in education, including on the adoption of Laptops and tablets in schools. The information on their website outlines what these devices can offer schools to support teaching, learning and assessment, and facilitate students' active learning and collaboration. Specific items for consideration including software and hardware requirements, purchasing regulations, are addressed in the support information.

I am keenly aware of the challenges faced by educators and parents, in relation to costs of digital technology, including Laptop/tablet devices, and my Department continues to work to help support schools and families meet these costs. In 2017 a circular letter issued to schools with measures to be adopted to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs. This circular also instructed schools to consult with parents and their school community on the issue of ensuring costs are reasonable for parents, and how to avoid costs acting as a barrier. This circular specified that wherever possible, generic rather than branded items should be specified (e.g. uniform, clothing, IT tablets, sports equipment etc.).

My Department has put in place a range of supports for schools, teachers, pupils and parents to ensure development of appropriate policies and to raise awareness around the appropriate use of digital technology including the publication of the circular referred to requiring consultation on the issue of the use of digital devices in schools.

The Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020, sets out a plan to embed the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment, and affirms that the use of digital technology can enhance the teaching and learning experience. The Strategy recognises that schools require investment in their ICT infrastructure. Funding of €210m has been committed to support the implementation of this strategy with €110m issued over the last three years and a further €50m has recently been issued in respect of the 2019-2020 school year.

In the context of the current public health crisis the funding can be focussed on assisting schools to address ICT needs including devices, software and other ICT solutions to support the provision of remote learning. This can include the purchase of ICT devices that can be shared with students who do not have access to devices, essential learning platforms and other ICT infrastructure to support the provision of remote learning.

State Examinations

Ceisteanna (405)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

405. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the leaving certificate results and CAO offers can be issued on the same day in recognition of the already high levels of stress endured by the 2020 leaving certificate students. [17018/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A system of Calculated Grades was put in place by my predecessor due to the inability to run the normal Leaving Certificate examinations. The purpose of this process is to allow as many students as possible to progress to employment, further education and training, or higher education in a way that is fair and equitable to all Leaving Certificate students.

The results of the Calculated Grades will issue on Mon 7th September which, given the need for robust quality assurance procedures, is as close to the traditional date of release of Leaving Certificate results as is achievable. The means by which the results will be communicated to the students will be discussed with education stakeholders over the coming weeks and will be advised to students in advance.

It is expected that first round of CAO offers will issue on 11th September. The CAO’s process of calculated points and generating first round offers takes some time, and in order to release Calculated Grades results and CAO offers simultaneously the release of Calculated Grades would have to be delayed. The decision was made to release the results of Calculated Grades when they are available, with a gap of four days before the release of CAO first round offers.

Higher education institutions are autonomous with regard to management of their academic affairs including admissions procedures. The CAO process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on behalf of the HEIs. Decisions on admissions are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. As such, neither I nor my Department have any role in relation to the timing of CAO offers.

School Textbooks

Ceisteanna (406)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

406. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for the free schoolbook pilot in September 2020; if the 50 schools have been selected; if so, the details of the selection process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17019/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Additional funding of €1 million provided under Budget 2020 was allocated to 102 Primary DEIS schools for a new pilot programme which aims to provide free school books for the 2020/21 school year. This was announced in January of this year and further information including the selection process is available on my Departments website at https://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2020-press-releases/PR20-01-09.html.

The aim of this pilot is to provide free schoolbooks for students in the schools involved, and to support these schools in eliminating the cost of schoolbooks for parents. It will run for a period of one year and its effectiveness and impact will be monitored and evaluated before any decision is made as regards its possible extension or continuation. Under Circular 46/2013, DEIS schools receive a book grant of €21 per student. This pilot will provide an additional €64 per student to increase the overall book grant rate to €85 per student enrolled in the school. This additional funding issued to schools in May 2020.

A list of the 102 participating schools is published on the Department of Education and Skills website and can be found at this link: https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/school-book-pilot-scheme-2020.pdf

As the Deputy is aware, my Department provides a book grant to all recognised primary and post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books including Book Rental Schemes. Under this scheme, the Department provided funding of €16.9 million in 2019 to all of these schools.

Question No. 407 answered with Question No. 366.

Third Level Admissions

Ceisteanna (408)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

408. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of students who were successful in their applications to the national alternative entry schemes for students with disabilities and students from low socio-economic backgrounds, DARE and HEAR, for the past two years in tabular form. [17021/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The HEAR and DARE schemes are operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) and regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. As such, the Department of Education and Skills has no role in the policy criteria of the scheme.

Admissions under the HEAR and DARE schemes are regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. Each institution determines its own admissions policy in relation to the schemes, the number of places they reserve and the allocation of those places.

Applications to both schemes are submitted to the Central Applications Office (CAO) who coordinate the scheme for participating institutions.

However, my colleagues have made contact with the IUA and the information you requested is available in the attached table.

Number of DARE and HEAR Successful candidates

Number of Successful Candidates 2019

Number of Successful Candidates 2018

DARE

4073

3646

HEAR

3947

3369

School Transport

Ceisteanna (409)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

409. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Skills if social distancing will be a requirement on school transport; if so, when guidelines about these requirements will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17032/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

I recently welcomed the publication of interim public health advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) in relation to the reopening of schools. Engagement with stakeholders on the public health advice and planning process for both primary and post-primary schools will continue over the coming weeks.

With regard to the reopening of schools for the 2020/21 academic year, my Department is currently engaging intensively with Bus Éireann, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the National Transport Authority on the logistical considerations that arise from public health advice in planning for the reopening of schools. The operation of school transport services in September 2020 will be informed by the outcome of this planning for reopening schools.

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