Written Answers Nos. 454-473
454. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if third level grant recipients from the 2020 leaving certificate cohort that have to repeat first year or that transfer into new courses will not be financially impacted by losing SUSI in view of the exceptional circumstances affecting the 2020 leaving certificate, the lack of guidance for students and time spent off school due to Covid-19. [18296/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment/progression and means.
To satisfy the terms and conditions of the Scheme in relation to progression, a student must be moving from year to year within a course having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course.
Under the progression/previous academic attainment criteria of the scheme, a grant will not be paid to a student for a repeat period of study on the same course, or for a different course at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study. However, once an equivalent period of study has been completed on the new course, the student may be eligible for student grant assistance for the remainder of the course.
In addition, under Article 15(8) of the Student Grant Scheme 2020, the awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) has discretion to award a grant for a repeat period of study in exceptional circumstances which impacted on a student completing a particular period of study or undertaking exams. SUSI treats each application for repeat funding on a case-by-case basis, and it is it is a matter for the individual student to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the awarding authority that there were exceptional circumstances.
The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending third level. Students can be assisted towards the rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. The total allocation for the SAF is €9.1 million which includes an additional €1m added to the Fund in 2017 for part-time students who are lone-parents or members of the other access target groups. Prior to that the fund supported full-time students only. In December 2018 a further €1 million was added to the Fund for students attending Professional Masters of Education courses, who are experiencing financial difficulty. This funding continued into 2019 and 2020. Institutions have the autonomy to maximise the flexibility in the Student Assistance Fund to enable HEIs to support students during the COVID-19 situation.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie
455. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of reducing the student contribution charge for higher education by €100, €200, €500, €1,000 and €3,000, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18299/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder my Department’s free fees schemes, the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible full-time undergraduate students with students paying the student contribution which currently stands at €3,000.
The Student Contribution, was introduced with effect from the 2011/12 academic year. There has been no increase in the contribution since 2014/15 and the Exchequer pays this contribution (or part of it) on behalf of almost 50% of undergraduate students who are eligible for free fees via the student grant scheme.
The estimated additional cost to the Exchequer for reducing the student contribution at the rates of €100, €200, €500, €1,000 and €3,000 for the 2020/21 academic year are as follows:
|
Reduction amount |
Estimated net cost (millions) |
|
€100 |
€7.8m |
|
€200 |
€15.7m |
|
€500 |
€39.2m |
|
€1,000 |
€78.4m |
|
€3,000 |
€235.1m |
The above figures are the estimated net cost to the Exchequer factoring in the subsequent estimated reduction in the SUSI Student Grant budget.
The costs for the Exchequer of reducing or abolishing the student contribution would increase in line with the demographic increases expected in the coming years up to 2030.
My Department is undertaking a comprehensive economic review currently which is progressing under the European Commission DG Reform’s Structural Reform Support Programme. This review is focussed on Increasing the Future Sustainability of Higher and Further Education Provision in Ireland. The review encompasses an assessment of the funding options for higher education included in the 2016 (Cassells) Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding of Higher Education which includes the student contribution charge. The study is scheduled to be substantially complete in Q4 2020.
456. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated amount required by the third level education sector to ensure the safe return of students in the 2020 and 2021 academic year; if she will provide a breakdown of the cost of planned expenses in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18300/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 22 July I announced a substantial package of supports in the amount of €168m for further and higher education institutions and students. Additionally I am aware that this pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on younger workers and those in lower paid occupations with lower level of educational qualifications. Accordingly, through the Government's July Stimulus package which has also been announced a programme of immediate investment in upskilling, reskilling and refreshing of skills need to be supported throughout working lives. This funding for higher and further education and training to address this situation amounts to €100m and will fund over 35,000 additional student places in the current year.
Since the onset of Covid-19 in March, my Department, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and SOLAS have collaborated with key stakeholders from the sector to identify, quantify and develop options to mitigate the financial impacts of Covid 19 on the sector, including costs associated with the safe commencement of the 2020/21 academic year in line with Public Health advice.
Additionally my Department recently provided specific guidance to the Further and Higher Education sectors about the return to on-site activity in 2020. The advice, which is not intended to be prescriptive, further acknowledges the varied individual requirements and individual circumstances within institutions.
The provision of additional financial support will assist the safe commencement of the 2020/21 academic year and in order that the sector can contribute fully to economic recovery and to meeting priority skill needs and provide assurance and confidence to students and their families as well as to staff and other key stakeholder regarding the capacity and capability of the sector in meeting critical teaching and learning and research objectives. My Department will continue to engage with key stakeholders to underpin the achievement of these objectives.
The distribution of the funding and eligibility criteria for student supports will be finalised over the coming days and weeks with key stakeholders. Additionally my Department will continue to work closely with our agencies and key stakeholders to monitor the recovery of the sector through this pandemic.
457. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing the SUSI maintenance grant by 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 percent respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18301/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated cost of increasing the maintenance rates by 5%,10%, 15%, 20%, 30% would be €3.5m, €7.1m, €10.6m, €14.2m and €21.3m respectively.
458. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated average cost per apprenticeship; the estimated average cost per craft apprentice; the estimated average cost for a new apprenticeship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18302/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total estimated annual cost per apprentice in craft apprenticeships, which are offered at level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is €7,159. This figure comes from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Spending Review of Apprenticeships published last year.
The review also provides an average annual cost of €9,877 for new apprenticeships. However, this figure includes the development costs for these new programmes, so it somewhat overstates the true ongoing cost of providing new apprenticeship places. Due to the majority of these programmes only coming into operation in recent years and the overall population being relatively low there is insufficient information to derive a reliable average cost, however this will be kept under review as greater numbers come on stream.
459. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to reduce apprenticeship and post-leaving certificate fees by 50% and 100% respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18303/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Annual Student Contribution (ASC) is levied on all students attending Institutes of Technology (IoTs). The amount of ASC charged to apprentices is calculated on a pro rata basis of the time which they spend in IoTs during the academic year. In cases where training is delivered in an Education and Training Board there is no contribution made by the apprentice.
For craft apprenticeships, the ASC charged is typically one third of the €3,000 ASC paid by students attending for the full academic year and so amounts to approximately €1,000 per apprentice per period spent in the IoT. In the case of the new consortia led apprenticeships the contribution varies for each programme as their off-the-job training has a more flexible structure.
Prior to Budget 2014 the portion of the ASC relating to examination fees was paid by the apprentice with FÁS/SOLAS paying the remainder of the fee. If the arrangement in place prior to Budget 2014 arrangement were to be reinstated the 100% cost to the State was estimated at €4.8 million in 2019. A 50% reduction in the ASC to apprentices would cost an estimated €2.4 million.
In relation to Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) the only centrally determined payment for the PLC programme is the €200 PLC participant contribution. This amount is not payable by persons with a medical card, as well as a number of other categories, which means that approximately 60% of PLC participants do not pay the contribution. The estimated cost to remove 100% of the PLC participant contribution is in the region of €2.4 million. An estimated 50% reduction would cost €1.2 million.
460. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of expanding eligibility for mature independents maintenance grants to include persons over 25 years of age who have been forced to live with their parents for financial reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18304/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision on eligibility for student grant applications is a matter for the centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland).
For student grant purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students.
Applicants who do not meet the criteria to be assessed as an independent student for grant purposes, or who cannot supply the necessary documentation to establish independent living for the required period, may still apply to SUSI to have their grant eligibility assessed as a dependent student. The relevant information, including details of parental income, would be required by SUSI to determine grant eligibility as a dependent student.
It is important to note that each year a significant number of student grant applicants are assessed as 'independent' students and awarded student supports on that basis.
While SUSI has statistics on those students who have applied for grant support, they do not capture
- Information on why mature dependent applicants are living with their parents so the number of mature dependent applicants who are living with their parents for financial reasons is not available.
- how the grant would change for such applicants if they were instead assessed as independent applicants.
- the number of potential applicants who currently do not apply but might do so should the criteria changes.
As such, it is not possible to accurately cost what impact changes to the criteria might have for mature independent students.
However, SUSI based on 2019/20 academic year student applications data, have estimated it would cost an additional €9 million for students over 25 years of age and living with their parents.
461. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of expanding SUSI grants to cover master's programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18305/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total cost of reinstating the support for post graduate students that was removed in budget 2012 would be circa €44m.
462. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will allow payment via medical card for concessionary students on the school transport scheme. [18337/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
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 2019/2020 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.
Children who are not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme may apply to Bus Éireann for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of conditions including the appropriate annual charge is paid. The Medical Card waiver is not applicable to children who are not eligible for school transport. There are no plans to waiver the fee for concessionary children who are medical card holders.
463. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made regarding an exceptional special needs assistant review for a school (details supplied). [18343/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. My Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations. Accordingly, the question has been referred to the NCSE for direct reply.
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.
- 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.
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.
The exceptional review process for mainstream allocations will be available to schools throughout the 2020/21 school year.
Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website www.ncse.ie.
A school can appeal the outcome of an exceptional review and details of how to do this are here https://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/GuidanceSchoolAppealing-Exceptional-Review-outcome.docx.
464. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if school canteens will be allowed to open in line with school openings. [18344/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraYesterday, the 27th July, my Department published the report to Government “Reopening Our Schools, The Roadmap for the Full Return to School”.
This Roadmap set outs how schools will reopen for all students from the end of August and what the operation of our schools will look like and be sustainable in a COVID-19 context. It has been developed in line with public health advice issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the Roadmap for Society and Business, and follows comprehensive and intensive engagement with education stakeholders including the school management bodies and staff representatives.
The 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 and the measures that will be required to achieve this, including:
- Ensure that physical distancing is applied in canteen facilities.
- Stagger canteen use and extend serving times to align with Class Groupings.
- Implement a queue management system with correct marking to avoid queues.
- Make sure students clean their hands before and after entering the canteen area.
Given that each school setting is different in terms of (i) location; (ii) physical layout; (iii) available space within the school; (iv) student numbers; schools themselves are best placed to decide on the appropriate reconfigurations / operational changes necessary to maintain physical distancing in canteens so that they operate safely.
465. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for an extra teacher by a school (details supplied). [18345/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The staffing schedule includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. The school referred to by the Deputy will be advised in due course of the outcome of the staffing appeal.
466. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for a new school building by a school (details supplied). [18346/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the school referred to by the deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan. The project is currently at Stage 1 of architectural planning which entails preliminary design of site and location suitability and initial sketch scheme.
A review in 2019 of the demand for post primary provision in the area resulted in an increase in the schedule of accommodation to cater for up to 1300 pupils. My Department met with the school and the increase was accepted by the school.
Initially, it had been anticipated that this project would be delivered in the form of an extension and refurbishment. However, through ongoing engagement with the school, its Board of Management and Trustees (CEIST), the option of a New Build is currently being explored by the Department.
The Design Team has been instructed to provide an initial sketch scheme for a 1300 pupil school, and submit to my Department for review.
Following this review my Department will then be in contact with the Board of Management of the school with regard to the progression of the project.
467. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied). [18361/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department recently received an application for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation scheme, from the school authority referred to by the Deputy. Once the application has been assessed, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.
468. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills when details will be provided on the way in which the process of appealing leaving certificate grades will work; the estimated cost involved; when appeals will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18386/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA 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.
On 16 July, I announced that students will receive their Calculated Grades on 7 September. This is the earliest possible release date given the rigorous and robust quality assurance checks required to ensure the process has executed with equity and fairness to all students and to ensure that the 2020 results enjoy the same status as those of previous years. The results will be available in time for Round 1 offers from CAO and UCAS for colleges and universities in Ireland and UK.
A student who is unhappy with their Calculated Grade can appeal to the Department of Education and the appeals process will have three stages.
Stages 1 and 2 will involve checks to ensure that the data processing was completed correctly by the school and the Department of Education.
Stage 3 will involve a review by Appeal Scrutineers, who are independent of the Department of Education.
Finally, students who remain unhappy will have the opportunity to sit an examination later when it is safe and practicable to do so.
Further details of the appeals process will issue to students in due course.
469. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Thomas Pringle den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cad iad na pleananna atá ag an Roinn le go mbeidh stádas DEIS ag scoileanna i nDún na nGall agus i bpáirteanna eile den tír, atá i gceantair atá faoi mhíbhuntáiste sóisiálta agus eacnamaíochta agus chun ceist a chur ar an Aire cad iad na pleananna tacaíocht airgid a chur ar fáil do scoileanna de bharr costas breise a bheidh orthu le déileáil le díghalraithe agus a mhacasamhail de bharr Covid-19; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [18392/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá mo Roinn ag cur bailchríoch ar shamhail sainaitheanta DEIS, bunaithe ar shonraí líon rolla agus na sonraí is déanaí atá ar fáil ó Dhaonáireamh 2016 faoi Innéacs Díothachta HP.
Tá an obair go maith chun cinn agus tús curtha leis an gcéim thosaigh den phróiseas comhairliúcháin le hionadaithe páirtithe leasmhara oideachais ar na gnéithe teicniúla de shamhail sainaitheanta DEIS. Táthar ag dúil gurb é toradh na samhla seo bonn chun córas leithdháilte acmhainn DEIS a fhorbairt agus acmhainní a mheaitseáil le riachtanas sainaitheanta.
Tá mé cinnte go n-éascófar, ar chur i gcrích na hoibre seo, an aidhm fhoriomlán acmhainní a mheaitseáil le riachtanas sainaitheanta agus go gcuirfear ar ár gcumas acmhainní breise a dhíriú ar na scoileanna sin is mó a bhfuil siad de dhíth orthu. Go dtí go gcuirfear an obair seo i gcrích níl sé beartaithe scoileanna ar bith eile a chuimsiú i gclár DEIS.
Comhairle ar shláinte phoiblí a bhí mar bhonn agus taca leis an teagmháil uile le comhpháirtithe agus páirtithe leasmhara oideachais i dtéarmaí pleanáil agus treoir a thabhairt do scoileanna maidir le socruithe lóistíochta agus curaclaim agus na ceisteanna a d'ardaigh an Teachta Dála.
Sa Treoir um Fhilleadh Iomlán ar an Scoil, tá bearta breise leagtha amach a mbeidh costas níos mó ná €375m, chun tacú le scoileanna athoscailt go mall i mí Lúnasa.
470. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to ensure that the pay and conditions of those involved in international English language education is commensurate with the return to the economy which runs into hundreds of millions of euro annually. [18397/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe vast majority of English language providers are privately owned and operated. As a consequence, issues relating to the terms and conditions of the staff and teachers in this sector are a matter for their employers.
As the Deputy will be aware, as part to the initial Covid-19 response, the Government introduced a number of measures to support businesses. Among these measures is the temporary wages subsidy scheme which has facilitated employers to keep employees on their payroll through the Covid-19 pandemic in order to ensure this link is retained as businesses reopen. As recently announced as part of the July Jobs Stimulus, this measure will be continued until the end of August 2020 when it will be succeeded by a new Employment Wage Support Scheme. This new scheme will operate until April 2021 and will provide employers and new firms in sectors impacted by COVID-19 whose turnover has fallen 30% with a flat-rate subsidy of up to €203 per week per employee, including for seasonal staff and new employees.
Furthermore, a Joint Labour Committee (JLC) has been established for the English language education sector under the remit of the Labour Court. JLCs provide a wage-setting mechanism that can determine terms and conditions of employment, as well as setting minimum rates of pay for workers in certain sectors. In the sectors represented, the terms and conditions may be given effect in law by means of Employment Regulation Orders made under the Industrial Relations Acts. The JLC for the English language education sector was established by Ministerial Order in February of this year and a chairperson from the Labour Court has been appointed to this Committee. I would encourage bodies representing both employers and employees in this sector to engage with this JLC process and to comprehensively address all aspects of the working conditions and pay of employees in English language schools.
471. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a decision has been reached on the purchase of land for a school (details supplied). [18425/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is my Department's intention to provide a permanent school building for the school referred to by the Deputy. This will necessitate the acquisition of a new site. My Department has been engaging with the school authorities on this matter and they have proposed a potential site option.
As part of our standard general procedures, my Department would technically assess a number of potential site options. Integral to this process is an examination of key factors such as cost, availability and deliverability. Furthermore, in line with protocols for the use of State Property Assets, my Department would initially examine all state owned property assets in the area. A decision would then be made to make the best determination for the permanent location for the school.
My Department will examine these options and will update the school authorities with any further development.
472. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education and Skills if additional supports will be granted to DEIS schools to ensure that the students there do not suffer from the time away from school due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18434/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDEIS schools have various resources and supports available to them to assist them in meeting the needs of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage. These include the services of Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) and additional resources.
My Department has put in place a number of measures for DEIS schools since schools closed due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
The €16 million DEIS grant for the 2020/21 school year funding was paid ahead of schedule in May this year to all DEIS schools to help support students who are most at risk of educational disadvantage.
In addition, all DEIS schools were offered the opportunity to run a one week summer programme targeted at those pupils most in need of support. The aim of the DEIS primary summer camps is to provide rich educational experiences for young people, which foster a sense of belonging and creativity and confidence in their learning. The programme is funded to target educational and social disadvantage. It seeks to assist pupils who are experiencing social or academic difficulties in language and numeracy and who would benefit from a week-long Summer Camp with a very small teacher-pupil ratio.
A new programme was developed this year for DEIS post primary schools focusing on encouraging those students deemed most in need to reconnect with school, supporting their physical, social and emotional wellbeing and providing them with the skills they need to engage in a meaningful way with learning in the future.
It is estimated that the DEIS summer programmes will benefit over 7,000 children and at primary level and over 2,700 young people at post-primary level.
In taking account of the loss of in-class time at the end of the 2019/2020 school year, and recognising the potential challenges facing schools at the outset of the new school year, support for teacher wellbeing, leadership, digital technologies and support for socio-economic disadvantaged students will be priority areas of focus for my Department’s Support Services. My Department, through the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), continues to prioritise Reading and Maths Recovery and research based accredited programmes for those children in DEIS schools who are performing at or below the 1 percentile in standardised tests in DEIS schools as well as maintaining ongoing support for other schools already participating in the Reading and Maths Recovery programmes.
Yesterday the Government announced the publication of Reopening Our Schools: The Roadmap for The Full Return to School, along with details of a financial package of over €375 million to support its implementation.
The roadmap outlines a comprehensive range of measures being provided to support the full reopening of schools in time for the start of the new school year in late August.
The plan and its accompanying documentation provides schools with guidance on training, checklists for schools on preparing for reopening and guidance for operating the school safely in a Covid-context. It advises on areas across logistics, curriculum, teaching, managing school activities, supporting pupils with additional needs, administration and wellbeing.
473. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to recruit additional teachers ahead of the reopening of schools in autumn 2020; when they will be recruited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18435/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraYesterday, the 27th July, my Department published the report to Government “Reopening Our Schools, The Roadmap for the Full Return to School”.
This Roadmap set outs how schools will fully reopen for all students from the end of August, and what the operation of our schools will look like and be sustainable in a COVID-19 context. It has been developed in line with public health advice issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the Roadmap for Society and Business, and follows comprehensive and intensive engagement with education stakeholders including the school management bodies and staff representatives.
The Supply Panel Scheme will be expanded nationwide and I am allocating 200 additional posts fixed term to provide substitute cover through these panels. The purpose of supply panels is to support schools to manage the sick leave and other absences by having a supply of teachers to meet substitution needs when required. Schools will also be able to access substitute teachers through the normal process, particularly if they are not connected to a supply panel.
My Department is making over 1,000 additional teaching posts available to post primary schools in the free scheme. Posts equivalent to 0.6 PTR reduction will be allocated based as normal on school enrolments and will be clearly identifiable in the school’s staffing schedule. This allocation will support the important work of teaching and learning and provide additional teachers needed to support teacher substitution, management of physical distancing requirements by reallocating class timetables in schools to smaller groups class sizes where necessary.
