Written Answers Nos. 178-195
178. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the leaving certificate; if clarification will be provided for parents, students and teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9076/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Wednesday 17 February I confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 written examinations will proceed in accordance with the normal timetable, subject to public health advice, and that oral and practical examinations and course work would run as close to normal as possible. I also announced that students will also have the alternative option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades, which will be issued to students at the same time as the examination results. Students who receive grades from both processes will automatically be awarded the higher grade on a subject by subject basis.
This decision follows intensive engagement with education stakeholders, both bilaterally and through the Advisory Group on Planning for State Examinations 2021.
This decision announced ensures for every student a method to assess their learning and attainment at the end of their post-primary education and to progress to higher and further education, and the world of work.
Putting in place both the examinations and a corresponding measure of SEC-Accredited Grades is essential to ensuring a fair system, having regard to the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic and the loss of learning that has occurred for this group of students due to the interruption of in-person teaching and learning during the periods of school closure.
Students will be required to register for the traditional examinations and/or to receive SEC Accredited Grades. Registration for both will take place through an online Student Portal operated by the SEC. Details regarding registration will be announced as soon as possible.
The timetable for the written examinations in June will be published shortly by the State Examinations Commission. As far as possible, access to these examinations will be provided for very high risk students.
Schools will receive guidance, informed by public health advice, on organising examination centres for the June examinations.
Oral examinations will be held during the Easter holidays or shortly after.. Practical examinations will be held in most of the subjects where these form a normal part of the examination. In some subjects the holding of practical examinations may not be possible for public health reasons and this will be advised as soon as possible. Guidance on projects will issue to schools and students shortly.
Guidelines and further information on the process of SEC Accredited Grades will be published in the coming days. This will include a full guide for schools and an explanatory guide for students.
The results of the traditional examinations and the SEC Accredited Grades process are intended to be issued in time for CAO Round 1 offers. Where students opt to receive SEC accredited grades and to take the normal examinations, they will be awarded the better grades across the two forms of assessment, on a subject by subject basis.
179. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will consider making it a requirement that all schools in receipt of public funding would have to facilitate an ASD unit, given the huge shortage of places nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9097/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that 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.
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. The 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.
The 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 specialised provision.
Through better planning at both national and local level, it is the Department’s objective that specialist education places should come on stream to meet emerging demand on a timely basis and the active collaboration of school communities is essential in this regard.
180. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she will allow a school (details supplied) to deliver the in-person support programme for pupils with complex needs on the school premises in exceptional circumstances in order to accommodate some of those most in need of the support whose home circumstances are not suitable for home-based provision; if she will extend this permission to other schools that may wish to avail of it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9100/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is conscious of the fact that closing schools has hugely adverse consequences at individual, family and societal level and that the effect on children with special educational needs can be even greater.
Following intensive engagement and input from primary, post-primary and special education partners, a framework has now been developed and agreed with all partners, including unions and management, in order to achieve a phased return to in-school provision for children with special educational needs.
Under the framework the following phased return to in-school provision has been agreed:
Phase 1: Special schools reopened on Thursday 11th February 2021. In accordance with this agreement pupils will attend on a 50 per cent basis to allow for attendance of reduced numbers within the school setting. This will be reviewed in line with public health advice.
Phase 2: Primary and Post-Primary Special Classes will reopen from Monday 22nd February 2021. Pupils are expected to attend these classes on a full-time basis.
Special classes at primary and post-primary level will be supported in their return by the enhanced school teams put in place by the HSE and the Department of Education. Updated guidance and information on the supports for schools has been made available to primary schools, and will be made available to post-primary schools in advance of the return.
It is not possible to facilitate the return to school of other pupils/students with special educational needs without the agreement of all stakeholders. This includes the use of school buildings to deliver the supplementary programme.
Intensive engagement is continuing with education stakeholders, towards a full return of all students to in-person teaching and learning in primary and post primary schools as soon as possible and when it is safe to do so.
181. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if there is funding available for special education and accessible playgrounds and equipment within schools. [9120/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department administers a number of grants which together can be used to address the issues raised.
My Departments Emergency Works Scheme provides funding to facilitate inclusion and access for special needs pupils, applications can be made via the Esinet portal.
Grant aid is also available to schools under my Department’s Loose Furniture & Equipment Scheme to fund the purchase of special items of furniture for special needs pupils. This scheme applies to all children who are diagnosed as having special needs. Items funded include classroom seating, desks and changing/toileting items for both primary and post primary schools.
The Summer Works Scheme would be the appropriate mechanism for Schools to apply for funding for accessible playgrounds and equipment, schools will be notified via their Esinet notice board when this scheme next opens for applications.
182. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the contact details for the sections that deal with all ongoing and established grant funding in her Department and in each agency under the remit of her Department in tabular form. [9125/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department disburses a significant amount of its annual voted allocation by way of grant funding.
My Department’s website www.education.ie provides detailed information regarding the range of services provided or funded by it and, where appropriate, it includes application forms and relevant information and contact details to assist applicants.
More generally, the business units and appropriate contact details for all sections of the Department are detailed in the management and organisation chart set out at https://www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Management-Organisation/.
The agencies under the aegis of my Department are listed at https://www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Agencies/ with contact information also provided by following the link for each agency. Agencies can be contacted directly for information in regard to any schemes of grant funding that may be operated by them along with consulting their own individual websites.
183. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if her Department can assist a new primary school in receiving feeder school status in an area when it faces difficulty in securing places for those graduating, as in the case of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9142/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. For school planning purposes the school referred to by the Deputy was established to serve the Belmayne/Clongriffin area of the Donaghmede_Howth_D13 school planning area.
New schools established since 2011 to meet demographic demand (including the post primary school to which the Deputy refers) are required, in the first instance, to prioritise pupil applications from within the designated school planning area(s) which the school was established to serve. This does not preclude schools from enrolling pupils from outside of the school planning area where they have sufficient places, rather it reflects the need to accommodate in the first instance the demographic for which the school was established.
Aside from the obligation outlined above, the question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the Board of Management on behalf of the school Patron and my Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools in such matters.
Similar to the process adopted for September 2020 readiness, the Department will shortly be engaging further with patron bodies in advance of identifying specific September 2021 capacity pressure points priorities which will necessitate specific action.
In a ‘normal’ year, addressing the increased demands for school places, whilst challenging, is manageable – generally through utilisation of existing spare capacity within schools, rental, temporary accommodation or other short term measures pending the delivery of permanent accommodation. Such potential measures will be considered in areas where capacity pressure points are identified.
184. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if a review of ASD classrooms in the Dublin 4, 6 and 6W areas will be conducted urgently. [9158/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. The Department of Education will spend approximately €2 Billion or over 20% of its total educational budget in 2021 on making additional provision for children with special educational needs this year.
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. 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.
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.
As Minister, I have powers under Section 37A of the Education Act to direct a school to provide additional places but this power is only used as a last resort and where all reasonable efforts have failed.
In 2020, having considered a report submitted by the NCSE which identified a need for special education placements in South Dublin, the then Minister served statutory notices under Section 37A on 39 schools in the area.
This legal process is still underway and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage. However, I would like to reassure the Deputy that progress is being made and 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.
I can also reassure the Deputy that the local SENOs continue to be available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs.
185. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to ensure that children with special needs in mainstream classes will be able to return to school on 22 February 2021 at the same time that children in special needs schools and children in ASD units within mainstream schools are expecting to return; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9162/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is conscious of the fact that closing schools has hugely adverse consequences at individual, family and societal level and that the effect on children with special educational needs can be even greater.
Following intensive engagement and input from primary, post-primary and special education partners, a framework has now been developed and agreed with all partners, including unions and management, in order to achieve a phased return to in-school provision for children with special educational needs.
Under the framework the following phased return to in-school provision has been agreed:
Phase 1: Special schools reopened on Thursday 11th February 2021. In accordance with this agreement pupils will attend on a 50 per cent basis to allow for attendance of reduced numbers within the school setting. This will be reviewed in line with public health advice.
Phase 2: Primary and Post-Primary Special Classes will reopen from Monday 22nd February 2021. Pupils are expected to attend these classes on a full-time basis.
Special classes at primary and post-primary level will be supported in their return by the enhanced school teams put in place by the HSE and the Department of Education. Updated guidance and information on the supports for schools has been made available to primary schools, and will be made available to post-primary schools in advance of the return.
Recognising that remote learning is particularly challenging for some students with complex needs, the Department of Education has also put in place a supplementary programme to support the education and/or care needs of students with complex needs at primary and post-primary level.
Eligibility for the programme will comprise:
- All pupils enrolled in special schools and special classes in primary schools and post-primary schools.
- Pupils in mainstream primary and post-primary schools who are accessing the highest levels of support in school at the School Support Plus/Support for a Few stage of the Continuum of Support. This includes pupils with Autism, Down syndrome, sensory impairments, and other disabilities, as well as pupils who were identified for the Summer Provision Programmes of 2020.
- Schools have flexibility to identify pupils that require the highest level of support at any given time. This will ensure that pupils presenting with exceptional needs due to the current school closures can participate in the scheme.
This programme of in-person support is intended to supplement the teaching and learning provided by the student’s school and alleviate the impact of this period of school closure through the provision of 5 hours per week in-person teaching or care support to be delivered in homes.
An allocation of five hours per week of home-based teaching or care supports will be made available to eligible students for four weeks.
The support programme must be delivered outside of the normal school day (i.e. evenings and weekends), so that the student can continue to engage as fully as possible with the teaching and learning provided by their school.
Any unused hours can be delivered to families at any time before 30 April 2021, including during the Easter holidays.
Intensive engagement is continuing with education stakeholders, towards a full return of all students to in-person teaching and learning in primary and post primary schools as soon as possible and when it is safe to do so.
186. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the status of a building project for a school (details supplied); when it will receive final sanction; if this project be able to progress under Covid-19 when final sanction is received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9174/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project at the school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of the tender process with a preferred bidder identified.
Some information is still awaited from the identified bidder, and upon receipt of same the tender process can be finalised. Subject to no issues arising, construction should commence in Quarter 1 of 2021 with a construction period of approximately 6 months.
187. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the status of a school infrastructure project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9178/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that funding has been secured for the school to which he refers and the project is being devolved for delivery to the School Authority.
The execution of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between my Department and the School Authority is currently being arranged. Once the SLA is in place, the School Authority will procure a Design Team for the project to design the buildings, obtain the necessary statutory planning permissions, and progress the project to tender and construction in due course.
188. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education if Tusla has made provision for Tusla education support service, TESS, reporting during Covid-19 specifically for children who must take an absence from school of longer than 20 days due to illness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9199/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchools are obliged to submit school returns to Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) twice annually, providing information related to all students who have missed 20 or more school days. When submitting these returns schools are asked to outline if such absences are explained or unexplained. Explained absences are generally for reasons such as illness or bereavement. When a student is absent from school due to illness and the parent(s)/guardian(s) provide the school with appropriate information/medical certificates to explain the absences, the school records these absences as explained absences due to illness.
TESS is aware that since March 2020 students may have been absent from school due to Covid-19, either where the student is self-isolating or where the student may have contracted Covid-19. In such cases once the school is informed these absences are recorded as explained absences. TESS is very mindful of the impact Covid-19 has had on many families and the service adopts a child welfare approach to all cases. In all cases referred to TESS staff engage with the student, his/her family and his/her school to put in place a plan that will support the student to return to and remain in school.
189. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if her Department will make additional funding available to a school (details supplied) to ease the ongoing financial burden of having to hire a sports hall from its local club and contracting buses to bring students there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9240/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no current record of receiving an application for additional accommodation from the school in question.
It is open to the school authority to make an application for additional accommodation through the 'Additional School Accommodation scheme (ASA)' which is available at www.education.ie.
190. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when it is planned to reopen the special schools that opened partially on 11 February 2021 on a full-time basis, given that many studies show that children in these settings are not significant spreaders of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9244/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has always been guided by public health advice in relation to what is safe in schools. NPHET 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.
My Department has agreed a plan with the relevant education stakeholders for the phased return to in-person learning for children in special schools and children in special classes in mainstream schools. This phased reopening commenced last Thursday 11th February with children in special schools returning on a 50 per cent minimum shared basis from that date. From Monday 22 February pupils and students in special classes will also return to school.
A supplementary in-person care and educational support programme to support the education and/or care needs of pupils and students with complex needs is also available to families for four weeks from 11 February at primary and 22 February at post primary.
The full re-opening of our schools for all students remains a top priority for Government and my Department is focussing on the safe return of all pupils and students to school on a phased basis beginning in March.
191. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if her Department will make additional funding available to a school (details supplied) to ease the ongoing financial burden of having to hire a sports hall from its local GAA club and contracting buses to bring students there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9253/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no current record of receiving an application for additional accommodation from the school in question.
It is open to the school authority to make an application for additional accommodation through the 'Additional School Accommodation scheme (ASA)' which is available at www.education.ie.
192. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education the status of the plans to construct a special needs unit attached to a school (details supplied); if the unit will be integrated within the main school; if it will be a standalone project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9265/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which she refers has been approved for a project under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme 2019. This project will provide for a two classroom SEN base, a staff room, a multipurpose/games room, a nurse's office and boys and girls toilets.
This project was recently approved by my Department to proceed to planning. It is now a matter for the Board of Management to advance this project in that context.
I can advise the Deputy that the approved accommodation will be joined to the existing building.
193. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her plans for the phased reopening of schools; if the children of essential and front-line workers will be prioritised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9266/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra194. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education when children can return to their classrooms, especially those in primary and secondary schools, given that many families are struggling with home schooling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9288/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.
The Government has always been guided by public health advice in relation to what is safe in schools. NPHET 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.
My Department has agreed a plan with the relevant education stakeholders for the phased return to in-person learning for children in special schools and children in special classes in mainstream schools. This phased reopening commenced last Thursday 11th February with children in special schools returning on a 50 per cent minimum shared basis from that date. From Monday 22 February pupils and students in special classes will also return to school.
The full re-opening of our schools for all students remains a top priority for Government and my Department is focussing on the safe return of all pupils and students to school on a phased basis beginning in March.
195. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if bills relating to digital costs or necessary one-off purchases of digital devices can be supported under the exceptional needs payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9008/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make an exceptional needs payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The exceptional needs payment scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.
As part of the response to Covid 19, the Government has put in place a range of measures, including supports for schools and third level institutions to assist students to engage with remote learning. When considering an application for support with costs of a digital device, the officer will take into account other State supports that may be available where this is appropriate.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an exceptional needs payment should contact the Community Welfare Service at their local INTREO centre. There is a national Income Support Helpline in place (1890 800 024) which will assist callers to make contact with the appropriate office.
If the Deputy has concerns about a particular case, I would ask him to bring it to the attention of my Department. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
