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Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 29 Jun 2021

Written Answers Nos. 312-331

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (314)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

314. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which pay and conditions throughout the Defence Forces remain under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34972/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware Public Service pay policy is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform having regard to Public Sector Pay Agreements. The Department of Defence does not have discretion to award separate pay increases. Whilst pay has been highlighted as an issue, there has been significant progress in recent years.

The Defence Forces have received pay increases in line with the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, the most recent of which was a 2% increase on annualised salaries from 1 October 2020.

The restoration of the 5% cut in allowances imposed under the Financial Emergency in the Public Interest (FEMPI) legislation, was also restored from 1 October 2020.

In addition to the general round of pay increases awarded to public servants, members of the Permanent Defence Force have also benefitted from the implementation of increases in Defence Forces allowances as recommended by the Public Service Pay Commission. These included:

- a 10% increase in military service allowance,

- the restoration of a 10% cut applied to a number of Defence Forces allowances under the Haddington Road Pay Agreement

- the restoration of premium rates for weekend security duty allowances.

- the restoration of a service commitment scheme for pilots.

The introduction of a new sea-going service commitment scheme for Naval Service personnel came into effect from 1 January 2021, is aimed at retaining highly trained and experienced personnel and incentivising sea going duties.

A sea going naval personnel tax credit of €1,270 was applied in the 2020 tax year for members of the Naval Service who served 80 days or more at sea on board a naval vessel in 2019. This tax credit has been extended for a further year and is increased to €1,500 for the 2021 tax year.

Negotiations on a new public service agreement were held in late 2020 with public service trade unions and representative associations. A new agreement ‘Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021 – 2022’ has subsequently been ratified by the overwhelming majority of public sector unions. The Permanent Defence Force representative associations have yet to ballot their members and accordingly advise the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) of formal acceptance, or otherwise, of this agreement.

The agreement provides for further increases in pay to all public servants including members of the Defence Forces should the Representative Associations advise the WRC of formal acceptance of the agreement.

- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on 1 October 2021.

- The equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund, in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Agreement, on 1 February 2022.

- A general round increase in annualised basic salaries for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater on, 1 October 2022.

The Government remains fully committed to addressing pay and conditions in the Defence Forces and this is reflected in the Programme for Government. This provided for the establishment of a Commission on the Defence Forces, which was established on the 15 December 2020 and completion of the Commissions work, I will consult with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on the establishment of a a permanent pay review body for the Defence Forces.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (315)

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

315. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the number of children with special educational needs in the State; the number of special needs schools; the number of such children currently on reduced timetables; the number of such children currently on suspension; the number of such children suspended in each of the past three years; the length of such suspension in practice; the number of such children currently expelled and in each of the past three years; the number of such children who are not in school on a school premises; the number in each of the past three years; the number of such children who have gone through section 29 in 2021 and in each of the past three years; the number of judicial reviews regarding suspension and expulsion of such children in 2021 and for each of the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34234/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department continues to prioritise investment in special education, with over €2 Billion due to be spent on special education this year.

For the coming school year there will be over 13,600 Special Education Teachers allocated to mainstream schools, who will support class teachers to address the special educational needs and learning needs of pupils who attend mainstream schools.

This year we are also providing for two new special schools and 269 new special classes.

For the 2021/22 school year, we will have a total of 2118 special classes, which is the largest number of special classes that we have ever had, and compares to 548 classes available in 2011.

18,000 Special Needs Assistants will also be available to support the care needs of pupils with special educational needs in our schools.

For the 2019/20 school year, 10,328 pupils attended special classes, which represents just over 1% of the total pupil population.

There are also 124 special schools which provide specialist educational services for pupils who have the most severe or complex levels of disabilities, or special educational needs.

For the 2019/20 school year, 8,224 pupils attended special schools, representing less than 1% of the total pupil population.

The remainder of pupils who have some form of additional learning needs or special educational needs attend mainstream schools.

In relation to the use of reduced time tables, it is the policy of my Department that all children, including children with special educational needs should attend school for the full school day.

Only in very limited circumstances, for example, where children are recovering from illness, and are required to be reintegrated into school, should reduced timetables be considered. In such circumstances, this should be part of a transition or reintegration intervention, based on the needs of individual students.

Where a reduced timetable is used, it should be applied proportionately, should have signed parental/guardian consent and should last only as long as is necessary to facilitate a return to school on a full-time basis.

The Department has consulted with education stakeholders to consider the timing of the introduction of guidelines on reduced timetables in the context of Covid 19 and the current operating environment for schools. There were concerns about issuing guidelines in the current Covid context where the safe and sustainable reopening of schools remains the overriding priority for all stakeholders.

It is my Department’s intention to issue Guidelines to schools on the use of reduced timetables for the next school year.

It is intended that the guidelines will include measures by which schools will be required to report on the use of reduced timetables.

Until such time as this reporting mechanism is in place, data is not available as to the number of pupils who are currently on reduced timetables.

In relation to the number of appeals taken under Section 29 of the Education Act against suspension or refusal to enrol pupils with special educational needs, Section 7 of the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018 came into operation on the 12 November 2020 and provided for the replacement of the existing Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 with a series of new sections numbered 29 to 29F.

These new appeal provisions in sections 29 to 29F are designed to work alongside the wider admissions framework in the 2018 Act. In accordance with section 29B of the Education Act, 1998, the Minister also developed procedures for appeals which apply to all appeals submitted from 12 November 2020 onwards.

Since the commencement of the new arrangements for appeals on the 12 November 2020 to date, a total of 95 appeals have been taken under section 29 of the Education Act 2018 where the applicant has indicated that the child has special educational needs. This represents 29% of all appeals in the same period.

Prior to 12 November only data in relation to total numbers of appeals per appeal type was recorded and therefore the Department cannot provide data in relation to the numbers of appeals which related to children with special educational needs for previous years.

Section 29 of the Education Act 2018 allows for appeals against the decision of a Board of Management of a school to suspend or permanently exclude a student. The decision of the independent appeals committee in such appeals may only be challenged by way of a Judicial Review. It is open to either party to an appeal to seek a Judicial Review.

My Department has recorded the following number of Judicial Reviews of section 29 appeal decisions in suspension and expulsion cases involving children with special educational needs in the last 3 years and to date in 2021:

2021 - 1 expulsion case

2020 – 2 expulsion cases

2019 - 3 expulsion cases and 1 suspension case

2018 – 0 cases

In relation to the number of pupils with special educational needs who may be currently on suspension, expulsion, or out of school, and for whom Section 29 cases may not have been brought forward, I wish to advise the Deputy that in accordance with the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 schools are obliged to report on school attendance, and data on non-attendance in primary and post-primary schools at the aggregated level are collected by Tusla through the Annual Attendance Report (AAR) and, also at the student level through the Student Attendance Report (SAR).

This latest report published presents data for the academic year 2017/18 and is available on Tusla’s website at www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/Analysis_of_School_Attendance_Data_in_Primary_and_Post-Primary_Schools_2017-2018.pdf.

As the information requested is collected and recorded by Tusla, I have referred this part of the question to that agency, for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Finally, in respect of children with special educational needs who may not be suspended or expelled, but who may be without a school placement, I can advise that ensuring that every child has a suitable school placement is a key objective of my Department. Significant resources are allocated each year to ensure that appropriate supports are available for children with special educational needs.

It is the policy of my Department that all children with Special Educational Needs can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in school settings through the primary and post primary school network.

Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.

My Department’s policy focuses on ensuring that all students with special educational needs can have access to an education appropriate to meeting their needs and abilities.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of Special Needs Organisers (SENOs), for the development and delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with Special Educational Needs, including the establishment of special class and special school placements.

In circumstances, where the NCSE confirms that no placement is available for a child with special educational needs, my 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.

It is important to note that Home tuition funding is not an alternative to a school placement, by its nature it is intended to be a short term intervention.

For this reason home tuition will not be available where a school placement has been identified by the NCSE.

Similarly, failure to enrol a child in school will not give rise to eligibility under this scheme.

I have no plans to change this approach.

Where the NCSE have identified an available school placement for a child, the local SENO will continue to be available to engage with the family and the school concerned to ensure that the child's needs are addressed.

The total number of children with special educational needs who are being supported by the Home Tuition scheme on the grounds that they do not currently have a school placement, or an early intervention class placement, is 732.

-

Sanctioned

SEN school aged no placement

88

3+ (Early Intervention support)

522

6 During year

37

6+

85

Total

732

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (316)

Chris Andrews

Ceist:

316. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education if she will intervene in the case of a school (details supplied) that has refused to open an ASD class in September 2021, despite having the resources and capacity to do so; and if the school will be compelled to open an ASD class for September 2021. [34235/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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. 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.

Planning for future needs takes into consideration the current availability of such places and focuses on those locations where additional provision is required. 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.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to prioritise investment in special education.

I understand that the NCSE is currently engaged with the school referred to by the Deputy regarding this matter. I have therefore arranged for your correspondence to be forwarded to the NCSE for direct reply.

The local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (317, 318)

Paul McAuliffe

Ceist:

317. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education her plans to increase the number of special school places in Dublin 9 in which no places currently exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34238/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul McAuliffe

Ceist:

318. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education her plans to increase the number of special school places in Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34239/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 318 together.

It is my belief that children with special educational needs should receive their education in placements which are appropriate to their needs alongside their peers wherever possible unless such an approach would be inconsistent with the best interests of the individual child or other children in the school.

This approach is consistent with the provisions of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004.

My Department's policy is therefore to provide for the inclusive education of children with special educational needs in mainstream schools. The majority of children with special needs attend mainstream education with additional supports.

This policy is supported by significant investment by Government, €2bn or just under 25% of the total education spend. This funds the provision of additional teachers, special needs assistants and other supports required to enable children with special needs to access education.

Only where it has been assessed that the child is unable to be supported in mainstream education, are special class placements or special school placements recommended and provided for.

It is therefore not the case that special educational placements are required to support all children with special educational needs, nor is it intended that this should be the case.

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.

My Department will continue to provide for a continuum of provision, which includes special class and special school places for children who have been assessed as needing such placements.

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.

Through ongoing consultation at local level, the NCSE is also aware of those parents whose children have been seeking placement for the 2021/22 academic year, including mainstream placement with appropriate support, special class placement, Early Intervention and special school placement throughout the country including the areas in question. The NCSE continues to work to identify any and all relevant suitable placements.

I can assure the Deputy that the local Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) continue to be available to assist and advise both schools and the parents of children with special educational needs.

Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list.

Question No. 318 answered with Question No. 317.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (319)

Johnny Mythen

Ceist:

319. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education the schools that received an increase in SNA exceptional review allocations; the number of additional SNAs provided in 2021; and the number of exceptional review allocations applications from each school. [34241/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The provision of education for children with special needs is an ongoing priority for Government.

The numbers of special classes, special education teachers and Special Needs Assistants are at unprecedented levels.

My Department will spend approximately €2 Billion, or over 20% of its total educational budget on making additional provision for children with special educational needs in 2021.

This represents an increase of over 50% in total expenditure since 2011, at which point €1.247 Billion per annum was provided.

Following Budget 2021, it is expected that a total of 18,000 Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts will have been allocated to primary, post primary and special schools by the end of this year..

This will represent an increase of increase of 70% in the number of SNAs provided since 2011 at which point 10,575 SNAs were available.

The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. The Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations. Accordingly your question has been forwarded to the NCSE for direct reply.

The NCSE publish statistics on SNA allocations to primary, post primary and special schools in tabular form, by county, for each school year, this information is available on their website, www.ncse.ie .

The NCSE manages the exceptional review process and handles each case individually. Some review requests can be concluded as an office based exercise, whilst others require a school to be visited. The timeframe for concluding a review can vary depending on the school context or the nature of the information provided.

In relation to applications for an exceptional review of the SNA allocation for the 2021/22 school year, schools with no SNAs and developing schools are being prioritised and determinations made before 30 June 2021. Other applications will be processed in order of date received. Schools are advised in writing once the outcome of reviews are known.

The NCSE have confirmed that 1,488 applications for exceptional reviews were received from schools during the 2020/21 school year. Of these applications, 772 schools have received an increase amounting to 539.39 additional SNA posts.

Site Acquisitions

Ceisteanna (320)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

320. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the status of the permanent site for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34242/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The acquisition of the permanent site for the school in question, (known locally as the “Glass Bottle” site) on the Goatstown Road, was completed by my Department in June 2019. The site will provide for a campus development of the 1,000 pupil post-primary school with 4 class Special Education Needs Unit (SENU) referred to by the Deputy and a 16 classroom primary school with a 2 class SENU.

The permanent school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been assigned to the Department’s Design & Build delivery programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.

A pre-planning meeting with the Planning Department of the local authority was held on 23 June 2021 to discuss the design proposals for the permanent school building project. These discussions will inform the plans for developing the planning application documentation.

The next key milestone for the project will be the submission of the planning application. It is not possible to provide a timeframe for the progression of the project to tender and construction stages until such time as the necessary statutory approvals have been secured.

My Department will continue to address the interim accommodation requirements for the school and will continue to keep the patron body and the school community updated as the project progresses.

Schools Amalgamation

Ceisteanna (321, 322)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

321. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if she has received an application for amalgamation involving a school (details supplied). [34256/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

322. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if she has received an application for amalgamation involving a school (details supplied). [34257/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 322 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not receiving an application from the schools in question in relation to a proposed amalgamation.

As the decision-making authority for any amalgamation is the patron/trustees of the schools concerned, it is open to any patron to submit proposals to the Department for consideration.

Any proposed change involves extensive negotiations at local level and must be well planned and managed in a manner that accommodates the interests of students, parents, teachers, local communities and contributes to an inclusive education system.

Question No. 322 answered with Question No. 321.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (323)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

323. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education her plans for a second-level school at a location (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the concern of the local community in respect of this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34270/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy may be aware, in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level. Citywest is located in the Tallaght school planning area.

Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:

- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,

- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,

- Provision of a new school or schools.

Following such an analysis, a new post primary school (Coláiste Pobail Fóla) was established to serve the Tallaght & Newcastle_Rathcoole school planning areas as a regional solution in 2020.

In relation to this school, the final Notification to Grant Planning Permission was received in March 2021 from South Dublin County Council and the school building project is currently at tender preparation stage. It is intended that the project will be tendered in Quarter 4 2021.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (324)

David Stanton

Ceist:

324. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education if she has received the report of a group (details supplied); the action taken by her Department on foot of the report; if she plans to take any additional action ahead of the new school year in view of the report’s findings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34291/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has received a copy of the report to which the Deputy refers. It is an analysis of historic population and enrolment trends for the period 2011-2020 in the East Cork area. The area in question is primarily the Midleton_Carrigtwohill school planning area, though part of the Youghal school planning area is also considered.

As the Deputy may be aware, a new primary school and a new post primary school have both been established in Midleton_Carrigtwohill in that period to meet the school needs arising from that population growth: Scoil Cliodhna CNS which was established in 2015 and Carrigtwohill Community College which was established in 2016.

In addition increased capacity is being provided in St Aloysius College, St. Mary High School, St. Colman’s Community College and in Pobalscoil na Tríonóide to meet September 2021 requirements as well as long-term projected enrolments in the east Cork area.

While the referenced report details historic information, the Deputy will appreciate that the provision of additional school accommodation is predicated on the projection of school place requirements based on current and future demographic trends. My Department uses up to date data from a range of sources including enrolments, Child Benefit data, information on residential development activity and National Planning Framework population targets in order to anticipate school place needs. The most current analysis does not indicate a requirement for additional school accommodation provision in the Midleton_Carrigtwohill or Youghal school planning areas above that which is currently being planned and delivered. Nevertheless, school place requirements will continue to be kept under review.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (325)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

325. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education when the Gortagarry, County Tipperary school bus route will go to tender again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34297/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 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.

Bus Éireann plans and manages the countrywide network on behalf of the Department to ensure that services are provided in line with the specific requirements of the Department.

Bus Éireann carries out tender competitions on a regular basis for the award of contracts for the provision of school transport services under the School Transport Scheme in accordance with procurement legislation. Bus Éireann confirms there is a 33 seater service which serves Gurtagarry National School. This service is within an existing five year contract and this contract not due to go to tender for the coming school year.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (326)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

326. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 318 of 20 October 2020, if payment will be ensured and issued as soon as possible for the person (details supplied). [34316/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 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 the 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.

The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs. Bus Éireann has confirmed that transport commenced for this pupil on the 23 October 2018 for the 2018/19 school year.

It was previously agreed that the Department would provide a Special Transport Grant to the family towards the cost of making private transport arrangements from September 2018 until the commencement of the school transport service on 23 October 2018. This payment has now been processed and the monies will be transferred to the family within the next week.

Schools Building Projects

Ceisteanna (327)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

327. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of building a school hall. [34325/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that the actual cost of constructing a General Purpose (GP) Room for a Primary School and a PE Hall for a Post Primary School can vary depending on a number of factors which can include, but not limited to the size and scope of the construction contract the GP/PE Halls are being constructed under, market conditions, site constraints, planning conditions, procurement method, etc.

Typical costs for provision of GP Rooms and PE Halls are as follows:

- GP room for a 4 classroom Primary school is €684,000;

- GP room for an 8/16 classroom Primary school is €904,000;

- GP room for a 24 classroom Primary school is €1,808,000;

PE Hall for a Post Primary school is €3,000,000.

School Costs

Ceisteanna (328)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

328. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education her policy in relation to whether DEIS secondary schools can oblige parents of school pupils to pay an administration charge and a voluntary contribution before allowing the pupil to enrol in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34366/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Education (Admission to Schools) Act, 2018, specifically prohibits the charging of fees or seeking payment or contributions for an application for admission to a school or for the enrolment or continued enrolment of a student in a school. This applies to all recognised primary and post primary schools with exceptions only for fee charging secondary schools, boarding schools and schools that provide post leaving courses or courses in further education in respect of these courses.

Voluntary contributions by parents of pupils enrolled in recognised schools are permissible provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no question of compulsion to pay and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own volition. The manner in which such voluntary contributions are sought and collected is a matter for school management, however their collection should be such as not to create a situation where either parents or pupils could reasonably infer that the contributions take on a compulsory character. However, no charge can be requested as a condition of admission to a school placement.

The Department recognises the current additional financial burden on schools and has provided additional operational supports for Primary and Post Primary schools to fully and safely operate in a sustainable way while minimising risk associated with COVID-19.

Special Educational Needs

Ceisteanna (329)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

329. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of hiring one additional educational psychologist. [34383/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The salary scale for an Educational Psychologists in the National Educational Psychologist Service (NEPS) starts at €55,169. There are currently 204 NEPS psychologist posts. Budget 2021 provided for an additional 17 posts to NEPS bringing overall sanctioned numbers to 221 psychologist posts. This represents by far the highest number of psychologists sanctioned for NEPS since its inception in 2000.

School Accommodation

Ceisteanna (330)

Seán Canney

Ceist:

330. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education the progress being made with the proposed additional accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34450/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An application for capital funding, under the Department's Additional School Accommodation Scheme has been received from the school in question.

The preparation of a project brief is currently underway and will be communicated to the school authority as quickly as possible.

School Transport

Ceisteanna (331)

Seán Canney

Ceist:

331. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if he will consider the option of providing school transport to facilitate siblings of special needs children to attend the same school in which services are available in order to keep the family unit in attendance at the same school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34452/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 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 the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.

In certain circumstances siblings of children with special needs are allowed to travel on SEN services - in cases where the child availing of the SEN service is the only child on the service. Such cases are reviewed on an annual basis and should more children who are eligible for SEN transport apply to avail of the service, siblings of the child with special needs would no longer be allowed to travel on the service.

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