Danny Healy-Rae
Ceist:359. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education her plans to address the inequalities for school secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31519/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Staff
Ceisteanna (359)
Freagraí scríofa
I am keenly aware of the vital role contributed by school secretaries within school communities and I recognise the very important work done by these staff, and the other support staff in the running of our schools. I have met with Fórsa, who represent many of the secretaries working in schools.
In recognition of their role, I have put special arrangements in place for this school year whereby schools will be funded to employ a replacement secretary or caretaker in the event that staff who are at very high risk of contracting serious illness from COVID-19 cannot work on the school premises. I have also extended the Employee Assistance Service to all school staff including secretaries.
The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services under grant schemes. Where a school employs a staff member to support those functions those staff are employees of individual schools and responsibility for terms of employment rests with the school.
On foot of a Chairman’s Note to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, my Department implemented the 2015 recommendations of an independent arbitrator. The Arbitrator recommended a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 and that a minimum hourly pay rate of €13 be phased in over that period.
Fórsa trade union has tabled a follow-on claim from the 2015 agreement. Officials from my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and School Management Bodies met with Fórsa on 1 October under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission.
I support the continued meaningful dialogue between the parties with a view to reaching a mutually acceptable solution. In that respect, I have asked my officials to examine closely pay issues for secretaries and caretakers, as well as very important wider matters relating to their conditions of work, in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I welcome Fórsa’s recent announcement to defer industrial action and their commitment to resuming engagement with all parties at the WRC.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (360)
David Stanton
Ceist:360. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education if she will make resources available to Bus Éireann for a child with additional needs to attend a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31540/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
In the 2019/2020 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 the Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.
In general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest school that is resourced to meet their special educational needs. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of the above scheme and I am pleased to advise School Transport Section sanctioned a service on 15th October 2020 to cater for this pupil's transport to school . A bus escort for this service has also been sanctioned.
The pupil's parent has been notified and will be contacted by the local Bus Éireann office in regard to transport arrangements.
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Ceisteanna (361)
Danny Healy-Rae
Ceist:361. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education her plans to address the problem of large classes in primary schools, especially in view of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31543/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools and I am very aware of the issues faced by many schools in respect of teacher allocations and class sizes.
As part of the Budget 2021 measures, the Government have sought to deliver on this commitment by the announcement of a further 1 point change to the primary staffing schedule.
Primary schools in the current school year are provided with class teachers on the basis of one teacher for every 26 pupils which is historically the lowest level the staffing schedule has operated at. The recent Budget 2021 announcement continues to build on this progress and for the 2021/22 school year the staffing schedule will be on the basis of 1 teacher to 25 pupils.
The latest figures in relation to pupil teacher ratio show an improved ratio of teachers to students from 16:1 to 15:1 at primary level when comparing the 2015/16 school year to the 2019/20 school year. Average class sizes improved from 24.9 to 24.1 in the same period. The most recent budget announcement will continue the positive trend of improving class sizes.
The staffing schedule which now stands at a new historical low of 1 teacher for every 25 pupils will help ensure better teacher retention in primary schools while also ensuring that one less pupil is required to retain or recruit a teacher.
The new staffing schedule for 2021/22, taking account of the recent budget measure will be published early next year and at that stage, schools will be able to establish what their staffing arrangements are for the following school year.
Teacher Training
Ceisteanna (362)
Seán Canney
Ceist:362. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education her plans to deliver Irish courses for teachers who have trained in the UK but are now back in Ireland; if there are plans to deliver courses online due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31544/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the Aptitude Test or Adaption Period that teachers who completed an Initial Teacher Education programme outside the State must complete in order to fulfil the condition of the Irish Language Requirement in order to register as a Primary teacher.
The Teaching Council is the body with statutory responsibility for establishing and maintaining standards in the teaching profession in this State. It is also the designated competent authority for the recognition and assessment of qualifications and registration of teachers at Primary and Post Primary level.
Teachers who completed a primary initial teacher education programme outside of the State are registered with the Teaching Council under Regulation 2/ Route 1 primary with the condition of Irish Language Requirement (ILR).
In order to satisfy the ILR condition, a teacher must provide evidence of having completed an Aptitude Test (SCG – An Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge) or an Adaptation Period (OCG – Oiriúnú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge) which includes attendance at a recognised Gaeltacht course. These programmes are run by Marino Institute of Education (MIE). The Teaching Council’s role is to evaluate the programmes which includes assessing the suitability of an online alternative to the Gaeltacht Placement element of the programme.
In some instances a registered teacher who had applied to undertake the Irish Language Requirement (ILR) with MIE in the 2019/20 academic year with the expectation of completing the ILR within the 2019/20 academic year, may now be unable, due to Covid-19 restrictions, to complete the required Gaeltacht period within the required timeframe.
The Teaching Council’s position is that in instances where this impacts the expiry date of a teacher’s registration with conditions, such teachers should apply to the Teaching Council for an extension to the period of time to allow them to fulfil the ILR condition. The Council has confirmed that extensions will be granted by the Council on the understanding that the relevant teachers will fulfil the outstanding Gaeltacht period within this extended timeframe.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (363)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:363. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if students (details supplied) in County Kerry who were unable to enrol in their nearest post-primary schools will be eligible for school transport to the next nearest school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31550/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. 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 Department has been engaging intensively with Bus Éireann in regard to the logistics for the safe operation of School Transport Scheme services for the 2020/2021 school year. The Department has also been engaging with Bus Éireann on the logistics involved with the rolling implementation of measures on post-primary services as required to provide physical distancing, in line with those required on public transport, aligned to the public health advice received shortly before schools reopened which advised that the post-primary scheme should run at 50% capacity. The implementation of 50% capacity has been put in place where possible over the last number of weeks, while Bus Éireann has been carrying out a detailed analysis of the resources required to fully implement the advice on all routes. Over the coming weeks, Bus Eireann will be implementing 50% capacity on a rolling basis as soon as it is possible to do so on each individual route.
Further detailed planning is being done through the local offices on a route by route basis to plan appropriate measures to provide the additional capacity required. As the additional capacity is rolled out, where spare capacity is created, further tickets will be allocated to those children eligible for the scheme who have paid late and for other applicants seeking concessionary tickets.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that the family referred to by the Deputy reside 29.2km from their nearest school and school of attendance and that an application for transport was not received within the prescribed application process timelines. However, arising from spare capacity created through the implementation of social distancing and an additional bus being added to the route, Bus Éireann has confirmed that the children can now be accommodated. Bus Éireann has confirmed that the service is commencing with effect from Monday 19/10/2020 and the family has been advised.
National Council for Special Education
Ceisteanna (364)
Chris Andrews
Ceist:364. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education if the NCSE keeps and maintains records for the purpose of planning the provision of special education and support services, which it is required to under section 41(1)(c) of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004; if the NCSE co-ordinates with the HSE in carrying out this task which it is required to under section 41(2) of the Act; the location this data is published; the location of publications showing the way in which her Department has used this information to forecast for the provision of special education, area by area, and in requiring both new and established schools to provide for ASD accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31558/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is an independent statutory agency which has been established in accordance with the provisions of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. The Act sets out the responsibility of the NCSE to coordinate and plan for the provision of education for children with special educational needs nationwide and to advise the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to matters regarding the education for persons with special educational needs.
As this question relates to the manner in which the NCSE fulfils its statutory requirements under section 41(1)(c) and 41 (2) of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004, I have referred this question to the NCSE for their consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. It has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents. NCSE seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special education placements.
NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and special school places nationally, to meet identified need. 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.
Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.
Normally, special class and special school places are established with the full cooperation of the schools in areas where they are required. However there are some parts of the country where the NCSE has faced challenges in getting schools and their patrons to provide new special class or special school places.
As Minister, I have a power under Section 37A of the Education Act 1998 (as inserted by Section 8 of the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018), 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. In April 2020, a Report from the NCSE, prepared in accordance with this legislation and confirming the need for additional special education places in South Dublin was submitted. This Report is available on my Department’s website.
Statutory notices under the Act were subsequently issued on 26 June, 2020 to 39 schools identified by the NCSE. The issue of the notices is but the first step in a very transparent multi-step process, the purpose of which is to establish if the school has capacity to provide new places. At each stage of the process, schools are given the opportunity to make representations and there is also an option for arbitration at a later point. Statutory notices issued under the Act together with the representations received from the schools and their patrons are published on my Department’s website. The representations received to date have all been published and are a matter of public record.
Through better planning at both national and local level, it is my objective that specialist education places should come on stream to meet emerging demand on a timely basis. However, the active collaboration of school communities is essential in this regard.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (365)
Chris Andrews
Ceist:365. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the circular, rule or other instrument which provides for her Department’s requirement that all new mainstream school buildings provide special class accommodation, as referred to in the NCSE’s policy document from 2016, Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Schools, at pages 2 and 127; the breakdown of all the new schools that have been built since the introduction of this requirement; if they include special class accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31559/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In the case of all new schools, it is general practice within my Department to include a Special Education Needs Base (SEN Base) in the accommodation brief for new school buildings, unless local circumstances indicate that it will not be required. Typically, a two classroom SEN Base is provided in new primary schools and a two or four classroom SEN Base is provided in new post primary schools.
As the Deputy is aware, special classes can also be established within a school's existing accommodation. In such circumstances, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation for special needs purposes should the school’s existing accommodation not be capable of hosting special classes.
To assist school authorities, my Department has produced a technical guidance document (TGD 26 available on my Department’s Website) which outlines the space planning and design for school authorities and designers in providing permanent accommodation for students with special educational needs.
All school capital projects that have been approved by my Department under the major capital programme and the Additional Accommodation Scheme, including special needs accommodation, may be viewed on my Department’s website, www.education.ie and this is updated regularly. Should the Deputy require specific information about a particular school, this information can be provided.
Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs, including special classes for Autism Spectrum Disorder, are available, by county, on the National Council for Special Education website www.ncse.ie.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (366)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:366. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the timeline for the construction of permanent accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31588/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is aware that the Patron of the school referred to by the Deputy is in the process of acquiring a site for the permanent location of the school. My Department will be liaising with the school authority as this process is finalised.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (367)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:367. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a breakdown by county for school transport allocated in budget 2021; and the number of additional seats which will be funded through this allocation by county in tabular form. [31621/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. 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.
The cost of providing school transport scheme services in 2019 was €219.2m. The allocated budget for the scheme in 2020 is €224.6m.
I recently announced that Budget 2021 brings a significant increase in investment in education. This includes an additional €15 million which will be invested in the school transport scheme in 2021 to provide for growing numbers of school children and the requirements of children with special educational needs. This is in addition to financial supports being put in place to meet the Covid-19 public health requirements.
The information requested by the Deputy broken down by county is not available.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (368)
Steven Matthews
Ceist:368. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her Department will carry out a review of ongoing issues related to Covid-19 in a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow. [31626/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre and HSE has published guidance in relation to the return to school for at risk groups. The advice confirms that for the vast majority of children, can return to school and it is important for the overall health and wellbeing for children to attend school. This is consistent with public health advice internationally. The guidance is available at the following link.
https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/educationguidance/HSE%20advice%20on%20return%20to%20school.pdf
As the Deputy will be aware, on 27 July last the Government published the Roadmap for the Full Return to School, along with details of a significant financial package to support the implementation of the measures in the roadmap. The package of supports is expected to cost in excess of €437 million in the 2020/2021 school year.
The range of supports being made available to schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, includes additional financial supports to provide for additional staffing, management supports, enhanced cleaning, hand hygiene and personal protective equipment costs under the Covid-19 response plans. The Government also approved a package of minor works grants as part of the July Stimulus to support schools to prepare their buildings and classrooms for reopening.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has considered the national experience of school reopening to date, including the epidemiological data and information gathered through case and outbreak management. The experience to date since schools reopened is reassuring and supports the current international position that schools and childcare facilities do not appear to be key drivers of COVID-19 transmission in the community. It is clear that the exceptional efforts of school staff, children and parents/guardians in implementing the public health guidance has contributed to the safe and successful reopening of schools in Ireland.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (369)
Niall Collins
Ceist:369. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education the status of progress towards a building programme at a school (details supplied); the schedule being followed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31639/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
A Design Team – (Architect, Quantity Surveyor, Civil & Structural Engineer, Mechanical & Electrical Engineer and Project Supervisor for the Design Process) has been appointed and letter of award issued.
The Design Team has commenced work on Stage 1 of Architectural Planning – Site Suitability, Site Surveys and Initial Sketch Scheme.
Upon receipt and review of the Stage 1 Report, my Department will be in contact with the school regarding progression of the project.
Teaching Council of Ireland
Ceisteanna (370)
Kieran O'Donnell
Ceist:370. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Education the status of an application for a Teaching Council registration number by a person (details supplied). [31642/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.
Teachers whose applications meet all the necessary requirements are registered by the Teaching Council under Section 31 of the Teaching Council Act and the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016, as amended.
The Teaching Council have informed me that they have been in contact with the applicant referred to by the Deputy regarding their case will make further contact.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (371)
John Lahart
Ceist:371. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education if there are Covid-19 guidelines in place that allow access to schools for additional resources such as psychologists, speech and language therapists, art therapists and others; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31651/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It has been a priority of this Government to ensure that schools could reopen in a way that is safe and sustainable. A financial package of over €375 million has been provided to support the reopening of schools, which includes provision for additional staffing, reconfiguration of classes, enhanced cleaning, Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) and access to additional psychological supports.
The Roadmap to the Full Reopening of schools includes details of a dedicated package of additional supports for Special Educational Needs which is being made available to schools to implement their Covid-19 Response Plan and to operate in a sustainable way.
Full details are available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/a128d-back-to-school/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/backtoschool/
Further details of the supports that are available to support children with special educational needs is available at:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c0243-supports-for-the-special-education-sector-in-the-reopening-of-schools/
Overall I am satisfied that the enhanced supports under the return to school package, combined with the very significant levels of provision currently available will ensure that pupils with special educational needs can continue to be supported in schools.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (372)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:372. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will address a matter regarding school buses (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31678/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. 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 Department has been engaging intensively with Bus Éireann in regard to the logistics for the safe operation of School Transport Scheme services for the 2020/2021 school year. The Department has also been engaging with Bus Éireann on the logistics involved with the rolling implementation of measures on post-primary services as required to provide physical distancing, in line with those required on public transport, aligned to the public health advice received shortly before schools reopened which advised that the post-primary scheme should run at 50% capacity. The implementation of 50% capacity has been put in place where possible over the last number of weeks, while Bus Éireann has been carrying out a detailed analysis of the resources required to fully implement the advice on all routes. Over the coming weeks, Bus Eireann will be implementing 50% capacity on a rolling basis as soon as it is possible to do so on each individual route.
Bus Éireann and the Department of Education and Skills have supported all bus contractors to put in place measures to support infection prevention and control on the buses. The Department has also issued detailed information and guidance to parents and children on the operation of school transport services for the 2020/2021 school year. Measures include all post-primary students wearing masks, all bus drivers and bus escorts receiving PPE where necessary, as well as funding to support additional cleaning and hygiene measures, including the provision of sanitiser on all buses. Seating plans with pre-assigned seating are in place on all routes, with children sitting next to their siblings or classmates where possible. This reduces the interaction of children on the buses with those outside of their family, class or school.
Government has agreed to provide the necessary funding to ensure that full implementation of the public health recommendation of running buses for post-primary children is achieved as quickly as possible on the post-primary scheme and on the special educational needs scheme for post-primary children. As well as additional funding, significant numbers of additional vehicles, drivers and bus escorts will be required. Bus Éireann is implementing different means of providing extra capacity with existing operators, including upgrading vehicles, additional runs or additional vehicles being provided. Where additional services will need to be procured, Bus Éireann has put in place a framework of operators that are willing to provide additional services where required.
An analysis has been conducted to determine what is required to fully implement all post-primary school services to operate at 50% capacity. The estimated full year cost to operate all services at 50% capacity is between €87m and €135m with an estimated requirement for an additional 1,600 drivers and vehicles and 650 additional School Bus Escorts.
Further detailed planning is being done through the local offices on a route by route basis to plan appropriate measures to provide the additional capacity required. As the additional capacity is rolled out, where spare capacity is created, further tickets will be allocated to those children eligible for the scheme who have paid late and for other applicants seeking concessionary tickets.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (373)
Michael Creed
Ceist:373. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education the amount spent to date on remediation works as a result of building defects in schools built by a company (details supplied). [31706/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that I will arrange for my Department to provide a response directly to the Deputy in relation to this matter.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (374)
Michael Creed
Ceist:374. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 184 of 14 October 2020, the steps taken to date to secure accommodation, staff and other provisions in order to open a new secondary school at a location (details supplied) on an interim basis in September 2020; the steps taken to create awareness among parents and pupils seeking enrolment in this school; if school patronage has been decided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31708/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The building project for the school in question is included in my Department's capital programme.
On 16 October, I invited applications from school patron bodies/prospective school patrons for patronage of 4 new post-primary schools to be established in September 2021, including the new post-primary school for Ballincollig. The deadline for receipt of application from prospective patrons is 21 October. It is envisaged that the Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) would open for parents of eligible children to express their parental preferences in relation to the patronage and language of instruction of the new schools, including the school for Ballincollig, soon after the patron application process is completed.
The school will open in suitable interim accommodation in 2021 pending delivery of its permanent project.
Capital Expenditure Programme
Ceisteanna (375)
Michael Creed
Ceist:375. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education if all schools included in the current capital plan will be protected and not excluded from the next capital plan following the upcoming review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31717/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform outlined in the 2021 Budget Speech a planned review of the National Development Plan. The resulting revised National Development Plan aims to safeguard capital spending supports for regional development and to ensure alignment with Programme for Government priorities for the next decade. This review will be launched shortly and my Department, along with all other Government Departments, will fully participate in the planned review.
Project Ireland 2040 provides a funding envelope of €8.8 billion for the schools sector over the period 2018-2027. Since 2018 there has been in excess of €1.2bn invested in Capital Infrastructure under the School Building Programme. A further €725m is allocated for investment in 2020.
My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The pipeline of projects is kept under continual review to ensure alignment with Project Ireland 2040 objectives and the funding provided under the National Development Plan during the period 2018 to 2027 for the schools sector is key enabler for their successful delivery. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve over 372 projects on the Department’s Large Scale Capital Programme and circa. 800 projects for delivery under the Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme. Good progress continues to be made with the rollout of projects, and the current status of projects being delivered is listed on a county by county basis on the Department’s website at www.education.ie and updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
School Curriculum
Ceisteanna (376)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:376. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the precise timeframe for the phasing out of religious education in schools; her views on achieving it in the lifetime of this Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31721/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There is no plan or time-frame for the phasing out of religious education in schools, at either primary or post primary level.
In the context of this question, it may be helpful to distinguish between Religious Education as an educational activity that deepens young people’s understanding of religions, whatever their background or beliefs, and Religious Instruction, understood as initiating or nurturing young people into a particular religious way of life (sometimes also referred to as faith formation or catechesis). It is not the aim of Religious Education to facilitate Religious Instruction or a type of learning that has as its aim nurturing into a particular religious tradition or set of beliefs.
Currently at Primary level, Religious Education is one of 12 subjects in the 1999 Primary School Curriculum. It holds a unique position in that the responsibility for providing a programme of RE rests with the patron bodies of individual schools and not the State. There are a number of patrons’ programmes within the primary school system reflecting the diversity of patronage. Some of these are denominational or religious in nature, emphasising the place of children’s faith, spiritual and moral development in their lives. Other patrons’ programmes are ethical in nature and emphasise fostering children’s understanding of ethics and values.
In its review and redevelopment of the primary curriculum, the NCCA is currently consulting with the public on a Draft Primary Curriculum (PC) Framework. The Framework aims to support the learning and development of children from different religious backgrounds and of non-religious backgrounds as we move into a new era in Irish education.
At post primary level, the NCCA-developed Religious Education Junior and Senior Cycle syllabuses are intended for students of all faith backgrounds and none. The content prescribed in the syllabuses is intended to ensure that students are exposed to a broad range of religious traditions and to the non-religious interpretation of life. They do not provide religious instruction in any particular religious or faith tradition.
The Department of Education does not require schools to include the NCCA-developed Religious Education specification at Junior or Senior Cycle syllabus as mandatory subjects on their curriculum. Accordingly, schools have discretion to determine if they provide the subject at all or if it is to be mandatory or optional for any particular class group or in any year.
The Department position on Religious Instruction at post-primary is as set out in circulars 13/2018 and 62/2018. These circulars are addressed to the management authorities of Community and ETB post-primary schools only. It includes Community Post Primary Schools where in addition to an Education and Training Board (ETB) the patronage is exercised by one or more catholic religious orders and/or a catholic diocese.
Religious instruction (non NCCA) can be provided in ETB and community schools, but they must be compliant with circulars 0013/2018 and 0062/2018.
Voluntary secondary schools can provide religious instruction in line with the ethos of the schools. However, if they provide Junior Cycle NCCA developed RE it must be delivered in the timetabled class periods without any religious instruction or worship of any religion forming any part of class activity. This means that any practice or material that would introduce religious instruction or worship cannot be used. Religious Education will be subject to inspection including its delivery according to this circular.
Where any school opts to teach a programme of religious instruction/faith formation that is rooted exclusively or almost exclusively in a particular religious tradition, parents must be advised of this and ‘the school must offer an alternative subject(s) for those who do not want religious instruction’. (Circular 0013/2018).
Teaching Qualifications
Ceisteanna (377)
John Paul Phelan
Ceist:377. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education if there is still a commitment to develop a mechanism to allow certain qualified post-primary teachers to register as mathematics teachers following the completion of a course of studies; when these courses will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31722/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Management bodies and schools have, in recent years, reported difficulties in recruiting teachers. At primary level this relates mainly to the recruitment of substitute teachers and at post-primary level to the recruitment of teachers of particular subjects (STEM, modern foreign languages, Irish and Home Economics, in particular) as well as substitutes.
The Steering Group on Teacher Supply, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, was established in response to these issues. The Steering Group is overseeing the implementation of the Teacher Supply Action Plan, which was launched in November 2018.
Following from the Action Plan, the HEA issued a call to initial teacher education (ITE) providers for proposals for flexible programmes to upskill registered post primary teachers in 3 subjects: mathematics, physics and Spanish. The HEA’s call was made on behalf of the Department and was open to providers of ITE programmes accredited by the Teaching Council.
The upskilling programmes will offer teachers a route to upskill to meet the Teaching Council’s curricular subject requirements. They will be open to already registered post-primary teachers and will be offered on a part-time, flexible basis. Participating teachers will not have to pay fees.
The Department is currently finalising arrangements with the programme providers, on delivery of these upskilling programmes, and I hope to make an announcement in this regard in the near future.
School Staff
Ceisteanna (378)
Johnny Mythen
Ceist:378. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education if she will address a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31728/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 30th September.
The staffing arrangements also include a provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolment.
The school referred to by the Deputy was allocated a temporary teaching post on this basis. My Department are currently reviewing enrolment returns and will contact schools this week to confirm staffing for the remainder of the school year.