Seán Sherlock
Ceist:503. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the stage of the tender preparation of a project (details supplied).; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36531/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (503)
Freagraí scríofa
The building project referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme which tenders to pre-established frameworks of D&B contractors.
My Department is currently in the process of establishing a Framework of Design and Build Contractors to which Design and Build projects can be tendered. Once this framework is established, it is intended that this project will be tendered as soon as possible thereafter.
Until such a time as the framework is established a definitive timeline for tender is not available.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (504)
John Brady
Ceist:504. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education the status of the construction of a new school building for a school (details supplied); the stage the plans are at; when it is anticipated that construction will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36535/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Kildare and Wicklow Educational Training Board (KWETB). I can confirm that a design team to deliver this project has been appointed by the ETB in that respect.
KWETB has confirmed that the design team is preparing the Stage 1 report (preliminary design) and this process is nearing completion.
While at this early stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project, KWETB will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (505)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:505. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education if schools that were using leisure centres for physical education spaces prior to level 5 restrictions will be permitted to use said resources at level 3 restriction or below; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36543/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that Level 5 restrictions do not apply to the Education sector and on this basis any prior commitment or agreement between a school authority and a third party should remain in place.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (506)
David Stanton
Ceist:506. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education the sections of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 that have been implemented to date; the sections that have not; her plans to bring these into force; the projected dates for such implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36553/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A number of sections of the Education for Persons with Special Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004 have been commenced. The commenced provisions include those establishing the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and those providing for an inclusive approach to the education of children with special educational needs.
The following sections of the EPSEN Act were commenced in 2005.
Section 1 – Interpretation
Section 2 - providing for the inclusive education of children with Special Educational Needs
Section 14 – placing certain duties on schools
Sections 19 to 37 - placing the Council on a statutory footing.
Section 39 - placing certain duties on Health Boards
Sections 40 to 53 - amending the Education Act
Schedule 1 – providing for meetings and membership of the Council
Schedule 2 providing for the Chief Executive Officer of the Council.
The remaining sections of the Act have not yet been commenced, however, the Government has continued to invest in the area of special education support.
The Government is committed to helping every child, particularly those with special educational needs, to fulfil their potential.
In 2021 the Department of Education and Skills will invest approximately €2 Billion in the area of special educational needs support - 1/5 of the Department's budget and up over 42% since 2011.
The Government has committed to consulting with stakeholders on how best to progress aspects of the EPSEN Act on a non-statutory basis.
A range of consultations with Education Partners and Stakeholders took place in relation to the development of a new model for allocating special education teachers over the course of 2017. The new model was introduced for all schools from September 2017.
Further consultations took place with education partners and stakeholders in the context of the undertaking of a comprehensive review of the SNA scheme and will continue in relation to the implementation of recommendations contained in this report.
Additional powers have also been provided to the National Council for Special Educational to designate a school place for a person with special educational needs, which is now provided for in the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018.
While awaiting the full implementation of the EPSEN Act, the NCSE has also published a number of policy advice papers which make recommendations aimed at developing a better or more effective alternative to the current resource allocation model, and which aims to move the system towards ultimate implementation of the EPSEN Act.
It is therefore intended to bring into effect many of the good ideas contained in the EPSEN Act, on a non-statutory basis initially, through policy developments across a range of areas, in conjunction with NCSE policy advice. Full consultation will also take place with stakeholders before adjustments are made.
This Government will also continue to prioritise investment in the area of special education support. Ongoing investment and reform will continue to see improvements made in this area.
I have also indicated that one of my priorities as Minister for Special Education and Inclusion is:
Updating our Laws: Reviewing and updating the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act.
Any review of the Act will take into account the extent of additional investment which has been made in special educational services since 2004, with some €2 Billion per year now being spent of special educational supports.
It will also take into account the range of reforms which have taken place in recent years including the development of new allocation models which are not based primarily on a response to assessment as policy advice has indicated that requirement of diagnosis can create a risk of children being diagnosed as having a special educational need for resource allocation purposes, rather than for health reasons. Also, that as there is a spectrum of ability and disability within every special education disability category, account must be taken of need, as well as diagnosis.
Question No. 507 answered with Question No. 457.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (508)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:508. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if matters raised in correspondence to parents by a company (details supplied) in relation to school transport will be examined. [36649/20]
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 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.
With regard to the issue raised by the Deputy, my Department understands that this service is a privately operated service which is not part of the Department’s School Transport Scheme. School Transport Section has not issued an instruction to this operator.
Health advice received from NPHET on the 18th August impacted on the operation of post-primary school transport services. This advice stated that for secondary school students on school transport, strict distancing should be ensured in line with that on public transport along with the wearing of face coverings.
Based on the public health advice the Department has been planning for School Transport Scheme services for the 2020/2021 school year to fully operate, but with additional measures and hygiene requirements in place including the rolling implementation of measures on post-primary services as required to provide physical distancing which is using 50 per cent of passenger capacity.
Commercial contractors who provide transport for schools on a private hire or commercial basis but who are not contracted by Bus Éireann to operate on the Department’s School Transport Scheme do not fall under the remit of the Department of Education. However, the Department has reminded schools and other stakeholders that public health advice is best practice on these services also.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (509)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:509. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if the need for a school bus route from Cobh to Carrigtowhill, County Cork will be examined in view of the fact parents are forced to rely on a private company. [36633/20]
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 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. Under the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8kms from and are attending their nearest Post Primary School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who completed the application and payment process on time have been accommodated on school transport services for the 2020/21 school year where such services are in operation.
Children who apply for transport and who are not eligible under the terms of the scheme are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Concessionary transport may vary from year to year and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s post primary school education cycle. Where the number of applications for transport on a concessionary basis exceeds the number of seats available, Bus Éireann determines the allocation of the tickets and refunds payments made on behalf of those concessionary applicants for whom no seats remain.
Bus Éireann have advised that pupils travelling from Cobh to Carrigtwohill are not attending their nearest school and therefore are not eligible to transport under the terms of the School Transport Scheme.
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund
Ceisteanna (510)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:510. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the status of Caranua; the transitional arrangements in place to deal with all outstanding applications when Caranua closes at the end of 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36640/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Caranua is in the process of winding down. Operational matters including the number of applications on hand and Caranua’s plan to have all outstanding applications completed by the end of 2020 are being dealt with by Caranua.
Caranua have written to the Public Accounts Committee regarding their transitional arrangements. This correspondence will be published in the usual manner.
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund
Ceisteanna (511)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:511. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the way in which she is satisfied that Caranua has dealt with all cases to a satisfactory standard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36641/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Applications from survivors are dealt with by a team of application advisors who work closely with survivors to try and deliver on their identified needs.
Where a survivor is unhappy with the outcome of an application, he/she has access to an appeals system. As of 31 October 2020, there were 7 appeals outstanding. Monthly statistics on the number of appeals are published on my Department’s website. Caranua operate a complaints process and its annual reports show a sharp decrease in the number of complaints it has dealt with over the years. Survivors also have recourse to the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman has published case studies on Caranua and has not upheld the complaints.
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund
Ceisteanna (512)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:512. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her plans to review the operation and effectiveness of Caranua upon its closure; the terms of reference; the membership of the review panel; if a review or evaluation has been undertaken to date; if so, if a copy of the report will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36642/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Section 7 (1) of Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 provides for the Board to evaluate the effectiveness of approved services in meeting the needs of former residents.
Caranua, with the approval of the former Minister for Education, entered into a contract with Dr John Weafer to undertake an independent evaluation to
- Evaluate whether the objectives of Caranua have been achieved
- Measure the impact of the provision of services for Survivors of institutional abuse
- Identify the lessons learnt during the operations of Caranua, creating a shared learning experience for professionals and organisations working with Survivors
I understand that the report will be finalised shortly.
Interdepartmental Committees
Ceisteanna (513)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:513. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the status of the interdepartmental committee examining the future needs of survivors; the membership of the committee; the details of the engagement by the committee with survivors of abuse in residential institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36643/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that the interdepartmental committee will be reconvened before the end of the year. As well as my Department, membership is drawn from Departments where the remit is to provide for services for people, e.g., the Department of Health, the Department of Employment and Social Protection, the Department of Justice, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Housing, Local government and Heritage. My Department's representative has met with survivors.
Child Abuse
Ceisteanna (514)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:514. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the status of the activities of the survivor led consultation group which address matters relating to survivors of institutional abuse following the publication of by the group of a report in August 2019; the person or persons leading the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36644/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Survivor Led Consultation Group is now meeting on a regular basis using virtual technology. The meetings are facilitated by professionally qualified facilitators. Matters relating to survivors of institutional abuse identified by survivors and set out in the August 2019 report continue to be discussed.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (515)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Ceist:515. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will address school capacity issues in the Bandon area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36685/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (GIS). The GIS uses data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Department's own school enrolment databases, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise.
The process has been strengthened this year through three specific initiatives:
1. enhanced engagement with local authorities in relation to the information on residential development incorporated in the analysis process;
2. additional engagement with patron bodies in relation to their local knowledge on school place requirements. Education and Training Boards, Diocesan offices and national patron bodies such as Educate Together, An Foras Pátrúnachta etc. can also be an important source of local knowledge. This will add to information also provided to the Department by local authorities or individual schools.
3. Utilising the information gleaned from schools under the national inventory of school capacity completed by individual schools last year as part of POD, P-POD returns process.
Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
It is intended that demand in Bandon will be addressed by increasing capacity at St Brogans College to a Long Term Projected Enrolment of 1,000 pupils. In this regard, capital funding has been approved and the project has been devolved to the school authority (CETB) for delivery. There is also a project for Hamilton High school included on the Capital programme which is currently under consideration. Department officials are in communication with the school authority of Coláiste na Toirbhirte with a view to increasing capacity in order to meet projected demand.
School Closures
Ceisteanna (516)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:516. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to a proposal to close schools early on 18 December 2020 to allow for a full week of reduced movements for families in order that they might be healthy and safe enough to visit grandparents and so on for the festive period. [36736/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The scheduling of the school holiday periods during the academic years is agreed between the managerial authorities of schools, the teacher unions and my Department for the purposes of standardising breaks at Christmas, Easter and mid-term. This is important to ensure certainty for the school community about the dates of school holidays. There are no plans to alter the school break at Christmas. It should be borne in mind that it is the view of Public Health that the evidence available to date shows that schools are proving to be safe spaces for children and for staff. Transmission rates of Covid-19 in schools are low, much lower than the rate currently in the community.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (517)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:517. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the reason an application under the schools capital appraisal scheme by a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11 has been refused; if the decision will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36737/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department received an application, from the school in question, for consideration under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme. On completion of the assessment process, it was determined that the school had sufficient permanent accommodation on site to cater for their existing staffing co-hort.
The school authority recently appealed this decision and provided further information, which is under review. In this regard officials from my Department are currently communicating with the school authority in order to progress the matter.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (518)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:518. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education if reading schools will be affected by the findings in the NCSE report; if so, the way in which children with severe dyslexia below 10th percentile standardised literacy rate will be accommodated in mainstream education with full-time education using a method of learning (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36746/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is currently undertaking Policy Advice on Education Provision in Special Classes and Special Schools to examine whether placement in specialist settings brings about improved educational outcomes and experiences, relative to their ability, for students with special educational needs.
This Policy Advice is to be completed and a report submitted by NCSE in December 2020. It will then be considered by my Department.
A progress report was published in November 2019 by the NCSE. This summarises NCSE’s progress to date, emerging findings and steps to complete the advice.
In terms of current provision, my Department is committed to supporting every child with special educational needs to receive an education. We will spend approximately €2 Billion, or over 20% of the total educational budget annually, on making additional provision for children with special educational needs next year. This represents an increase of over 50% in total expenditure since 2011.
This investment will allow us to provide over 1,200 extra special class places next year.
There are currently over 13,550 Special Education Teachers allocated to mainstream schools, supporting the additional learning needs of pupils, of which 9,325 are allocated to primary schools. This represents an increase of 40% in the provision for Special Education Teachers since 2011.
An additional 145 Special Education Teachers will also be available for allocation next year.
The number of SNAs in the school system has increased by almost 60% since 2011. Approximately 1,000 additional SNAs will also be allocated to schools next year, bringing the total number to 18,000.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (519)
Michael McNamara
Ceist:519. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 242 of 13 October 2020, when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36769/20]
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 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.
Under the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8kms from and are attending their nearest Post Primary School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who completed the application and payment process on time have been accommodated on school transport services for the 2020/21 school year where such services are in operation. The closing date for payment for the 2020/21 school year was Tuesday 4th August 2020.
As previously advised, Bus Éireann has confirmed that the pupil the Deputy refers to first applied and paid for school transport for the 2020/21 school year on the 8th September 2020 and as such their application and payment is late.
Late applicants and/or families who pay late are not guaranteed a seat and will only be allocated a seat if capacity is available once seats are allocated to those families who applied and paid on time for transport services for the 2020/2021 school year. In addition, payments or submission of medical card details for Post-Primary seats completed or made after 4th August 2020 will be only considered when 50% capacity, required by Covid19 public health guidelines, is achieved on each route. The timeframe for this will vary from route to route but all efforts are being made to do so as soon as possible. Following the completion of this, further tickets will be issued to applicants where there is spare capacity on services. In the event of not securing a ticket where no capacity exists, or on cancellation, a full refund will be issued.
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund
Ceisteanna (520)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:520. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education when the 2019 financial statements and annual report of Caranua will be published; the reason for the delay in their publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36774/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 2019 financial statements and Caranua's annual report were laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and will be published this week. Given the Covid-19 pandemic, unfortunately, the routine business of Government can be delayed.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (521)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:521. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education the status of a school bus transport refund for a family (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36775/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills. The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
With regard to transport arrangements for the Summer Programme, my Department committed to providing grant funding to support families with the cost of transport arrangements for those children who were eligible for school transport and who were approved to participate in the school based Summer Programme.
Schools were required to identify children who availed of a School Transport service or who were in receipt of a grant. School Transport Section issued correspondance to schools outlining what was required in order to process such payments.
I wish to advise the Deputy that School Transport Section has commenced processing payment of these grants to families who are eligible and payments will continue to be processed in the coming weeks.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (522)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:522. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if a transport grant will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36818/20]
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 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.
An eligible child for whom no transport service is available may, following an application for transport within the prescribed time limits, receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements. Bus Éireann has advised that no transport application has been made on behalf of pupil referred to by the Deputy.