Catherine Murphy
Ceist:474. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full-year cost if the budget for Royal Irish Academy of Music increased by 5%. [18459/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchools of Music
Ceisteanna (474)
Freagraí scríofa
The Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) is an autonmous institution and is not a designated institution under the Higher Education Authority (HEA). RIAM therefore receives funding (pay and non-pay) directly from the Department and the purpose of this provision is to assist the Academy in meeting their general running costs.
The 2020 allocation is €3,282,000, a 5% increase in this allocation would be €164,100.
The Academy also receives income from other sources such as tuition and examination fees, philanthropic donations, music fees, returns from investments, subscriptions etc.
Nursing Education
Ceisteanna (475)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:475. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to providing additional places for nursing through PLC courses in view of the fact spaces are limited for entrants that do not reach the recommended points but have a passion for working as a nurse; the number of places that are available; the details of the colleges that provide nursing at a PLC level in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18571/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are governed by the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technologies Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. Within the meaning of these Acts, higher education institutions are autonomous with regard to management of their academic affairs including admissions procedures.
The CAO processes applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on behalf of the HEIs. Decisions on admissions, including the number of places offered, are made by the HEIs which then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. This includes decisions on the number of places offered to students applying through a specific route, such as access via a PLC course. Neither I nor my Department have a function in relation to the admission process.
The list of further education institutions requested by the Deputy is available in the attached table.
State Examinations
Ceisteanna (476)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:476. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether students from County Donegal that received conditional offers from colleges and universities in Northern Ireland will be at a disadvantage following the postponement of the leaving certificate results; if her attention has been drawn to the concern the matter has caused amongst students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18580/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Leaving Certificate results will issue on 7th September 2020. Upon engagement by my officials with UCAS, (the UK equivalent of the CAO), it has indicated that this can be accommodated within their revised timelines for 2020. As a result, students pursuing their studies in Northern Ireland and the UK will not be at a disadvantage.
State Examinations
Ceisteanna (477)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:477. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 534 of 14 July 2020 and 684 of 21 July 2020, when a response will issue (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18581/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A system of Calculated Grades was put in place by my predecessor due to the inability to run the normal Leaving Certificate examinations this year. 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.
For the calculated grades system to be operated with integrity, an estimated percentage mark, based on credible, satisfactory evidence, can only be accepted from an appropriate source. This is necessary to ensure fairness to all students.
The Calculated Grades Executive Office in my Department developed a comprehensive guide to calculated grades for out-of-school learners – those students who are studying entirely outside of school – and contacted each student individually on 25 June to invite them to apply for calculated grades. The closing date for applications was Thursday 2 July 2020 and applications are now being processed.
In cases where a student who is attending school, but who is studying one or more subjects outside of school, school principals were asked to make every effort to provide an estimated mark for that subject(s) provided there was sufficient, credible evidence available from an appropriate source. If the principal was unable to provide an estimated mark for any student they were asked to notify the Calculated Grades Executive Office of my Department.
As part of its commitment to ensure that a calculated grade is provided to as many students as possible, the CGEO are currently undertaking a review of these reports with the schools involved to ensure that the correct procedures were followed.
Despite every effort being made by schools and by the Department of Education, to provide calculated grades to as many students as possible, there will be a small number of cases where there is no credible evidence to support a calculated grade in a particular subject. To attempt to give a calculated grade in such cases would be unfair to all other candidates.
Such students will have an opportunity to sit the Leaving Certificate examinations when it is safe to do so.
I can confirm that the Calculated Grades Executive Office have received an application in respect of the student named above.
No decisions have yet been issued by the Calculated Grades Executive Office in respect of any of students studying independently. However, the issue of decision letters in these cases will commence later this week.
My Department has continued to engage with third level stakeholders regarding the Calculated Grades process for students seeking to progress to Higher Education. This has resulted in an agreed common approach in relation to students who have not been able to obtain calculated grades in one or more subjects. Students who have applied for a calculated grade, with a view to satisfying matriculation/basic minimum entry requirements and for whom the Department has been unable to award a Calculated Grade in the subject(s), will be granted an exemption in the subject(s) solely for matriculation/basic minimum entry purposes.
The CGEO will notify the Central Applications Office (CAO) of any student who cannot be provided with calculated grades, and of the subjects involved, and the exemption from matriculation/basic minimum entry will be granted automatically by the CAO. The subject(s) for which exemption is granted will not attract points and the exemption cannot be used to satisfy additional programme requirements over and above the matriculation/basic minimum entry requirements.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (478)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:478. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications received for SNA support in County Donegal in 2020; the number of successful and unsuccessful applications, respectively in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18582/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Budget 2020 provided for 1,064 additional SNA posts, for allocation in 2020, which will bring the total number of SNA posts in schools to over 17,000 in 2020.
The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews.
The NCSE has published details of SNA allocations for all schools which are available to view on a per county basis, including special schools. Details can be accessed on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie or by using the following link http://ncse.ie/statistics.
The information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department and I have referred the question to the NCSE for their direct reply.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (479)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:479. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions in place for children from junior infants to third class that have medical conditions for returning to school in view of the fact that the advice to date is that they will not have to social distance; and the way in which such children will be protected. [18597/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Yesterday, the 27 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.
I am conscious that there may be some pupils for whom return to school at the end of August may not be appropriate because the relevant public health guidelines indicate they are at “very high risk”.
Responsibility to ensure that these pupils receive appropriate support to engage adequately with learning remains with each school. Good communication is key to supporting these pupils and to ensure their ongoing connection with their classmates and school community.
Additional supports will be provided for these pupils/students through designated teachers from within the staffing resources of the school. Schools will have discretion to manage and redistribute their teaching support resources in order to best meet the learning needs of their pupils/students, including pupils/students at ‘very high risk’ to COVID-19.
School Admissions
Ceisteanna (480)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:480. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) is not eligible to repeat their final year of secondary school. [18598/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Special schools funded by my Department are classified as national schools and are intended, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 64(1) of the Rules for National Schools, to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from the age of 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year.
Special schools may, however, seek approval from the Department for an exemption from Rule 64(1) in respect of students over the age of 18 who are pursuing courses leading to accreditation on the National Qualifications Framework (e.g. Junior Certificate/LCA/FETAC 3).
In correspondence issued in March this year, the Department advised the management of special schools of the criteria under which schools may seek this exemption in respect of individual students for the 2020/2021 school year; and the process to be followed.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that following receipt of additional clarification in respect of the application to retain the student in question, approval has been granted and the school has been informed.
Third Level Education
Ceisteanna (481)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:481. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consult with Waterford Institute of Technology on work placements for social care students, having regard to the special circumstances caused by Covid-19 (details supplied). [18599/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are governed by the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technologies Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. Within the meaning of these Acts, HEIs are autonomous with regard to the management of their academic affairs and as such retain the right to determine their own policies and procedures. Decisions on how courses will operate will be made by each institution, in line with public health advice and arrangements will vary between institutions and between courses. The HEIs will communicate the arrangements for the new academic year to students as soon as these arrangements have been finalised.
As such, my Department does not have a role in the matter raised by the Deputy.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (482)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:482. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to correspondence issued from this Deputy on 29 June 2020 regarding the cancellation of school transport services to a school (details supplied), the reason for the decision; if she has raised the matter with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport; if alternative school transport will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18612/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
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 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.
Dublin Bus has confirmed to Bus Éireann that the service referred by the Deputy is not part of the School Transport Scheme. The service was one of a number services operated by private operators on behalf of Dublin Bus and following a review of the services it was decided not to extend contracts for the new school year. Dublin Bus has written individually to each affected school, explaining the rationale for the discontinuation of the services and outlining alternative transport options where applicable.
English Language Training Organisations
Ceisteanna (483)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:483. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an English language school (details supplied) is refusing to refund students for courses and examinations cancelled owing to Covid-19; and if the matter will be examined in view of the obligations for a provider to have established policies and procedures for the refund of fees to students in addition to a complaints procedure in the event of student complaint as part of the conditions to be included on the Interim List for Eligible Programmes and therefore be eligible to recruit international students. [18622/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am aware that issues have been raised in relation to refunds for students in the English language education (ELE) sector. These issues have been discussed at the ELE Covid-19 Working Group chaired by my Department.
In compliance with the Government Decision taken in March 2020, all English language education (ELE) providers closed their premises in accordance with public health advice as part of efforts to combat the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, English language education providers introduced new ways of providing services to their students including facilitating the provision of online classes. This reflects a similar approach that has been adopted by providers across the wider education system. If a student is having issues with the programme on offer or in accessing a provider’s services, they can engage with their provider to address these issues.
It is not within the remit of my Department to pursue providers for refunds arising from fees paid by students. This is a matter between the student and their provider. However, as part of the conditions for a provider to have its programmes included on the Interim List for Eligible Programmes (ILEP) and therefore be eligible to recruit International Students, it must have established policies and procedures for the refund of fees to students in addition to a complaints procedure in the event of student complaints. These should be communicated to the student at time of enrolment.
If the students have exhausted the internal complaints procedure of the provider in question and are still unhappy about the outcome, they can make a complaint to the Immigration Delivery Service of the Department of Justice and Equality. However, in the case of a complaint regarding refunds, this can only relate to whether a provider has followed their internal refunds policy. If the provider’s refund policy was followed, there can be no further intervention into a private agreement between a provider and their student.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (484)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:484. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the refusal to facilitate the establishment of an ASD class at a school (details supplied) for eight students that cannot be accommodated in September 2020 will be reversed in view of the time constraints; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18641/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Special Schools funded by my Department are established as special primary schools and cater for children and young persons with complex special educational needs from the age of 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year.
Provision in our 124 special schools has increased from 6,848 placements in 2011 to 7,872 this year.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for determining the appropriate staffing levels in relation to the support of pupils with special educational needs in special schools, in accordance with the policies of my Department.
Since 2012, special schools are staffed on the basis of individual pupil profile and the disability categorisations of those pupils, as opposed to being based primarily on school designation, in accordance with my Department's most recent Circular 0032/2019 - Appointment of Administrative Deputy Principal and Staffing in Special Schools.
It is open to any school to make an application to the NCSE for the establishment of specialised provision and where sanctioned, a range of supports, including capital funding, is made available to the school. In considering these applications, however, the NSCE liaises with the school buildings unit of my Department regarding the availability of suitable accommodation in the school. However, my Department is not involved in adjudicating on applications received by the NCSE from schools. Accordingly, the question is being referred to the NCSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (485)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Ceist:485. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if development guidelines for the operation of universities is underway similar to those that exist for hairdressers and restaurants (details supplied). [18647/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On 22nd July I published a three-pillar series of guides for returning to on-site learning in 2020/2021 which consisted of
- A high level Further and Higher Education Roadmap, which provides an overview of the phased return across further and higher education;
- A COVID-19 Adaptation framework which provides a structure, guidance and support for further and higher education institutions and providers and;
- Practical Guidance for Further and Higher Education for Returning to On-site Activity.
These documents can all be found online at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/fc7a0-guidance-for-further-and-higher-education-for-returning-to-on-site-activity-in-2020-roadmap-and-covid-19-adaptation-framework.
Ultimately Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous institutions and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes. Decisions on how courses and campus services will operate will be made by each institution, in line with public health advice, and arrangements will vary between institutions and between courses. The HEIs will communicate the arrangements for the new academic year to students as soon as these arrangements have been finalised. Questions on arrangements for a specific institution or course should be directed to the institution in question.
In relation to student fees, under my Department’s free fees schemes, the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate students with students paying the student contribution which stands at €3,000 since 2014/2015. It is important to recognise that the exchequer pays this contribution (or part of it) on behalf of almost 50% of eligible undergraduate students as part of the student support grant.
Where students do not meet the eligibility criteria of the Free Fees Initiative, for example full-time undergraduate students who do not qualify for the free tuition fees; fees for part-time undergraduates; or any post-graduate students, it is a matter for the higher education institution as an autonomous body to determine which fee rate is applicable for students. Any determination as to the level of fees to be charged is a matter for the institution in light of their own particular conditions and circumstances, and there are no current plans for the Department to provide advice in such matters.
Student accommodation license terms including cost, duration, refund and cancellation policies should be set out in the license agreement signed at the beginning of the academic year. While I would hope that accommodation providers would show flexibility to students in the current circumstances, agreements between students and accommodation providers are a private matter, and neither I nor my Department have any remit to issue instructions in relation to the private rental market.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (486)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:486. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of classes at primary school level with 30 pupils or above. [18652/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Please find attached details of classes with 30 pupils or above, including the total number of classes as well as the total number of pupils enrolled in classes of 30 or above.
Please note this figure is for mainstream classes in mainstream schools.
Academic Year 2019/2020
|
Class Size |
Number of Classes |
Number of Pupils |
Average Class Size |
|
30=> |
3,137 |
94,393 |
30.1 |
Note: Classes are Mainstream Classes in Mainstream Schools
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (487)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:487. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to ensure the July provision is extended to include post-primary blind and visually impaired students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18679/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Summer Provision is aimed at helping children with complex needs prepare for a return to education, particularly after the health restrictions that have been in place over recent months.
As work continues on planning for the re-opening of schools, it is important that we take measures to help the prevention of regression among these children in terms of their education and social interactions.
The eligibility criteria for summer provision includes children in the following categories:
1. Pupils with a diagnosis of Autism
2. Pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties
3. Any child in a special school or a special class
4. Children transitioning into a special class from early years settings to primary school
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
The Government has also approved the inclusion of children with Down Syndrome who are attending post primary school in the home-based strand of the Programme.
Children with the listed disabilities entering primary school next September are also eligible for the programme.
There are no plans to extend the programme further.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (488, 489)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:488. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to prioritise the return to in-person teaching of blind and visually impaired children in September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18680/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeasa Hourigan
Ceist:489. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to a report by an organisation (details supplied) on the implications of Covid-19 on the education of pupils that are blind and visually impaired; her views on same;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18681/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has now published The Roadmap to the Full Reopening of Schools.
This roadmap sets outs how schools will reopen for all students, including students with special educational needs and those who are blind and visually impaired, from the end of August.
It envisages what the operation of our schools will look like upon reopening and contains a range of guidance on the measures to be implemented in schools in order to minimise the risk of the introduction, or spread, of infection in schools.
The Roadmap provides details of a range of Additional Supports which will be made available to schools to implement their Covid-19 Response Plan and to operate in a sustainable way.
These supports include:
- An enhanced Minor Works Grant to support full implementation of COVID-19 response plans
- Employing an aide to help with the school re-opening logistics;
- Additional financial supports to provide for additional cleaning, hand hygiene and PPE costs under the COVID-19 response plans.
- Increased management support to primary schools;
- Extending the current pilot supply panel for substitute teachers on a nationwide basis at primary school level;
- 1,080 additional teaching posts at post primary school level including 120 guidance posts;
- Enhanced supervision supports for post primary schools.
All of these measures will support the return of children with special educational needs to schools in August.
However, the Department is also making additional provision for special schools and special classes, in recognition of the particular challenges that these schools and classes will face dealing with children with complex medical and care needs.
Additional NEPS psychologists will be appointed to provide enhanced services to support the wellbeing of our school communities at this time, with a particular emphasis on the wellbeing of our special school communities.
Special schools will receive funding equivalent to 10 days, for the purposes of employing an aide to assist with the logistics for preparing for reopening.
The Minor Works Grant at Primary and Post Primary level include enhanced rates in respect of students in special classes and schools. This will facilitate preparatory works to be completed in schools to facilitate reopening such as refurbishment of toilets and reconfiguration of school spaces.
The additional per capita funding being provided for pupils in special schools and special classes recognises the additional needs that these pupils have and the additional measures that schools may be required to take to support them.
Special schools and schools with special classes where there is a teaching principal will receive one release day per week. Those schools with administrative Deputy Principals will be provided with 16 release days.
The Department is also supporting the replacement of all absences of SNAs in school settings.
Enhanced COVID-19 rates are payable in respect of students attending special schools and special classes attached to mainstream schools to assist with the extra costs associated with the cleaning of classrooms with a small number of students, operating specialist provision.
The COVID-19 capitation grant will also be the mechanism through which additional funding will be provided to cater for costs related to hand hygiene measures and PPE requirements under the COVID-19 Response Plan. Additional provision for this purpose will be confirmed with the establishment of the drawdown framework of suppliers.
For the Special Education Transport Service, funding supports will be made available to schools for the provision of masks or visors to School Bus Escorts where required, bearing in mind the SEN needs of the child/children on the service, and where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
It is also recognised that pupils with SEN will require particular support at the time of transition back to school including supporting their well-being, reducing potential anxiety and planning learning experiences that take account of the effect of school closures on their progress.
Approximately 15,000 pupils with SEN will have availed of the Department-supported summer provision and all records of progress for these children, whether the programmes were delivered in school or home settings, will be available to their schools to support planning for their needs in the new term.
Finally it is recognised that some children who have complex medical or special educational needs may not be able to return to school at the end of August because the relevant public health guidelines indicate they are at “very high risk”.
These students’ schools will provide additional supports for these students through designated teachers from within the staffing resources of the school.
Schools will have discretion to manage and redistribute their teaching support resources in order to best meet the learning needs of their pupils/students, including pupils/students at ‘very high risk’ due to COVID-19.
During the period of school closures the Department provided schools in the primary and special school sector and at post-primary level with a series of “Continuity of Schooling Guidance” documents to help education professionals and parents to support children learning in a remote environment. The events surrounding COVID-19 and the public health restrictions which resulted in the emergency closure of schools to learners has highlighted the absolute necessity for schools to be agile in how they can provide for continuity of teaching and learning in the future.
The continuity of teaching and learning during the emergency period was achieved with significant additional effort from all school staff working remotely to ensure students were supported during this time. Most schools put in place arrangements to communicate with students and parents demonstrating innovation and resilience by providing flexible local responses.
The Department is updating its Continuity of Schooling Guidance documents to support schools in responding in an agile way in the event of localised school closure or to continue to support pupils with medical or special educational needs who cannot attend school.
The return to school package includes enhanced allocations to support children, including children who are blind and visually impaired, to be able to return safely for the forthcoming school year.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (490, 491, 492)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:490. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of planning permission (details supplied) being sought for a college to retain the existing five classroom prefabricated building on their site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18696/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeasa Hourigan
Ceist:491. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of planning permission (details supplied) being sought by a college for the provision of a suite of additional prefabricated specialist classrooms that will be required to accommodate the existing cohort of students in September 2020 to include science, art, home economics and woodwork rooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18697/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeasa Hourigan
Ceist:492. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to the fast tracking of an application by a college (details supplied) for inclusion on the building list of her Department to accommodate a new school and its growing population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18698/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department recently received a request from the school authority to retain a suite of rented, temporary accommodation at the school to which the Deputy refers. An official from my Schools’ Capital Appraisals Section will contact the school authority shortly to discuss the matter further. Also the long-term needs of the school are currently being reviewed and my Department will be in further contact with the Patron to discuss.
There is currently a project under the Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme which has been devolved for delivery to the school authority. This project, which proceeded to site last summer, provides, inter alia, for 8 general classrooms, guidance rooms, special education needs classrooms, computer rooms, a staff room, a general purpose room, a science lab, and ancillary accommodation. The school has sought an increase in its furniture grant which is under consideration by officials in my Department. This project has 90% funding drawn down at this stage and is near completion.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (493)
Michael Ring
Ceist:493. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Skills if approval will be granted to enable projects at a school (details supplied) to go to tender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18710/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, the project to which he refers has been devolved for delivery to the School Authority under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme.
I can confirm, as set out by the Deputy, that, arising from the meeting to which he refers, the further documentation in question has now been received. This information is currently being reviewed by officials in my Department. A decision will be conveyed to the school authority as soon as this review has been completed.