Written Answers Nos. 600-618
600. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the status of school places for children (details supplied) in County Cork who have additional needs; and if she will address the specific issue. [16910/21]
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.
The majority of special schools cater for students up to the age of 18. However, in the event that students are transitioning from a special school to a post-primary school, such enrolment applications are a matter for each individual board of management and the NCSE does not hold such records.
The NCSE, through its local network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers), is available to provide advice and support to parents of students that are due to transition to post-primary on the possible placement options available to their child, including mainstream placement with appropriate support, special class placement and special school placement. Post-primary placements are supported with additional resources where required.
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. The NCSE provides a programme of teacher professional learning and in-school support to support schools in establishing special classes.
Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, I am acutely aware that there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places. For September 2021, the NCSE is aware of a specific identified need for special school placements in Cork City and County and is working with my Department and the education partners towards meeting that need. A number of options are currently being explored to increase the number of places to cater for the needs of children in this area. I can assure the Deputy that this is a priority for all concerned.
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.
NCSE is aware of those parents whose children are seeking placement for the 2021/22 academic year, including mainstream placement with appropriate support, special class and special school placement. The NCSE continues to work to identify any and all relevant suitable placements.
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.
The NCSE's local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) remains available to the family referenced by the Deputy. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at https://ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
601. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the status of a school place for a child (details supplied) in County Cork who has additional needs; and if she will address the specific issue. [16911/21]
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.
The majority of special schools cater for students up to the age of 18. However, in the event that students are transitioning from a special school to a post-primary school, such enrolment applications are a matter for each individual board of management and the NCSE does not hold such records.
The NCSE, through its local network of SENOs (Special Educational Needs Organisers), is available to provide advice and support to parents of students that are due to transition to post-primary on the possible placement options available to their child, including mainstream placement with appropriate support, special class placement and special school placement. Post-primary placements are supported with additional resources where required.
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. The NCSE provides a programme of teacher professional learning and in-school support to support schools in establishing special classes.
Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, I am acutely aware that there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places. For September 2021, the NCSE is aware of a specific identified need for special school placements in Cork City and County and is working with my Department and the education partners towards meeting that need. A number of options are currently being explored to increase the number of places to cater for the needs of children in this area. I can assure the Deputy that this is a priority for all concerned.
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.
NCSE is aware of those parents whose children are seeking placement for the 2021/22 academic year, including mainstream placement with appropriate support, special class and special school placement. The NCSE continues to work to identify any and all relevant suitable placements.
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.
The NCSE's local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) remains available to the family referenced by the Deputy. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at https://ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.
602. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education if consideration has been given to allow for face masks to be worn during leaving certificate oral examinations in line with public health advice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16915/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
603. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education if extremely disadvantaged students in five schools for children at risk will be afforded the opportunity to sit their junior certificate examinations in June 2021 in view of the fact that no leaving certificate examinations are being held in these schools; if she will engage directly with the schools on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16917/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Government Decision on 17 February last, the normal Junior Cycle Examination processes were cancelled.
Given the priority that needed to be accorded to the Leaving Certificate examinations and the challenge associated with running them, it was not considered feasible to run a set of Junior Cycle Examinations also.
Last year, early school leavers and adult learners were offered an opportunity to sit Junior Cycle examinations at a later point. Similar measures will be implemented for this year, with Junior Cycle Examinations for early school leavers and adult learners set to begin in October 2021.
Guidance and further information relating to the Junior Cycle of 2021 has now been published by my Department and is available at http://www.gov.ie/JuniorCycle.
These guidelines include details on the alternative form of certification designed to meet the current exceptional circumstances. A state certificate of completion of the Junior Cycle from my Department will be issued stating students have completed their Junior Cycle programme of study. In addition to this certificate, a school report detailing the learning achievements through the Junior Cycle programme should be issued to students by their schools. Further details are available in the guidelines.
To avoid any unfair disadvantage for young people wishing to access National Craft Apprenticeships, it has been determined that the 2020 or 2021 State Certificate and School Report provided to students who were due to complete their examinations in 2020 or 2021 will be deemed to be an ‘approved equivalent’ as per the eligibility requirements for said apprenticeships.
Schools will shortly be provided with further guidance on continuing to engage this year group in online learning and assessment during the period of school closure and through in-person learning when schools reopen.
604. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to enable Irish Sign Language teachers to receive teaching licences from the Teaching Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16940/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with the statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.
There are entry routes to primary, post-primary and further education teacher education for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing, and to provide for instruction in ISL in schools.
The Teaching Council inform me that in relation to primary, there is a Bachelor of Education (Irish Sign Language), which commenced in 2019 in Dublin City University (DCU). This programme was developed as previously there was no entry route to primary teacher education for someone who communicates through ISL and could not meet the minimum entry requirement for Irish in Leaving Certificate. This B.Ed. allows ISL to be accepted as an alternative to Irish.
In relation to post-primary and Further Education, there are a number of accredited programmes of Initial Teacher Education in these sectors and there are no barriers to entry for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing, and to ensuring instruction in ISL is available in schools.
605. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the rationale for the different hourly rates payable to individual teachers or supervisors for additional supervision work in circular letter 0053/2020; the reason teachers and supervisors receive different pay for the same work; the reason teachers who entered a teaching post on 1 January 2011 are paid less than teachers who entered teaching prior to 1 January 2011; the reason supervisors who entered employment post 1 January 2011 are paid less than supervisors who entered employment prior to 1 January 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16941/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe different hourly rates payable arises from the application of a reduction of 10% in the pay of new appointees to the public service and all new appointees by Government as part of Budget 2011.
Where additional supervision hours arise, they should be offered in the sequence set out in the circular and in accordance with the rates therein which were agreed in consultation with union representatives. The Teacher rate is payable to all teaching staff, Professional Masters in Education (PME) students in the school and retired teachers who undertake supervision duties. The Supervisor rate is payable to any other personnel who undertake the supervision duties.
Further amendments to Teacher Terms and Conditions, including pay and allowances, can only be achieved through engagement and collective bargaining agreements between the Government and the public service unions.
606. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education the number of students, schools and special schools that availed of July provision in 2020; if the same criteria will be used for the 2021 July provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17019/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA significantly expanded Summer Programme was provided in 2020 for children with the complex needs as a discrete response to Covid-19.
The programme provided either in-school, or home-based supports by teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) during the summer holidays to help to prevent regression among children with SEN.
The programme's aim was to support children to reintegrate/transition into their planned education setting for the 2020/21 school year with their peers.
Over 14,000 children participated in the special education summer programmes developed by the Department including 3,881 pupils in 255 schools with specialised settings and 9,716 pupils in the home based programme. Of the 255 schools, 30 were special schools.
My Department is progressing work on proposals for this years Summer Provision scheme to provide supports for children with complex special educational needs during the Summer holiday period. The scheme will be influenced by the current public health emergency. These proposals will be developed based on engagement and consultation with the education partners.
I will make an announcement on this in due course.
607. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify a matter regarding a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17025/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on the use of face coverings in educational settings. Face coverings do not have to be worn outdoors. Indoors where physical distancing is not possible, face coverings should be worn by teachers, staff, and post primary students.
Further information for parents and students/pupils on the wearing of face coverings including the proper use, removal and washing of cloth face coverings is available via the link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a04fc-advice-for-students-and-their-families/. Information is also set out in the Covid-19 response plans for primary, special and post-primary schools available at www.gov.ie/backtoschool.
608. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the status of the works to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17052/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school building project referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme. The project is currently at Stage 2b – Detailed Design which includes obtaining all statutory approvals, preparing a set of fully detailed Tender documents, and preparing an accurate pre-tender cost plan.
My Department is also currently nearing the completion of a tender process for the establishment of a new framework of contractors for the delivery of a bundle of design and build projects. It is expected that in Quarter 2 of 2021, this school building project will be included in a subsequent bundle of projects to be tendered to the new framework.
Pending delivery of the permanent building project, my Department will continue to address the interim accommodation needs of the school on its permanent site.
609. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a list of properties owned by her Department or agencies within the remit of her Department in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17105/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA list of properties up to December 2020 owned by me as Minister for Education located in County Mayo is attached. The listed properties in the main include properties where the control and management of the property has been transferred to a school patron who operates the school in the property. The list below also includes two sites where it is planned to develop schools.
My officials have been in contact with each of the agencies under the remit of the Department in regard to the Deputy’s query. I am advised that there are no properties, owned by the aegis bodies, that fall within the scope of the question.
|
Roll Number |
Name |
Address |
|
15866A |
Carrakennedy National School |
Liscarney, Westport, Co Mayo |
|
19375B |
St.Brids Special National School |
Pavilion Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo |
|
19832D |
Scoil Raifteiri |
Faiche an Aonaigh, Gort Na Fuairain, Caislean An Bharraigh, Co Mhaigh Eo |
|
19972T |
SN Uileog de Burca |
Lochán na mBan, Clár Chlainne Mhuiris, Co Mhaigh Eo |
|
20046M |
Gaeilscoil Na Cruaiche |
Bothar an Chursa Gailf, Cathair an Mart, Co Mhaigh Eo |
|
91461C |
Ballyhaunis Community School |
Knock Road, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo |
|
91462E |
Ballinrobe Community School |
Convent Road, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo |
|
91494R |
St.Louis Community School |
Kiltimagh, Co Mayo |
|
08302J (Site) |
Old St. Patrick’s National School/Holy Trinity National School |
Altamount Street, Westport, Co Mayo |
|
19375B (Site) |
St.Brids Special School* |
Pavilion Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo |
*new school building planned
610. Deputy Ossian Smyth asked the Minister for Education if her Department has considered sites to accommodate a school (details supplied) for the 2021-22 school year; if her Department is working with the local authority to secure a site for the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17124/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra611. Deputy Ossian Smyth asked the Minister for Education if her Department has considered sites to accommodate a school (details supplied) for the 2021-22 school year; if her Department is working with the local authority to secure a site for the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17125/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 610 and 611 together.
My Department remains committed to providing permanent accommodation to meet the needs of the school to which the Deputy refers.
I can confirm that officials in my Department have been actively engaging with officials from Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council via emails, phone calls and through online meeting platforms to establish all relevant information in respect of two site options so that a determination as to the optimum configuration of school sites can be made at the earliest possible date. As a result, the acquisition of this site is progressing well. However, if the Deputy wishes to forward details of the sites mentioned above, my officials can consider these too.
As the Deputy will appreciate, my Department strives to obtain best value for the Exchequer and given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further as to the location or description of proposed sites currently being considered, at this time.
612. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education the status and details of the development of a new building for a school (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17212/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Management team to progress the project through the stages of architectural planning, tendering and construction.
An application for Planning Permission in respect of the works was submitted to the relevant Local Authority in September 2020. A Request for Further Information (RFI) was received in October 2020.
My Department’s Design and Build Project Management team are actively working on this RFI and a response will be issued as soon as possible.
As with all school projects, the exact timeframe for delivery of the project will be dependent on the grant of planning permission.
613. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the status of a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17230/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe building project for the Carrigtwohill schools campus is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme and planning permission has been secured for the campus project.
The decision to grant planning permission by the Local Authority was subject to 57 conditions primarily related to the specification and construction of a significant road network which is essential to access the school site and which will be built by a third party developer.
My Department, through its Project Managers and their Design Team, continues to work closely with the developer and the Local Authority in relation to the necessary planning compliance documentation for both the schools and the roads. Following agreement with the local authority on compliance matters, the developer has commenced construction of the roads.
My Department has also agreed in principle to the payment of development contributions to the Local Authority in relation to planning conditions 54, 55 and 56. The matter is currently being considered by the Local Authority. If agreed, this will allow the Local Authority to progress the necessary upgrades and traffic management measures necessary on the existing public roads network in a timely manner to coincide with the construction of the schools on the campus.
My Department is currently in the process of establishing a Framework of Design and Build Contractors to which Design and Build projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, can be tendered. It is my Department’s intention is to have the tender for the project referred to by the Deputy issued to the Framework as early as possible in Quarter 2 2021.
614. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the status of a school building project (details supplied). [17231/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme.
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. The tender process commenced on the 4th December 2019. The second stage of the tender process which involves the detailed tender for several schools is expected to be concluded shortly. My Department’s intention is to have the project referred to by the Deputy tendered as early as possible thereafter.
615. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to increase the number of secondary school places in the school catchment area of Donaghmede, Howth and Dublin 13 to deal with waiting lists for secondary and primary school places across the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17246/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas including school planning areas referred to by the Deputy.
Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school there are not available to all pupils
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including patrons in the school planning areas in question, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
616. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education the grants available for parents of children with autism for the provision of educational equipment which can be used in the home; if grants are available for the provision of a sensory room in a private dwelling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17248/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraProvision of Grant Aid towards the provision of specialist equipment solely for use in the home or for sensory rooms in a private dwelling is outside the remit of my Department and should instead be addressed to the Health Service Executive (HSE). Parents can access information in this through their local Health Centre, contact information is available on www.HSE.ie.
My Department provides funding to schools towards the cost of equipment and specialist software for educational purposes under the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013.
In order to qualify for equipment under the Assistive Technology scheme, a child must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the child to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.
Equipment purchased under the Scheme should normally be kept in the school. However, as stated in Circular 0010/2013, a pupil may, with the consent of the management authority, use the equipment at home.
617. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the broadband connectivity issues at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17251/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with the technical solutions available in the market and within financial constraints, through the Schools Broadband Programme. Currently investment of some €13m is allocated annually for the provision of internet connectivity to schools. As you will be aware, broadband capacity can vary across geographical locations and is dependent on local infrastructure which can impact on the service that can be provided in individual schools.
The primary broadband scheme operates off existing infrastructure on the whole and the providers on the Primary Broadband Framework access this infrastructure to deliver the service to the schools. All post-primary schools are provided with high speed connectivity through the Department's High Speed Programme for Post-Primary Schools.
My Department is working closely with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on the implementation of the National Broadband Plan Intervention area, which will see almost 700 primary schools provided with high speed connectivity by the end of 2022. This includes the School Connection Points under the Broadband Connection Points programme implementation currently underway.
In operating the Schools Broadband Programme, my Department adheres to procurement regulations, and must engage with the selected retail service providers on the DE Framework of Providers of Broadband Services through a tender process to award services. As and when improvements in infrastructure providing high speed connectivity is put in place, either through industry provision or the NBP implementation, the retail service providers on the Primary Schools Broadband Framework will be in a position to utilise this in providing connectivity through my Department's Broadband Programme.
The school referred to by the Deputy is on contracted service of 40 Mbp/s download through the Schools Broadband Programme, and will be upgraded through the Schools Broadband Programme when infrastructure becomes available to do so, in line with procurement and financial obligations. The school are advised to contact the Schools Broadband Service Desk on 1800 334466. to ensure that the school is receiving the maximum service on their current connection, and to investigate if internal networking issues may be impacting services in the school.
618. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education if the provision of funding support for DEIS schools for summer 2021 will be along the same lines as funding provided in summer 2020; the details of the schools that availed of this funding support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17262/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll 890 schools (2019/20 academic year figures) in the DEIS programme were offered the opportunity to run a one week summer programme in 2020. Schools were asked to identify those pupils most in need of this support and they had flexibility on when to hold it during the summer.
DEIS primary schools were offered the opportunity to run a Literacy and Numeracy Camp.
DEIS post-primary schools were offered the opportunity to run a new programme which was developed focusing on encouraging those students deemed most in need to reconnect with school, supporting their physical, social and emotional wellbeing and providing them with the skills they need to engage in a meaningful way with learning in the future. The programme was funded to target educational and social disadvantage.
217 DEIS primary schools ran literacy and numeracy summer camps in 2020, with over 7,000 pupils attending. 72 DEIS post-primary schools ran the week long summer programme in 2020 with over 2,200 students attending.
Work is underway in detailing proposals for the provision of a summer programme in 2021 to include DEIS schools.
