James O'Connor
Ceist:5. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the status of a school development (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35270/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (5)
Freagraí scríofa
The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included in my Department's school building programme and we remain committed to advancing this project as soon as possible.
Under the National Development Plan (NDP), increased funding has been provided for the school sector capital investment programme. This funding allows for a continued focus on the provision of new permanent school places to keep pace with demographic demand and also provides for an additional focus on the refurbishment of existing school buildings.
The accommodation brief for the proposed project is currently being finalised with a view to progressing the project into the architectural planning process shortly. This planning process involves the preparation of a detailed scope of works to facilitate the appointment of a Design Team. The accommodation proposed for the school will provide for a 16 classroom school plus a 3-classroom Special Education Needs Base and will include an extension, refurbishment of existing accommodation and replacement of temporary accommodation. This is a very significant investment in this school and the surrounding area. My Department will be in further contact with the school as the process develops over the coming weeks.
As an interim measure pending the delivery of the new permanent accommodation, my Department approved an additional temporary classroom to facilitate a second Special Education Needs Class at the school.
Disadvantaged Status
Ceisteanna (6)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:6. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if the consultation process in relation to the DEIS programme will be completed at an early date in view of the need to give further consideration to the applications from schools for inclusion in the DEIS programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35308/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A key part of the DEIS Plan was the introduction of a new DEIS identification process based on an objective, statistics based model to determine which schools merit inclusion in the DEIS programme. An extensive body of work has been undertaken in terms of the refinement of this model, based on the latest school enrolment data and data available from Census 2016 under the HP Deprivation Index.
A detailed quality analysis of the data has been carried out by members of the DEIS Technical Group which contains representatives of the Department’s Statistics and Social Inclusion Units, the Inspectorate and the Educational Research Centre. My Department has commenced a consultation process with education partners on the technical aspects of this model, and work is now ongoing on final elements of the model.
As part of the process when there is a roll out of any changed or new model, my Department engages with the education partners to ensure that there is a clear understanding across the system and that the process is clear, open, transparent and easily understood.
It is envisaged that this will provide the basis for the development and application of a refined DEIS resource allocation model to ultimately match resources to identified need. All schools will be considered for inclusion under the refined DEIS model. Until this work is complete, it is not intended to extend the DEIS programme to any further schools.
Questions Nos. 7 to 13, inclusive, answered orally.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (14)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:14. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the expected capacity on buses within the school transport service in September 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35167/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. 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.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application and payment process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and are offered seats where capacity exists after all eligible children have been catered for.
My Department recently commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme. Following commencement of this review in February 2021 and a detailed analysis and report conducted by the Technical Working Group in the interim period, the Steering Group recently presented me with its initial interim report, a report on eligibility with an examination of issues for mainstream pupils relating to the nearest and next nearest school.
Following consideration of this report, I have approved the extension of temporary alleviation measures which allow for students who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and have applied and paid on time. This will result in transport being provided for an estimated additional 1,800 post-primary pupils in the 2021/2022 school year, who otherwise would not be accommodated under the scheme. This arrangement will be in place for the coming school year pending completion of the full review of the School Transport Scheme.
My Department has engaged intensively with Bus Éireann in regard to the logistics for the safe operation of School Transport Scheme services for the 2020/2021 school year. Based on public health advice my Department provided for School Transport Scheme services for the 2020/2021 school year to fully operate, but with additional measures and hygiene requirements in place and with the rolling implementation of measures on post-primary services as required to provide physical distancing using 50% of passenger capacity. The requirement to implement additional measures or capacity limits on school transport services in the 2021/22 school year will be dependent on the prevailing public health advice at that time.
School Equipment
Ceisteanna (15)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:15. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education her position on the choice of devices selected by secondary schools for students; and if guidelines around type, costs and usage of same will be further developed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34945/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is a matter for the Board of Management of each school. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents when planning for the introduction of digital technologies including devices. The cost and other implications must be fully considered by the Boards of Managements before a decision is made. Schools are encouraged to minimise the costs for parents and families.
The Professional Development Service for Teachers Technology in Education, offers advice and supports to schools on digital learning, with advice available on the technology in education website, including advice about the adoption of laptops and tablets in schools.
The Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill will provide a mechanism for enhanced consultation on such matters in schools. The Bill completed all stages of the Seanad in late 2019. My Department is currently awaiting an order for Second Stage in the Dáil.
As the Deputy may be aware, an investment programme of €210m has been delivered to schools under the current Digital Strategy for Schools 2015 –2020. Schools are supported to develop their Digital Learning Plan, using the Digital Learning Framework which will enable schools and practitioners to embed the use of digital technology in teaching and learning. Schools are best placed to determine their journey in this regard, according to their own context and requirements. The grant funding can be used to buy devices for use by students and teachers, for learning platforms, software and overall ICT infrastructure development in the school.
The development of a new Digital Strategy is underway. An extensive consultation process has commenced and all relevant research and reports will be reviewed as part of the process to inform the new strategy.
School Staff
Ceisteanna (16)
Steven Matthews
Ceist:16. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the loss of a teaching post in a school (details supplied) since the 2019-2020 school year that resulted in an increase in class size due to the amalgamation of classes; if she will review this decision in view of the Programme for Government commitment to reduce class sizes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35174/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The staffing schedule is an allocation mechanism that uses enrolment bands to determine the number of classroom teaching posts allocated to a school. This is a long standing arrangement for allocating teaching posts to our primary schools in a fair and equitable way based on their respective enrolment.
The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally, irrespective of location. For the 2020/21 school year at primary level it operates on the basis of 1 classroom teacher for an average of every 26 pupils which is historically the lowest level.
Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools and to support small schools.
As part of the Budget 2021 measures, the Government have sought to deliver on this commitment by the announcement of a 1 point change to the primary staffing schedule and the introduction of a three point reduction in the number of pupils required to retain a teacher.
The school referred to by the Deputy is not losing a teaching post for the 2021/22 school year. The current average pupil teacher ratio in the school is 25:1.
The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. My Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant contextual factors into account, for example, classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment etc.
State Examinations
Ceisteanna (17)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:17. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education if she will consider extending the current flexible grading for future leaving certificate students up to at least 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35281/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is acutely aware of the disruption caused to all students as a result of school closures arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. From 11 January 2021, all students engaged in a programme of remote learning with their schools.
Students who have just completed fifth year and who are due to take Leaving Certificate examinations in 2022 have experienced a degree of disruption to their learning. In these circumstances it was considered that some level of adjustment to the normal Leaving Certificate assessment arrangements should be made for them that would be proportionate to their experience and be educationally appropriate. Given where these students were at in their studies at the time of each school lockdown period, the impact of the loss of tuition time is less than that experienced by those students who sat the Leaving Certificate this year.
Yesterday, the Advisory Group on Planning for State Examinations received an update in relation to the 2022 Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle examinations. I announced that the level of adjustment to the assessment arrangements for the 2022 Leaving Certificate Examination cohort would be broadly the same as that applied by the Assessment Arrangements for Leaving Certificate Examinations 2021, as set in December 2020. These arrangements were announced before the second period of school closures. Additional changes will be made to that document to reflect syllabus content specific the 2022 examinations. The revised document will be published later this month.
I also announced yesterday that the State Examinations Commission (SEC) will run an alternative set of Leaving Certificate Examinations in 2022, shortly following the main set of examinations. The SEC will set out the eligibility conditions for these examinations, which will be limited to certain students who are unable to sit the main set of examinations due to close family bereavement, COVID-19 illness during those examinations, and certain other categories of serious illness, to be clearly and strictly delineated. The SEC will issue further details regarding these examinations, with all arrangements guided by prevailing public health advice. There will also be further engagement with stakeholders in this matter.
Schools Establishment
Ceisteanna (18)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:18. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education her plans to provide additional education facilities at both primary and post primary level in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35329/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity, to identify where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level. Dublin 9 is partly within each of the Whitehall-Santry D9, Beaumont-Coolock D5 and Drumcondra-Marino D1 school planning areas.
The most recent projections for all three school planning areas indicate increasing requirements at primary and post primary levels. My Department is currently working to examine the capacity of the schools in the area to meet this projected demand.
A number of capital projects have been recently completed or are currently planned or underway in the Dublin 9 area, including a new 16 classroom school for Gracepark ETNS and expansions at St. Aidan’s CBS, Dominican College, Clonturk College and Scoil Caitriona. Furthermore, a new primary school and new post primary school were announced to be established to serve the Drumcondra-Marino D1 school planning area and the primary school, Gaelscoil Áine, was established in 2019 and is currently located in interim accommodation on St. Mobhi Road. The additional capacity being provided by all of these projects is being considered in the context of the projected future requirements in the area.
School place requirements nationally, including in Dublin 9, will continue to be kept under on-going review and in particular will have regard to the impact of the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (19)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:19. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 824 of 15 June 2021, the status of the promised review of the policy on reading classes and schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35376/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy will be aware that I recently requested the Department to arrange for a review of the policy on reading classes and schools.
The review will be informed by the Department's Inspectorate’s research and development work which facilitates thematic review of provision and practice in schools. The work will involve visits to a number of education settings for children with specific learning disabilities and the gathering of evidence in line with the normal Inspectorate inspection model.
It is expected that the Inspectorate's work will be completed during the period October to December 2021, with composite findings becoming available thereafter and will be published.
These findings, together with any relevant recommendations emerging from the NCSE Policy Advice on Special Classes and Special Schools currently in development, will be considered at that stage to determine the actions required to finalise the review.
The outcome of this work will inform future Department policy on supporting children with special educational needs particularly in relation to reading and literacy.
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.
We will continue to invest in and support young people with additional needs whether in the area of reading or otherwise.
Oideachas trí Ghaeilge
Ceisteanna (20)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:20. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais céard é an próiséas ar faoi a dhéanfar cinneadh maidir leis an moladh atá ann dhá shonraíocht éagsúla T1 agus T2 a bheith ann do shiollabas Ghaeilge na hArdteistiméireachta; cén uair a dhéanfar an cinneadh sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [34176/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Agus comhthéacs bheartas na Gaeilge á chur san áireamh, dhréachtaigh an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta (CNCM) sonraíochtaí T1 (An Ghaeilge mar chéad teanga) agus sonraíochtaí T2 (An Ghaeilge mar an dara teanga) le haghaidh Gaeilge na hArdteistiméireachta, mar thoradh ar shaincheisteanna a tháinig chun cinn i dtuarascálacha taighde éagsúla a bhaineann le siollabais reatha na hArdteistiméireachta, agus d’fhonn tacú le le dul chun cinn foghlama ón mbunoideachas go dtí an tSraith Shóisearach agus an tSraith Shinsearach, agus chun foráil a dhéanamh ina leith. Tá sé de chumas ag sonraíochtaí T1 agus T2 cabhrú le haidhm shonraithe an Rialtais a bhaint amach mar atá leagtha amach sa Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge.
I mí Feabhra 2021, foilsíodh na dréachtsonraíochtaí sin le haghaidh comhairliúcháin. Bunaithe ar an aiseolas ó na geallsealbhóirí agus ar iarratais go dtí seo, agus ag cuimhneamh ar na cúinsí dúshlánacha atá os comhair earnáil an oideachais mar gheall ar COVID-19, tá Comhairle CNCM ag cur síneadh ama leis an tréimhse reatha comhairliúcháin go dtí deireadh mhí na Samhna 2021. Tá síneadh ama go dtí an 30 Samhain curtha freisin leis an spriocdháta le haghaidh aighneachtai agus suirbhéanna ar líne, agus leanfar ar aghaidh leis na cruinnithe déthaobhacha agus le fócasghrúpaí comhairliúcháin le geallsealbhóirí.
Nuair a dhúnfar an próiseas comhairliúcháin seo, déanfaidh an CNCM diananailís ar an aiseolas uile, foilseofar a tuarascáil eatramhach ar an gcomhairliúchán, agus déanfar coigeartuithe ar na dréachtsonraíochtaí de réir mar is cuí. Táthar ag súil le comhairliúchán breise a reáchtáil le linn an Fhómhair in 2022. Ina dhiadh sin, cuirfear sonraíochtaí athbhreithnithe faoi bhráid an Aire lena mbreithniú agus lena bhfaomhadh sula bhfoilseofar iad.
Question No. 21 answered orally.