Thursday, 21 Jan 2021

Written Answers Nos. 208-226

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (208)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

208. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the reopening of schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3406/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I am very disappointed that work to support children with complex needs at this difficult time has not been able to proceed. Over the past year, we have all seen how vital in-person education is for children with complex needs.

This matter has been highlighted not only by the families of the children themselves, but also by all the partners in education and representative groups, in regular meetings with me and my officials. Everyone recognises that distance learning does not work for every child.

Recent weeks have seen intense and regular engagement with partners to seek a solution to our shared objective to support children with complex needs return to in-school learning, could be reached.

My Department sought to agree an approach balancing the need to support our most vulnerable children while addressing the issues raised by trade unions and school management bodies.

These included requests for clear messaging around public health to be given directly to their members by Public Health specialists, temporary arrangements during the current phase of reopening for high risk staff and for those experiencing childcare difficulties.

In response my Department set out to the unions how it these concerns would be addressed. This included

- Temporary flexible accommodations to work remotely or carry out duties where they are not in close contact or providing personal care

- Temporary waivers to notice periods around parental leave and unpaid leave schemes

- Speedy turnaround for applications through the National Childcare scheme with subsidies for full time childcare available

- A webinar to address public health concerns was held by the Deputy CMO Dr Ronan Glynn and senior public health consultants which was directly accessible through online streaming to all education sector staff.

Public Health Officials reaffirmed clearly that schools with risk mitigation measures in place provide a safe environment for staff and children.

While the general public heath advice is that people stay at home, this does not apply to workers providing an essential service like teachers and SNAs.

In this context it is considered that schools could reopen for just over 23,000 children with SEN (or just 4% of those who would attend during a full re-opening). These children are those who experience the greatest difficulty benefitting from remote learning.

Despite this there is still no commitment from the primary teacher and SNA trade unions, INTO and FORSA, to advise their members to commence the limited return of in-person learning for children with special educational needs.

I will continue to pursue every avenue to ensure that children with complex needs can return to in-person learning as immediately as possible and I will continue to engage with stakeholders on the issue.

In the interim I am confident that schools will continue to make significant efforts to provide effective remote learning experiences for these children.

My Department has issued updated guidance on continuity of schooling: supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs (with separate guidance for mainstream primary/special schools and for post-primary schools).

This outlines that teachers in special schools and special classes should make every effort to maintain regular contact with all of their pupils, and where appropriate, make provision for one-to-one online supports.

Extensive support and advice for schools regarding the provision of distance learning is also available through the Department’s support services and agencies including for those pupils with special educational needs.

State Examinations

Ceisteanna (209)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

209. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education when the algorithm for the calculation of the 2020 leaving certificate results will be published; the reason for the delay in publishing the algorithm; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3408/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

On 3 October 2020 I announced that I had asked that a comprehensive independent review of the design and implementation of the Calculated Grades process should take place.

I want this review to consider key aspects of the Calculated Grades process, including the initial decision to adopt the model, whether the process met its objectives, how effective the process was, how the process worked in terms of design and implementation and how effective the governance and oversight procedures were.

It would not be appropriate for full details of the model, beyond what has already been published, to be released prior to the completion of this review. Releasing this information could prejudice and impact the outcome of the review.

Technical details of the Calculated Grades model and standardisation process were published on the date of issue of the results and are available on www.gov.ie. This included the publication of the Report from the National Standardisation Group to the Independent Steering Committee and the Programme Board. This report includes information on the steps taken on processing Calculated Grades and the technical details of the model.

Further steps remain ongoing with regard to the completion of the Calculated Grades process. These include issuing the results of the postponed written Leaving Certificate examinations and the operation of the subsequent appeals process from those examinations and the final stage of the Calculated Grades appeals process.

In addition, as there is ongoing litigation relating to Calculated Grades, it must be determined how this might impact on progressing with the review. My Department has requested legal advice on a number of aspects of the proposed review, including the possible impact on and of ongoing litigation.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (210)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

210. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 479 of 13 January 2021, when the framework will be concluded. [3423/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

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, which is anticipated to be Quarter one 2021, it is intended that this project will be tendered as soon as possible thereafter.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (211)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

211. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 480 of 13 January 2021, when the framework will be concluded. [3424/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

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, which is anticipated to be Quarter One 2021, it is intended that this project will be tendered as soon as possible thereafter.

Special Educational Needs Staff

Ceisteanna (212)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

212. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education the number of special education teachers and teachers involved if special needs children are brought back to school. [3425/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I am very disappointed that work to support children with complex needs at this difficult time has not been able to proceed. Over the past year, we have all seen how vital in-person education is for children with complex needs.

This matter has been highlighted not only by the families of the children themselves, but also by all the partners in education and representative groups, in regular meetings with me and my officials. Everyone recognises that distance learning does not work for every child.

Recent weeks have seen intense and regular engagement with partners to seek a solution to our shared objective to support children with complex needs return to in-school learning, could be reached.

My Department sought to agree an approach balancing the need to support our most vulnerable children while addressing the issues raised by trade unions and school management bodies.

These included requests for clear messaging around public health to be given directly to their members by Public Health specialists, temporary arrangements during the current phase of reopening for high risk staff and for those experiencing childcare difficulties.

In response my Department set out to the unions how it these concerns would be addressed. This included

- Temporary flexible accommodations to work remotely or carry out duties where they are not in close contact or providing personal care

- Temporary waivers to notice periods around parental leave and unpaid leave schemes

- Speedy turnaround for applications through the National Childcare scheme with subsidies for full time childcare available

- A webinar to address public health concerns was held by the Deputy CMO Dr Ronan Glynn and senior public health consultants which was directly accessible through online streaming to all education sector staff.

Public Health Officials reaffirmed clearly that schools with risk mitigation measures in place provide a safe environment for staff and children.

While the general public heath advice is that people stay at home, this does not apply to workers providing an essential service like teachers and SNAs.

In this context it is considered that schools could reopen for just over 23,000 children with SEN (or just 4% of those who would attend during a full re-opening) with just over 24,000 school staff attending. These children are those who experience the greatest difficulty benefitting from remote learning.

Despite this there is still no commitment from the primary teacher and SNA trade unions, INTO and FORSA, to advise their members to commence the limited return of in-person learning for children with special educational needs.

I will continue to pursue every avenue to ensure that children with complex needs can return to in-person learning as immediately as possible and I will continue to engage with stakeholders on the issue.

In the interim I am confident that schools will continue to make significant efforts to provide effective remote learning experiences for these children.

My Department has issued updated guidance on continuity of schooling: supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs (with separate guidance for mainstream primary/special schools and for post-primary schools).

This outlines that teachers in special schools and special classes should make every effort to maintain regular contact with all of their pupils, and where appropriate, make provision for one-to-one online supports.

Extensive support and advice for schools regarding the provision of distance learning is also available through the Department’s support services and agencies including for those pupils with special educational needs.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (213, 214)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

213. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education the measures that will be taken to ensure that bus drivers for special needs students will be protected from potential exposure to Covid-19, given that they will be coming into contact with multiple households. [3454/21]

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

214. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if contingency measures in terms of social protection are in place for bus drivers on the school transport system should the quota of students per bus be lessened, meaning that some drivers will not have their regular income. [3455/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 214 together.

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 113,100 children, including over 14,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.

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. Based on the public health advice published in July 2020, and the updated advice received from the HPSC on 7th August and from NPHET on the 18th August 2020, 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 and with the rolling implementation of measures on post-primary services as required to provide physical distancing, using 50% of passenger capacity.

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. The implementation of 50% capacity has been put in place where possible over the last number of months while Bus Éireann is continuing to put in place the additional services required to fully implement the advice on all routes. Before Christmas circa 74% of total post-primary routes were operating at 50% capacity and planning is underway for all remaining routes to be implemented at 50% capacity in the coming weeks; this will be progressed as schools re-open.

Bus Éireann and the Department of Education 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.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (215)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

215. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if she will review correspondence (details supplied); if she will provide clarity on the points raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3459/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I am very disappointed that it was not possible to have in school teaching and learning for children with significant additional needs which was planned to commence this week until schools reopened fully. We know that these children find online learning very challenging. Over the past year, we have all seen how vital in-person education is for children with complex needs.

This matter has been highlighted not only by the families of the children themselves, but also by all the partners in education , including Parent representative groups, in regular meetings with me and my officials. Everyone recognises that distance learning does not work for every child.

Recent weeks have seen intense and regular engagement with partners and family representative groups to seek a solution to our shared objective to support children with complex needs return to in-school learning, could be reached.

My Department sought to agree an approach balancing the need to support our most vulnerable children while addressing the issues raised by trade unions and school management bodies.

These included requests for clear messaging around public health to be given directly to their members by Public Health specialists, temporary arrangements during the current phase of reopening for high risk staff and for those experiencing childcare difficulties.

In response my Department set out to the unions how it these concerns would be addressed. This included

- Temporary flexible accommodations to work remotely or carry out duties where they are not in close contact or providing personal care

- Temporary waivers to notice periods around parental leave and unpaid leave schemes

- Speedy turnaround for applications through the National Childcare scheme with subsidies for full time childcare available

- A webinar to address public health concerns was held by the Deputy CMO Dr Ronan Glynn and senior public health consultants which was directly accessible through online streaming to all education sector staff.

Public Health Officials reaffirmed clearly that schools with risk mitigation measures in place provide a safe environment for staff and children.

While the general public heath advice is that people stay at home, this does not apply to workers providing an essential service like teachers and SNAs.

In this context it was considered that schools could reopen for just over 23,000 children with SEN (or just 4% of those who would attend during a full re-opening). These children are those who experience the greatest difficulty benefitting from remote learning.

We continue to work with the primary teacher and SNA trade unions, INTO and FORSA and school management to see if there is a way to return to in school teaching and learning for these pupils as soon as possible.

I will continue to pursue every avenue to ensure that children with complex needs can return to in-person learning as immediately as possible and I will continue to engage with stakeholders on the issue.

In the interim I am confident that schools will continue to make significant efforts to provide effective remote learning experiences for these children.

My Department has issued updated guidance on continuity of schooling: supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs (with separate guidance for mainstream primary/special schools and for post-primary schools).

This outlines that teachers in special schools and special classes should make every effort to maintain regular contact with all of their pupils, and where appropriate, make provision for one-to-one online supports.

Extensive support and advice for schools regarding the provision of distance learning is also available through the Department’s support services and agencies including for those pupils with special educational needs. This includes a dedicated phone line which NCSE has created for parents to get advice and support from SENOs. The SENO will provide support and advice to parents and where relevant provide specific resources e.g. behaviour strategies, NEPS well-being resources. If necessary, parents can book a subsequent appointment with the SENO assigned to their child’s school. This new phone number is 01 603 3456.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (216)

Paul McAuliffe

Ceist:

216. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the efforts her Department and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, are making to address the lack of ASD units in primary schools in Finglas and Ballymun, Dublin 11, in particular in the case of a child (details supplied). [3467/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government.

This year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special educational needs. As a result, the numbers of special education teachers, SNAs and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.

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.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide. NCSE is planning a further expansion of special class and special school places nationally, to meet identified need. This process is ongoing.

Notwithstanding the extent of the investment in special education and the supports which have been put in place, I am also very conscious that there are some parts of the country, including the area referenced, where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.

I can assure the Deputy that NCSE is acutely aware of these concerns and is continuing its engagement with schools, patron bodies, parents and other stakeholders to bring the required additional special education placements on stream.

My Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education and I want to reassure you that the delivery of the necessary additional provision is being progressed as an absolute priority.

In circumstances, where no placement is available for a child with special educational needs, the Department can provide Home Tuition grant funding towards the provision of 20 hours home tuition per week as an interim measure until the NCSE confirms that a placement is available.

I can confirm that in the specific case referenced by the Deputy, 20 hours Home Tuition per week has been approved.

I also understand that the local SENO is currently engaging with, and remains available, to support the family.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (217, 220)

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

217. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the current infection and public health advice underpinning safe, prospective school openings, particularly in the context of the new UK variant of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3473/21]

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

220. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education her views and her policy regarding the serious health and safety worries of many primary school teachers for themselves, their pupils and the wider community in the reopening of schools particularly in the context of the new UK variant of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3476/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 220 together.

It is acknowledged that this is a challenging time for school communities who have worked incredibly hard to operate safely under Covid-19. The Department has always been guided by public health advice in relation to what is safe in schools. NPHET meet regularly and has considered the latest evidence and remain of the view that schools are low risk environments but recognise there is a need to reduce societal activity and movement to curb the spread of the virus at this time.

The Government decision, taken on 6 January, on foot of public health advice to reduce mobility in the community, was to close schools for the vast majority of students for a period of three weeks. The Government’s decision included prioritising in-person teaching and learning for two specific cohorts; pupils/ students attending special schools and classes and final year Leaving Certificate students. This decision was supported by the public health advice available to Government.

The Department’s ongoing engagement with public health and partners at the present time has focused on the safe phased return of children with special educational needs to in-school learning on the 21 January. Regrettably despite intensive engagements it has not being possible to achieve this shared objective. The Department will continue to engage with our partners to provide in school learning for this important cohort of pupils as soon as is possible.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (218, 219)

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

218. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the precise safety measures that will be put in place to guarantee the safe reopening of special education at the earliest opportunity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3474/21]

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

219. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the level of collaboration that exists between the parents of special needs children and her Department in ensuring safe access to education for this neglected cohort of children at the earliest possible moment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3475/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.

I am very disappointed that it was not possible to have in school teaching and learning for children with significant additional needs which was planned to commence this week until schools reopened fully. We know that these children find online learning very challenging. Over the past year, we have all seen how vital in-person education is for children with complex needs.

This matter has been highlighted not only by the families of the children themselves, but also by all the partners in education , including Parent representative groups , in regular meetings with me and my officials. Everyone recognises that distance learning does not work for every child.

Recent weeks have seen intense and regular engagement with partners and family representative groups to seek a solution to our shared objective to support children with complex needs return to in-school learning, could be reached.

My Department sought to agree an approach balancing the need to support our most vulnerable children while addressing the issues raised by trade unions and school management bodies.

These included requests for clear messaging around public health to be given directly to their members by Public Health specialists, temporary arrangements during the current phase of reopening for high risk staff and for those experiencing childcare difficulties.

In response my Department set out to the unions how it these concerns would be addressed. This included

- Temporary flexible accommodations to work remotely or carry out duties where they are not in close contact or providing personal care

- Temporary waivers to notice periods around parental leave and unpaid leave schemes

- Speedy turnaround for applications through the National Childcare scheme with subsidies for full time childcare available

- A webinar to address public health concerns was held by the Deputy CMO Dr Ronan Glynn and senior public health consultants which was directly accessible through online streaming to all education sector staff.

Public Health Officials reaffirmed clearly that schools with risk mitigation measures in place provide a safe environment for staff and children.

While the general public heath advice is that people stay at home, this does not apply to workers providing an essential service like teachers and SNAs.

In this context it was considered that schools could reopen for just over 23,000 children with SEN (or just 4% of those who would attend during a full re-opening). These children are those who experience the greatest difficulty benefitting from remote learning.

We continue to work with the primary teacher and SNA trade unions, INTO and FORSA and school management to see if there is a way to return to in school teaching and learning for these pupils as soon as possible.

I will continue to pursue every avenue to ensure that children with complex needs can return to in-person learning as immediately as possible and I will continue to engage with stakeholders on the issue.

In the interim I am confident that schools will continue to make significant efforts to provide effective remote learning experiences for these children.

My Department has issued updated guidance on continuity of schooling: supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs (with separate guidance for mainstream primary/special schools and for post-primary schools).

This outlines that teachers in special schools and special classes should make every effort to maintain regular contact with all of their pupils, and where appropriate, make provision for one-to-one online supports.

Extensive support and advice for schools regarding the provision of distance learning is also available through the Department’s support services and agencies including for those pupils with special educational needs. This includes a dedicated phone line which NCSE has created for parents to get advice and support from SENOs. The SENO will provide support and advice to parents and where relevant provide specific resources e.g. behaviour strategies, NEPS well-being resources. If necessary, parents can book a subsequent appointment with the SENO assigned to their child’s school. This new phone number is 01 603 3456.

Funding has also been provided to schools for the provision of safety measures and school cleaning.

Question No. 219 answered with Question No. 218.

Question No. 220 answered with Question No. 217.

State Examinations

Ceisteanna (221)

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

221. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education when the necessary clarity will be given to leaving certificate students on whether the examination will be held or calculated grades will apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3477/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

It remains Governments' intention to operate the conventional 2021 Leaving Certificate examinations, with appropriate public health measures in place. This view is shared by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), which has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations

Planning for these examinations is underway by the SEC and the Department. It is recognised that a flexible and agile approach is necessary in light of the continuing fast-moving environment linked to Covid-19. This planning work is being assisted by an advisory group of key stakeholders which has recently been reconvened. The advisory group includes representatives of students, parents, teachers, school leadership and management bodies, the SEC, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Higher Education Authority and the Department of Education, including the National Educational Psychological Service.

The advisory group met on a number of occasions before Christmas, with a further meeting planned for this week. The advisory group will consider all of the various issues arising in relation to the holding of the 2021 examinations, including public health considerations and appropriate contingency measures.

My Department is acutely aware of the disruption caused to students as a result of school closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic which led to the decision not to run the state examinations last summer, and the more recent decision of 7 January 2021 to close schools for up to three weeks from 11 January until 1 February.

From Monday 11 January 2021, all students, including Leaving Certificate students, are engaging in a programme of remote learning with their schools.

The public health restrictions which resulted in the closure of schools in March 2020 highlighted the absolute necessity for schools to be agile in providing for continuity of schooling in the future. As a contingency measure against the possibility of partial or full school closures, my Department has already provided a suite of guidance materials, agreed with the education partners, to enable schools to mediate the curriculum safely for all pupils/students in a Covid-19 context. These are available at www.gov.ie/backtoschool. This documentation has been complemented by Circular 0074/2020 (Communication/Teaching & Learning Platform) which requires all schools to have in place appropriate contingency measures to ensure that they are prepared to continue to support teaching and learning in the event of a partial or full closure of schools arising from Public Health advice.

Last August, I announced a series of changes that would be made to assessment arrangements for both Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate examinations for 2021. This announcement was accompanied by a published document detailing these changes, Assessment Arrangements for Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate Examinations 2021, and forms part of the Roadmap for the Full Return to School. On 21 December 2020, the Department published an updated version of the publication which includes clarifications in relation to a number of subjects.

These arrangements are designed to take account of the disrupted learning experienced by students during the 2019/20 school year and to factor in for some further possible loss of learning time in the 2020/21 school year as a contingency measure. As the loss of learning through school closures affects students’ engagement with their course of study in different ways, the adjustments put in place play to students’ strengths by leaving intact the familiar overall structure of the examinations, while incorporating additional choice. The adjustments were arrived at through discussions between my Department, the State Examinations Commission (SEC), the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and key stakeholders.

These changes to the national assessment arrangements were made with due regard for the principles of equity, fairness and integrity, as these principles apply to assessment and examinations and refer to student to-student, subject-to-subject, and year-to-year comparisons over time. The changes provide reassurance to students, their parents/guardians, teachers and schools.

In addition to the above the SEC also advised schools in December of flexibility being provided for schools and students in the arrangements for the completion and authentication of coursework and that circular is available at https://www.examinations.ie/misc-doc/BI-EX-12232019.pdf.

Further updates regarding the submission of coursework, the RACE scheme, the Leaving Certificate Applied programme and examination entries for 2021 were issued by the SEC to schools on 14 January.

The SEC has valuable learning from the experience of running the 2020 November state examinations, notwithstanding that the numbers taking these examinations were significantly lower than the number due to sit examinations in 2021. The measures relating to COVID-19 that were put in place for the November examinations will be considered as part of the planning for examinations in 2021.

Other documents published by my Department to support the return to school include ‘Guidance for Practical Subjects in Post-Primary Schools and Centres for Education’ and ‘Returning to school: Guidance on learning and school programmes for post primary school leaders and teachers’. These documents provide guidance for teachers and schools that is specific to each practical subject area, so that students can be facilitated to actively engage with their learning. All documentation published is available on www.gov.ie/backtoschool.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (222)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if the school bus service can be extended to children from Kilteel, Naas, County Kildare, who wish to attend second level schools in Naas due to the lack of available school places adjacent to their homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3528/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 113,100 children, including over 14,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.

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 transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by the Department of Education/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Bus Éireann has advised that pupils residing in the Kilteel area and who are attending the Naas Post Primary Centre are generally not eligible for transport as it is not their nearest post primary centre. There is currently no service available from Kilteel to Naas Post Primary Centre. The nearest pickup point to a school transport service operating to Naas Post Primary Centre is in Kill, Co. Kildare, 7.3 km from Kilteel Village. These pupils are closer to Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin, their nearest school.

However, pupils who reside in Kilteel and who are attending Gaelcholáiste Chill Dara, Naas, Co. Kildare may be eligible for transport as this is their nearest Gaelcholáiste. There is currently no service from Kilteel to Gaelcholáiste Chill Dara, Co. Kildare as no applications for transport to this school have been received for pupils residing in the Kilteel area.

Social Welfare Benefits

Ceisteanna (223)

Steven Matthews

Ceist:

223. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will investigate the situation faced by a small cohort of workers who have been out of work since March 2020 (details supplied); and if their case will be reviewed. [3072/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Last year, the Christmas Bonus was paid to over 1.6 million eligible customers in the week beginning 7th December at an estimated cost of €389 million. The respective figures in 2019 were 1.2 million customers and €279 million.

On an exceptional basis, the Christmas Bonus was also paid to recipients of the PUP provided that they had been in receipt of the payment - continuously or otherwise - for at least 4 months (17 weeks) since March. Any person in receipt of the PUP for any one day of the period Friday 27th November to Thursday 3rd December received the Christmas Bonus payment provided they also met the 17 week requirement. Approximately 284,000 people or 82% of those receiving the PUP received the Christmas Bonus, at a cost of almost €84 million.

The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme administered by the Revenue Commissioners was not a scheme that was considered for the Christmas Bonus payment as the beneficiaries were not in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment and therefore any weeks where employees were supported through this scheme were not counted towards the exceptional 17 week eligibility condition.

I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

General Register Office

Ceisteanna (224)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

224. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection when it is likely that the legislation will be passed to recognise cohabitating partners who are not lawfully married on official documentation such as death certificates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3269/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Legislation to give effect to broadening the range of person designated as Qualified Informants for the purposes of registering a death was commenced on 20th November 2020. The new provisions enable co-habitants to register the death of their loved ones.

The General Register Office is currently putting into circulation a revised Death Notification Form with the expanded list of Qualified Information for the purpose of facilitating death registration. Any stocks of form are being withdrawn as these do not include co-habitants as a person who may register a death. Updated forms are being made available all hospitals and GP practices.

I have been advised that the GRO will undertake an exercise to identify and amend any records to reflect that a co-habitant registered the death since the new legislation was commenced. Alternatively, a person may contact their local civil registration office and request that the death certificate is corrected.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Carer's Allowance

Ceisteanna (225)

Martin Browne

Ceist:

225. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the length of time an applicant can be expected to wait for a decision regarding carer's allowance; and if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person who has been waiting since July 2020 for a decision regarding the allowance and is in financial difficulty as a result. [3022/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 31 August 2020. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 11 September 2020 and the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on that date. The Appeals Officer has determined an oral hearing is required in this appeal.

I am advised by the Chief Appeals Officer that, due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, in person oral appeal hearings have been suspended. They are currently being conducted online or by telephone.

I am also advised that the Appeals Officer in this case has requested that a telephone oral hearing be scheduled with the person concerned. However, it has not been possible to contact the person concerned by telephone to make the necessary arrangements. A letter issued to them on 15 January 2021 requesting them to contact the Social Welfare Appeals Office in order for the hearing to be arranged.

The average waiting time for Carer’s Allowance appeals in 2020 was 23.3 weeks for an oral hearing and 11.6 weeks for a summary decision.

Anyone experiencing financial difficulties while awaiting a decision on an appeal should contact their local Intreo Centre and enquire as to their entitlement to a payment under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Working Family Payment

Ceisteanna (226)

Marc MacSharry

Ceist:

226. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo whose working family payment was not renewed following the annual review even though the person's circumstances have not changed since 2020 will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3031/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly in-work support, which provides an income support for employees with children and on low earnings. To qualify for Working Family Payment the customer must have at least 1 qualified child who normally resides with them. Under Social Welfare Legislation, a qualified child is defined as a child under 18 years of age or aged between 18 and 22 and in full-time day education.

Working family payment for the person concerned was due for renewal on 17 December 2020 and as the above condition was not satisfied, the claim was disallowed.

However, following receipt of updated information in relation to the person concerned from the Social Welfare Inspector , WFP was awarded with effect from 17 December 2020 to 15 December 2021. The first weekly payment and all arrears owing will issue to the nominated bank account on Thursday 21 January 2021.

The person concerned was notified of this decision on 18 January 2021.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.